  | Casting April Author: Lu, Wendy | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Sixth grader April Xue lives and breathes all things Broadway. When she builds up the courage to audition for the lead role in the school play, she thinks she's knocked it out of the park, until she finds out that she's been assigned to the stage crew. A day later, April overhears that the theater director, Ms. Rooney, decided not to cast her because she's disabled. April learns to confront her own insecurities as a performer and proves that she deserves a fair shot in time for opening night.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/15/26)
School Library Journal (06/12/26)
Booklist (06/01/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2026 When Broadway-loving April Xue tries out for her school play, she delivers an amazing audition, only to be given the job of stage assistant. She overhears the new theater teacher say that the reason April didn’t get the lead is because of her tracheotomy tube. While crushed, April decides to work hard to show she belongs onstage, even if it means possibly upsetting old and new friends. April and her friends are all believable pre-teens, who are given enough narrative space to have motivating backstories, as are the characters’ parents and teachers. April’s exasperation at adults wanting to protect her without asking for her input, and at the overuse of the word “brave” for simply existing, is a relatable detail, especially for those with disabilities. April’s trach tube is simply a fact of life, and she moves about her day like everyone else. A debut novel with a lot of soul and a love for all things theater, Casting April shines a meaningful spotlight on looking beyond the surface to understand the heart of a matter. - Copyright 2026 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 06/12/2026 Gr 4–7—Twelve-year-old April Xue is a promising actress. She specializes in online casting calls, where she commits to every role and song in a specialized app. When her school announces a new show, she feels insecure and chooses not to audition. April has a tracheostomy tube in her neck, and she is nervous being in front of a live audience. Once her best friend pushes her to do it, she nails the audition! However, the theater director gives her a backstage role, and April overhears her director saying the choice was due to her trach tube. April tells friends and family she earned the lead role, then goes on a personal quest to prove herself to the director: if she can nail every aspect of her job plus learn every line, she might be given the role anyway. The lies begin to pile up, and as things get more and more complicated, April backs herself into a corner. The show's debut is fast approaching, and she has been untruthful to her best friends, her family, and the whole cast. Lu, a disability journalist who lives with a tracheostomy tube, has crafted a book that touches on multiple issues: visible and invisible disabilities, prejudice against Asian Americans, the world of theater, and more. The main characters are from a variety of backgrounds, and the inherent "drama" of the theater community is explored. Readers will navigate the emotional rollercoaster alongside April. VERDICT A strong debut about a budding thespian advocating for herself despite prejudice and misconceptions; recommended for upper elementary and middle school libraries.—Carolina Youssif - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
