Not Your All-American Girl

A multicultural story full of heart and hilarity about what it means to be all-American after all.

Lauren and her best friend, Tara, have always done absolutely everything together. So when they don't have any classes together in sixth grade, it's disastrous. The solution? Trying out for the school play. Lauren, who loves to sing, wonders if maybe, just maybe, she will be the star instead of Tara this time.

But when the show is cast, Lauren lands in the ensemble, while Tara scores the lead role. Their teacher explains: Lauren just doesn't look the part of the all-American girl. What audience would believe that she, half-Jewish, half-Chinese Lauren, was the everygirl star from Pleasant Valley, USA?

From amidst the ensemble, Lauren tries to support her best friend. But when she can't bring herself to sing anymore, her spot in the play and her friendship are in jeopardy. With the help of a button-making business, the music of Patsy Cline, and her two bickering grandmothers, can Lauren find her voice again?

©2020 Scholastic (P)2020 Scholastic Inc

A Charming and Relevant Story

As a child of the 80s, Not Your All-American Girl surprised me with a wave of nostalgia. It also encouraged me to think about that era with an objectivity I try to maintain now but couldn't possibly have had as a child.

Enchantingly read by Laurine Price, who not only handles different accents and ages with ease, but also sings beautifully!

All-American

The way it made you connect with the characters story in your head and hearts