Callie Marin

Callie is a seventh grader with a deep passion for theater. She’s not a performer but has found her niche behind the scenes as the set designer for her middle school's theater productions. Around the spring, Callie and her friends gearing up for the school’s spring musical, "Moon Over Mississippi." She is working as the set designer and is enthusiastic about her role and has big plans for the set, including an elaborate cannon effect. However, she faces various challenges, both technical and personal. Early on, Callie has a crush on Greg, a popular boy who recently broke up with his girlfriend. However, her feelings are complicated as Greg sends mixed signals, leaving Callie confused and heartbroken at times. Despite these personal challenges, Callie throws herself into her work, determined to make the musical a success. As auditions for the musical begin, Callie meets twin brothers Jesse and Justin. Justin auditions for a role in the play, while Jesse, who is more reserved, joins the stage crew. Callie quickly befriends the twins and starts to develop feelings for Jesse. However, Jesse is grappling with his own issues, including his sexuality, which he is not yet ready to share with the world. Callie develops feelings for Jesse, and since she doesn't know about his sexuality, he doesn’t reciprocate her romantic interest. Despite this, they form a close friendship. The preparation for the musical is fraught with typical middle school drama – friendships are tested, romantic interests cause tension, and technical difficulties threaten to derail the production. Callie’s dedication to the theater is unwavering, and she works tirelessly to overcome each obstacle. Her creativity and problem-solving skills shine through as she navigates the complexities of set design and manages the various personalities involved in the production. Throughout the book, she deals with conflicts among the cast and crew, technical difficulties, and her own emotional ups and downs.