Reviewed by Debra Williams
This is the fifth book in the
Amanda Commander series. Amanda is almost ten. Along with her friends Mai and
Lu, Amanda has formed a team called The Dolphin Squad. The three friends want
to convince their schoolmate Rosie to audition for the lead role in the school
play. Rosie is embarrassed and feels that she isn’t good enough to audition.
It’s only when the others offer to audition as well that Rosie goes ahead and
wins the lead part.
Another girl, Bella, feels
that she should be the one to be the lead. Lu says she is acting like a
green-eyed monster. As the production night draws closer, the actors practise
consistently. Amanda is given the backup role for Bella’s minor part. On the
night of the performance, Bella is missing in action, and Amanda has to step up
to the plate. Now it is Rosie’s turn to do the encouraging after her constant
encouragement from the others. The play is a success, and Amanda fills in with
minor difficulties. Bella returns to school and admits that she is the one who
wants to perform, not be in the backblocks. Instead of reacting, Amanda tells
Bella that they really missed her. Bella responds that maybe
they can all audition for the following year’s show.
This book has themes of
kindness, loyalty and friendship. It promotes inclusion, empathy and
compassion. However, it would have been beneficial to have the author explain
the meaning of the term “green-eyed monster,” about jealousy, to the readers.
It may not be a term the age group would be familiar with.
This book is an easy read, aimed
at children aged 6 to 8 years.
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