Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell

A queer Australian teen joins a community theater production to woo his online crush in this frothy romance by Madden (Anything But Fine). Seventeen-year-old white Noah Mitchell distracts himself from constant school bullying by playing online games with his secret crush, whom he knows only as MagePants69, or M. Though Noah desperately wants to meet M IRL, M’s mother forbids him from sharing personal information; all Noah knows is that they live in the same town. But when M reveals that he’s in a play and his online absences match up with rehearsals for Noah’s mom’s local production of Chicago, Noah joins the cast using his mother’s connections. At rehearsals, he meets white Eli Callaghan, who resembles M’s avatar. Convinced they’re the same person, Noah endeavors to woo Eli while keeping their established connection secret. As rehearsals progress, Noah struggles with learning the choreography and standing up to his bullies, and Eli’s jealousy over Noah’s tentative friendship with the show’s lead often stalls their budding relationship. Noah’s initial social isolation, slowly building confidence, and gradual realization that people want to be his friend outside of the internet are sensitively wrought, making for an absorbing protagonist readers can’t help but root for. Ages 14–up. Agent: Claire Friedman, InkWell Management. (Jan.)