Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller

As opening night approaches, Shannon feels pressure to save her friendship with Elise, to make Mom and Grandma Ruby act like grown-ups, and to follow the old theater adage The show must go on. To make matters worse, Shannon’s eccentric and opinionated grandmother moves in with her and her mom after a fluke house fire. When she isn't writing, Kalena enjoys tap dancing, scrapbooking, and watching an embarrassing amount of reality television. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband and lovable, if slightly neurotic, dog. She lands a lead role, and everyone in her life is ecstatic. Kalena Miller is a writer, teacher, editor, and scone enthusiast. Michael Shannon shared his thoughts on Ezra Miller’s personal issues, and has a lot of sympathy for how the actor was put in the spotlight. But when she braves the audition, she discovers that center stage is the one place where she doesn’t feel anxious. As a twelve-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder, she depends on routine. Shannon in the Spotlight embraces the power of honesty and the idea that anxiety neither defines nor limits us on stage or in life.'-Elly Swartz, author of Dear Student Kalena Miller grew up in College Station, Texas. But when the director of the summer musical hears Shannon singing, he encourages her to step out of the wings and into the spotlight.Īt first, Shannon is hesitant. 'A heartprint story of resilience, friendship, and family. Shannon’s always been content to stay backstage, helping wherever she can.

Not like her two BFFs, Elise, an actress, and Fatima, a techie. Thank goodness for there now being SO MANY wonderful books. Shannon Carter never considered herself much of a theater person. Book Review: Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller Amanda MacGregor Blogs, Apr 25, 2023. After Shannon accidentally lands a lead role in the summer musical, she realizes she has bigger things to worry about than stage fright in this contemporary middle-school novel about strained friendships, the positive power of theater, and the realities of being a tween with OCD.