Off Pointe

August 15, 2014
A teen with a ballet obsession learns to appreciate modern dance. When she was 4, Meg's parents took her to a performance of The Nutcracker, and her "ballet obsession" began. Now, after ninth grade, her summer class is canceled, so Meg's parents send her to Camp Dance for two weeks. She has no interest in any other form of dance and does not make new friends easily, but her ballet instructor believes that, while her technique is excellent, her stage presence and ability to relate to the audience are lacking. She is decidedly uncomfortable with modern dance, jazz and hip-hop, has a bunk mate who is antagonistic and cannot text because cellphones are not permitted. Nio, a boy who likes to dance, befriends her and encourages her in spite of her obtuseness. She understands how to dance specific steps; interpretation stymies her. It is her interest in fashion-designer names are dropped frequently-and her gradual willingness to combine ballet and modern dance steps that save the day and the camp experience. The story, told in Meg's voice, revolves around dance class, camp life and the obligatory student performance. The characters are more stereotyped than individualistic, and the finale proceeds with predictability. A formulaic story that will appeal to dance fanatics. (Fiction. 11-14)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 5 Up-Meg has devoted her life to ballet to the exclusion of other social activities and even friends. When her summer ballet class is canceled, her parents sign her up for Camp Dance. Unfortunately, this camp does every kind of dance except ballet, and Meg really isn't interested. The teen's already struggling with her dance teacher's statement that she won't get to the "next level" until she improves her stage presence and connects with her audience. Add to that a camper who seems to take an instant dislike to Meg, and the summer doesn't look promising. Although the protagonist is a rising sophomore, this novel works best with younger readers. The plot and resolution are predictable, but the setting may appeal to dancers or summer campers. Dance moves which could be visually intriguing are difficult to convey in words, and a significant amount of space is expended attempting to do so. Even more significant, character motivation is superficial. For example, possible reasons behind the hostility of one camper toward Meg are suggested, but never fully explored, and the gay self-identification of another character is glossed over. Recommended primarily for reluctant readers.-Katherine Koenig, The Ellis School, PA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014
Grades 6-9 Fifteen-year-old Meg, a promising ballet dancer, has her life and summer plans thrown into chaos when her usual summer ballet program is cancelled, and she has to go to a dance camp instead. Her regular teacher recommends the camp so Meg can work on her contemporary skills and her stage presence, but she's facing two weeks with new people, and, worse, no cell phone to contact her best friend. Meg finds the new styles hard, and they're even harder when another dancer is outright hostile to her. When she's forced to work together with mean-girl Logan and good-looking Nio, Meg has to decide how to avoid arguments and injuries. Is she really dedicated to dancing, even if it's not ballet? And what about Niois he a friend or more? This is a quick, easy, realistic read, ideal for reluctant readers interested in dance and a little romance. The dance terms are explained early on so the reader can understand what movements Meg is doing.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)