Maya Plays the Part

A heartwarming middle-grade debut with autism representation and a musical flair.

Maya Plays the Part captures the dreams and dilemmas of a young girl who lives and breathes musicals. When her chance to finally be a part of the summer musical programme at the community theatre arises, Maya is convinced she will get the lead role. After all, who knows The Drowsy Chaperone better than she does?

However, things don't turn out exactly as Maya has planned. The summer becomes packed with challenges: dealing with her best friend's move, her parents' busy jobs, and—since her autism diagnosis—the ongoing puzzle of how to be herself in public. Perhaps most importantly, Maya must figure out how to play the part that truly feels like her own.