Made Glorious

Gr 10 Up–Rory’s last semester at Bosworth Academy is where all her plans finally come to fruition. Her scheming and trickery have no bounds, and she’s willing to do anything to be chosen as the lead in her school’s spring musical. In fact, she feels, it’s practically owed to her after years of being the scholarship kid bullied for her weight. Eagar delivers a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Richard III where the main character is an antagonist few will root for, although they will follow her every move. Told in five acts, the novel includes a mix of viewpoints, script snippets, and a song that builds a story of Rory the antihero, surrounded by her own lies and manipulation. Rory often speaks directly to the audience, heartily unfolding an unhealthy obsession with getting her due. Embedded in Rory’s schemes is an unsparingly candid look at mental health, failure in the school system, and the reality of the disconnect some feel from the world. Rory’s dark tale of mind games continually intrigues readers, even if it doesn’t always nail the delivery. Trigger warning for characters discussing suicide (including ideation), mental health, and fatphobia. Rory is cued white. Original musical score not seen.