My Fair Brady

October 16, 2023
High school senior Wade Westmore isn’t thrilled about losing the lead role in the spring musical, My Fair Lady, to his ex-boyfriend Reese Erikson-Ortiz, who dumped Wade for being “too shallow and self-involved.” On top of that, he feels as if he’s teetering on the edge of his future as he waits for college acceptance letters—particularly from his dream school, NYU. So, when anxious gay sophomore Elijah Brady, who joined stage crew to try and make friends, asks Wade for lessons in confidence, Wade sees this as an opportunity to win back Reese by proving he’s not as self-absorbed and incapable of change as Reese thinks. As Wade slowly turns timid Elijah into a more assured version of himself
, the two become friends, which proves beneficial for them both. But when Elijah also befriends Reese, it threatens to upset Wade’s goal and puts a strain on their newfound camaraderie. Kennedy (A Little Bit Country) invokes classic elements of adolescent chaos, complexity, and confusion in this theatrically inspired rom-com. Memorable and sympathetic characters populate this ebullient read as it cheerfully maneuvers toward the inevitable curtain call. Wade and Elijah read as white; Reese has light brown skin. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Literary.

November 15, 2023
An actor makes over a techie in a rom-com retelling. Wade Westmore, who harbors dreams of Broadway and NYU, is a star at his Minnesota private school. But when the gay senior gets cast as Colonel Pickering instead of Henry Higgins in the spring production of My Fair Lady, he feels his light dimming. Worse, Reese Erikson-Ortiz, the ex-boyfriend who dumped him, gets the lead instead. An opportunity for redemption arises when quiet, gay sophomore Elijah Brady (an accident-prone techie) asks Wade to help him become more confident. Wade may get his chance to play Higgins after all--albeit offstage. Could helping Elijah prove that Wade isn't totally self-obsessed and get senior year "back on track"? The high school theater backdrop adds fun and pizzaz to this queer Pygmalion retelling that includes a welcome dash of self-awareness. Kennedy's insider-level specificity--from theater games to actor/techie dynamics--will resonate with student thespians and members of stage crews. Alternating first-person point-of-view chapters stoke the slow-building will-they-won't-they romance and give both boys time in the spotlight. While the makeover plot may seem to some readers to reinforce what it means to be the "right kind of gay," the story arc lightly pushes back. Wade and Elijah read white; secondary characters are diverse in skin tone and sexuality. Pretty darn loverly--and cute to boot. (Romance. 13-18)

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December 1, 2023
Grades 9-12 High-school senior and gifted actor Wade is devastated when he doesn't get the lead in his school's production of My Fair Lady. To make things worse, it's his ex, Reese, who lands the role: Reese, who broke up with him because he says Wade is too self-centered. To prove him wrong--and to get back together--Wade takes on a project: to give painfully shy, diffident sophomore Elijah Brady a makeover � la Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. Elijah agrees in order to get close to his crush, Connor. In six short weeks, Wade creates an alternative persona for Elijah: self-confident, outgoing Brady. Perhaps Wade does too good a job, because Reese invites Elijah--er, Brady--to the prom, not Wade. Is it too late for Wade to express his increasingly tender feelings for Elijah, and does Elijah feel the same way? Kennedy has written an engaging rom-com with just the right amount of drama. His characters are highly empathetic, and Wade and Elijah's developing relationship is well-handled. Take a bow, kids.

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February 1, 2024

Gr 9 Up-After a brutal breakup with his boyfriend, Wade believes the spring musical will be his comeback, ending senior year on a positive note. To Wade's utter dismay his ex Reese, not Wade, is cast as the lead in My Fair Lady. Meanwhile, painfully shy sophomore Elijah bumbles his way onto tech crew, despite having no experience in theater, and from his first rehearsal fails to connect with the other teens. When a chance encounter leads to Wade's agreeing to teach Elijah how to be popular, the boys' vulnerability and blunt honesty with each other may turn into the best deal they've ever made. Kennedy pulls out the great moments of My Fair Lady, throws in classic rom-com movie tropes, and creates an enchanting queer love story about finding the people who embrace one's quirks and faults. Wade is the outgoing teen whose insecurities are buried behind smiles and confidence. Elijah wears his insecurities on his sleeve, preventing him from building relationships. As the two work together, each learns how to own up to and forgive mistakes, while challenging personal growth. The boys are easy to love as Wade's popularity lessons show that everyone is a work in progress and there's beauty in the imperfections. Both Wade and Elijah are cued white. VERDICT A delightfully cozy revamp of a classic tale in which the leads learn self-worth is not based on how others perceive you but on how you value yourself.-Emily Walker

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