Lulu lives at the Shubert Theatre in New York City - 225 West 44th Street. Lulu loves her home, she loves all the people who work in the theatre and she is an expert on all the major stage musicals. Lulu has a dream. One day she hopes to take centre stage herself. There is only one, tiny, tiny problem. Lulu is a mouse!
Perhaps the cover gives the plot away. You can see Lulu on the stage and yes there is an audience. She is standing in the spotlight and she is wearing her lucky "silk chartreuse ribbon-scarf".
Meanwhile things are not too easy for the young actors - children who are part of a show staring Stella James. The main child in the production is a girl called Amanda. Her understudy is Maya. Amanda is a nasty girl. She is determined Maya will never perform. Eventually Maya decides to leave the show but it is the new understudy - Jane - who eventually upstages the awful Amanda.
Lulu the Broadway Mouse is an easy book to read. The print is large and the plot moves at a good pace. Lulu herself, as the narrator, is a sassy yet insightful and very smart girl who would make a good friend. Read more plot details on Jenna's website. Jenna debuted on Broadway herself at the age of 16 and this gives an authenticity to the storytelling. I think this book will appeal to girls aged 9+ who like sweet stories (about mice) and who enjoy exploring complex relationships (human). There is a sequel - The Show must go on. Here is a short interview with Jenna Gavigan. There are hints at the back of the book about visiting NYC and ways to behave when you visit the theatre plus my copy had a sneak preview of the second book:
"Please keep reading because some grown-up already bought the book for you, they (and I) will be heartbroken if you don't finish it." Lulu
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