Shannon in the Spotlight

After Shannon accidentally lands a lead role in the summer musical, she realises she has bigger things to worry about than stage fright in this contemporary middle-school novel about strained friendships, the positive power of theatre, and the realities of being a tween with OCD.

Shannon Carter never considered herself much of a theatre person. Not like her two BFFs, Elise, an actress, and Fatima, a techie. Shannon's always been content to stay backstage, helping wherever she can. But when the director of the summer musical hears Shannon singing, he encourages her to step out of the wings and into the spotlight.

At first, Shannon is hesitant. As a twelve-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder, she depends on routine. But when she braves the audition, she discovers that centre stage is the one place where she doesn't feel anxious. She lands a lead role, and everyone in her life is ecstatic... except Elise.

To make matters worse, Shannon's eccentric and opinionated grandmother moves in with her and her mum after a fluke house fire. As opening night approaches, Shannon feels pressure to save her friendship with Elise, to make Mum and Grandma Ruby act like grown-ups, and to follow the old theatre adage: The show must go on.