Drama High

The inspiration for the NBC TV series "Rise," starring Josh Radnor, Auli'i Cravalho, and Rosie Perez — the incredible and true story of an extraordinary drama teacher who has changed the lives of thousands of students and inspired a town. By the author of The Last Temptation of Rick Pitino. Why would the multimillionaire producer of Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon take his limo from Manhattan to the struggling former steel town of Levittown, Pennsylvania, to see a high school production of Les Misérables? To see the show performed by the astoundingly successful theater company at Harry S Truman High School, run by its legendary director, Lou Volpe. Broadway turns to Truman High when trying out controversial shows such as Rent and Spring Awakening before they move on to high school theater programs across the nation. Volpe’s students from this blue-collar town go on to become Emmy-winning producers, entertainment executives, newscasters, and community-theater founders. Michael Sokolove, a Levittown native and former student of Volpe’s, chronicles the drama director’s last school years and follows a group of student actors as they work through riveting dramas both on and off the stage. This is a story of an economically depressed but proud town finding hope in a gifted teacher and the magic of theater.

After a summer of bliss with boyfriend KJ, Jayd Jackson returns to South Bay High (aka Drama High) to discover that she's been dumped, her former best friend is out to get her and KJ's new girl is looking to knock her out. With drama at an all-time high, Jayd, with a little help from Mama and her mystical bag of tricks, is about to get some lessons in who's really got her back - and, more importantly, when she's got to watch it.

One afternoon in 1987, two renegade climbers in Berkeley, California, hatched an ambitious plan: under the cover of darkness, they would rappel down from a carefully scouted highway on-ramp, gluing artificial handholds onto the load-bearing concrete pillars underneath. Equipped with ingenuity, strong adhesive, and an urban guerilla attitude, Jim Thornburg and Scott Frye created a serviceable climbing wall. But what they were part of was a greater development: the expansion and reimagining of a sport now slated for a highly anticipated Olympic debut in 2020. High Drama explores rock climbing's transformation from a pursuit of select anti-establishment vagabonds to a sport embraced by competitors of all ages, social classes, and backgrounds. Climbing magazine's John Burgman weaves a multi-layered story of traditionalists and opportunists, grassroots organizers and business-minded developers, free-spirited rebels and rigorously coached athletes.

With her senior year just beginning, Jayd Williams, a teenage girl from a family of voodoo priestesses, has to deal with a variety of issues including trouble caused by Misty, her former best friend-turned-nemesis; the aftermath of the debutante ball; her boyfriend's cheating; her ex-boyfriend/best guy friend Rah's continuing baby mama drama; and her crush on Keenan, a UCLA first draft football pick.

"Welcome to Memorial Middle School, where drama fills the classrooms and follows students home on the bus. Social awkwardness. Mean girls. Hallway gossip. It's all part of life in junior high, but maybe it helps to know you aren't alone. Can Lucia avoid the boy-girl party? Will Kamilla overcome her self-consciousness and try out for the play? Can Allie keep anyone from finding out her secret? Told in graphic format, Junior High Drama shows that while you can't escape the drama, you can certainly survive it."--Publisher's description.

A YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers South Bay High's Jayd Jackson finally has her own ride, but that sure doesn't mean her troubles are over. . . These days, Jayd just can't seem to get a break. Her car is more trouble than it's worth; her girl Mickey is being forced to attend continuation school; and Rah and his ex Sandy are still arguing. Despite these distractions, Jayd concentrates on making potions for hair and developing her own signature braid technique, which is getting her a lot of respect and money. But then school starts up again, and with it comes more drama. If Jayd wants to keep it all under control, she'll have to look deep into herself and take her destiny into her own hands. . .

It's almost Valentine's Day at South Bay High, but romance is the last thing on Jayd Jackson's mind. . . If Cupid had his way, love would be in the air at South Bay High. But even though Valentine's Day is around the corner, no one's having an easy time of it--especially not Jayd Jackson, who lost her mojo after her friend Tre's shooting. Worn out by Tre's death--and sick of the same old drama with Rah--Jayd's suddenly ruining her clients' hair and feeling alienated from her friends. And to make things worse, she's got to watch her back because her nemesis, Misty, is plotting her ruin. Good thing Jayd has her magical Mama on her side. Because to protect herself and bring her crew back together, Jayd will need more than her inner strength. She'll need the help of her gifted ancestors. . .

Jayd Jackson's about to take the most important test of her life. . . With the Advanced Placement exams coming up, Jayd can't afford any distractions. Enter Rah's baby mama, the master of stirring up trouble. Despite her best intentions, Jayd gets entangled in the drama and fails her pre-test exam. Knowing it's time to get her act together, she joins a study group on campus, sharpens her skills--and meets a whole new crew. Unfortunately, Jayd's the only one who's happy about her newfound study habits and newfound friends. Her old crew is suddenly full of haters--and even Mama's giving her a hard time. Just when it seems things can't get any worse, Misty starts talking smack, hoping to destroy Jayd once and for all. Now Jayd's wondering if the real test is whether she's ready to say goodbye to the old and move on up and out. . .