Book Review: “Take It from the Top” by Claire Swinarski

“Take It from the Top” by Claire Swinarski (2024)

Genre: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Fiction

Page Length: 245 pages (hardcover edition)

Synopsis:

Eowyn Becker has waited all year to attend her sixth summer at Lamplighter Lake Summer Camp. Here, she’s not in the shadow of her Broadway-star older brother; she’s a stellar performer in her own right. Here, the pain of her mom’s death can’t reach her, and she gets to reunite with her best friend, Jules Marrigan—the only person in the world who understands her.

But when she gets to camp, everything seems wrong. The best-friend reunion Eowyn had been dreaming of doesn’t go as planned. Jules will barely even look at Eowyn, let alone talk to her, and Eowyn has no idea why.

Well, maybe she does…

There are two sides to every story, and if you want to understand this one, you’ll need to hear both. Told in a series of alternating chapters that dip back to past summers, the girls’ story will soon reveal how Eowyn and Jules went from being best friends to fierce foils. Can they mend ways before the curtains close on what was supposed to be the best summer of their lives?

Review:

Take It from the Top is an honest, heartfelt, and emotional look at friendships in a very realistic way. Swinarski transports readers to a musical theater camp for our story’s setting full of Broadway show-stopping songs, camaraderie, and the beauty of the great outdoors. Even though I have never personally been to a summer camp in my youth this novel immersed me in its setting fully. It was fun to read all of the attention to detail from the tongue-in-cheek names for cabins (Forte) and all of the scenic landscapes. Most important being a musical theater nerd had me delighted to hear some of my favorite musicals/songs mentioned. When I read about the musical for the camp performance for that year I was thoroughly geeked.

More than a story about the ups and downs of summer camp this story’s main focus is on friendships and a coming-of-age story. The novel discusses coping with grief, socio-economic classes, and how life changes in general can affect a friendship. Most importantly it also showcases how friendships shift over time and how the bonds of the ties can be tested. The alternating chapters allow us to get to know our main characters, Jules and Eowyn, on a deeper level which reflects their innermost thoughts and feelings. Though distance keeps them apart the musical theater is the key for them to stick together and also proves to be an eventual obstacle in their friendship. Readers get to understand what drove them apart and if they will be able to work things out in the end.

I enjoyed that we got to get both of Jules and Eowyn’s stories through flashbacks and the overall story reminds us that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Swinarski teaches younger readers how can also be tough to process emotions and ever-changing friendships at that age. I think the story was relatable and had me reflect on my friendships from my younger years while also teaching some valuable life lessons for its intended audience. I would recommend this novel for theatre kids and those seeking out stories about friendship!

Final Verdict: