This just wasn't a writing style or story I could get into. Unfortunately I pushed through but it didn't resonate with me.

There's a lot to love about this book, including a quirky cast of characters, a bunch of theatrical fun, and some laugh-out-loud scenes and lines. What I enjoyed most about it, though, was the friendships it depicted, including a couple of cross-generation friendships that are always nice to see. More than that, however, I felt that the book did a great, and highly readable, job of showing kids coming together to accomplish something on their own. Not that everything goes off without a hitch (it does have catastrophe in the title). But there's no question that this is a fun, entertaining tale about kids discovering their own resources and committing to a cause.

Off-beat is what attracted me to it, and I was delighted with the result. This cranky and highly enjoyable book features the most delightful drawings and sketches in between the scenes, which are laid out in three Acts, with a play within the play towards the end. It sounds confusing, but you soon get into the quirkiness of it all. Sid, who is the would-be director and narrator, is an engaging character with plenty of faults, and a knack for seeing the worst in his sisters, and forgiving his friends, both adult and contemporary. It’s a marvellous collection of people, who can easily be imagined around anyone’s hometown, I would think.

I sometimes found it hard to follow, since the scene directions tended to merge with the dialogue itself, although it is possible it was a typographical issue in my advance copy. However, overcoming that was the warmth of the individuals, the craziness of the situation, and the inventiveness of the participants. The obsession of Sid’s friend Folly with the most wonderful caricature of a high-hitting sales-training guru, which was absolutely spot-on, gave me even more giggles since I was exposed to their trickery in the 1990s. So true!

The idea that the kids can rally round and get into all sorts of scrapes while trying to raise money to save their children’s theater is something that will resonate with most young readers. It’s the first middle-grade novel of Rebecca Connelly, and it’s a tour de force. I hope her originality keeps flowing.

We usually think of schemes taking a more serious tone, but there's no reason why they shouldn't be humorous as in this novel. Is it ridiculous, testing the bounds of willing suspension of disbelief? Sure. I'm not going to claim that I loved it. Its entertaining though. A pleasing variation on the standard middle grade plots. While I didn't love all of the portrayals ( the greedy, unethical businessman in particular) it was novel enough to see my way clear to recommending it to many middle graders.

How to Stage a Catastrophe was such a fun read! I found it to be absolutely hilarious and heart-warming. Sidney and company's quest to save the Juicebox Theater is a joy to read. The characters are fantastic - smart and funny and kind - but full of wild idea. Great for theater lovers, theater wanna-be's, and anyone who loves a good play (and a few chase scenes!), Donnelly's story will keep you reading and laughing and longing for the next performance. The creative design and chapter structure is just an added treat.

ARC-Netgalley