DRAMA (TEAM BLIND · REVIEW A)
A theater-loving seventh grader builds a show—and navigates crushes.
The Worldview
DRAMA values persistence, creative work, friendship and cooperation. Callie’s passion is not limited to winning a boy’s attention: she works hard on the production and takes pride in a role suited to her abilities. The book also encourages kindness toward peers who feel different.
Its treatment of sexuality is where a Christian family may draw a firm line. Justin tells Callie he is gay; later, Jesse’s attraction to West is made clear, and the boys’ same-sex romance is treated sympathetically. Jesse takes a female role in the school play and kisses West onstage. The story presents this as an ordinary, accepted part of adolescent life, without turning to Scripture or offering a biblical account of sexuality. There is no attack on Christianity, but there is no Christian teaching to help a young reader weigh these choices either.
The book’s longing to belong is real, but Christians understand our identity as a gift from our Creator: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESCallie loves musical theater, but she cannot sing well enough to audition, so she joins the stage crew. For the school’s production of Moon over Mississippi, she wants to build Broadway-worthy scenery on a middle-school budget. As auditions, backstage problems and new friendships complicate the work, Callie has to figure out how to help the show—and herself—find its footing.
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own reader.
- Act I After Greg tells Callie that Bonnie broke up with him, Callie gives him a peck.
- Act V, during the performance Jesse fills a female role in the play and shares a brief kiss with West onstage.
- Act V, during the performance West falls onstage and hurts his knee; blood is mentioned but not shown.
A locator so a parent can pre-read the scenes that matter instead of the whole book.
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
Secular moral outlook values theater, hard work, friendship and acceptance. It presents same-sex attraction positively and without a biblical counterpoint.
Foul Language
No obscenities or profanities, and no misuse of God’s or Jesus’ name. Mild insults include “dork,” “dumb,” “losers,” “lame,” “fuzzbrain” and “thickheaded”; “shut up” is also used.
Violence
Light, non-graphic stage mishaps, such as a student falling during a performance and hurting his knee; blood is mentioned but not shown. A concussion and the danger of a prop possibly shooting someone in the eye are also mentioned. Siblings play-fight, and one character’s hands get stuck together with Super Glue. No deaths.
Sex
No sexual activity or sexual innuendo. Middle-school characters have crushes, discuss dating and dance, and kiss on the cheek and lips. Callie gives Greg a peck; during the school play, Jesse, dressed for a female role, briefly kisses West onstage. Justin says he is gay, and Jesse and West’s mutual attraction is portrayed sympathetically.
Nudity
No nudity described in the checked content sources. Jesse wears a dress for a stage role; no exposed body is described.
Alcohol Use
No alcohol use.
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
No smoking or drug use.
Miscellaneous Immorality
Characters tease and insult one another, and Callie sometimes acts jealous or impulsively around her crushes. Rudeness causes hurt, and friendships continue through apologies and support. The book does not present rebellion against parents or teachers as a heroic theme.
Is the Writing Any Good?
Four stars for craft: Raina Telgemeier makes the backstage work easy to follow and fun to watch. Expressive faces, warm colors and clear panel layouts carry emotion without crowding the page. The play-within-the-story structure gives the book momentum, while a busy cast of recognizable middle-school personalities keeps the school production lively. Callie’s enthusiasm and commitment to set design give the story a strong center. This is accomplished graphic storytelling, even though its family content is a reason to pass.
Talk About It
Four questions for the dinner table, the car, or a parent and teen reading it together.
Callie puts real effort into designing the set, even when the budget and the crew make the job difficult. What work do you care about enough to keep improving, and how could you do it faithfully?
Colossians 3:23 · Proverbs 16:3The show depends on people with different jobs and talents. What does the crew teach us about serving one another without needing the spotlight?
1 Corinthians 12:18–21 · Philippians 2:3–4Callie’s crushes bring jealousy and hurt feelings. What helps us care for our hearts and treat other people wisely when feelings are strong?
Proverbs 4:23 · James 1:19When a friend shares something personal, how can we show kindness while also speaking truthfully about what we believe?
Ephesians 4:15 · 1 Corinthians 13:6The Final Word
DRAMA is an excellent graphic novel about theater, teamwork and the awkwardness of middle-school crushes. Its same-sex romance is presented positively and without a biblical counterpoint, so it is not a fit for families seeking books aligned with biblical sexual ethics. Choose another story about creativity and cooperation. Our answer: Skip it.
