What I Really Want to Do Is Direct Book

The promise of extra credit in English class pushes a nervous Julep to audition for the school play. But after flubbing her tryout, she ends up at the bottom of the list for stage crew. How humiliating! Just as she's about to quit the play altogether, Julep suddenly finds herself promoted to assistant director. Finally, Julep has found something she's really good at: leadership. Then, just weeks before the play is set to open, everything comes crashing down. Can Julep find a way to put her newly discovered talent to work?

Another hilarious and heartwarming adventure starring the spunky middle-grader Julep O'Toole!

Children's Literature

Awkward and clumsy Julep O'Toole is devastated, though not surprised, when she fails to land an acting role in her middle school's play. She is, however, still able to earn the extra credit she needs to bring up her English grade by making props. But after a few messy incidents with glue, she realizes she desperately hates papier-mache. With a little help from her friend Trig, she comes up with an excuse to quit, but on her way to tell the director, she lands a new role—as assistant director! She is excited not only about the title but also because she gets to help Danica, the most popular girl in the school, learn her lines and maybe even improve their confusing friendship. True to the expectations of a girls' school story, Trueit includes a pleasant handful of bathroom scenes with secrets and pranks, a grotesque cafeteria worker, and a rude group of popular girls. She also adds a modern appeal with diary entries scattered throughout the narrative, and secret codes to understand the diary. The story ends on a happy note with some semi-traditional twists. The role of the family is minimal and not always positive, with parents who annoy and make food that Julep does not like, and a self-absorbed older sister. Overall, this second book about Julep is a very cute and uplifting book.