Dramarama, by E. Lockhart
Lockhart, E. (2007). Dramarama. NY: Hyperion. 311 pages.
Though not technically an outcast at her midwestern high school, Sarah knows she is somehow bigger than her Ohio town. When she meets Demi, a gay, black newcomer, they develop an intimate friendship characterized by all things dramatic: Sarah changes her name to Sayde, and the dynamic duo bond over their mutual love for musical theatah. Sayde is sure they will be tremendously successful at the exclusive drama camp they've been looking forward to attending all year, and she's half right: Demi, with his great looks, grace, and genuine talent quickly becomes known as a rising star while Sayde is relegated to the corps de ballet. Not as comfortable at camp as she'd hoped, Sayde questions the camp's sometimes grueling methods and begins a parallel process of questioning herself and her friendship with Demi who, she's beginning to realize, she may never have completely known.
Lockhart's newest novel is an atypical take on both the camp story and the "a star is born" trope and raises a number of intriguing questions about the roles we perform every day. Told from Sayde's perspective, the narrative is sympathetic and features just enough of those truly embarrassing moments of growth that, at the time (and, to some degree, in retrospect) are just painful enough to render themselves learning experiences. A couple of times in the story, Lockhart introduces what seem to be key questions surrounding Sayde's and Demi's relationship, most notably when the two uncomfortably address Demi's race and his sexuality. I would have liked to see a little more exploration of both of these topics; however, the lack of resolution there is true to the narrative perspective.