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Chance to Fly

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( 1,246 ratings, 260 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Chance to Fly is a delightful story about a theatre-loving teenager named Nat, who is passionate about musicals. When she moves to a new town, Nat, who uses a wheelchair, finds an inclusive community in a local theatre group. The book explores themes of friendship, overcoming challenges, and pursuing your dreams with heartwarming sincerity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're passionate about musicals and stories of courage and determination. It follows a spirited young girl who loves theatre and is determined to pursue her dreams despite the challenges she faces in using a wheelchair. The inspiring message and relatable characters will particularly appeal to young readers interested in themes of perseverance, friendship, and believing in oneself.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

After moving across the country, thirteen-year-old Natalie auditions for her new school's play and overcomes her fears and insecurities about performing in a wheelchair.

From Tony Award–winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz, an inspiring and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations—and gravity—now in paperback

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From Tony Award–winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz, The Chance to Fly is an inspiring and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theatre-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations—and gravity.

“The perfect read for any dream chaser... You’ll realise how unlimited your possibilities are.” —Tony and Emmy Award–winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth

Thirteen-year-old Nat Beacon loves a lot of things: her dog, Warbucks; her best friend, Chloe; and competing on her wheelchair racing team, the Zoomers, to name a few. But there’s one thing she’s absolutely OBSESSED with: MUSICALS! From Hamilton to Les Mis, there’s not a cast album she hasn’t memorised and belted along to. She’s never actually been in a musical though, or even seen an actor who uses a wheelchair for mobility onstage. Would someone like Nat ever get cast?

But when Nat’s family moves from California to New Jersey, Nat stumbles upon auditions for a kids’ production of Wicked, one of her favourite musicals ever! And she gets into the ensemble! The other cast members are super cool and inclusive (well, most of them)—especially Malik, the male lead and cutest boy Nat’s ever seen. But when things go awry a week before opening night, will Nat be able to cast her fears and insecurities aside and “Defy Gravity” in every sense of the song title?

Includes a Sneak Peek of Nat Beacon’s Next Story, Cut Loose!

Series: The Chance to Fly

View all
  • Cut Loose! (The Chance to Fly #2)
    The showstopping sequel to The Chance to Fly, which New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer called “unique, inspirational, and full of heart”—now in paperback. Full of heart, friendship, and so much song, Cut Loose! by Tony Award winner Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an uplifting story about embracing your strengths, standing out, and standing up for what you...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • Chance to Fly
    From Tony Award–winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz, The Chance to Fly is an inspiring and heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theatre-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations—and gravity. “The perfect read for any dream chaser... You’ll realise how unlimited your possibilities are.” —Tony and Emmy Award–winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • Cut Loose! (The Chance to Fly #2)
    It's the beginning of eighth grade, and Nat Beacon is nervous. Not only will she be the New Kid, but the New Kid in a Wheelchair. The school year starts off rocky: no one seems friendly, and she can't get to the cafeteria without help. But there are a few bright spots. Namely, her best friend, Hudson, her boyfriend (swoon!),...
    Hardback
    Sold Out

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Chance to Fly by Stacy Davidowitz and Ali Stroker is a heartwarming children's book praised for its inspirational story and engaging protagonist, Nat Beacon. Readers commended its unique perspective on theatre and representation, applauding its themes of perseverance and self-advocacy. With realistic dialogue and an uplifting narrative, the book resonates with dreamers and theatre enthusiasts alike, offering meaningful representation for young disabled performers.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419743948

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 October 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Amulet Paperbacks

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 203.0mm

Height: 140.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Ali Stroker is a Tony Award winner for her role as Ado Annie in the 2019 revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! She made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. Since then, she’s performed on stages across New York as well as in movies, such as Christmas Ever After, and countless shows, including Echoes, Only Murders in the Building, Ozark, Ten Days in the Valley, The Glee Project, Glee, And Just Like That, Big Nate, and Alice’s Wonderland Bakery. Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts, disabled or not, is captured in her motto: “Turning your limitations into your opportunities.” Stroker is the proud author of the acclaimed novel The Chance to Fly as well as the picture book Ali and the Sea Stars.
Stacy Davidowitz is an acclaimed author and playwright. Her star-reviewed novel The Chance to Fly, coauthored by Tony Award–winning actress Ali Stroker, was named a best children’s book of the year by the Chicago Public Library, Parents, and Bank Street College of Education. It was also selected by the National Education Association as a featured title for Read Across America. Davidowitz is best known for her four-book Camp Rolling Hills series, inspired by her coauthored Camp Rolling Hills the Musical, which continues to have productions across the country. She is also the author of the Hanazuki chapter book series based on Hasbro’s YouTube series. She has written award-winning plays that have been produced regionally and internationally, and are published by Broadway Play Publishing, Stage Rights, and YouthPLAYS. When she is not writing, she teaches creative writing, female empowerment, and musical theater in schools, camps, foster care facilities, and juvenile detention centers. She is a proud graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, where she earned degrees in drama, psychology, and acting. Fun fact: growing up, Davidowitz was in seven productions of Annie. She lives in upper Manhattan with her husband and twin boys. Learn more about Davidowitz online, where in addition to all things books, you can watch clips of her performing as a kid.

Also by Ali Stroker

View all
  • Cut Loose! (The Chance to Fly #2)
    The showstopping sequel to The Chance to Fly, which New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer called “unique, inspirational, and full of heart”—now in paperback. Full of heart, friendship, and so much song, Cut Loose! by Tony Award winner Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an uplifting story about embracing your strengths, standing out, and standing up for what you...
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • The Chance to Fly
    A heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations-and gravity-from Tony award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy DavidowitzThirteen-year-old Nat Beacon loves a lot of things: her dog Warbucks, her best friend Chloe, and competing on her wheelchair racing team, the Zoomers, to name a few. But there's one thing...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Cut Loose! (The Chance to Fly #2)
    It's the beginning of eighth grade, and Nat Beacon is nervous. Not only will she be the New Kid, but the New Kid in a Wheelchair. The school year starts off rocky: no one seems friendly, and she can't get to the cafeteria without help. But there are a few bright spots. Namely, her best friend, Hudson, her boyfriend (swoon!),...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Ali and the Sea Stars
    Tony Award-winning actress Ali Stroker captures the magic and community of theatre in her debut picture book, about a spirited girl in a wheelchair who stages a show for her hometown. Based on the pivotal summer Ali performed in her first musical by the Jersey Shore! Ali and the Sea Stars introduces Ali, who loves to dance, sing, and act....
    Hardback
    Sold Out

Also by Stacy Davidowitz

View all
  • Camp Rolling Hills (#1)
    A hilarious and heartfelt series about the particular magic of summer camp—a place where reinvention is possible and friends are like family—from a sparkling debut talent. Finally, it's summer! Stephanie—aka Slimey—has been counting the days until she can return to her favourite place in the entire world, Camp Rolling Hills. And this year she's especially happy to be back—she'll have...
    Paperback
    $3700
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • The Chance to Fly
    A heartfelt middle-grade novel about a theater-loving girl who uses a wheelchair for mobility and her quest to defy expectations-and gravity-from Tony award-winning actress Ali Stroker and Stacy DavidowitzThirteen-year-old Nat Beacon loves a lot of things: her dog Warbucks, her best friend Chloe, and competing on her wheelchair racing team, the Zoomers, to name a few. But there's one thing...
    Hardback
    Sold Out
  • Cut Loose! (The Chance to Fly #2)
    The showstopping sequel to The Chance to Fly, which New York Times bestselling author Chris Colfer called “unique, inspirational, and full of heart”—now in paperback. Full of heart, friendship, and so much song, Cut Loose! by Tony Award winner Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz is an uplifting story about embracing your strengths, standing out, and standing up for what you...
    Paperback
    Sold Out

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