Even with her dad's job loss and a move from Chicago to Houston, 16-year-old Maddie knows what she wants al friends, a career on the stage, and a guy just like Gene Kelly. The problem is most guys are into sports, not singing and dancing. Enter good-looking Jesse Morales, her new neighbor. The attraction is strong, but how could Maddie ever fall for a guy who loves baseball more than the stage? So she immerses herself in school and community theater, both of which are run by Jesse's mom, and makes new friends who "get" her. Still, she cannot get Jesse off her mind, and the attraction is mutual. Perhaps the seed of an idea from High School Musical led Rae to create her latest novel, but this novel takes on a life all its own. Narrated by Maddie's winsome voice and incorporating issues of race, vocational choice, tight finances, and what makes a family, this sweet romance has a classic feel that will find a wide readership among Glee fans.

Being the new girl is never easy, but Maddie Brooks never imagined she would be starting her junior year in small-town Texas rather than Chicago. It is a good thing her new school has a great drama department. Maddie has always had high standards for guys, especially since none can live up to the singing and dancing perfection of her swoon-worthy idol Gene Kelly. Fitting in is easy, but what Maddie does not count on is that her car pools with Jesse Morales, her gorgeous and charming neighbor, would lead to the discovery that he just might be the perfect guy. Jesse has a natural talent for dance, but when it becomes clear that baseball, not dance, is his true passion, Maddie wonders if they have a future.Rae's novel is a fun, fast read targeting teen girls who enjoy romantic realistic fiction. Character development is a notable strength. Readers will relate to the emotions, anxieties, and pressures experienced by the characters. Maddie shows character growth throughout and successfully infuses her love of classic films with her new friends. Jesse is by far the most intriguing character. Rae could have explored his journey more, given the hints at greater struggles with parental pressures and ethnic stereotypes he encounters. Overall, the novel holds mass appeal for the target audience with its humor, relevance, and authentic contemporary voice.Linsey Milillo.