HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL

The East High theater crew heads to a High School Musical fan convention.

The story picks up after the first season of the mockumentary-style Disney+ show, set in the real Salt Lake City school where the original Disney musical was filmed. Fresh off the drama department’s production of High School Musical, show choreographer Carlos finds out there’s an HSM convention in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, featuring workshops and meet and greets with the cast and crew. Drama teacher Miss Jenn proposes a last-minute field trip so she can lure a guest star for their spring musical and transform East High into a Fame level program. A breezy and fun read, the book contains chapters that offer pithy first-person accounts from each character, including quirky Miss Jenn; Carlos and his boyfriend, Seb; recently reunited couple Nini and Ricky and their BFFs, Kourtney and Big Red; popular senior E.J. and his songwriter cousin, Ashlyn; and talented triple threat Gina. The plot includes references to the series and themes straight from the musical: nurturing your talent, showing others how much they matter, and acknowledging the importance of teamwork. Although race isn’t mentioned overtly, the characters are cued as racially diverse, following the casting of the TV show. Fans will appreciate the inside jokes, but explanations in the text make it accessible even to those unfamiliar with the program.

A lighthearted and charming read.