Shannon in the Spotlight

Obsessive-compulsive disorder, complex tween relationships, and finding one’s niche take center stage in this delicately realized novel from Miller (The Night When No One Had Sex). In suburban Minneapolis, white 12-year-old Shannon Carter has always kept her love of musical theater behind the scenes, staying within her comfort zone as a techie. But when the director of her community theater’s production of The Sound of Music hears her sing and demands that she audition, Shannon finds herself cast as Brigitta von Trapp—the role coveted by one of her best friends. As Shannon moves forward into rehearsals, her OCD presents new challenges, a rival production increases pressure, and her critical grandmother temporarily moves in after a house fire—taking Shannon’s bed, and clashing with her single mother about parenting and Shannon’s OCD. On top of all that, she becomes interested in Black-cued Micah, the assured new boy cast as Kurt in her production. Miller, who lives with OCD, employs a conversational first-person voice, relaying self-aware Shannon’s endeavors to balance her mental health, her newfound confidence, and her desire to keep the peace, while emotionally profound themes elevate a low-stakes plot. Context cues suggest a racially diverse secondary cast. Ages 10–up. Agent: Stacey Kondla, Rights Factory. (Apr.)