This book has earned Jennifer Longo a place on my must-read list. Longo has a knack for capturing the emotional roller coaster of life-changing events; she did it with Six Feet Over It and maybe even more powerfully here. Additionally, it’s nice to have a ballet story for teens that doesn’t focus on body dysmorphia and eating disorders, nor does it focus on the backbiting hyper-competitiveness. Yes, those things are present–you can’t really have a ballet book without them–but they aren’t the focus. The parallels between the harsh world of (aspiring) professional dancers and the harsh conditions of Antarctica were beautifully drawn and serve as perfect backdrops for Harper’s personal journey.
–Billie Bloebaum, A Children’s Place, Portland, OR
Read across genres! Support local authors! Armchair travel to Antarctica! Enjoy great books like this from A Children’s Place and other independent bookstores.