
Reach for this book when your teen is navigating the painful loss of a long-term dream or identity, particularly due to injury or burnout. It provides a nuanced look at the grieving process for a life plan that was cut short, while also addressing the internal conflict of loving an art form that has deep-seated systemic issues like racism. It is a sophisticated coming of age story that validates the difficulty of starting over in a new social circle. While it contains some mild romance and exploration of past trauma, it is highly appropriate for any high school student looking for a realistic, hopeful path forward after a major life setback.
Significant focus on the grief of losing a dream and a sense of self.
The book handles physical disability and medical trauma through a secular, realistic lens. The exploration of systemic racism in the arts is direct and unflinching. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, prioritizing personal growth over a magical recovery.
A high-achieving teen who has experienced a 'fall from grace,' whether through injury, failing a major exam, or losing interest in a lifelong hobby, and feels like their life is over because of it.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the specific instances of racial bias Alina experiences in the ballet world, and how systemic racism can create barriers for people of color in the arts. A parent might notice their child binging old videos of themselves performing or playing a sport they can no longer do, or retreating into isolation after a major disappointment.
Younger teens will focus on the 'new school' jitters and the romance. Older teens will resonate more deeply with the existential crisis of identity and the social commentary on industry standards.
Unlike many 'dance books' that romanticize the struggle, this one deconstructs the 'perfect' facade of ballet to show how it can be exclusionary and harmful to dancers of color. """
Alina Keeler was on the path to becoming a professional ballerina until a traumatic leg injury ended her career instantly. Now in her junior year of high school, she is a ghost of her former self, hiding from her past until she reluctantly joins the school musical. There, she discovers a new community and starts to confront the toxic perfectionism and racism she endured in the ballet world, all while navigating a budding romance with a boy named Jude.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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