Starred review from November 4, 2013
This sequel to Federle’s charming debut, Better Nate Than Ever, finds 13-year-old Nate Foster with a part on Broadway in E.T.: The Musical. Arriving from small-town Pennsylvania, Nate is ready to have his horizons expanded, but not every new experience delights: power struggles and personality clashes add pressure to the fast-tracked rehearsal schedule. (The territory disputes remind Nate of a “junior high school cafeteria but with more glitter.”) He must also make peace with his own diminishing role: the choreographers have no use for a pudgy kid who can’t dance, and it turns out Nate isn’t E.T.’s understudy, he’s E.T.’s understudy’s understudy. Readers learn a bit more about Aunt Heidi, but Nate’s parents remain offstage, and best friend Libby appears mostly on Skype, often with bad news about her mother’s health. Even the large, colorful cast of the show can’t deprive Nate of the spotlight in this funny, tender coming-of-age story, which doubles as an insider account about growing up on stage that will appeal to every budding theater geek. Encore! Ages 10–14. Agent: Brenda Bowen, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.
Starred review from May 26, 2014
This sequel to Better Nate Than Ever finds the young and slightly overweight Nate as the second understudy to Elliot in the Broadway production of E.T.: The Musical. Surrounded by oversized egos and a condescending crew, Nate feels far from home, even though this is supposed to be his dream. He is now the small fish in the pond and feels it with every mistake he makes. Narrator Federle brings a fantastic voice to the young and theatrically inclined protagonist, capturing Nate’s mixture of uncertainty, outrageousness, and attitude without missing a beat. Moreover, his colorful character voices provide a rich and often comical range of personality throughout the story. Ages 10–14. A Simon & Schuster hardcover.