The Chance to Fly
By Mandie Caroll,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Uplifting musical theater-themed story has charming lead.
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What's the Story?
In THE CHANCE TO FLY, theater-obsessed Nat is the new girl in Saddle Stream, New Jersey, so she's thrilled when she lands a role in the ensemble for a kids' theater production of Wicked, one of her favorite musicals ever. Nat's not sure how it'll work with her wheelchair, but she's confident she can figure it out. Nat makes friends quickly with the cool cast members, and most are super chill about her wheelchair. When the choreographer excludes her from the dance numbers, her new friends help her prove that her wheelchair isn't a problem to be solved or ignored, but an opportunity to be more creative and more amazing. When a catastrophe threatens to ruin Wicked, can Nat find the courage to lead her friends as they fight to save the show that means so much to all of them?
Is It Any Good?
This fun, thoughtful coming-of-age novel may be musical-themed, but despite the allusions to Broadway musicals and theater-speak, it really does have wide reader appeal. The Chance to Fly artfully strings together several storylines. There's Nat, the new girl in town, and the rift growing between her and the best friend she left behind. There's Nat's wheelchair use, the welcome ordinariness of it, but also how being disabled complicates Nat's relationship with her parents, and the exhausting, ever-present need for her to prove (mostly to adults) that she can actually do the thing they think she can't, and the stinging disappointment when she can't. There is a sweet first crush, and flirting, and a first kiss. There's the fast and fierce bonding that happens between kids working on a project together, the happiness of dreams being lived, and the acute relief of finally being understood, accepted, and celebrated for who you are.
This is a story about what happens when kids fight for and get what they need to succeed. Any reader who's ever felt out of place or lost will find hope, and a great deal of joy, in this inspiring middle grades read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways Nat's new theater friends are so "chill" about her wheelchair in The Chance to Fly. What do they do that helps her feel included? How do they support her when adults see her wheelchair as a limitation or problem?
How would you describe Nat's relationship with her parents? How do they grow as Nat grows up? How do family relationships change as kids get older?
How did having this story centered on musical theater, and Wicked in particular, work for you? Are you more or less interested in musicals now? Why?
Book Details
- Authors: Ali Stroker, Stacy Davidowitz
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, Middle School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harry N. Abrams
- Publication date: April 13, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 288
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: April 27, 2021
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