Made Glorious by Lindsay Eagar

Made Glorious by Lindsay Eagar. Candlewick Press, 2024. 9781536204674  
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 5
Format: Hardcover
Genre: Realistic/Contemporary fiction
What did you like about the book? Rory is a scholarship student at the prestigious Bosworth Academy.  She is within walking distance, living with her mother who is an ER nurse.  Rory began at Bosworth her sophomore year, completely dedicated to the drama group; Pam, the drama teacher, runs a very tight ship, an expert at her craft.  Only seniors get lead roles in a play, you need to pay your dues from sophomore year.  Rory desperately wants a leading role before graduating, she knows she is ready and deserves it yet she is constantly regulated to being part of the ensemble cast.  Why?  Is it because she is not gorgeous or that she is overweight and that she is a poor scholarship student?  Why is she not given the chance to shine?
She has two friends, Ethan, who always gets a leading role as he is not only good looking but is a skilled actor; and Annie, who is tall and gorgeous, also a skilled actor but Annie is also a star on the basketball court.  Rory gets excellent grades; she is capable of devising schemes to sabotage anyone who stands in her way to getting the leading role she deserves.  Throughout the story Rory infrequently speaks to the reader, holding one complicit in her deeds; after all, you are still reading the story, aren’t you?
Anything you did not like about the book? No.
To whom would you recommend this book? Is it okay to recommend this one to the serious, discerning, sophisticated reader?  It is reminiscent of King’s Carrie, of course.
Who should buy this book? Public and high school libraries
Where would you shelve it? YA fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Yes.
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Retired Librarian, Contributor, Youth Services Book Review
Date of Review:  April 17, 2024