A heartwarming middle-grade debut with autism representation and a musical flair.
Maya lives and breathes musicals. When her chance to finally be a part of the summer musical program at the community theater comes up, Maya is convinced she will get the lead. After all, who knows The Drowsy Chaperone better than she does? However, things don't turn out exactly the way Maya's planned, and the summer turns out to be jam-packed with problems: dealing with her best friend's move, her parents' busy jobs, and-since her autism diagnosis-the ongoing puzzle of how to be Maya in Public. But perhaps most important of all, Maya has to figure out how to play the part that truly feels like her own.
"Utilizing an empathetic narrator who's easy to root for, debut author Erb, who is also autistic, crafts a personal and vulnerable story about one neurodivergent child's experience in discovering how to be herself as she learns to set boundaries and communicate with others."
"A relatable middle grade read with authentic autism representation and important lessons for readers everywhere."
"A winning and insightful portrait of a girl with big dreams. Maya Plays the Part deserves a standing ovation."
"A wonderful book . . . authentic autism representation shines on every page."
"Maya, like all of us, is messy. She can be overconfident, inflexible, and unfair to her friends. But she's also passionate, hardworking, and struggling to cope in a world not built for her. . . . A highly recommended read, for autistic and allistic readers alike."
"A charming and relatable middle grade story. . . . This former drama kid and autistic girl loved it!"
"We inhabit Maya Robertson's body, mind, and soul as she treads and trips over friendships, theater camp, and 'how to be' in the world. This is a heart-pounding and honest peek into a world we all need to know more about. Go Maya go!"
"An in-depth and loving portrayal of the elation, heartbreak, and offstage drama that comes with community theater. A must-read for theater kids."
