Take the Stage Read online

  PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress.

  ISBN 978-1-4197-3601-8

  eISBN 978-1-68335-544-1

  Text copyright © 2018 JoJo Siwa

  Cover and illustrations copyright © 2018 Abrams Books

  Book design by Katie Benezra

  © 2018 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. JoJo Siwa is a trademark of JoJo Siwa Entertainment, LLC.

  Published in 2018 by Amulet Books, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.

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  CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 1

  JoJo Siwa had just heard the best news. It was so amazing, she couldn’t decide who to share it with first—her adorable teacup Yorkie, BowBow, or her very best friend in the whole world, Miley. She glanced toward her nightstand, where her phone was charging. It would take just a few seconds to dash off a text to Miley. Decision made. As she reached for her glitter phone case, JoJo heard a familiar sound.

  Thump, thump, thump. JoJo looked down from where she was sitting cross-legged on her pink bedspread and saw BowBow wagging her tail and looking up at her expectantly from the floor. Being the adorable little teacup she was, BowBow was too small to jump up onto the bed. But by thumping her tail against it, she was letting JoJo know she needed a lift.

  JoJo scooped BowBow into her arms, then settled back against her mountain of fuzzy pink pillows, BowBow in her lap.

  “Okay, BowBow, I have to text Miley really quick, and then I have some super exciting news to share with you!”

  JoJo typed her message to her best friend, adding a few heart emojis, and pressed Send. Putting her phone down, she turned her attention back to BowBow.

  “Are you ready for the super exciting news?” JoJo asked.

  BowBow licked JoJo’s chin. She was ready.

  “So, I just found out that there’s going to be a block party on our street in two weeks! Do you know what a block party is, BowBow?” BowBow wagged her tail and tilted her head to the right, which JoJo was pretty sure meant, “No, but please continue.”

  “A block party is a huge party thrown by the entire neighborhood. Everyone is invited, and everyone comes together to hang out and have fun. There will be a bouncy house and cotton candy machine and snow cones and pizza and games. Definitely my kind of party!” JoJo was speaking really fast, something she did when she was excited. And she got excited a lot, so BowBow was really good at following along. “There’ll even be an outdoor movie with a big projector and face painting and other kinds of entertainment. Speaking of entertainment, I just had an amazing idea . . .”

  BowBow perked up. She was definitely excited about JoJo’s idea! She jumped off JoJo’s lap and began running back and forth on the bed to show exactly how excited she was.

  JoJo leapt up too, scooting off her bed to pace back and forth in her room, her brilliant plan churning around and around in her head. She had to talk about it with Miley before she burst!

  Just then, her phone rang. JoJo’s face broke into a wide grin. She didn’t even have to look at the screen to know who was calling—the personalized “Kid in a Candy Store” ringtone had tipped her off. It was Miley, of course!

  “Miley, did you get my text?” JoJo asked breathlessly.

  At the same exact time, Miley said, “JoJo, I just got your text!”

  “Jinx! Kind of,” said JoJo. The two best friends cracked up, and Miley even let out her signature snort-giggle.

  “You first!” Miley said.

  “No! You called me, so you can go first,” JoJo replied.

  “Yeah, but you had the big news, so . . .”

  “Okay, I can’t take it anymore!” JoJo said excitedly. “So, you got my text about the block party. Cool, right? Everyone is invited! And if that’s not the best kind of party, I don’t know what is, amiright?” JoJo was talking fast again, but Miley was just as good as BowBow at following along when JoJo got started. They’d been best friends for so long, they practically had their own language. “Anyway, I was talking to BowBow about how there’s going to be entertainment there—”

  “Wait, what?” Miley interrupted, her voice playful. “You were discussing the block party with BowBow? Your dog, BowBow?”

  JoJo couldn’t believe her ears. Was Miley suggesting that . . . BowBow didn’t understand?

  “Um, of course I was discussing it with BowBow! Are you trying to suggest that my cute little dog doesn’t speak Human?” JoJo asked in her most dramatic voice.

  “Of course I wasn’t saying that!” Miley’s grin shone through her words. “I was just surprised that you were discussing it with BowBow before me!”

  JoJo giggled. She knew Miley was kidding. Even so, she never missed a chance to tell her friends how special they were to her. “You know I love you, Miley!” she said sincerely. “And if you promise not to brag about it . . . I did text you first, before I even told BowBow about the block party.”

  “Awww. Thanks, girl.” Miley laughed. “So wait, go on. What about the entertainment?”

  “Right.” JoJo felt herself getting worked up again. “I had the best idea. Are you ready?” She didn’t even pause to hear Miley’s response. “What if I perform at the block party? And I was thinking maybe you could help me choreograph a new dance number for my performance! We have two weeks to come up with something, which isn’t a ton of time, but I know we can do it. What do you say?”

  “What do I say?” Miley asked, pretending she needed to consider it. “Hmm, I don’t know . . .” JoJo could imagine Miley on the other end of the phone, deep in thought, twirling a strand of her long, curly hair around her finger.

  This time, JoJo really thought she might burst. She knew Miley loved to tease, but she still bounced up and down on her toes while waiting for Miley’s official yes. Her best friend was really great at choreography, and JoJo couldn’t think of a better way to involve Miley in her performance than having her help design her routine!

  After what felt like an eternity . . .

  “That sounds like the Best. Idea. Ever!” Miley finally exclaimed. “I would love to help choreograph your performance! And, JoJo, so many kids from school are huge fans of yours—half of them have ‘Boomerang’ as their ringtone! I know they would love to see you perform!”

  Since JoJo had been homeschooled for practically her whole life, she didn’t know all the neighborhood kids, but planning a performance at the block party seemed like a perfect way to meet them and make some new frien
ds. There were few things JoJo loved more than making new friends!

  “Yay!” JoJo cheered. “This is going to be so fun! Let’s get together tomorrow to start figuring it all out! Oh, and let’s invite Jacob too!”

  “Definitely,” Miley agreed.

  Jacob went to school with Miley and was close friends with both girls. JoJo’s mom, Jessalynn, sometimes referred to them as “The Three Musketeers” because they loved hanging out together so much. JoJo and Miley and Jacob had never seen or read The Three Musketeers, but they knew it meant they were BFFs.

  After getting off the phone with Miley, JoJo started to fill BowBow in on her plans. But then she realized BowBow had been listening the whole time. She just had one question for her frisky little pup:

  “BowBow, are you ready to take the stage?”

  CHAPTER 2

  “Which bow do you feel like wearing today, BowBow?” JoJo asked.

  It was the following afternoon, and JoJo and BowBow were getting ready to head over to Miley’s.

  “Yellow polka dots?” JoJo held up a small yellow bow in one hand. “Or pink tie-dye to match me?”

  BowBow yipped excitedly as JoJo dangled the pink bow that was a miniature version of the one she was wearing.

  “Good choice!” JoJo said. She gently attached the bow to a tuft of fur at the top of BowBow’s adorable little head. Some days they matched their bows exactly, and other days they didn’t. JoJo usually let BowBow decide, but occasionally she had to overrule her if BowBow chose a bow that really didn’t go well with JoJo’s. Luckily that didn’t happen very often. JoJo’s bows were made to be the best, brightest, cutest accessories. They usually went with anything at all!

  After saying goodbye to her mom and promising to be home in time for dinner, JoJo and BowBow set out for Miley’s house, which was just a few blocks away. JoJo sometimes rode her bike there, but today she felt like walking. From the way BowBow happily wagged her tail when JoJo clipped her hot-pink leash to her collar, it seemed that BowBow agreed that a walk was a good idea.

  As they turned at the end of their block, JoJo felt a gentle tugging on the leash as BowBow tried to pull her across the street.

  “That isn’t Miley’s house.” JoJo laughed as BowBow pressed on toward a Spanish-style house. As they got closer, JoJo noticed a girl who looked to be about her age walking up the driveway.

  “Hi there,” JoJo called, waving. “My dog, BowBow”—she dissolved into giggles as BowBow tugged her way toward the girl—“is apparently very excited to meet you!”

  The girl crouched down in the driveway and let BowBow sniff her hand. Then she gently pet the little Yorkie on the head.

  “I’m JoJo,” JoJo said, smiling at the red-haired girl BowBow seemed to like so much.

  “I—I know who you are,” the girl stammered. As she looked up, JoJo could see she was blushing.

  “Are you new to the neighborhood? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

  “I am. We just moved in last week,” the girl replied, tucking a strand of wavy red hair behind her ear. “I’m Grace.”

  JoJo could tell that Grace was shy. Sometimes when she met new kids, they were especially shy around her because they were fans of her songs and YouTube channel, and they got a little starstruck. When that happened, JoJo tried extra hard to put them at ease.

  “I love your unicorn shirt,” JoJo said, gesturing to the pale yellow T-shirt Grace was wearing with denim shorts and glittery flip-flops. Just then, BowBow yipped as if she were agreeing with JoJo about Grace’s shirt. Both girls laughed. “I think BowBow likes it too,” JoJo added between giggles. Unicorns were everything.

  Grace grinned happily, revealing bright pink braces. “Thanks—I love unicorns. They’re kind of my thing.”

  “Very cool.” JoJo nodded. “Like bows are kind of my thing!” She gestured to the tie-dyed bow with rhinestones attached to her ponytail.

  With the ice broken, JoJo and Grace fell into an easy conversation. Grace asked about the local school, and when JoJo explained that she was homeschooled, Grace looked disappointed. “I was hoping you went to my school . . . ,” Grace explained after a moment. “It would have been nice to know someone on my first day. But it’s cool that you’re homeschooled!”

  “Yeah, it is pretty great,” JoJo agreed. “But as for knowing someone at school, you have nothing to worry about. My two closest friends, Miley and Jacob, go there! You can meet them, and then you’ll know two people! In fact, I was just on my way over to Miley’s house now. Why don’t you come with?”

  “Really?” Grace asked. “I—That’s so nice of you to offer. Are you sure?”

  “Of course I’m sure!” JoJo exclaimed.

  While Grace went inside to ask her mom if it was okay to go to Miley’s, JoJo texted Miley to let her know she was bringing a new friend with her. Miley sent her the thumbs-up emoji, and Grace returned a few moments later, smiling from ear to ear. Her mom, from whom Grace seemed to have inherited her pretty red hair, waved from the front door. “Text me to let me know you arrived safely,” she called.

  “Will do, Mom!” Grace replied.

  On their way to Miley’s, JoJo filled Grace in on the upcoming block party. She was just getting to the part about her performance when they reached Miley’s front door. As JoJo raised her hand to knock, the door flew open. BowBow jumped excitedly as she spotted Miley, who was probably her second favorite person after JoJo.

  “I was waiting at the window because I’m so excited to talk about the block party!” Miley exclaimed, her voice muffled slightly as she hugged her best friend. “And you must be Grace,” she said a moment later as she separated from JoJo. “So nice to meet you! Welcome to the neighborhood!”

  Before Grace could answer, Miley enveloped her in a hug.

  With her caramel-colored skin still showing hints of the tan she’d picked up on the beach vacation she’d taken with her family a few weeks ago, and with her long, curly hair rocking natural highlights from the sun, JoJo’s best friend was looking even cuter than usual. Miley was as pretty on the outside as she was on the inside.

  “She’s a bit of a hugger,” JoJo pretended to whisper to Grace. “It’s kind of her thing!”

  BowBow yipped as if to say, “What about me?” and all three girls burst into laughter. “Oh, hello to you too, BowBow,” Miley cooed as she bent over to scoop up BowBow and give her a hug.

  “Ahem.” Jacob appeared behind Miley, pretending to clear his throat.

  “And this is Jacob,” JoJo said as Jacob stepped into view and gave Grace a little wave. Jacob was a full head taller than Miley. He’d had a big growth spurt over the summer. “He’s just as awesome as Miley but way less huggy.”

  Grace smiled and waved back.

  “Cool braces,” Jacob said, running a hand through his shaggy dark hair. Jacob had always worn his hair really short, but for the past few months he’d been growing it out. He’d told JoJo and Miley that he had a certain look in mind, but they still weren’t quite sure what that look was, so they loved to joke with him about it. That was the kind of friendship the girls had with Jacob, and it was no secret that he loved their good-natured teasing.

  Jacob turned to JoJo. “Bonus points for making a new friend with braces,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows as he emphasized the last word.

  “Oh, no,” Miley said as JoJo sighed.

  Grace looked from Jacob to Miley and finally to JoJo, a confused look on her face.

  “Grace, I apologize now for the fact that Jacob is probably going to grill you all day about your braces,” JoJo explained. “He’s getting braces soon, and he’s sort of obsessed with talking about them.”

  “Knowledge is power,” Jacob said, shrugging.

  Grace burst out laughing. “No problem at all—I was really curious too before I got them. Ask away!”

  “I like her already!” Jacob grinned. “Miley, invite this girl inside!”

  “Right, don’t mind me!” Miley giggled. “Please come in! The
re’s plenty of snacks in the kitchen.” She gestured for the girls to come inside and then placed BowBow back down on the ground. “Jacob brought over homemade brownies!” she added, clapping excitedly.

  “Homemade brownies by Jacob? Lead the way!” JoJo cheered as she unclipped BowBow’s leash. She smiled encouragingly at Grace. Meeting three new people all in one day could be a lot for a shy person, but JoJo was determined to make sure Grace felt right at home with her and her friends.

  A little while later, JoJo knew she had nothing to worry about, because Grace fit in perfectly with their little group. She was a great sport about Jacob grilling her about her braces, and, JoJo realized, all Jacob’s silly questions had really helped put Grace at ease.

  Just then, Miley’s mom poked her head into the kitchen. “I know Jacob brought over brownies, but we also have cake pops if anyone is interested . . .”

  “Is that even a question?” Jacob asked as the three girls nodded.

  A few moments later, Mrs. Bryant placed a plate of four cake pops in the center of the table, along with a stack of napkins. The kids all thanked her and then immediately reached out to claim a cake pop.

  “So you can eat cake pops with braces?” Jacob asked excitedly as Grace took a delicate bite of hers.

  “Jacob, why wouldn’t you be able to eat cake pops with braces?” Miley asked.

  “I don’t know.” Jacob grinned as the girls all laughed. “I’m just glad to know you can.”

  “Okay, maybe we should get down to work and talk about the block party and figure out what we’re all doing,” JoJo said a moment later. JoJo loved goofing around with her friends, but she also knew when it was time to buckle down. “Order in the kitchen!” She pretended to pound her cake pop like a gavel on her napkin. “I know I’m going to perform, and Miley is going to help me choreograph. What do you guys think you want to do?”

  “I’m thinking I can help out with the food in some way,” Jacob replied. “Making it or selling it or both. Whatever they need.”

  “Jacob loves food,” JoJo explained to Grace. “As you can tell from the brownies, he’s an incredible baker.”