My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies

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My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies

by Allen Zadoff (Goodreads Author)

3.55 of 5 stars 3.55 · rating details · 175 ratings · 67 reviews

High school sophomore Adam Zeigler, who lost his father to a sudden accident two years ago, thinks the best way to live life is behind the spotlight. As a member of the theater crew, he believes he's achieved it all when he wins the coveted job of spotlight operator. But that was before a young actress, Summer, appeared in his view. Instantly smitten, Adam is determined to...more

Hardcover, 288 pages

Published May 10th 2011 by EgmontUSA

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Oct 20, 2012 Kara rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, the-tough-stuff, review-sent-to-author, young-adult, own, net-galley

Every now and then a novel comes along that encompasses everything you are looking for in a book, right at that very moment. The words capture your mind, and the characters capture your heart. The style of writing is so unique that you are mesmerized, you want to savor every word and take your time, yet you can't put it down. That was this book for me. A tall order to fill, I know, yet it did all that and more. Maybe it's because I was a drama club kid in high school. Maybe it's because I was an...more
Every now and then a novel comes along that encompasses everything you are looking for in a book, right at that very moment. The words capture your mind, and the characters capture your heart. The style of writing is so unique that you are mesmerized, you want to savor every word and take your time, yet you can't put it down. That was this book for me. A tall order to fill, I know, yet it did all that and more. Maybe it's because I was a drama club kid in high school. Maybe it's because I was an actress with a crush on a techie. The guy that did lights actually. Maybe it was just that time in my life when everything fit so perfectly together, I was carefree and had no worries. I loved being on the stage and performing in talent shows and plays and having this amazing camaraderie with all the actors and stagehands. Maybe it took me back to my childhood. Yeah, I think that's it.

Anyway, back to reality. If you can't tell already, I absolutely adored this book. It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be, but that's okay. It may have even been better. I loved the protagonist, so much. Adam was exactly the kind of guy I would've had a crush on in high school. Yeah, he had acne. So what? His personality made him adorable. Flawed. Strong but weak, someone who was mysterious and you would definitely want to get to know better. I got him. Totally. And then there were all the other characters. Wow. I have never read a book that felt like everyone I was reading about were actually real people. Like they were existing somewhere at this very moment. Not characters, real life individuals. I don't need or want to talk about story elements in this review. I think that would ruin everything I'm saying. It's not necessary. Trust me..it's all there.

Yes this is a book about real life. There is nothing paranormal here. No fantasy, no fairies or vampires. And God was it ever refreshing. It's funny, a little sad, quirky, etc. It has the ability to put a smile on your face when your head feels like exploding (I had a migraine toward the end of this).

I could gush and gush and tell you how much you need to read this book, but I'm not going to. All I will say is this. If you ever felt insecure in high school(everyone) or wished you were a little more brave in real life(everyone), then you should read this book. It has my full seal of approval. I only wish I had it to own in hardback instead of a kindle copy. I want this for my collection? Anyone have one they want to trade?(less)

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Feb 16, 2013 Rebecca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-story, humor, romance, school-story, young-adult

Ever since his father died two years ago, Z has been hiding from life. His only passion is theater lighting, and he lives for his time on the catwalk far above the stage. Problem is, the arrogant student Derek, who has a rich and powerful father, is designing the whole production of Midsummer Night's Dream--including the lighting--and it's a disaster. When inevitable accidents happen because of Derek's incompetence, like the lead actress breaking her leg, Z gets blamed. Then there's the director...more

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Jul 13, 2011 MaryBookSwarm rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, egmont, young-adult

I think I'm completely in love with Egmont USA. Their 2011 releases are absolutely fantastic and Allen Zadoff's latest is no exception. Filled with humor and insight into the experience of growing up, MLtTaOT (yep, that's the novel's super-long but oh-so-descriptive title condensed) tells the story of Adam Zeigler and his quest to regain control over his life. Ever since his artist father died in a car wreck, Adam's been plagued by nightmares and a crippling fear of the dark. Funny how his fear...more

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May 28, 2011 cecilia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: yellow-covers

My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies is an awfully long title, but the story itself is freakin' sweet with a dash of boyish charm and theatrical pizazz. Yes, you heard me right: freakin' sweet. I may be a bit biased because I have a secret penchant for behind-the-scenes theater (e.g. I get overly excited for set changes - SO cool!), and Adam Ziegler and peeps were the coolest of the cool.

Adam was such a fascinating narrator that told the facts as they were and added no fluffery, but he deli...more

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May 13, 2011 Stories & Sweeties {Becky} rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really, really enjoyed this one. I was so engrossed in this funny little snapshot in the life of Adam Zeigler that I sat down to crack it open and before the end of the day I had turned the last page.
The theater that Zadoff presents to us is like a world and culture of its own. And for the Monclair High Theater kids, it’s the tech crew (or Techies) against the actors. Each side thinks they are better than the other. Each side thinks the other will be the death of the current production of Mi...more

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Apr 13, 2011 Horserider163 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was a really fast paced read. I never once wanted to put this book down because it was dragging. Most books start off like that and about 30 pages in you want to put it down because it’s dragging so much! In the beginning, most of it was just Adam, Adam, and more Adam. But it wasn’t boring. But then when Summer was introduced in to the story, things started to pick up EVEN MORE. It doesn’t go so fast that you can’t keep track of it which is also a very nice thing here. Adam is a charac...more

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Feb 22, 2011 Sarah rated it 2 of 5 stars

It's good to know that the cover of this book has already been changed from the Uncorrected Bound Proof I received at Midwinter last month. The old cover had a couple kissing on a movie marquee and it didn't fit the plot very well at all. I'm hoping there were lots of editorial changes, too.

The plus: I loved the details about being a techie in a large school production--lots of info about lights, gels, etc.

The negative: The friendships and relationships between the characters didn't seem real. I...more

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Aug 11, 2012 Brian rated it 4 of 5 stars

There's something just enjoyable about a high school theater story. I haven't read a lot, but having participated, I could appreciate the atmosphere (even if we never had an actors vs. techies rivalry). The story of Adam Ziegler's uphill battle against the smarmy Derek, dealing with the loss of his father (two years prior), and his general awkwardness around girls is easy to relate to.

The dialogue is funny and captures the way that people talk (though naturally, if this book weren't aimed for te...more

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May 09, 2012 Erik rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: library, teen

Painting with lights! Adam, that's amazing!
The high school theater immersion was real, passionate; going behind the curtain and on the catwalk is where Allen Zadoff focuses his story, rather than going to every class of Adam's. In high school world, character is being discovered; integrity glows and dims under peer advantage.
Derek, thinking he's Quentin Tarantino of theater: writer, producer, director; except he wants all the credit and shoves off error onto others. Adam 'challenged' Derek and...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Gary rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm officially a fan of Allen Zadoff.

This book is actually very, very similar to Zadoff's debut, "Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have", in terms of structure, plot and characters, but I just like these 'triumphant' stories so much! I love seeing how an underdog character rise above the odds and emerge from the shadows kind of thing, you know. It's like flicks such as "Mean Girls", where you root for Lindsay Lohan from the beginning, then watch her descend into a huge pit-hole, and then ge...more

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Mar 27, 2011 Danyelle Leafty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookshelf-2011

The voice in the blurb for the book caught my attention for this one as well. This story is about Adam Ziegler who is still dealing with his father's death. He does so by becoming a "techie" for the school's drama department. But this year's production is going to be a lot harder. Derek, the villain of the story, updated A Midsummer Night's Dream script, is in charge of the actors, the set, and is basically running the show. This is a classic case of someone who has more cash than ability.

Adam...more The voice in the blurb for the book caught my attention for this one as well. This story is about Adam Ziegler who is still dealing with his father's death. He does so by becoming a "techie" for the school's drama department. But this year's production is going to be a lot harder. Derek, the villain of the story, updated A Midsummer Night's Dream script, is in charge of the actors, the set, and is basically running the show. This is a classic case of someone who has more cash than ability.

Adam knows what he's doing, and wants more than anything to run the spotlight. He prefers to keep his head down, even though several of Derek's lighting designs have flaws. That is, until he catches sight of a new student named Summer and loses his heart to her. And his mind, because the one unspoken rule of the drama department is that actors and techies don't mix. Ever. In this way, it reminded me a little of a modern day Romeo and Juliet only without all the poison and death.

MY LIFE is also a coming of age story. I really loved how, after his father's death, Adam put a crucial part of himself that he'd shared with his dad into a box and sealed it with tape. But even though he'd locked that part of him in the closet, his artistic abilities still came out. But rather than using paints, he used light. This was especially beautiful in one of the scenes near the end when Derek's need for more special effects and lights ended up blowing the power in the entire building, but Adam managed to keep the show going anyway.

And that's where the story really hit me. The Adam that creates art from light and saves the show is a very different Adam from the beginning. Or maybe it's just that now he's come to himself. He's able to set his fears and insecurities aside and find himself again. I think his fear of the dark was very well woven in throughout the story and had a very real part in the whole tragedy surrounding his father's death. The death was also done well. Enough clues were dropped that even though Adam didn't come out and say how it had all happened until near the end of the book, I, as a reader, had enough faith in the author that not knowing upfront didn't bother me.

The thing that gave me a pause was the classic teenage boy humor. Nothing happens, but some of the references and jokes made me a little uncomfortable because I'm an easy blusher. There was also some mild swearing. Out of five stars, I give this a solid 3.87. O:)

*I received an arc from the publisher(less)

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Jul 14, 2011 Sandy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Did not expect to like this book as much as I did. Adam is on the Tech Crew for his high school theater. He loves to work with the lights. It is the one place that makes him feel good since his dad died. He has withdrawn a lot from his friends, but they're still there for him. One day, while hanging lights, he sees a new actor and is smitten. He kind of creepily watches her, but it's totally in character with the shy, scared guy he is. But if he wants to actually have a chance with her, he has t...more

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Aug 29, 2011 Punk rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, ya

YA. Standard high school theatre dead father social clique standing up for yourself young adult novel. Adam Ziegler, whose name suspiciously mirrors that of the author, is struggling after his father's death. Socializing is difficult for him and though he loves being a techie, increasingly his favorite place in the theatre is up in the lighting grid, alone.

I liked the emphasis on light; it felt really natural, in the story, and for the character. Some of the dialogue's quite funny and there are...more

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Apr 26, 2011 Claire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: a-7th-and-8th-grade-middle-school-t, first-person-narrator-all-ages, guys-read, high-school-and-beyond

I am a fan of Mr. Zadoff. Loved Food, Girls and Other Things I Can't Have.
Now we have Adam - recently grieving his dad's death in a car wreck, (can we do something about wrecks- please!!)
He has found solace in Theater. He is a lighting techie. He gets the art that can be painted on a stage with light. His dad was a painter, Adam has the training and sensibility to create great theater.
Enter Derrick (similarity to D..k an accident? I think not.) pompous (and charismatic) theater wannabe who is...more

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Jul 25, 2011 Charlie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine-reviews

Many Glee fans will likely see this book in the spotlight at various Gleerific sites and wonder if they'll like the book? My life, the Theater and Other Tragedies is a sweet teen book with some angst moments, but for the most part is aimed at the younger teen audience. Heavy topics are lightened and although various deeper thematic plays, schemes and issues are present, none are weighty. The book is episodic in nature, perhaps a little predictable, but otherwise entertaining. Verses some other y...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Nina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen, romance

My Life, Theater, and Other Tragedies is the first book I've ever seen about technical theater, so of course I had to pick it up!

I was really glad to see someone tackle the subject, and even happier when I read the author's bio and saw that he was in theater himself. I did technical theater in high school (I'm now pursuing stage management as my career), and it completely defined my high school life. Zadoff really hits the nail on the head with how clique-ish tech theater is for kids--the insid...more My Life, Theater, and Other Tragedies is the first book I've ever seen about technical theater, so of course I had to pick it up!

I was really glad to see someone tackle the subject, and even happier when I read the author's bio and saw that he was in theater himself. I did technical theater in high school (I'm now pursuing stage management as my career), and it completely defined my high school life. Zadoff really hits the nail on the head with how clique-ish tech theater is for kids--the inside jokes and the rules of being of the "techies," not to mention that most of the technical reference were spot on and I think easy to understand for an outsider.

Aside from just a cool portrayal of high school theater, the story follows the romance of your Average Joe techie, Adam, who has a crush on an actress named Summer. It's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet romance because--gasp!--a techie can't date an actor! Back in high school, this was serious stuff, guys! Actors and techies are like different species! So Adam has to face excommunication from his fellow techies if he ever wants to be with Summer. A bit corny, but I found it hilariously true.

Another challenge Adam faces is to make his mark on his high school's theater, but the rich and privileged lighting designer Derek is always trying to steal his spotlight (excuse the pun.) I found this plot realistic, too. The same way the same pool of actors always get the leads, the same technicians tend to get the best jobs. Adam's artistic journey was portrayed well and the ultimate product of the show is something that I'd actually love to see.

So far I've done nothing but praise the book, so why the three stars? I'll admit it: this is gimmicky. Theater is my life and I got every inside joke Zadoff packed in, but I'm not sure anyone who didn't do theater in high school would care for this book. The characters were pretty thin. For Adam, it was okay that he was just your average socially awkward teenage boy because it made you want to root for him, but his love interest and rival didn't have much to them. There was also this whole backstory about Adam's father dying in a way that lead Adam to be afraid of the dark. The fear of the dark is relevant to his work in lighting, but otherwise, this just irked me. Of course Adam is socially awkward because his dad's dead. It's okay that Adam doesn't go out a lot because his dad's dead. Adam can't do that, his dad's dead! You catch my drift? The story could have worked out exactly the same way without this subplot.

Regardless, I breezed through this book and laughed on almost every page. If you are or were ever a theater kid, it's definitely worth the read.(less)

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Jan 28, 2013 StorySnoops rated it 3 of 5 stars

My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies is a fun read that will be enjoyed by boys and girls alike, and it will especially appeal to anyone who has ever participated in school theater. The author was a theater director himself, so he writes about it with great authenticity. Adam is insecure, has zits, and suffers from anxiety attacks in the dark (which causes him to have flashbacks about losing his father). He shares some of his late father's artistic inclinations and sees light on stage as pa...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Jayme rated it 3 of 5 stars

Oh, to be a high school thespian again! Dramarama.

This story would have been more successful if the plot lines of the characters more followed the story of A Midsummer Night's Dream, but that is just wishful thinking. Also, there were unnecessary character plot lines, like the unresolved absent brother issue.

Overly dramatized warring between actors and techies? Yep, that was pretty much spot on. But it would have been nicer if it was less self-depricating while stereotyping women (and British p...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Chloe rated it 3 of 5 stars

I was attracted to this book because I am about to embark on my own techie journey as a costume designer for my school production going to the Fringe Festival in Scotland. Also because our theater department did Midsummer last fall as our production.

Anyway back to the actual book. It was...what I expected. It was funny in some parts (I've noticed that books dealing with male protagonists TEND to have more humor. Not a hard and fast rule, just an observation), cute in others, and it was nice to...more

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May 27, 2011 Julie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Another charming read, this one from the perspective of a shy boy. Very refreshing change from a lot of the girl-centered romantic YA. Plus, we get to know the shady (haha) world of theater techies. We see a little of the drama-rama from the actor side, but thankfully we all get to roll our eyes. I saw a note that this will be advertised on Glee fan sites, and I think that's probably totally wrong--those kinds of theater fans are probably not at all interested in what goes on quietly behind the...more

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Oct 04, 2012 Dani rated it 5 of 5 stars

At it's heart, this book is about a teenager dealing with the loss of a parent, an unthinkable trauma. Without giving easy answers or being trite, the book tracks its main character through a highly entertaining adventure that sees all his preconceptions challenged. The high school theater "backdrop" is fun and distracting so you never become overwhelmed by the big emotions swirling in the hero's teenage head. Watching him grow and develop as an artist is really satisfying and the unexpected res...more

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Oct 09, 2012 Abby Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ever since Adam's dad died two years ago, he's preferred to be backstage rather than front and center. But when Adam falls for an actor - breaking the techie code - he'll have to decide how much he's willing to risk for the possibility of love. Does Adam have what it takes to stand up when he needs to?

I didn't feel quite connected with Adam as a character and I had to suspend my disbelief to buy that their theater teacher was as absent from the show as he was. It's a fine story, a fine book, bu...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Tabitha Olson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: recent-reviews

I thought this was a cute book. Quiet, interesting, and a good coming of age story. Nothing really new here, though. And it wasn’t funny like Zadoff's first novel, which was a bit disappointing. I think I had really high expectations regarding the humor, though, so I felt the lack of it much more than if I’d read this book first. Newcomers to Zadoff’s work may not feel the same way.

I got frustrated with Adam for letting everyone walk all over him, even though it was clear why he was withdrawing...more

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Apr 27, 2011 Stephanie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, books-i-own, read-in-2011

I'll be honest: I almost didn't read this book. I got an ARC at TLA and something about the cover threw me off a little. I know I'm not supposed to judge a book by its cover (and as a writer it makes me sad that I did). Yes, I'm a horrible person. BUT, I did pick read it, and I'm so glad I did. I loved the story, Allen Zadoff's writing, everything. The book almost has a John Green feel to it, and y'all know I'm a big JG fan. So if you see this book sitting around at your local book store when it...more

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Sep 19, 2011 laaaaames rated it 3 of 5 stars

I loved the crap out of Zadoff's first book but I really had to force myself through this one. And I am a freaking theatre geek; this was an easy sell to me.

I just never felt truly invested in Z's story. A billion notes struck seemed false - conversations with friends and fellow techies and Derek--none of that seemed like a reality I knew. And I have worked backstage, and I have performed, and yet very little of this took me back to anything I could relate to.

And after the three-dimensional look...more

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Aug 02, 2011 Erin rated it 3 of 5 stars

My Thoughts: Okay, I'll admit it. I was a drama nerd in high school. Fortunately, my theater experiences were not as embarrassing or painful as Adam's! The theater connection is what drew me to the book in the first place, and I definitely think that readers with theater experience will appreciate the details and the story more than non-theater types.

I wish that the play Adam's school put on was something other than Shakespeare, though. I glossed over every quote, chapter title, and Shakespeare...more My Thoughts: Okay, I'll admit it. I was a drama nerd in high school. Fortunately, my theater experiences were not as embarrassing or painful as Adam's! The theater connection is what drew me to the book in the first place, and I definitely think that readers with theater experience will appreciate the details and the story more than non-theater types.

I wish that the play Adam's school put on was something other than Shakespeare, though. I glossed over every quote, chapter title, and Shakespeare reference that crossed my path! Yes, I was a drama nerd who did not like Shakespeare. At all. If you like the Bard, the references will be an added bonus for you.

Characters: I've decided that I'm a fan of YA books with male narrators (other recent reads with male narrators: Hannah Moskowitz's "Invincible Summer" and Jordan Sonnenblick's "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie"). Their stories seem to be funnier and more engaging than their female-narrated counterparts. This was definitely the case with Adam. He cracked me up while still being a sympathetic character. I enjoyed seeing the drama of high school relationships from his point of view.

I didn't feel like I got to know the rest of the characters very well. At one point, I actually checked to see if this was a sequel to another book that I hadn't read, but it wasn't.

My favorite "grown up" character was the director, Mr. Apple. So funny!

Ending (Spoiler-Free!): The ending was good. There was nice closure for Adam, and it didn't feel fake or forced. I doubt there will be a sequel, so this was a nice stand-alone book.

Writing Style: It kind of felt like the more "mature" aspects of the book were thrown in for shock value. I'm sure they weren't, but it kind of came across like one of those movies that gets a PG rating, and the creators say, "Oh, we need to add in some sex and swearing to get it up to PG13!" It wasn't a deal-breaker for me, just something I noticed. 95% young YA with 5% older YA.

Besides that, the writing was funny in many places and touching in others. The symbolism and use of light was beautiful. I'd like to read Zadoff's other book, "Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have" sometime.

Stars: 3 out of 5. It was okay. You might like it.
(less)

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Apr 26, 2011 Ta§chima Cullen rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own, 3-star-shelf, all-books-to-trade-non-arcs

You can find more reviews @BloodyBookaholic

I'm trying to remember the last book I read which was a stand alone... Nope can't remember. Well, besides this one of course. I think it was Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block. Why is it a hard time for me to remember this? Because I don't generally pick up stand alone books. I like series. I like revisiting characters and watching them grow. I don't like saying good bye. But that doesn't mean stand alone books are bad, on the contrary come of them are...more You can find more reviews @BloodyBookaholic

I'm trying to remember the last book I read which was a stand alone... Nope can't remember. Well, besides this one of course. I think it was Pretty Dead by Francesca Lia Block. Why is it a hard time for me to remember this? Because I don't generally pick up stand alone books. I like series. I like revisiting characters and watching them grow. I don't like saying good bye. But that doesn't mean stand alone books are bad, on the contrary come of them are fantastic. Like this one. Very entertaining and real. A book for every teenage boy out there. Boy lead, not many out there!

In this book we meet Adam Zeigler who goes by Z and he is a techie. You know how you always read about the actors in the play and never about the person behind the stage? In this book you get to hear about the people who create everything from lights to sound to everything! Z is in charge of lights. He loves lights, they comfort him. Throught the novel we see Z deal with the death of his father, and other normal teenage stuff like the new actress with the faerie costume...

This book was like a breath of fresh air for me. Every single page I was like when are the vampires going to eat the faeries? I think my brain was just waiting for the kid to grow fur. But no, this novel is a coming of age novel. Its cute, and fun to read about Z. He really reminded me of a friend I used to have in my old high school. The whole novel reminded me of high school. Not the best days of my life, but it just comes to show that the author got the real high school vibe. We are not all attached daily by flushies, but cliques certainly exist and kids have to help each other out. The relationship between Z and the girl he liked though some people may say its not real I believed it! It can happen, in fact it has happened! Just because it hasn't happen to you it doesn't mean it's not possible. Oh and the bromance between Z and his beat friend? Not to be missed!! I really liked the best friend character.

Anyways, all I'm really trying to say is, it's so worth a read or two. It will not change your life, it might, but at least it will give you a whole new perspective on certain things. It's a nice high school book. So not my usual cup of tea but I really enjoyed it.(less)

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May 20, 2011 Briana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, my-personal-library, great-lesser-known-books

4.5 stars! Excerpt from my review below. You can read my full, in-depth review here: http://thebookpixie.blogspot.com/2011...

"Have you ever had a book that just calls out to you and you aren't exactly sure why? Well that's what My, Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies did the entire time it was sitting in my review pile. I felt inexplicably excited to read it and, some how, just knew that I was going to really like it....................................................................

My Life,...more

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May 15, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Once again Zadoff makes geek chic. In My Life, the Theater and Other Tragedies he focuses on a young man, struck by tragedy, who languishes in the lower levels of his high school’s social hierarchy. Adam, a theater geek, is a techie who has embraced the light. No! Not that light. He likes to design how light is incorporated into school productions — flash lights, spotlights, any and every kind of shiny bulbous thing he can find he’s trying to make it work on stage.

So here’s the situation, the Te...more Once again Zadoff makes geek chic. In My Life, the Theater and Other Tragedies he focuses on a young man, struck by tragedy, who languishes in the lower levels of his high school’s social hierarchy. Adam, a theater geek, is a techie who has embraced the light. No! Not that light. He likes to design how light is incorporated into school productions — flash lights, spotlights, any and every kind of shiny bulbous thing he can find he’s trying to make it work on stage.

So here’s the situation, the Techies and the Actors are akin to the Sharks and Jets. Never the two shall meet. If they do those who partake of the other side are immediately relegated to outcast status. This doesn’t bother Adam so much because he’s already kind of set out on his own. Since his father’s death he’s distanced himself from pretty much everyone in his life. Only his best friend Reach has been able to force his way into maintaining some semblance of a relationship. But then, in the midst of the school’s annual theater production the ultimate foe and the ultimate girl make themselves present in his life as well.

Now Adam is faced with the challenge of not only working with a counterpart that knows much less about lighting design than he but he’s also starting to have feelings for the new girl on stage. A girl who is, gasp, an actor! You see the rub right? Well let me add a little bit more complexity to it all. Said counterpart also wants the girl. It seems more because of the challenge (and because it takes her away from Adam) than for the fact that he really likes her as a person.

Zadoff excels at creating a diverse cast of characters. In My Life there are boys and girls of a variety of ethnicities as well as ages and sexual orientations. What’s more, in building this group he strengthens the story by shying away from focusing on the differences. It’s just a typical day in an ordinary US high school with a variety of people. The only way I became aware of different characteristics is by way of the small details (like speaking of Reach’s mother’s Indian cooking) that I was able to discern heritage. I liked that this is not a story *about* diversity, it’s not the point. It is a story that *has *diversity*.

The plot was simple and, unfortunately, at times lacked depth. I wanted so much more from the story about Adam’s father’s death yet the bulk was spent on his growing relationships at school. While I understand that these relationships were intended to be the way by which Adam coped and started to overcome death some additional exploration of the latter would have pleased me. For example, looking deeper into how to work through the grief of losing his father, how to better relate to his mother who was dealing with her own acceptance, how to reconnect with his brother who had disappeared and how to better communicate and interact with his friends and peers. Everything meaningful seemed to be viewed at about 50,000 feet and with so much great material to work with I would have enjoyed more.

The only place that peripheral focus really worked for me was in the romance of the story. Given the feud between the Techies and the Actors it made sense that Adam and Summer were circling each other tentatively. Neither wanted to upset the apple cart but both were definitely interested in each other. The development of their relationship was based on a mutual love for the theater and a desire for the school production to be a success. Their time together then became Adam’s entre back into the social stratosphere. I found that awkward balance and nervous energy created a realistic feel to this portion of the story.

My Life will appeal across gender and popularity lines. It will give teens enough to chew on without banging them over the head with a preachy story. It’s got sense of humor, emotion and no shortage of fun twists and turns.(less)

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Mar 21, 2011 Shanyn (Chick Loves Lit) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have already read Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have, and I really enjoyed it. It's a feel good kind of book, with friendships and relationships and life - so I was expecting that from My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies... and I got it! Hooray.

I really like Allen Zadoff's writing style. I started this book late one night, looking for a book where I could read a few chapters before bed - and I actually ended up having to force myself to stop reading halfway through a chapter beca...more

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About Allen Zadoff

Allen Zadoff is the author of three YA novels. His debut novel, Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award and was a YALSA selection for Most Popular Paperbacks of 2012. His second novel was My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies, the story of a techie hiding from life after a family tragedy. His most recent novel Since You Left Me is set in Los Angeles and te...more

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Food, Girls, and Other Things I Can't Have

Hungry: Lessons Learned on the Journey from Fat to Thin

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