Thoughts of walking onto a lit stage in front of a quiet audience and speaking scripted words can be a harrowing thought for anyone. For a twelve-year-old struggling with obsessive compulsive behaviors, the difficulty of the task magnifies.
Shannon in the Spotlight by Kalena Miller follows Shannon through a rather accidental casting in a youth production of The Sound of Music. Between physical ticks, an abhorrence of filth, and an addiction to Chapstick, Shannon is also trying to learn her lines, remember her blocking, and finetune her performance. And the list isn't complete without some drama with castmates, family, and friends. "One of my main objectives in the work was to portray what a life with OCD could look like," says Miller. The story focuses on the protagonist's struggles, but also on the tools and paths to creating a fulfilling life regardless of the challenges.
Nominated for the Minnesota Book Award, Shannon in the Spotlight is available online and at a variety of independent bookstores throughout Minnesota.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
