Behind the Scenes

by Meg Tilly

BFFs Madison and Alyssa have the summer planned out—long days at the beach, hanging out, baking cookies—but all that changes when Alyssa’s mother and the film crew have to head back to Hollywood. Which means Alyssa is moving, just when Madison finally has a best friend. But there’s a silver lining: Madison is invited to spend some time over the summer in Los Angeles!

Madison is excited to travel on her own, but she doesn’t count on being homesick—or having to deal with her fear of dogs by sharing the house with Nadine, Alyssa’s large but lovable Rottweiler. But the chance to meet Alyssa’s recently discovered father and an opportunity to pay back an obnoxious tour guide give the best friends plenty of distractions—and show them both that they have much more strength than they ever realized.

Genres: Canada

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2014

About the author

Also see Sara Flynn

Meg Tilly may be best known for her acclaimed Golden Globe-winning lead performance in the movie Agnes of God. Other screen credits include The Big Chill, Valmont, and more recently, Bomb Girls, and Netflix's movie War Machine, starring Brad Pitt. After publishing six standout young adult and literary women's fiction novels, the award-winning author/actress decided to write the kind of books she loves to read--romance novels. Tilly has three grown children and resides with her husband in the Pacific Northwest. She is currently at work writing the next Solace Island novel.

Reviews

[Michelle Ganley]

Received this as an ARC, am excited to read and share this book with my daughter.

[Russell Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little while ago, I found myself wondering “whatever happened to” the talented actress Meg Tilly who had made a big splash in Hollywood in the eighties. I looked her up and found she is still acting but also she is writing. So I read her novel Behind the Scenes, a frothy middle-grade concoction that was fun, fun, fun. Tilly’s story revolves around Maddie, whose comfortably middle class family lives in Oregon, and Alyssa, whose mother is a famous movie star. The two girls go through fifth grade together and become best friends. Then Alyssa’s mother, who has been filming in Maddie’s community, has to return to California. Alyssa invites Maddie to come visit her, and the plot is set in motion. Tilly keeps her book light-hearted, but she does explore some serious topics like Alyssa finding her never-before-seen father, Maddie’s fear of dogs, and how heartrending being away from home for the first time can be. The author winds up her story with a delightfully funny scene in which the girls get the best of an arrogant, rude tour guide. Some books transcend genre and anyone of any age can read them and enjoy. Although I loved this book, I think it is mostly for its targeted audience: pre-adolescent girls. But it is a jewel for its target. Young girls will delight in it!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet and dear!

[Rubyskyepi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Tilly’s newest book, Behind the Scenes, is a story of discovery, travel, summertime and best friends. It’s the perfect summer read.

Madison can’t believe it when her best friend Alyssa tells her that she’s moving back to L.A. The only thing that lightens the blow is when Alyssa’s mom offers to have Madison come for a visit. Madison quickly packs her bags, feeling ready for the sun, the heat and the glamour.

Things in Hollywood aren’t quite as movie perfect as the girls expect. First, Madison comes face to face with her greatest fear – dogs. Those drooling, sharp-toothed beasts seem to pop up just about everywhere! Meanwhile, Alyssa meets her father for the very first time. It’s all pretty mind boggling, but the two girls know that together they can solve any problem.

Meg Tilly has put smart, likeable girls at the center of her story. She shows how the girls’ goofy humour allows them to endure the tough times and celebrate the good ones. Readers looking for a fun, breezy read will love spending their summer with Madison and Alyssa.

Why You’ll Love It

If you like light comedy, friendship, and fun, this is a book for you.

Choice Quote: “The limo wove its way through the parkade, and Madison watched through the rear window as the paparazzi got smaller and smaller, until finally they were gone.”

[Danielle McCarthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a little bit slow. The idea behind it was intriguing but I was bothered by the fact that the characters were only 11. Some of the things they were doing just didn't sit right based on that fact. Had they been even a couple of years older I would have been able to get past it a lot easier. I don't know many parents that would send their 11 year old out to LA to hang around studio sets without any supervision all day, or that can go to the mall alone, or even be swimming on a beach without any parents around. It just seemed like too much for children that age to be doing on their own, and a lot of the story line just made the characters seem older and I would often have to remind myself that they weren't about to enter high school, but were actually just leaving the fifth grade. Still an interesting story, and I think younger readers probably wouldn't read in to these things as much as I would since I'm obviously outside of the demographic.

[Christine Varga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book, and though I'm not within the targeted audience, this was a really enjoyable read for me. If I was about 10-12 years old, this is exactly the sort of book I would have loved to find, and I still enjoyed it today. The main character, Madison, experiences some real life, pre-teen struggles as a normal girl caught on a backdrop of the glamorous Hollywood scene. It's witty, emotional, exciting and comfortable all wrapped into one sweet little plot. I would definitely recommend this book to any young pre-teen girl and to teachers, school librarians and parents of pre-teen girls. I would perhaps even recommend this to some of my own friends as I found it very sweet and it was a nice, fresh story to snuggle up with. Tilly was able to make her characters and the events speak volumes using considerably very few words. I gave it five stars for the happy but thrilled feeling it gave me.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry, I hadn't forwarded my review sooner but I wanted to wait until my niece was done reading it. Then my other niece HAD to read it.
I loved this book. It is geared towards the younger readers but nevertheless it is a good read and I enjoyed it. My niece mentioned she wanted to read it, she was finished in 2 days. Then her sister wanted to read it, they loved it!
Meg Tilly, you have so many new fans now! Keep up the writing!
I received this book via Goodreads

*update: I just read this again, lounging in the backyard. This should be made into a summer movie, I and my nieces would definitely go and see this!

[Vikki VanSickle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know a number of young readers who have been waiting for this companion to A TASTE OF HEAVEN. Tilly returns to the lives of Alyssa and Madison, only this time the girls are headed to LA. Madison learns to try new things and confront her fears in this gentle coming-of-age novel that is just as funny as it is warm. Readers will enjoy going behind the scenes of celebrity life, but Tilly is careful not to glamourize the experience and Madison's regular life has just as much appeal as Alyssa's so-called glamorous one. Both BEHIND THE SCENES & A TASTE OF HEAVEN work well for a younger middle grade reader, and Tilly's penchant for dialogue and funny scenarios make them ideal family read-alouds.

[Denise Berube · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute middle grade read, I will be keeping this on my shelf until my daughter gets a little older so that she can read it. Behind the Scenes shows a wonderful story of friendship and the feelings that are experienced when you think you are about to loose your best friend. This is a heartwarming story of two girls who through determination refuse to let their friendship be severed by distance and enjoy a bit of adventure along the way.

I won Behind the Scenes through a Goodreads first-reads giveaway.

[Talix A.R. A.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just read an uncorrected and unpublished proof of this
and although I am not the intended audience I gotta say
I really enjoyed it. It's quick, young, cute, funny, and
an insightful take on the deep seeded bonds of family and
friendship to children, Not to mention a glimpse of a world
that most children never get to see but all dream of -
("The Showbiz"). I think kids will find a lot of themselves
in this tale and the characters that play it out.

[Colette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Madison gets invited to spend part of her summer vacation with her BFF Alyssa. Middle grade readers will enjoy peeking into Alyssa's life as a celebrity's daughter. The girls experience the glamour and the dark side of fame brought to life by Meg Tilly, who is certainly an expert on the topic. The novel is comic and light making it a great choice for reluctant readers who will enjoy the conversational and modern tone.

[Bonny Macisaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is so important to have a great novel for young readers such as this. A good storyline that the reader can relate to. I read this in advance of my granddaughter reading it. It's funny, it's real, the pre-teen struggles are there. It's stories like these that will keep the young reader reading and wanting more.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good . It was very exciting

[KatieNerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was younger, and when I started to read frequently. I probably won't read this again for this is a book for 8-12. But all I remember was that I liked it.