Review Detail

Brooklyn Shepard's family is a theater family - everyone is involved in the arts, and everyone expects Brooklyn to become a great actress. Can Brooklyn kindle a love for performing in time to apply to acting schools? Find out in LOOK BOTH WAYS.

Brooklyn is admitted to a prestigious theater summer camp, where she ends up being the youngest recruit - a result of her mother calling in a special favor? Right away Brooklyn isn't sure she deserves to be at the camp, and her insecurities overwhelm her experiences. While the intricacies of theater camp were a little intimidating at first, following the routine and learning the ropes along with Brooklyn made the process a little easier for a non-theater geek like myself.

The relationships Brooklyn forms at camp are the strongest part of the novel and the driving force behind the plot. Her roommate, Zoe, quickly becomes Brookie's best friend, and when their relationship tips toward something more intimate, Brooklyn must figure out a lot of things about herself. This journey of self-discovery, going on at the same time as 10 hour theater camp workdays, drives Brooklyn almost to the breaking point.

How will Brooklyn deal with changing relationships, the expectations of her family, and her own newfound love of composing music? A highly-charged contemporary story full of drama, humor, and heart-warming romance, LOOK BOTH WAYS is highly recommended.