“Better Nate Than Ever” is a novel for tweens and young adults. If you are considering purchasing a copy for your child, here’s what you need to know.
Synopsis
Nate Foster is a 13-year-old kid living in small-town Pennsylvania who dreams of becoming a Broadway star. His good friend, Libby, encourages him to pursue his aspirations, and the two middle schoolers travel to New York City with the hopes of making it big in the Big Apple’s most prominent theater district.
Challenging Themes
Nate feels that he is different from many of his peers. There are times when he seems to question his sexuality, which is not uncommon for children his age. However, some students pick up on this and ridicule him by using anti-gay slurs. Bullying is a real-life issue that many kids face in their school environments, and kids who are suspected to be LGBTQ+ are often targets of mockery.
Children who read this book may find these themes distressing, especially if they experience bullying in their own lives. If your kids would like to read this book, it is a good idea to let them know ahead of time.
Obstacles
While the plot of “Better Nate Than Ever” may seem comedic and somewhat outlandish, author Tim Federle gives very accurate descriptions of Broadway life. He does not shy away from the difficulties that many child actors face, which can be just as grueling as the hardships endured by adult thespians.
Nate quickly realizes that he must learn to deal with these obstacles if he is to follow his heart and become the Broadway icon he was born to be.
Positive Role Models and Relationships
“Better Nate Than Ever” features positive relationships that serve as good examples for real-life bonding. Nate’s friendship with Libby is a very healthy one, and Nate likely wouldn’t have been able to make it to New York without her help. And the supportive nature of Nate’s Aunt Heidi, coupled with her experience as a former actress, makes her a wonderful adult role model for him.
With their cooperation, Nate learns that he cannot only count on himself to pursue his dreams. He must rely on other people for help and guidance when obstacles present themselves, and that’s okay. In fact, it is the most valuable life lesson throughout the entire novel, and it is an important one for kids to learn.
Keeping all of these things in mind will help you decide if “Better Nate Than Ever” is the right book for your kid.
