Curtain Going Up!: 9

Fitzi comes from a New York show biz family, all of whom have roles in a Broadway hit called Crowd Scene. But while Fitzi can put on a big smile and dance in front of countless strangers week after week, she is shy and uncertain in her private life. For one thing, she can't figure out how to act around Mark Hiller, the young star of the show, who both thrills and confuses her with his vanity. Further, Mark and Fitzi's theater veteran grandfather, Clement, are in competition for a Tony award. While some aspects of the plot are melodramatic (e.g., the set falls on and injures Mark, who then takes up drinking backstage to dull the pain), the characters and situations are generally believable, particularly the portrayal of Fitzi, an only child who unknowingly feels responsible for others' well-being. Hill's (Broadway Chances) in-the-know use of theater lingo further certifies the appeal of her in-the-wings stage story. Ages 10-14. (Apr.)