A budding filmmaker with executive function disorder figures out how to become the director of her own life in this funny, relatable middle-grade novel from Erin Dionne.
Hester Greene loves making movies. With her camera in hand, she can focus, make decisions, and have the control she lacks in life, where her executive function disorder (think extreme ADHD plus anxiety) sabotages her every move.
But middle school is not a movie, and if her last-ditch attempt to save her language-arts grade--and her chance to pass eighth grade, period--doesn't work, Hess could lose her friends, her year, even her camera. It will take more than a cool training montage to get her life together, but by thinking outside the frame, she just might craft a whole new ending.
Written partially in script form, with STOP/PAUSE/PLAY/REWIND moments throughout, this laugh-out-loud story will speak to any budding filmmaker, or unintentional troublemaker, in every act of their lives.
I write books for tweens, teens, and anyone who survived junior high.
Please note: I have changed my review policy. I'll no longer be using the star rating system--I'm an author, not a reviewer or editor, and I'd rather support other authors by not ranking their books. I write honest (brief) reviews for each book I read, so please look to those to find out what I loved.
Quick read for middle readers. I liked Hess and her friends, and the descriptions relating to how she uses her camera to get through life. But I felt like there were flaws, especially how her learning disability was handled by her teachers- if she really had a classification/diagnosis, then she should have strategies and accommodations available to her. Instead, she seemed to be left to flounder around on her own, with no teacher really trying to help her come up with plans to fit her learning style. Middle school kids will probably like the way Hess fights her battles and find much to cheer about, but this is only a so-so story for anyone older than that.
I loved Hester and I felt the portrayal of her anxiety creeps me on her like ants was very accurate, then her subsequent panic attacks...so hard to witness but a great example of the triggers that can set off children who suffer with anxiety.
The concept that she deals with her stress through filmmaking will really relate to kids and the story was uplifting.
I’m just not a huge fan of mixed genre, and there were a few characters that were a little blah.
I cannot wait for my students to read this. They have to learn that good friends are hard to find and that we need to trust in them a lot more than we do. Hess is amazing. We all need to push through our disabilities
The novel, "Lights, Camera, Disaster," by Erin Dionne, is an amazing book about a girl who loves to film but struggles at school. A lot of people would be able to relate to this book especially middle schoolers who are going through something similar. This is an amazing book with some parts like a movie. For example, the author sometimes uses "fast-forward" or "pause" to give a little more context to what is happening at that moment. I rate it a three because it is a very interesting and fantastic book! Something that really sticks out to me in this book is when the author writes, "This is not a movie. This is my life" (Dionne 244). She repeats this phrase a few times in the book worded a bit differently but it really shows how Hester loves movies/to film and thinks about it very often. This was overall an awesome book that I recommend!
I give this book a 3.5. The book was kind of average, with a girl who couldn’t get her grades up and was struggling with her friends. I like the idea of making movies really important to Hess and how her and her camera are inseparable. She is the type of girl that gets carried away with her thoughts and forgets what she is doing, but when she tries hard she gets it done. She doesn’t like to give up.
In the vein of Fish in a Tree/Finding Perfect. Beautifully written-female 6th grader, Hess, with Executive Function Disorder sees her life as a movie & uses her camera to protect herself on many levels. My heart ached for Hess. ❤️ For grades 4+.
Book Nerds: Look for titles of additional "good reads" in Dionne's work. 😉
Hess is failing the 8th grade. She will not move up with her friends at the end of the year. This is where we meet Hess in Erin Dionne's newest book.
Using a wrap-around technique recognizable to those who enjoy film and film making approaches, Dionne puts us on the day wherein Hess is seemingly in trouble for something that she has done. It's a nice way to open the book by putting the main character we will follow in some presumable peril.
Told in a blend of narrative and script and camera operations, we follow Hess from a five-week flashback and move with her back to the moment presented in the beginning pages.
Hess's life is probably the model for many of our students' lives outside of school. Family concerns. Sibling conflict. The pressures of maintaining a home and the requirements of school. But, in Dionne's book, a father has been recently injured and needs more assistance at home. A brother is pulling away from family routines and not lending a lot of support to Hess's concerns and need for adaptations. Mother is pulled between the need to feed her family and to fix the folders that Hess carries about in an effort to address her Executive Functioning Disorder.
Hess's inner life is one dedicated to the appreciation of film and how film is made.
An event forecast at the beginning of the book is the holy grail of the five-week journey readers take with Hess. Students at her school have to be academically-eligible to participate in a talent showcase called The Hoot. Hess would like to participate in this event as part of the school's tradition and she works with two friends who would be a part of Hess's short film. But, Hess's eligibility is noted even by the friends to be in danger as the permission forms due date approaches.
The focus classroom of the book is Mrs. Walker's English Language Arts. The students are reading The Giver (and Hess is not). Failed quiz after failed quiz puts Hess's eligibility for The Hoot and her advancement into high school are both in jeopardy. School policy which limits the number of summer school courses a student can take limits and alternate plans for Hess's successful navigation of the eighth grade.
Armed and rarely without her camera, Hess has to maintain a balance between an inner sense of art and craft with the daily tasks that feel more like maintenance (a common tension for those with EFD).
A counselor assigned to help Hess, Mr. Sinclair, is a long-suffering, available adult who serves a model for advocacy within Dionne's work. Strategies are in place, but these are confounded with Hess's disorder which manifests itself in the "alternate task" which takes precedence over the assigned work that she must maintain in order to do well in school.
An audio-visual teacher, Mrs. Vogle provides that sense of "supernatural guide" within the book as one who sees Hess's talents and a possible "work around" for the policy that would keep the school from seeing what Hess has to offer.
A new friend, Zada, presents when Hess assists her father in filming an interview with Zada's parents who are the new proprietors of a local bakery. As an ELL student, Zada introduces Hess to a number of her favorite graphic novels (which builds in not only title recommendations for the reader but introduces a viable alternative for readers who struggle with other forms of presented text).
This middle grade novel continues some of the good work being done out there in this demographic. Tones of FISH IN A TREE and FINDING PERFECT make Dionne's book a natural "ladder" within this set of titles featuring characters with learning that is differently-abled.
Celebrations for this book include:
Diverse characters. Supportive family structure. Teachers who see inside and possibility. Characters with a passion and a commitment for their intended art.
This review and many more like it are available at Read Till Dawn.
A long time ago, I bought a copy of Dionne's The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet and absolutely fell in love with it. Something about the combination of Shakespeare, classroom issues, and sibling dynamics was just perfect for me. I went back and read it more recently and found that much of that magic has been lost to time for me, but I still wanted to read this new book by Dionne.
And I did enjoy it. Though not as much as Hamlet. The framing of the story in filmmaking terms (with chapter titles like "Saturday" and "Moments Later," and descriptions like "FAST FORWARD" and "RESUME PLAY" to zoom past boring events by summarizing them, was a great touch. I've never personally been even slightly interested in filmmaking, but it was still cool to see Hess's passion for it and how she basically thought in film for much of the time.
Many kids might find themselves in Hess, as she skates dangerously close to failing a class and having to repeat a grade, but as a type-A personality myself I struggled to relate to her (or, really, not to be annoyed with her at times). I realize that her executive function disorder makes it hard for her to focus, but she has basically completely given up on even trying at this point. She spends all her free time goofing off. And, frankly, if her disorder is bad enough that she can't make herself work, then her parents should have gotten involved way sooner than they do. My parents homeschooled me throughout elementary and high school, so I find it pretty lame that Hess's parents didn't even bother to keep tabs on her homework, or try out alternative ways to study, until things got truly desperate.
It was a good read, though, and I'm glad I had the chance. I don't think I ever would have enjoyed this book quite as much as Hamlet, even if I'd read it in that sweet spot when I was desperate for more Dionne books, but I likely would have still enjoyed it.
What authors did you read as a child? Have you ever gone back and read a new book by them, and how did it go?
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I read this as research. For NaNoWriMo, I'm about to start writing a book about a teenage girl with undiagnosed ADHD, and I found this book when I searched for any other YA books out there with ADHD girl protagonists. This book is middle grade, not YA, and Hess doesn't have ADHD, she has executive function disorder, but it seems like she struggles with a lot of the same things people with ADHD struggle with, so I thought it'd be helpful to read.
I think the book could have been better—the plot seemed a little scattered and sometimes a little repetitive. But I loved watching Hess find solutions that worked for her brain: audiobooks instead of print books, and storyboarding to help her remember and understand the plot of the book she's supposed to read for class. When she figures out that she can use this strategy, she says, "Why didn't I think to do this sooner? Why didn't anyone think to tell me I could do this sooner?" That made me want to cry. I was rooting for Hess the whole time, and I could relate to her struggles. It was a helpful book to read to inform my first draft. Wish me NaNoWriMo luck!
Also, OMG, this book has such a perfect cover. Shoutout to Mary Claire Cruz for excellent design.
Hess has anxiety. She's unorganized. She's failing 8th grade. But she loves making movies. She and her two friends are planning to make a movie for the talent show, but if she doesn't get her grades up, she won't be allowed to participate.
This isn't the most exciting book from a plot standpoint, but it does a very good job of describing what it's like to have an executive function disorder. These kids really struggle with school and it drives teachers nuts. Mrs. Walker, Hess' language arts teacher, is a good example of a teacher who gets frustrated with these kids. Their backpacks and notebooks are always disorganized. They often don't turn in homework. They do poorly on tests. As a teacher, I had a few of these kids every year, and I regret not being more understanding of the struggle going on in their brains. On the other hand, these kids usually have a talent that doesn't fit into a college prep category, and so it isn't encouraged. It's often something artistic or hands-on. For Hess, it's making movies. Hopefully, people who read this book will think about being more understanding with these kids.
Hester is an eighth grader who loves movies - making them and watching them - but her grades at school are being impacted by her decisions, and she's failing multiple classes. With the help of her best friends, Hess is creating a movie they hope to show at the school's talent show, but Hess' grades may keep her from being able to participate. Add all of this to the fact that she has an executive function disorder that brings on bouts of anxiety. Hester continues to try and makes movies while struggling to keep things under control.
Overall, I think I would just say this is a nice story. Being a teacher, I appreciated the news of the potential of being held back from a student's perspective. I think that will help me in meetings where that is being discussed with a family. I appreciated the way Hess' family rallies around her and the growth that Hester makes throughout the novel.
A confession: I don’t enjoy reading books where the main character deals with mental health issues. I can’t quite articulate it, but at least in part I think it makes *me* a little anxious. I think this book was well done in showing how she feels in the world, and her love of film making (all the “if this were a movie” bits were cool). But it really bothered me how much she was failing and failing herself and nobody noticed?! I guess she had to have her own “come to Jesus” moment but it took a long time in the book, and there were no adults helping this poor girl out who clearly needed a LOT of help and possibly another diagnosis even? And that one horrible teacher who refused to budge or help, ugh. I’m sure this would be a wonderful book for kids dealing with similar issues to see themselves represented as well rounded humans who are more than their “problems.”
I checked this book out of the library twice without ever finding time to sit down with it and read it. Finally, yesterday, I checked it out again, set up my Kindle to read the book to me [which believe me, is not an enhanced reading experience] as I was falling asleep.
Instead I stayed awake for hours listening.
A fabulous book. The voice is amazing.
The first person point of view of this bright young girl with neuro atypical thinking processes is easy to read, illuminating to experience, and sometimes difficult.,
I can’t recommend this one highly enough. Yes, she’s in 6th grade and it’s a middle grade reader. Yes, I am telling you without hesitation that many of my adult reader friends will be as blown away by it as I am.
Title: Lights Camera Disaster Author: Erin Dionne Pages: 250 Lexile level: 630 4 out of 5
Recommendations & Comments: In Lights Camera Disaster, middle school student Hester Greene struggles with executive function disorder, a condition similar to ADHD, where skills such as planning organizing, and scheduling are difficult, sometimes nearly impossible, to handle. The only time Hester feels secure is with her camera. Due to her poor grades, Hester’s parents limit her camera use. With the help of a school counselor, Hester learns strategies to improve her grades. Then, with her camera back in hand, Hester embarks on her greatest challenge yet. Author Erin Dione delivers an informative story for those curious about executive function disorder.
This is very much one of those books I wish I'd written.... its movie-obsessed protagonist bring a super fun filmmaker's lens to everything she does, both in the story and on the page. On top of that, Erin Dionne does a great(!) job getting inside the mind of a kid who--like so many kids--just can't seem to get her act together at school, forgetting things in ways that seem ridiculous to the more responsible people around her, but completely real to the character and believable to me. It will give younger readers either a lens on their own experience, or, maybe, an empathetic window onto the experience of a character who isn't like them. Well done!
Lights, Camera, Disaster centers on Hess, an eighth grader with a passion for movies who is struggling in school as a result of executive functioning disorder. While reading about Hess's challenges was concerning, reading about the response from the adults to Hess's challenges was even more concerning. Her teacher seemed down right cruel. I read this with my 13-year-old who also found the adult behavior unsettling, but we both give it a thumbs up. This story will give middle grade readers (and maybe even some adults) insight into the lives of those struggling with EFD.
This book is soo cute! I really like the plot and everything, but using the sandwhich method I do have some critiques.
1. The main character has a mental I don't remember and The author did not describe it well or list it well at all. 2. Her friends have no personality. they are so bland 3. the end is so predictable..... wow..everyone accepts her and loves her.... surprise. Anyway I actually would recommend this book, its holeseome and sweet but a little cheesy, which was exspecte.d
Hester struggles with sticking to tasks and her teacher has little sympathy for her, giving endless tests to the class and expecting high standards with no intervention or support. I hope teachers are not like this. Good messages regarding being truthful about how you are doing and really trying to improve.
Not bad. I love the way the character of Hester was portrayed with Executive Function Disorder. It gives the reader an inside look at the disorder and the problems that a person deals with. I like how it was handled.
I could see where someone with executive function disorder might like to read this to feel that they are not alone. Otherwise, the plot was fairly slow, and I couldn't feel bad for a student who fails tests because she won't even open the assigned book.
Not a huge fan of the way it was written. It wasn't the script parts just the repetitiveness of her saying "if this was a movie " I never felt connected to the characters. However it does do a good job showing EFD.
Excellent portrayal of anxiety in middle aged kiddos and what can trigger a panic attack. I loved the use of film and graphic novel references, along with scripted scenes, to illustrate Hess’s visual approach to the world.
An easy, fun read. I enjoyed the character development and how Erin writes Hess's chaotic life, and how she struggles with things such as failing, her own mess, and her friendships. It was heartfelt and true and a great break from the fantasy I usually read!
really refreshing to read a book narrated by a kid with executive dysfunction disorder. the problems she faced (and their solutions) were realistic and relatable.
So so good. Dionne nails the middle school voice and thought spirals and Hess as a character. I want to add this to our neurodiversity unit for next year.