One day, Libby learns that E.T.: The Musical is being cast in New York. The two share a passion for theater and stage many private performances in basements and backyards. Only one person in Jankburg seems to relate to Nate-his best friend, Libby. Nate is treated as an embarrassment to his traditional parents and 16-year-old brother Anthony, a local sports star. This dream causes those around Nate to assume he is gay, even though he hasn’t figured out his sexual orientation yet. Nate dreams of performing in a Broadway show. These physical traits and his love of singing make him the target of school bullies. He’s short and slightly overweight, in addition to having a pronounced underbite. This study guide is based on the Kindle edition of the novel.ġ3-year-old Nate Foster is considered an oddball in his small hometown of Jankburg, Pennsylvania. In following Nate's tribulations and triumphs, the novel examines themes of Small Town Versus Big City, Standing Out in Context, and The Courage to Dream. Better Nate Than Ever was adapted into a Disney Plus original movie in 2022.

He was also the showrunner and producer for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (2019) on Disney Plus. In addition to the Nate Series, Federle has written several humorous cocktail recipe books. Author Tim Federle and the fictional Nate share a similar background, with the former having been a Broadway dancer who grew up in Pittsburgh-an environment similar to the latter’s town of Jankburg, Pennsylvania.

The novel is intended for middle grade and young adult readers but may also appeal to adult fans of theater-related fiction. Better Nate Than Ever (2013) is the first book in a trilogy about Broadway hopeful Nate Foster the next two titles in the series are Five, Six, Seven, Nate! (2014) and Nate Expectations (2018).

Better nate than never book