THE TALENT SHOW

Jackson Magnet School is having a talent show and Howardina Geraldina Paulina Maxina Gardenia Smith is determined to be the star. Howie, Pa Lia, and Calliope have been practicing and planning for the talent show for weeks. Pa Lia is going to play the thaj chij, a traditional Hmong instrument; Calliope is going to perform tricks with her dog, Woof; and Howie is all set to sing. Everything is going as planned: Howie’s new, shiny dress is almost ready; her bow is perfected; and she is especially excited about the party. Unfortunately, just as she gets ready to sing at the final rehearsal, she freezes. No words come out of her mouth; she begins feeling cold and clammy, and her feet refuse to move. Howie seriously begins to doubt whether she will be able to perform in front of everyone at the talent show, especially when TV cameras will be there to capture the big event. Luckily, Howie finds some strength and wisdom within herself to follow through with her dream. Simple line and shade illustrations rendered in ink and gouache break up the text on nearly every page, making this a perfect chapter book for beginning readers. An author’s note detailing more strategies for overcoming stage fright follows the text. (Easy reader. 6-9)