A Play's the Thing by Aliki (2005)

This book tells a story of Miss Brilliant's class, and how her and her students are to perform in a play, their version of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." What I really like about this book is the diversity given: all the students are from different ethnicities and have unique names. All the students in the class are optimistic and chipper, except for José, who doesn't like the idea of doing a play, in his words, "again." By the time it's showtime, it's revealed José has insecurites because he's worried his madre isn't going to show. Even so, he for once cooperates with his classmates and performs his role well.

A la fin de the play, José's mom is indeed there. I like how this book shows some students' insecurites and how they all hope and want their parents to come to events and support them. Though the book has a good story, the text is very busy with cartoon-like drawings: lots of different students chattering, all their conversations show up. For this, I would share this with middle elementary students, around 3rd/4th grade.