A Million Views

Gentle humor buoys personal growth in this character-driven novel of filmmaking and found family by Starmer (the Locker 37 series). Twelve-year-old Vermonter Brewster Gaines, serial loner and aspiring director, yearns to go viral with the YouTube videos he creates. After a rare moment of cooperation with a classmate, skater Carly Lee, results in solid content, he realizes that it has the potential to garner his desired "million views"--if only it had the appropriate resources. Then Carly's privileged friend Rosa signs on as producer, ushering in a growing squad of collaborators, and the project is granted a $5,000 budget, a deadline, and a new life as trailer for yet-unmade film Carly Lee and the Land of Shadows. To the discomfort of control-conscious Brewster, the team grows to include costume-savvy Godfrey Tarkington and his production manager sister Isolde, half-Tanzanian special effects whiz Harriet Joseph, and eager assistant Liam Wentworth. Wryly narrated in the third person and filled with believable, intriguing characters, the narrative twines an in-depth look at the filmmaking process with a rift brewing in Brewster's largely detached family, astutely developing the filmmaker's relationship with his quietly supportive nonbinary sibling and his increasingly tight-knit crew. Most characters default to white. Ages 10-up. Agent: Michael Bourret, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (Oct.)

Copyright 2022 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 4-6--Twelve-year-old Brewster Gaines is an aspiring YouTube star. While he doesn't really have friends or a close-knit family, he does have his phone, a dated MacBook, and "a willingness to try." With every short video he creates and posts, he dreams of reaching a million views, though he's never come close. When two classmates approach him with an idea to film a trailer for a movie yet to be created, Brewster is confused, frustrated, and excited. As the breadth of the project becomes evident, more classmates are added to the movie-making crew. Unfortunately, these one-dimensional characters are defined almost exclusively by their roles in the production. There's the aspiring movie star who must be kept happy; the theatrical family that loves cosplay; the standoffish producer who's funding the project; and so on. Brewster's older sibling, Jade, identifies as nonbinary, and while it's a welcome inclusion, it's unfortunate that Jade is not a fully fleshed-out character. As the plot progresses, Brewster comes to understand more about friendship and the workings of his own family. VERDICT Readers who can make it past the slow set-up may enjoy the snappy dialogue and the insider's look at how movies are made. An additional purchase.--Lindsay Loup

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Lights, cameras, AND action! A celebration of the creative spirit in all of us! This story has a lot of heart and a ton of fun. It charmed my inner twelve-year-old wannabe filmmaker!"—Rob Harrell, author of Wink

"A Million Views turns its lens on YouTube fame in a way that's fun, educational, and inspiring. Its relatable characters and super satisfying story make it not just worth a view . . . they make it a hit."—Ryan North, New York Times best-selling author of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl

"A well-rounded, heartfelt tale of creativity and family."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Gentle humor buoys personal growth in this character-driven novel of filmmaking and found family by Starmer."—Publishers Weekly

"Starmer delivers his signature offbeat humor here through quirky secondary characters and quippy narration."—Booklist