The whole time, I watched everyone very closely. The only people in the room were Mr. Guidi, Chris, the photographer, the actors, and their families.
Since Owen wasn’t a suspect anymore, I had to start from scratch. I thought about all the things listed in my notebook. I had written down everything that went wrong:
broken props and curtain strings
missing batteries
messed-up lights
microphones turning off
an empty bubble machine
I had also made a list of suspects, but it wasn’t any of them.
Finally, it was Nia’s turn to be interviewed.
Chris said, “Nia, your performance was phenomenal. Tell us a bit about how you prepare for a show like this.”
“Well,” said Nia, “I spend a lot of time in my room practicing. I memorize the dance routines and the songs. I try to get so good that I don’t have to think as hard to remember my lines.”
Chris nodded and wrote something down. The photographer took a picture.
“But,” said Nia, “sometimes that’s not enough. Sometimes things go wrong, and I can’t do anything about it.”
Chris frowned. “What do you mean?”
“We had some rough rehearsals for this show. My coat didn’t work at the dress rehearsal.” Nia smiled at me. “But somehow my sister figured out that the light bulbs needed tightening.”
Chris’s frown got bigger. “Do you think it was the ghost of Thespis?”
“No,” Nia said, shaking her head. “I don’t believe in ghosts. I have a feeling a person tried to ruin our show.”
Chris gasped and covered his mouth. “Who would do such a thing?”
I had seen lots of shows with lots of good actors. Chris was a bad actor. Chris was faking it. He knew who did it.
And now I thought I might too. What if Chris was the one who had played tricks on everyone? He was allowed to go wherever he wanted in the theater. Mr. Guidi had even said he let Chris explore backstage.
It would have been easy for Chris to loosen props and plugs. He could have emptied the bubble machine. He could have taken the batteries and messed with the curtain strings. Worst of all, he could have ruined Nia’s coat.
But why? I wondered.
“I don’t know who did it,” Nia answered. “I’m just grateful that my sister Azaleah is a good detective. She saved the show.”
Nia pointed at me. Mr. Guidi, Mama, Daddy, Auntie Sam, and Tiana smiled at me. The photographer walked over and took a close-up of me.
“Chris,” she said, “come interview Azaleah!”
Chris walked over slowly. He didn’t look excited. “Azaleah, how did you know what was wrong with the coat?” he asked.
I couldn’t believe they were interviewing me. Maybe I would be in the newspaper too. I told them about my investigation.
“…then my circuit kit light didn’t work last night,” I explained. “It turned out the light bulb wasn’t screwed all the way in. That helped me realize that someone had loosened the bulbs in the coat.”
Chris frowned the whole time I talked. He didn’t write down anything.
How is he going to remember what I said? I worried. He won’t be able to write a good story.
That’s when it hit me. A good story. That’s what Chris was after. He wanted to write about the ghost of Thespis. I was positive. He had mentioned the ghost more than anyone else.
I ran over to Mr. Guidi. His eyes got big when I whispered in his ear.
“Chris, Azaleah thinks you tried to create some drama of your own so you could write a good story. Is that true?” Mr. Guidi crossed his arms.
Chris looked down. We all stared at him, but he didn’t answer.
“Chris?” said Mr. Guidi.
“Yes. I did it,” Chris admitted. He looked at Nia. “I’m really sorry. I wasn’t trying to be mean. I just wanted to write a good story.”
Nia’s mouth dropped open. “You tried to ruin our show so you could write about it?”
Chris looked sad. “I’m sorry,” he said again. “I didn’t think about how miserable I might make all of you. I just wanted people to read my article. I thought the ghost of Thespis would make a good story.”
“You almost ruined our show,” Nia said. “How could you?”
Chris shook his head. “This was the best show I’ve ever seen,” he said. “I’ll be writing an excellent review in the paper. I’ll tell the truth. I’ll apologize to everyone in my article.”
The photographer spoke up. “Nia and Azaleah, I’d like a picture of the two of you together.”
I hopped onstage, and Nia put her arm around me. I noticed that Mr. Guidi was talking to Chris in a corner of the theater. Chris looked very sad. I knew he was in big trouble.
“Look at me,” said the photographer.
Nia and I grinned while the camera made its fast clicking sounds.
Daddy said, “The triple threat and her sister, Detective Azaleah.”
* * *
The whole way to Avec Amour, we talked about the musical. Nia was so happy she couldn’t stop smiling. When she saw the back room at the restaurant, she really smiled.
My Congratulations! sign was hanging on the wall. Mama had set up a dessert table with sweets. It was just like in Willa Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. It was the best party ever!
At the end of the party, Daddy took out his laptop. “Let’s see if the review is online yet,” he said.
We all crowded around to look at the newspaper’s website. There was a big picture of me and Nia. Underneath, it said, Nia the triple threat and her sister, Detective Azaleah. Next to the picture it said: Article coming soon! Five Stars for Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory!
Nia hugged me and yelled, “We’re going to be famous!”
I hugged her back, then went over to the dessert table. I chose some of Mama’s delicious treats to take home. I wanted leftovers, just in case another mystery popped up. Good detectives needed a snack!
About the Author
Nikki Shannon Smith is from Oakland, California, but she now lives in the Central Valley with her husband and two children. She has worked in elementary education for more than twenty-five years, and writes everything from picture books to young adult novels. When she’s not busy with family, work, or writing, she loves to visit the coast. The first thing she packs in her suitcase is always a book.
About the Illustrator
Gloria Félix was born and raised in Uruapan, a beautiful, small city in Michoacán, Mexico. Her home is one of her biggest inspirations when it comes to art. Her favorite things to do growing up were drawing, watching cartoons, and eating, which still are some of her favorite things to do. Gloria currently lives and paints in Los Angeles, California.
Glossary
assumption (uh-SUHMP-shuhn)
something accepted as true
coincidence (koh-IN-si-duhns)
something that happens accidentally at the same time as something else but seems to have a connection
culprit (KUHL-prit)
a person accused of, charged with, or guilty of a crime or fault
curious (KYOOR-ee-uhs)
eager to explore and learn about new things
evidence (E-vuh-duhnts)
information, items, and facts that help prove something is true or false
foul play (foul pley)
unfair or dishonest acts
intermission (in-ter-MISH-uhn)
a pause or short break (as between acts of a play)
lead (leed)
the main role in a movie or play
motive (MOH-tiv)
a reason for doing something
observant (uhb-ZUR-vuhnt)
quick to take notice
ovation (oh-VEY-shuhn)
an expression of approval or enthusiasm made by clapping or cheering
phenomenal (fi-NOM-uh-nuhl)
very remarkable
rehearsal (ri-HURSS-uhl)
a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance
review (ri-VYOO)
a newspaper or magazine article that gives an opinion on a product such as a book or film
sabotage (SAB-uh-tahzh)
damage or destruction of property that is done on purpose
suspect (SUHSS-pekt)
someone who may be responsible for a crime
understudy (UHN-der-stuhd-ee)
an actor who is prepared to take over another actor’s part if necessary
wings (wingz)
an area just off the stage of a theater
Let's Talk!
The Dramatic Life of Azaleah Lane is a mystery, and you don’t know who the culprit is until the end. Who did you expect to be behind the rehearsal mishaps? What evidence from the book were you using to draw your conclusion? Were you right or wrong? Talk about it with a friend or family member.
Imagine you are Mr. Guidi, and Chris has just told you he caused all of the problems. Chris has also apologized. Do you think there should be consequences? Why or why not? What should it be? Discuss it with a partner.
There is a lot of talk about the ghost of Thespis throughout this story. Do you think the ghost is real? Why or why not? Share your opinion with a partner, and give some evidence from the story if you can.
Who is your favorite character in The Dramatic Life of Azaleah Lane?? Tell a partner who you like best, and give two reasons why.
Let's Write!
At the end of this story, Chris says he will include an apology in his newspaper article. Imagine you are Chris, and write an apology letter to the cast of Willa Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
The rehearsals for Nia’s show had a lot of flaws. Think about all of the problems that happened. Can you make a list of all of them in order? It’s OK to use the book for help!
Azaleah and Nia are extra worried about the show going well because there is going to be a review posted online. A review is when someone writes a short description of something and gives his or her opinion about it. Try writing your own review of this book. Start with a few sentences telling what happened. Then write your opinion. Did you enjoy the story? Why or why not?
Think about the main character, Azaleah Lane. Do you think you and Azaleah are alike or different? Write a short paragraph describing your differences or similarities.
Act It Out!
The Lane family is full of drama in this story! You can be an actor too. Decide who you’d like to pretend to be. It can be someone from this book, another book, a movie, or a play. It can even be someone you make up. Make a costume, write a script, and then introduce yourself to someone at home.
Follow the steps below to get started! This activity can be done alone or with a friend or sibling.
Make a Costume!
First, ask for permission to use your clothes, or old clothes and costumes you have at home. You might also need permission to use materials for a paper costume.
Decide who you are going to be. A person? An animal? A character you’ve heard of? Someone or something you’ve imagined? If you’re stuck, you can wear your real clothes and pretend you’re Detective Azaleah!
If your character doesn’t already have a name, choose one.
Now look around at home for things you can use to make a costume. Here are some ideas: old or borrowed clothes or old Halloween costumes
hats
sunglasses
scarves
gloves
coats
shoes
sheets, blankets, or towels
*You can even make things out of paper, tape, staples, glue, crayons, and scissors!
Try on your costume and make sure it’s not going to have any problems, like Nia’s did in the story! Is your costume ready? Now you need a script! (A script is a paper with the words you are supposed to say written on it.)
Write a Script!
You will need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Don’t forget your imagination!
Get into character. You will have to introduce yourself. Write down what you will say. Here are some ideas to help your audience get to know your character: What is your name?
How old are you?
Where are you from?
What are some interesting details about you?
What problem do you need to tell your audience about?
What do you want to explain to your audience?
Practice reading your script at least three times. If you want, you can practice until you have it memorized like Nia!
Find someone at home and ask when they are available to watch your performance. Then act out your script while you wear your costume. Don’t forget to take a bow!
Azaleah Lane is published by Picture Window Books,
an imprint of Capstone.
1710 Roe Crest Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
www.capstonepub.com
Copyright © 2021 by Capstone. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Smith, Nikki Shannon, 1971– author.
Title: The dramatic life of Azaleah Lane / by Nikki Shannon Smith.
Description: North Mankato, Minnesota : Picture Window Books, an imprint of Capstone, [2020]
Series: Azaleah Lane
Audience: Ages 6–8.
Summary: Azaleah’s older sister, Nia, is going to be the star of the school musical, but things keep going wrong at the rehearsal: missing batteries, disappearing props, microphones that suddenly do not work. Mr. Guidi, the director, blames the ghost of Thespis, but Azaleah suspects that somebody is actually sabotaging the show. She is determined to use her detective skills to uncover the culprit and set things right so the play will be a complete success.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019057095 (print) | LCCN 2019057096 (ebook pdf) | ISBN 9781515844655 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781515844693 (adobe pdf) | ISBN 9781515889052 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: African American girls—Juvenile fiction. | Middle-born children—Juvenile fiction. | Sisters—Juvenile fiction. | Children’s plays—Juvenile fiction. | Musicals—Juvenile fiction. | Malicious mischief—Juvenile fiction. | Detective and mystery stories. | CYAC: Mystery and detective stories. | African Americans—Fiction. | Middle-born children—Fiction. | Sisters—Fiction. | Theater—Fiction. | GSAFD: Mystery fiction. | LCGFT: Detective and mystery fiction.
Classification: LCC PZ7.S6566 Dr 2020 (print) | LCC PZ7.S6566 (ebook) | DDC 813.6 [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019057095
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019057096
Image Credits:
Shutterstock: Beskova Ekaterina, design element throughout
Designer: Kay Fraser
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