{"id":27370,"date":"2015-04-30T20:51:45","date_gmt":"2015-05-01T00:51:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=27370"},"modified":"2015-04-30T20:56:08","modified_gmt":"2015-05-01T00:56:08","slug":"review-of-five-six-seven-nate-by-tim-federle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=27370","title":{"rendered":"Review of Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"five_six_seven_nate_large\"<\/a>Five, Six, Seven, Nate!<\/em><\/p>\n

by Tim Federle
\nread by the Author<\/p>\n

Simon & Schuster Audio, 2014. 6 CDs.
\nStarred Review<\/p>\n

First, I\u2019ll say that this follow-up to Better Nate Than Ever<\/a><\/em> is fabulous. In this case, the author and narrator has worked on Broadway himself \u2013 so he can tell this story as it should be told.<\/p>\n

Five, Six, Seven, Nate!<\/em> features Nate Foster, moving to New York, cast as second understudy for the role of E. T. in E. T.: The Musical<\/em>. His adventures and the simple day-to-day things he deals with, are hugely entertaining. The reader (or listener) is definitely rooting for Nate, excited about his dream come true of actually performing on Broadway.<\/p>\n

He leaves his best friend Libby behind, but she\u2019s given him plenty of tips and moral support. He\u2019s also leaving behind relentless bullies and parents who are far more impressed with his older brother\u2019s sports prowess. At thirteen years old, his voice is changing \u2013 which leads to some awkward timing. He\u2019s staying with his Aunt Heidi and learning how to navigate New York and show business. <\/p>\n

This is a feel-good, heart-warming novel that will leave you wanting to belt out a musical number at the end. (Now that would have enhanced the audio!) Tremendously fun listening.<\/p>\n

Okay, that\u2019s my review \u2013 I loved the book, and kids will love it, and it gives insight into what it\u2019s like to be part of a Broadway musical.<\/p>\n

Now let me talk about something I was going to ignore \u2013 but I decided that in today\u2019s climate, it deserves mention.<\/p>\n

Yes, Nate \u2013 a thirteen-year-old boy who is obsessed with Broadway musicals \u2013 is gay. Back home, in Pennsylvania, he was relentlessly and cruelly bullied. In the book, Nate is involved in two kisses, one with a girl, one with a boy. The one with a boy feels dramatically different, dramatically more right.<\/p>\n

The reason I bring this up at all is that I still have friends who believe that homosexuality is a choice, not the way people are born. This book, without making an argument at all, argues against that view. Some of those friends might not want their children reading this book, but I believe they would do well to read it themselves.<\/p>\n

Come on, a boy who loves musical theater? Do you really have trouble believing he\u2019s gay? Do you really have trouble believing he would be bullied horribly? Do you really believe he would choose bullying, choose his parents\u2019 disapproval, if he actually had a choice about it?<\/p>\n

You may argue that this is only fiction, but the book is based on the author\u2019s adventures in Broadway. The whole scenario rings true.<\/p>\n

In the first place, this is a fantastic, feel-good story. But for kids who see themselves in Nate, this is a wonderful opportunity to read a book about someone like them, someone different from his peers. For kids who don\u2019t see themselves in Nate, what better way than reading to put yourself in someone else\u2019s shoes? If this book promotes understanding and compassion \u2013 more power to it!<\/p>\n

timfederle.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/five_six_seven_nate.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library audiobook from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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