Talent Showdown (That Girl Lay Lay, Chapter Book #1)

by Jevon Bolden, DeAndra Hodge (Illustrator)

Overview

Lay Lay — the latest teen music sensation and Nickelodeon’s newest star — stars in this brand-new illustrated chapter book series!

Ever since her freestyle rapping video went viral, Lay Lay has been adjusting to her newfound fame. She loves the spotlight, but she’s also just a normal kid who likes to hang out with her friends. When her middle school announces its upcoming talent show, Lay Lay and her squad are excited to sign up together. They know they can each bring something special to it—they could even win! But everyone at school assumes that only Lay Lay will be the star. Lay Lay hates that her crew has been pushed to the sidelines since she got famous. Can she make sure that everyone gets a chance to shine during the big show? Don’t miss this totally original story starring That Girl Lay Lay!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781338779615
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	09/06/2022
Pages:	128
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.40(h) x 0.40(d)
Lexile:	700L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 10 Years

About the Author

Jevon Bolden is an editor and writer from sunny Florida. She has edited and written books for both kids and adults that teach them something new and help them experience the best in life. Jevon has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Alabama.
DeAndra Hodge is an illustrator and designer based in Washington, DC. She was born in Germany but moved around a lot in the states because her parents were in the military. In 2019, she received a Bachelor of Art in Graphic Design and a minor in Public Relations from the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama. During her free time, she loves exploring the city, jogging, practicing French, and, of course, drawing on her tablet! She loves designing characters and capturing their emotions, as well as using color to set up the mood of an environment.

Editorial Reviews

2022-08-17
Rapping sensation Alaya High learns to balance her rising stardom with middle school friendships.

After her dad’s video of her freestyling went viral, Alaya became famous as That Girl Lay Lay. From posting YouTube videos to recording albums, her life feels brand-new, but she’s happy she still gets to see her friends every day at school. When Lay Lay and her friends find out that developers plan to tear down the historic Hayes Theater, they are determined to find a way to save it. At the upcoming school talent show, proceeds will go to a cause voted on by students, and the winning act will perform on television. The girls plan to get everyone to vote to support the theater, then win the TV spot and use it to further publicize their cause. But their success depends on whether Lay Lay can balance her life as a star with her friendships and if her friends can brush off other kids’ comments about them being her backup dancers. Lay Lay is determined to have it all and to push her friends to shine. This lighthearted story combines the high drama of fame with realistic middle school social life, expressed with the conversational flair of a confident, trendy girl. Lay Lay’s ability to see and support her friends’ unique strengths offers a refreshing portrayal of girlhood. Lay Lay presents Black, and her friends are of various ethnicities.

This fluff has heart. (Fiction. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews