Backstage Fright

by Andy Nonamus, Amy Jindra (Illustrator)

Overview

A very unlucky kid breaks a leg—so to speak—when it’s time for the school play in the seventh book in The Very Worst Ever chapter book series!

When the famous Mr. Shae Pierre arrives to direct [REDACTED]’s school play, he won’t accept anything but thespian perfection! It’s all about projecting your voice, commanding the stage with flair, and staring at the audience until they applaud uncomfortably. [REDACTED] does his best to keep up, but on opening night, he realizes he’s the only student not off-book! Luckily, his gloomiest friend knows all his lines. Working backstage has to be way easier than being on stage...right?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Very Worst Ever chapter books are perfect for emerging readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665964227
Publisher:	Little Simon
Publication date:	02/04/2025
Series:	The Very Worst Ever , #7
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Andy Nonamus has been writing for as long as he can remember. He lives in New York.

Amy Jindra is a Cleveland, Ohio, native with a passion for illustration. Ever since she can remember, she has been drawing everything and anything. She enjoys developing characters and scenes that tell a story, create a connection, and warm the heart. Amy is fueled and inspired by the arts, family and friends, and good sushi.

Read an Excerpt

1 BIG ASSEMBLY

 

  According to the banner across the school doors, today was going to be a big day.

 

  See?

 

   

  And banners don’t lie, right?

 

  So I walked through the school hallway and saw a smaller banner.

 

  This one read:

 

   

  And when I reached the auditorium doors, I had to squint to read the tiniest banner yet.

 

   

  “ ‘Your... shoe’s... untied?’ ” I read aloud.

 

   

  I took a step forward, trying to see if maybe I’d read that last bit wrong.

 

  But no, I hadn’t. I quickly found out that my shoelaces were untied, and I tripped. To make things worse, I was diving headfirst into a stinky, goopy, pile of... whatever that is.

 

  Gum? Slime? Moldy cheese? I just couldn’t tell!

 

   

   

  While this is super embarrassing, don’t feel too bad for me. Unlucky things like this happen to me all the time. My middle name might as well be Bad Luck.

 

  Sometimes dogs chase me when I’m covered in delicious breakfast syrup.

 

  Other times I accidentally cause a popcorn tidal wave during a school carnival.

 

  Is it terrible? Yep.

 

  Am I used to it? Double yep!

 

   

  “I’m going down,” I shouted.

 

  But just before I touched the mysterious pile of ick, I stopped in midair.

 

  “I got you!” a familiar voice said.

 

  I glanced behind me and saw the one and only Jake Gold.

 

  Jake is one of my best friends and one of the strongest. His parents have gold medals from every sport ever. And maybe some sports they made up, too!

 

  A butler whisked in to clean up the floor. “So sorry about this mess,” he said. “This is a science experiment that went missing last week.”

 

   

  Since when do we have school butlers, you ask?

 

  That’s all thanks to my other good friend, Regina du Lar. Her family owns a video-game company, and they’re super rich. So now we have butlers. Fancy, right?

 

  Speaking of...

 

  “Where’s Regina?” I asked.

 

   

  “Up here!” she said.

 

  I looked up and gasped. Regina was flying! She lowered down to the ground and stuck out one of her feet.

 

  “Like them?” she asked. “They’re my dad’s latest invention: Booster Boots! They’re bound to come in handy for today’s big surprise....”

 

  Curious, I followed my friends to seats in the middle of the auditorium.

 

   

  On the stage, Mrs. Soprano tapped on the podium microphone and broke into song. She’s our school principal. Oh, and she doesn’t just speak. She sings everything.

 

  “Everyone, please find a seat! As you all know, springtime brings many happy things! Sunny days... and school plays!”

 

  Mrs. Soprano continued,

 

  “This year, our play will be directed by a special guest....

 

  He’s world famous... the very best...

 

  MR. SHAKES PIERRE!”