Twelfth

By: Janet Key

Narrated by: Janet Key

People aren't always what they play.

Twelve-year-old Maren is sure theater camp isn’t for her. Theater camp is for loud, confident, artsy people: people like her older sister, Hadley—the last person Maren wants to think about—and her cinema-obsessed, nonbinary bunkmate, Theo. But when a prank goes wrong, Maren gets drawn into the hunt for a diamond ring that, legend has it, is linked to the camp’s namesake, Charlotte “Charlie” Goodman, a promising director in blacklist-era Hollywood.

When Maren connects the clues to Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, she and her new friends are off searching through lighting booths, orchestra pits, and costume storages, discovering the trail and dodging camp counselors. But they’re not the only ones searching for the ring, and with the growing threat of camp closing forever, they're almost out of time.

In her compelling debut, Janet Key crafts a heartwarming mystery about finding your people and accepting others as they are.

©2022 Janet Thielke (P)2022 Recorded Books

History, mystery, developed with LOVE

Great story line the book had it all. Historical content with mystery and relatable complex characters for today’s world! Loved the in depth look into the world of theater kids and the creatives that shine a light on them everywhere. The summer camp setting was nostalgic while also giving any reader an insight into the “summer camp” experience. Lots of complexity and depth into young characters. Young readers and parents will learn how to lead with love as they get a real view of the character complexities that are a part of growing up graceful. Key addresses a timeless lesson. Parents that love with open hearts and minds “level up” as the next generation enters stage left.

Clever Story, Well Written

I really enjoyed this book. The children were realistic and Key does a nice job early on establishing an emotional connection between the reader and the main characters. For a middle grade book there were a lot of layers to the story but they were woven into the narrative without overly complicating things for the reader.

The author/narrator’s performance was perfect.