Drama by Raina Telgemeier

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Description:

Callie loves theater. And while she would totally try out for her middle school's production of Moon over Mississippi, she can't really sing. Instead, she's the set designer for the drama department's stage crew, and this year she's determined to create a set worthy of Broadway on a middle-school budget. But how can she, when she doesn't know much about carpentry, ticket sales are down, and the crew members are having trouble working together? Not to mention the onstage AND offstage drama that occurs once the actors are chosen. And when two cute brothers enter the picture, things get even crazier!

Age Recommendation: 15+ or 9th Grade and up

General Content:

Language: 1/10- Little to no derogatory language/ references.

Alcohol & Drugs: 0/10- Little to no alcohol or drugs.

Violence & Gore: 0/10- Little to no violence or gore.

Sexual Content: 5/10- Casual dating and kissing scattered throughout. Two boys kiss in a school play.

Parent Guide:

Tropes: The troubled school play, friendships, and questioning sexuality/ homosexuality.

Act 1:

-Matt, Greg, and Callie walk home together when Greg suddenly asks for Callie’s advice alone. Greg confides in her that Bonnie broke up with him. Callie takes it as her chance to confess her feelings. They end the conversation with a kiss.

-The next day, Greg avoids Callie. When she finally catches up to him, he admits he talked to Bonnie on the phone all night and that they may get back together.

Act 3:

-Callie meets two brothers, Justin and Jesse. When Callie is upset about Greg, she eats lunch with Justin to confide in him. Justin tells Callie he’s gay.

“‘When you say he’s cute, do you mean…’ ‘like, I like boys? Yeah’”

-Bonnie and West (two cast members in the school play) disappear in the basement while everyone’s checking out costumes. They’re found kissing behind some costumes.

Act 4:

-Justin gets flustered about a boy he thinks is “cute” in the hallway.

-Callie asks Justin if he’ll go to the 8th-grade dance with a boy. He says he’s not sure if he’s ready for that or if he’s ready to tell his dad.

Act 5:

-When Bonnie and West, the two students playing the leading roles in the play, break up before the last show, Bonnie refuses to finish the show. With no other options, Jesse, Justin’s brother, puts on a dress and finishes the play in Bonnie’s place. The script ends with a kiss, so the two boys kiss to end the play.

Act 6:

-Jesse and Callie go to the 8th-grade dance together when Jesse suddenly leaves. Two hours later, Callie finds him outside talking with West. It turns out that Jesse is also gay and has a crush on West.

-Greg sees that Callie is also alone at the dance, so they leave to walk home together. Greg tries to ask Callie for another chance, he tries to kiss her, but she blocks it, choosing to walk home alone.

Final Act:

-Callie and Jesse talk, apologizing to each other about the night of the dance. Afterward, she asks about him and West: “So, you and West, huh?”” Well…sorta… West still doesn’t know if he’s really gay. Or, I dunno, bi, or whatever”.