Heart Takes the Stage: A Heart of the City Collection (Volume 1)

Middle-schooler Heart Lamar dreams of being on stage, so she plans to audition for the lead role in her school play. With the help of her good friends, Kat, Dean and Charlotte, Heart will navigate many first time experiences: first lead role, first ear piercing, first protest, and first job.

This is a funny collection of comics about a middle schooler who loves attention and acting. Heart Lamar is kind of a lazy, irresponsible, typical young girl. She schemes to get out of detention early so she can go to her audition. Heart is a very zany character, so I liked her, but I also liked her very responsible friends who are always there for her. My favorite scene was the sleepover makeovers because Charlotte and Kat looked hilarious.

I hadn’t heard of the Heart of the City comics before, but I’m glad I gave this collection of comics a try. I recommend this book to theater kids or anyone who likes middle-school hijinks.