Life, Starring Me! (Candy Apple Series #18) Book

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Twelve-year-old Ruby Day is living the dream. As a successful stage actress in the international touring cast of Bye Bye Birdie, Ruby travels the world in the guardianship of her Great Aunt Silva. Chocolate croissants in Paris, singing in private concerts at the Louvre, and touring fifteen countries in two years...her life is exciting and glamorous, and promises only to get better.

Then, on the day she turns thirteen, Ruby's producer shocks her by telling her that she's outgrown her part; she's been fired! Reluctantly, she heads back home to California, where her little sister has grown old and sullen, and her parents insist that Ruby take a break from her career and spend the rest of the year at home.

They actually want her to do chores and go to school, and refuse to let her audition for anything in LA. They even insist on calling her "Rebecca" instead of "Ruby." But Ruby knows that she'll never stop being "Ruby Day," and she muscles her way into the school musical first thing.

But how will she, an experienced professional, survive as a no-name in the chorus, especially when wannabe diva Maureen controls everything and hates her guts, and everyone else thinks she's a snob?

This reversed Cinderella story charmed me with its playful voice, interesting heroine, and a peek into the lives of professional stage actors. Definitely worth a read, and it's even better if one has a knowledge of the musical theater to appreciate the occasional reference (although that's not required for enjoyment).