Forsooth

Jimmy Matejek-Morris

Hardcover

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Thirteen-year-old Calvin knows he's destined to be a star. . . if he can just stop making embarrassing mistakes onstage, like getting stuck on a single line--"Forsooth!"--and then falling off the stage during the school play.

The summer after seventh grade, he's hoping for a fresh start. All he has to do is prove himself as an actor and fix the awkwardness with his friends that started after the play.

But nothing's going according to plan. His parents don't get his love of performing. His best friend is moving on without him. And he might have a crush that could change everything.

Surrounded by drama on all sides, Calvin will have to go off script if he's going to be a real friend and be true to himself.

Book Details

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (R)
Publish Date: Nov 7th, 2023
Pages: 360
Language: English
Edition: undefined - undefined
Dimensions: 7.10in - 5.50in - 1.80in - 0.90lb
EAN: 9781728457598
Recommended age: 11-14
Categories: • Performing Arts - Theater & Musicals• LGBTQ+ - General• Social Themes - Adolescence & Coming of Age

About the Author

Matejek-Morris, Jimmy: - Jimmy Matejek-Morris was born and raised in New Jersey, the middle of five children. He earned undergraduate degrees in Film and English at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. After graduating, Jimmy moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned an MA in Children's Literature and an MFA in Writing for Children from Simmons College (now University). He currently lives in Massachusetts with his husband Scott and their very well-dressed poodle-Pomeranian named Rudy. His first novel, My Ex-Imaginary Friend, was named a Best Children's Book of the Year by the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College.

Praise for this book

"Forsooth dives into the confusing collision of faith, friendships, and first crushes with a winning combination of tenderness and laugh-out-loud humor. I fell hard for Calvin Conroy, in all his messy glory, from the very first page. This is a book I wish I could deliver via time machine to my thirteen-year-old self." --Chad Lucas, author of Thanks a Lot, Universe

-- (2/3/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A must-read for the shining stars in your life!" --Adam Sass, award-winning author of The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers and Surrender Your Sons

-- (3/15/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"Forsooth is a heartwarming reminder that we are all the star of our own show--worthy of not just the spotlight, but love. You'll be rooting for Calvin from start to finish."--Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue

-- (3/13/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"This book is unputdownable! A propulsive, witty, heart-filling read, Forsooth is a story I wish I'd had when I was a kid."--Emily Barth Isler, author of AfterMath

-- (2/13/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A funny and thoughtful exploration of middle school relationships." --Kirkus Reviews

-- (9/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"Gives serious treatment to mental health and the challenges of coming out in a religiously restrictive community. Adorkable Calvin makes impressive growth in self-acceptance, and that plot-driving process benefits from supportive characters working through their own challenges. With casual Broadway references and theater as a dominant theme, readers with an existing interest in the performing arts will delight in the story, while those less comfortable in the spotlight will enjoy watching Calvin shine. Forsooth!" -- Booklist

-- (8/29/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"A dramatic second-person prologue gives way to Calvin's sensitive and enthusiastic first-person POV in this funny and joyous ode to creative expression. Matejek-Morris (My Ex-Imaginary Friend) delves into adolescent friendship drama and Calvin's challenges growing up queer in a religious family, as well as issues of internalized racism, via theatrical hijinks that add levity to the weighty themes." --Publishers Weekly

-- (9/25/2023 12:00:00 AM)

"Calvin's panicky narration is easy to empathize with, giving the reader a front-row seat to his anxiety. Heavier themes are balanced with lightheartedness and references that will delight any theater kid. The topic of religion, in particular--Catholicism and Judaism, as experienced via a friend's bar mitzvah--is approached with both humor and thoughtfulness. Calvin's first attempts at romance and sometimes toxic friendships result in a lot of drama, but his showstopping antics are a joy throughout." --The Horn Book Magazine

-- (10/5/2023 12:00:00 AM)