Eowyn Becker and Jules Marrigan are 13-years-old spending their sixth summer at a performing arts camp. They’ve been best of friends ever since that first year at camp when they were 8-years-old. Something though has put an end to their companionship and they barely talk to each other anymore.

You find out what occurred to cause this change through a unique dual viewpoint approach. Euwyn’s first person, present day narration is the focus of her chapters and often occur with several in a row. In between we get a third person look at the past that stays close to Jules.

The camp is special to both of them. Eowyn is overshadowed by her older Tony Award winning brother. Her mom died and Dad seems more focused on his career as an MD and overseeing his son’s career. Jules has both parents, but Dad is without a job. The only reason she can attend this camp is through a scholarship.

Friendship drama is at its highest level and readers will be anxious to find out what happened with the girls’ relationship and whether they solve their differences. The musical theater backdrop will be a delight to those who love Broadway musicals as they are referred to often. Others might be wondering just what is an Evan Hansen or a Hello Dolly. It’s good that the final musical of this year’s camp is Wicked which is familiar to a much broader majority.

I was about halfway through the book when I couldn’t put it down. The anticipation of how this story would end kept me going along with a perfect flow of the writing. TAKE IT FROM THE TOP is a great story about family, friendship and understanding. Highly recommended especially for those musical theater fans.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: NOVEMBER 19, 2024 PAGE COUNT: 256

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: TAKE IT FROM THE TOP by Claire Swinarski

1. The past is woven into the present in top notch fashion. These two strong minded girls make it happen to perfection as to who is right or wrong.
2. Young readers will take sides with one of the characters but by the end they will be able to see both of them as their own friend. Great character arcs for each.
3. There is also a smaller focus on a first crush. It’s handled in a believable and nice way for this age group.
4. Each chapter title tells whether the following pages are in the past or present. The Summer number (from 1-6) and the age of the main characters keep you informed.
5. This has a YA sequel possibilities as the Epilogue (Age 14) brings you up to day as to how the past year went and whether Year 7 at the camp will include both girls. A second book would certainly be welcome to those who have read this one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Claire Swinarski is the Edgar Award-nominated author of multiple books for both kids and adults. Her writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Seventeen, Milwaukee Magazine, and many other publications. She lives in small town Wisconsin with her husband and three kids, where she writes books, wears babies, and wrangles bread dough. You can follow her on Instagram @claireswinarski.

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