The fact that the High School Musical franchise has evolved and grown right alongside me always blows my mind. High school aged me would laugh at the fact that I’m now reading a novel based on a tv series based on the movie, but I loved it! I think this book would be less enjoyable if you didn’t have some knowledge of the tv show though. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip took me back to my youth when the movies would come out. I loved diving back into the East High setting, this time with the television characters! It was hilarious the different hijinks everyone was up to and this ended up being a quick read for me.

I will definitely recommend this novel to my students who are looking for fun characters and storyline!

Based on Disney TV Series.

East High Wildcats are headed to Jackson Hole, WY for a High School Musical Convention. Everyone is excited to meet their favorite Star and learn new skills, but things don’t go quite as planned. Will the trip be worth it?

This book follows right along with the tv series. It is full of drama, disappointments, and surprises. I love how De La Cruz added facts about musicals, choreographers, actors, and movies to enlighten the reader. The writing is great and has the same energy as the tv show. If you are a fan of the tv series, you will enjoy this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Publishing Worldwide for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip picks up right where season one of the show leaves off. The cast is celebrating a successful show when Miss Jenn discovers there’s going to be a High School Musical Convention only a few hours away. Of course she comes up with the perfect plan to go to the convention and convince a HSM star to help put the East High theater department on the map…what could go wrong? Apparently everything.

This book was a cute and really quick read but you definitely need to have some knowledge of the series before going into it. The chapters are split up between the main characters of the show..which I liked because it helped move the story along well.I also haven’t kept up with the show so Im not sure if the loose ends in the book were resolved in the show. I do think you have to be a fan of the show and high school musical in general to really enjoy the book. For me it was just ok. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it.

Thank you to the publisher & NetGalley for the digital copy!

*I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This just seemed unnecessary. I mean, it was a fun book, but just the title alone was too much and that's before I opened the book. It just felt like it didn't need to exist for the show or for itself as a book.

Great storyline, by a great author. This is a great installment to the HSMTMS series. Targets the middle grades. It can in ways get confusing with the show itself, but still a great book.

This very cute novel based on the High School Musical: The Musical TV show follows the theater crew as they travel to a High School Musical convention. It's a super fun novel that fans of the show will love. It provides enough background that those who have not watched the show can still enjoy the novel. However, to get the full context, you would need to watch the show. The book, like show, can be so sweet that it verges on saccharine.

I really enjoyed watching the series and was glad to learn more about the theater group of East High after the musical!

So the writing was good and it flowed but I couldn't attach to any of the characters but then again you are taking a 30 year old and trying to convince her she is in high school.. so the YA separation makes sense ahaha. also if anyone asks I am only 30! I say if you are watching the show or are in high school you will 5 star this easy!~

HSMTMTS is such a fun show, I knew I had to add this book to my TBR list! I'm happy I did! This was a fun expansion to the series, and I recommend it to any fans of the show!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

On the heels of their wildly successful run of High School Musical, the gang learns of a can't-miss opportunity—a High School Musical convention in the next state. There's something for everyone: panels about mounting your next hit show, cafeteria-tray-dance workshops, Wildcat cosplay, and even a special appearance from the pooch who played Sharpay's dog (well, one of her puppies, that is).
Ready to hit the road, the crew immediately begins making plans. Nini can't wait to use the weekend to show how much she cares for Ricky (especially since they just got back together). Kourtney debates signing up for a singing workshop (especially if she's maybe, just maybe, considering auditioning for the next show), and Gina and Ashlyn decide it'll be the perfect trial run for living together (especially because Gina has never actually had a friendship last this long). Carlos can't wait to help Miss Jenn prep for the spring musical, even if Seb has to stay behind to help with the family farm. But car breakdowns, late starts, and a lost E.J. throw a wrench in their plans.

Never thought would enjoy this book as what I thought! Just look at the cover is so so stunning! Teens and YA contemporary fans are going to like this one! Highly recommended!
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

On the night of their successful performance, the team learns that there is a High School Musical convention in the next state over. The convention has something for everyone and the cast members will be making special appearances.

They are ready to hit the road and they can't wait to make plans for their weekend together. Nini wants to use this weekend to show how much she cares for Ricky since they just got back together. Kourtney wants to sign up for a signing workshop and maybe audition for the next show. Gina and Ashlyn are using the weekend as a trial run for living together. Carlos is excited to help Miss Jenn realize her dreams and prep for the spring musical.

I recall seeing this movie and remember how much interest it garnered when I was younger. Honestly, I didn't even realize that the movie was still a hit. This was my first book of the series and I realized towards the middle of the book, that the books needed to be read in order. It does seem like the book can be read as a standalone but, there were several previous story references that were lost to me. I also had a hard time following along with the characters and after a while, all the characters were starting to merge together. If you are a fan of the series, I would recommend this book. Otherwise, I would say to skip it.

I really enjoyed the style this book was formatted, very appealing to tween and YA readers!! It was so nice to catch up with characters while waiting for season 2 to begin. I really enjoyed the way de la Cruz switched points of view in each chapter, matching the tones and voices of each character so well. I felt like I was hearing each character showing me what exactly was going on.

Apologies, Melissa de la Cruz, but I may have picked up 1 or 2 books from you in the past and did not like. My expectations were low here, but after a Disney Channel marathon of Season 1 of HSMTMTS, I figured I'd give this a chance... and this is the 1st book from you I actually enjoyed.

Admittedly, the series gave you a lot of content, characterization and tone. So shout out to the creative team at Disney for a great foundation. Thank you to the author for not messing it up.

Since I just ended the show -- yup, that final tap dance number -- the story picked up right where the show ended, which allowed us to live in the world for a bit longer. No new discoveries here, author is just keeping the plate warm until Disney serves up the next course of Season 2.

I picked up High School Musical because it was an extension of the show. The show was horribly corny but you had to watch and sing along. The book took the same route. The characters stayed the same and worked just as well in written form. The kids go on a road trip to a High School Musical convention and all the normal teenage drama ensues. Definitely a fun book for fans, and I think that it could work for those who have not watched the show yet. I am not sure I would want my younger child reading it, more around the ages of the kids in the show, but other than that, definitely works well for HSM fans.

A super fan of the High School Movie movies and series would enjoy this followup novel based on the new season. The book takes off where the first season left off as the students embark on a road trip to attend a High School Musical convention. Being at the convention made me reminiscent of attending conventions myself such as BookCon. I read this book in anticipation for the second season of the series and to get the inside scoop before the show airs on Disney+. It took a second for me to be reintroduced to all the characters and their subplots. This book is definitely intended for younger readers who have a clear knowledge of all things High School Musical and it pays homage to the original cast and songs. The story was rather corny and predictable but will be appreciated by those who are excited to get back into this world and to accompany viewing the television show.

Thank you so much to Disney Publishing Worldwide & Netgalley for an arc copy!
AND
Happy Release Day

Before starting my review, FUN FACT
High School Musical is my childhood! I remember when the first movie came out I was in elementary and my friends and I were obsessed! (especially with Troy Bolton...ZAC EFRON)
I am now in my 20s...and I’m happy and proud to say that the High School Musical franchise are one of my guilty pleasures <3

Soooo I’ll be honest and say I have not seen the tv show prior to this book coming out…In fact, I was even weary in starting this tv show. It is actually because of this book that I decided to watch the tv show!

AND I AM SO HAPPY I DID!!!

Don’t get me wrong, these aren’t as good as the movies (for me) but it was still so very enjoyable! I loved each and every character and how close and tight they all are. I love the reimagination of this. The show had me cringing, smiling and laughing. I just couldn’t help but get hooked.

And can I say Melissa De La Cruz, the author of this book did the tv show and CHARACTERS justice! It was so brilliantly written. It felt like I was watching an episode of the tv show. Sooo if you have seen the tv show go check this book out!

The book is set right after the big performance of season 1. All characters are planning a road trip to a HSM convention...HOWEVER...not everything goes as planned…

What I adore from the tv show was how unique and special each character is. I love how they had their own story to tell. So, thank you to the author for having each character get a POV!!! It gave me the exact same feel. I just loved how it portrayed them so well and that I got to see them grow as a performer and individual. I’m just so mind blowned by how accurate the author got the personalities of each character sooo right!

And can I just say that as much as love each and every character, after reading this E.J. holds such a special place in my heart <3 HE IS JUST A SWEETIE! (view spoiler)

This book was such a fun read.
This is really a great read to get me ready for season 2!

Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Books for an eARC in exchange for review. All opinions re my own, as usual.

I’m going to start this review out by saying I’ve been a Wildcat my whole life. I know all of the choreography, I’m always quoting the franchise, and the soundtracks are on my daily playlists. I thought High School Musical: The Musical: The Series was going to be ridiculous. Then quarantine hit, I had the time to watch it, and I now cry listening to some of the songs because #relatable. All this being said, I am going to be extremely critical of this book, because as I said, I’m obsessed.

4.5 stars

Do not read this book if you haven’t watched HSMTMTS (and I hope you haven’t watched HSMTMTS unless you saw the movies). This book will not make much sense, and you’ll lose half of the comedic value. So as someone who’s seen the show half a dozen times, I loved this!

I loved how each character had their own voice. We rotate through the entire main cast of the show’s POVs and they all felt accurate to their character. There were a few times where the characters said something that was grammatically correct, not how a teenager would speak, but otherwise their trains of thought and dialogue were perfect. I enjoyed the different formats (Instagram posts for E.J. and checklists for Miss Jenn). They played into the character and enhanced their personalities.

Now, here’s where I talk about continuity. For those that have watched the show, you’ll know that Carlos has only seen the first HSM movie and the first 15 minutes of each sequel. I was confused at moments because he referenced Ricky acting like Troy in HSM3, but later in the book reiterated that he hadn’t seen the second and third movies. Besides that, it was briefly mentioned that High School Musical 2: The Musical was an actual production that could be put on at school’s. I had to look this up because I swore there was only “High School Musical: The Musical,” but I did find that “High School Musical 2 On Stage!” exists. If schools still put on the production is another question. It seems like the only evidence of the show existing was from 2009 and a lot of it from Europe. Either way, is anyone looking for the opportunity to be in "High School Musical: The Musical" and "High School Musical 2 On Stage!" with someone whose singing will kill your eardrums but whose dancing will knock your socks off? Asking for a friend.

So yes, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: The Road Trip is a worthwhile read for fans of the show. It will not impact the series in any way, but it was a fun, two hour long treat to hold me over for another week and a half before season two starts airing on Disney+. Overall, this books is what I’ve been looking for.
(Oh you know one pun had to come in).

Immediately after the events of season one of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, all of your favorite East High Wildcats set out on a road trip to a High School Musical convention in Denver. Everyone has their motivation for the trip but everyone agrees that it is absolutely essential that they go. Of course, everything starts to go wrong first.

This book was fun and goofy and perfect for fans of HSM (guilty). I don't think that the TV show is essential watching before reading this book, but it will definitely make your experience more fun!

I just have to say I had never seen the show previous to requesting this book, but I love the author so I figured I would give it a shot. After binge watching the show so that I could get a sense of the characters before starting this arc I have to say that I really love how this book picks up right were the show ended. It is a perfect bridge between one season to the next. It is not required in order to enjoy the new season. This will be a great recommendation for those who are antsy for the new season to start. Thank you so much for allowing me to get a sneak peak.