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The Chance to Fly

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( 1,266 ratings, 265 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
The Chance to Fly follows the journey of Nat Beacon, a theatre-loving girl and wheelchair user, who moves to a new town and must navigate challenges to join a local musical theatre production. With determination and passion, she discovers her place among a group of like-minded friends, ultimately learning about courage, friendship, and believing in her own abilities.
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Format: Hardback
$2999
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you love inspiring stories about young characters overcoming challenges. It's perfect for readers who are passionate about theatre, musicals, and the power of friendship. With a protagonist who has big dreams despite facing physical limitations, this story celebrates resilience and the belief that you can achieve anything if you set your heart on it.

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.

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

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 Davidowitz

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 memorized and belted along to. She's never actually been in a musical though, or even seen an actor who uses a wheelchair for mobility on stage. 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 favorite 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?

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 is celebrated for its humour and heart, resonating particularly with theatre enthusiasts and offering them an inspiring tale of perseverance. Critics praise it for relatable characters and the powerful depiction of pursuing dreams despite obstacles. The inclusion of diverse voices is commended for providing representation, particularly for young performers with disabilities, and the narrative is described as engaging and uplifting.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419743931

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 July 2021

Country: United States

Imprint: Amulet Books

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Ali Stroker made history as the first person in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway and win a Tony Award. She made her Broadway debut in the revival of Spring Awakening and then played Ado Annie in the revival of Oklahoma! Ali graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts and has starred and recurred in numerous television shows, including Glee. Her work as a humanitarian includes speaking and performing around the world helping people with and without disabilities through her message of “Making Your Limitations into Opportunities.” The Chance to Fly is her debut novel.

Stacy Davidowitz is the author of the Camp Rolling Hills series and coauthor of 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. Stacy has written award-winning plays that have been produced regionally and internationally. When she is not writing, she teaches creative writing and musical theater in schools, foster care facilities, and juvenile detention centers. She is a graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, where she earned degrees in drama and acting. Stacy lives in Manhattan with her husband and twin boys.

Also by Ali Stroker

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  • 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
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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
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  • 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
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Also by Stacy Davidowitz

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
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • 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
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