Upstaged

"Upstaged" is a heartfelt middle-grade graphic novel following Ashton Price, a shy stage manager, during their final summer at theater camp. Ash is secretly in love with their best friend, Ivy, who is the musical's lead. The story explores the complexities of friendship, first crushes, and the anxieties of growing up and facing big changes, like transitioning to high school. It's a gentle narrative about finding courage, expressing feelings, and navigating the bittersweet end of an era, perfect for readers exploring their own identities and relationships.

This is it: the last hurrah, the final curtain call. Ever since sixth grade, Ashton Price and their best friend and enduring crush, Ivy Santos, have spent their summers together at theater camp. Now it’s their last year before they part ways for high school, and Ash is determined to end it on a high note! With Ash as stage manager and Ivy the lead in this year’s musical, this summer’s shaping up to be everything the two could have hoped for. Maybe Ash will even work up the courage to ask Ivy out! But between Ivy rehearsing long hours with her colead and Ash throwing themself into an ambitious stage production, will they end up drifting apart instead? As summer wanes and September looms, Ash and Ivy’s friendship will change forever, one way or another.