E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Nat Beacon moves from California to New Jersey because her mother has a new job as an actuary (so boring!)and her father is the athletic director of the nearby high school. Nat's not thrilled, because their home in California was more accessible to her wheelchair, everyone knew about the car accident that caused her to require it, and she was on a wheelchair racing team. When she and her father go to check out the local racing team, she sees a sign for an audition for Wicked. Nat is musical obsessed, but her parents think that someone "with her circumstances" won't be able to be on stage. Without her parents permission, she tries out, and gets cast in the chorus. She's thrilled to make friends, who are very helpful and friendly (especially the cute Malik!), and to finally get to perform. Her parents aren't happy she disobeyed them, but let her work with the group. There are some hiccups-- at first, the director tells her she doesn't need to be on stage for all of the dances, her father drives her to the camp the group has and gets lost, and the theater the group was using suffers a bad fire. Nat and her friends look around to find another theater. Will the performance be able to go on, and will Nat finally get her chance on stage?
Strengths: This had all of the things that make up a good middle grade theater novel-- new friends, production details, a little insecurity, and a really big show. (Okay, if you said that in a certain voice, you've dated yourself!) Nat is a sympathetic character who wants more independence from her parents, who wants to pursue her own dreams, and who is glad to be involved in an activity about which she is passionate. There are lots of musicals referenced (Does anyone do Oklahoma anymore? Well, they do The Music Man, which also seems dated), and Nat clearly loves her stuff. Having her contact her best friend from back home a lot at first, but then decreasing the frequency was a good addition.
Weaknesses: I would feel better if more middle grade books books focused on practical careers that society actually needs. That "boring" actuary job? There are lots of jobs available because it's something society needs.
What I really think: This is an #ownvoices novel; Stroker is an actress who does Broadway and television. There is not a lot of representation of people who use wheelchairs (Sumner's Roll With It, Johns' Mascot, and Super Max and Ostler's, and Vaught's Bouncing Back are some of the few I've read in recent years.)

This is a sweet book that will appeal to theatre kids everywhere. Well written from the perspective of a tween girl who uses a wheelchair, by an author who herself is an actress who uses a wheelchair, this is a great example of diverse representation. One thing I liked is that the story was not really about the character in the wheelchair having issues because of her disability, it was largely about her very typical experiences of moving to a new town, trying a new after-school activity, and meeting a new boy. Her disability and how it affects her life is pretty seamlessly woven into the story, but no more or less important than anything else. The theatre kid jokes and enthusiasm is very endearing.

Cute story about Nat who loves the theatrical world and wants to perform herself but she uses a wheelchair. She does audition and gets a part to "sing" but not to participate in the choreographed part of the performance for an upcoming production.
This book is a great piece about friendship and the importance it has in every persons life. It is also a testimony to the acceptance and inclusion ability that seems to be a built in feature in youth.
Unlike many books that include a character with a disability, this one was written with the authors pulling from personal experiences, Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz do an exceptional job sharing the emotions and challenges faced not only by having a disability but the compounded challenges because of the way society views disabilities. There could not be a better time for this book to be brought out. Nats' determination and the friendship she builds leaves the reader with optimism for a world where we all belong and are treated equally.

Thank you NetGalley and Amulet Books for the advances e-book edition in exchange for an honest review,

I

I received an E-ARC of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, so thank you!

CW: Ableism, fatphobia (in an instance of dialogue), and fire

THE CHANCE TO FLY is the book I needed as a teenager, as the disabled theatre kid I was. And for that reason, I cannot state how much I loved and appreciated the representation (#ownvoices because of the amazing Ali Stroker) of Nat's character. There was so much nuance in the way she was written because of her being written from Ali's experiences. I also really loved the side characters, particularly Hudson and Malik, both of whom embrace Nat for exactly who she is in ways I won't spoil!

However, I did find that the dialogue seemed too...overly-enthusiastic at times? I know this is a love letter to musical theatre, so dramatics make sense, but there was entirely too much caps lock, both throughout the dialogue and prose. That, in addition to some reference choices--such as a girl's sister being a sculpture for PETA?--as well as the ending seeming to wrap up a bit too quickly, was what kept THE CHANCE TO FLY from being a 5-star read for me.

However, I loved this book for the #ownvoices disability representation it gave kidlit, and I cannot wait for my physical copy to arrive!

This book did a great job highlighting the need for positive disability representation in media and #OwnVoices visibility representation in middle-grade books. Tween Nat is a huge fan of musical theater looking to take part in her first play, but will she find people who understand her disability and take her Chance to Fly or will she find herself stuck in the confines of the way society sees her

I loved that while the book had a disabled main character it was about empowerment, it also didn't focus on Nat being sad about her disability, it more focused on her being upset about people not understanding. I'm glad there was a differentiation there, Nat is confident in herself at least most of the time. In addition, the book was as much about the show as it was about Nat's disability which I really appreciated. Like disability was there but it wasn't the whole focus of Nat's personality, this book is excellent. I'll take ten more like it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

I've been a fan of Ali Stroker since first seeing her on The Glee Project (yes, I went through a BIG Glee phase) and have followed her career since. When I heard that she was releasing a book I knew that I had to read it. I don't read much middle grade, but I absolutely loved this book and I think that everyone (especially theatre fans) should read it.

The Chance to Fly had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time. This book is a love letter to the theatre. Nat's honest love and passion for theatre is so beautiful, and in that way, she fully reminded me of myself. Nat is a wonderful main character. She's funny, smart, dedicated, kind, loving and above all she is fearless. I was incredible inspired by her drive and how she would not let anything stop her from achieving her goals.

I loved the whole cast (Hudon was so my favorite though, I love that kid and want to be his best friend). My favorite thing was how from the beginning all of the kids welcomed Nat into their circle. It reminded me so much of the first time I auditioned for a show, everyone had made me feel so welcomed, just like they did with Nat. It's honestly the best feeling, and really does encapsulate what the the theatre community is like. Nat's new friends always had her back, supported her, encouraged her, and didn't treat her any differently just because she's in a wheelchair.

At the end of the book, there's a little interview with Ali and Stacy, and Ali mentions that as a kid she didn't see any media where she was represented. I love that she has become someone that little girls and boys can look up to and know that their dreams are within reach, they can do anything, they can defy gravity. I hope that this book inspires others and that we see much more disabiility rep in mainstream media.

I read The Chance to Fly in one day and loved it. The book is filled with so many larger than life characters, an interesting storyline, & some amazing broadway references. I loved Ali Stroker in so many different projects I have seen her in and her and Stacy's writing is just perfection. I hope they both write books together in the future as they are a great writing duo. The Chance to Fly is a book that every theatre fan should have on their shelf. I hope you'll give it a chance this April.

13 year old Natalie Beacon must leave her friends and successful wheelchair racing career behind when her family moves from San Francisco to a small town in New Jersey. Nat is a musical theater super fan and sees an opportunity audition for a middle grade production of “Wicked” – her favorite musical. Though accepted by her castmates, Nat must manage misunderstandings about her disability and physical obstacles in order to perform. Issues around disability and independence are front and center but not at the cost of regular middle grade life - friendships, crushes, and fitting in. Nat’s pain and determination are both on display in this #ownvoices book. Natalie is white and her castmates are diverse in culture and sexual orientation. Authors’ notes and acknowledgments provide more context about theater and disability.

Absolutely love this title! As a theatre major growing up doing shows, seeing the dynamic captured so perfectly filled me with nostalgia. The characters are fabulous, the story is engaging, and I really loved this book.