From the Top, Sally Flynn

Sally loves musical theatre and dreams of a career on Broadway. Living near a theatre with her dad, she can practically see her dreams come true.

Writing her own musical is Sally's first step to a life of fame. It's so annoying that friends and family KEEP hinting that maybe her musical is not really about a lonely frog, but actually about her own life. She's sure no one ever said that to Lin-Manuel Miranda!

Armed with new skills from a course packed with main-cast-energy theatre kids, Sally is ready to take her show public. Will her performance prove to her friends that she's over any problems? The show must go on, after all.



Méabh Collins is a writer and scholar from Dublin. She holds an M.Phil in Children's Literature from Trinity College Dublin, where she is currently pursuing a PhD. In recent years, she has worked as a primary school teacher and in children's and Irish language publishing. She lives in Dublin with her husband and their rescue greyhound. This is her second novel.



a brilliant book full of real-life adventure and modern social life.  I would highly recommend this book to ages 9-14. I give it a 8/10 - by Tess, age 11, 5th Class



it is going straight into the Sixth Class library amarach!



heartwarming … this book explores loss and grief in a wholly accessible way, with its deep pockets of warmth and humour … with fun an topical pop culture references, the book eases you into Sally's world … despite the musical theatre specifics, its realism offers scope for all young people to see themselves in the story and hopefully become inspired by it!



Méabh's warmth, wit and compassion sing through the narrative, and I was sad to say goodbye when the novel ended. It's such a perfect summer escape, which is strange because it explores the things that you can't escape, as well as the refuge, solace and community that art can provide. I'm excited for the theatre kids that get to read (and re-read) this



Sally's witty, original voice drew me in from the first page and this book doesn't shy from her grief … a must for all theatre kids and also readers who like realistic novels with heart