I Got You Babe

by Paul Coccia

This year’s fun fair will have a Pride Carnival theme and twelve-year-old Mac couldn’t be more excited. Mac convinces his best friend, Amy, to do a Sonny and Cher drag number. He has their outfits all planned out, right down to the bellbottoms and fur vests. And he wants their performance to be perfect too so he pushes Amy to rehearse every day. Every step, every wave of the hand, every lyric has to be spot on. But Amy has had enough―the day before the event, she reveals that she never wanted to be Sonny. Why can’t she be Cher? Mac refuses to even consider it. There can only be one diva! With no time to recast, Mac plans to go solo. But he's miserable without his best friend. Can the two of them patch things up in time?

Genres: Middle Grade

120 pages, Paperback

Published February 14, 2023

Reviews

[Liz]

I am a big fan of Paul Coccia! His latest Orca Currents novel is a fun read about Mac and his best friend Amy working to perform in the talent show at the school’s Pride Carnival. The characters are relatable and fun to follow in the book. Mac’s enthusiasm is infectious and as a reader I was rooting for him and Amy to have a successful routine after all of their hard work. I really enjoyed this book.

[Wendy MacKnight]

What a delightful book! I loved ALL of the characters, and Mac had me rooting for him and his dream of the best pride event ever! This book is the perfect length for the reader who is intimidated by longer books. Paul Coccia is in his sweet spot here, and we readers have benefited!

[Colby]

This book was just pure teenage fun.

Mac and Amy are best friends with a big dream: turning their school fundraiser into a Pride festival. Mac already has everything planned, from the Sonny and Cher costumes to every single move of their drag performance. The problem? Amy is tired of being told she has to be Sonny. Why can't she be Cher?

What follows is a funny, heartfelt story about friendship, ego, compromise, and learning that sharing the spotlight doesn't make you shine any less.

I have to admit, Mac felt incredibly familiar. A dramatic, over-the-top planner who wants everything to be perfect and occasionally gets a little carried away? I have absolutely no idea where I've seen someone like that before... oh wait, the mirror.

Beneath all the humor and teenage chaos is a genuinely sweet story about what it means to be a good friend, how communication matters, and why the people we love deserve a chance to be heard. The Pride festival backdrop adds even more heart to a story that celebrates friendship, community, and being yourself.

A quick, charming, feel-good read that left me smiling.

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[E. Graziani]

Paul Coccia, one of my favourite authors, has once again managed to mix highly readable text for the reluctant reader with life lessons and insight into the importance of fighting for the right to sparkle. The MCs, Mac and Wendy shine and complement each other in this story about friendship and understanding. Mac is all about glitter and big ideas, whereas Wendy is content in her supporting role and in keeping her best friend grounded. But is that enough for them to win the Pride Carnival Talent Show as Sonny and Cher? You’ve got to find out for yourself! I Got You Babe is a great addition to any middle grade library!

[Jordan MacKinnon]

Well that was an absolute delight! What a fun story that dealt with a lot of different problems in such positive ways! Mac big dreams seem to get him in trouble but his best friend Amy is there to attempt pull him back! I love how Mac's dad addressed the invasion of privacy. it was really well handled. I also loved that it showed that not all dreams can come true when they're elaborate. But you can still when at something! It was also really important to show the friendship between Amy and Mac because Mac was too involved in his own dreams to see how Amy was feeling!

A very sweet story overall! Perfect for any Cher fan!

[Michelle Kadarusman]

Be prepared to fall in love! Leading diva Mac will steal your heart and have you breaking into song. There's so much fun between the pages of this Hi-Lo gem, expertly written for reluctant readers but perfect for all readers. I especially loved the friendship between Mac and his bestie Amy. It's so refreshing to read a character whose flamboyance is not 'the' story but blended seamlessly into the plot. Another sparkling glitterature winner from Paul Coccia, bravo!

[Jane Warren]

There's so much to like about this gem of a book, but I'm going to zoom in on the relationship between Max and his parents. They're supportive and accepting of his "Diva-ness." For me, it was refreshing to read a book where how a child self-identified wasn't THE source of tension. Only one hiccup for me... I can't stop singing, "If I could back time. "

[Sarah Beth]

Being a juvenile fiction book I think it was perfect. It almost could work as a higher level easy cheaper too. The characters were dynamic and the conflict is relatable. I love that Mac has such amazing parents.

[Kevin Craig]

Such a lovely read! Loved everything about it.

[A]

MC Rep: gay male

[Erin]

Short. Sweet.

[Grayson Riggott]

As a huge 70's and 80's lover, I enjoyed seeing all the references throughout the book!! It is a quick read and only took me around 45 minutes from start to finish. I enjoyed it very much!! :)

[Taylor Delettre]

It was not my favorite book, but it was a quick read!