Tag Archives: Ballet

Review: Dare You to Dance by Rebecca Mock

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Dare You to Dance by Rebecca Mock

Dare You to Dance
Rebecca Mock
Random House Graphic
Published July 28, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Dare You to Dance

From the award-winning illustrator of The Four Points series comes a heartfelt middle grade graphic novel about a small-town ballerina attending a prestigious dance workshop. Determined to push herself, she picks the best dancer in class to compete against—only to discover that what her rival really needs is…friendship.

Gracie is ready to take on the ballet world — starting with the Young Dancer Summer Workshop in New York! It’s a two week summer course, and while she misses her family in Ohio, she is ready to show this ballet school that she has what it takes.

Too bad none of the other students got the memo and now Gracie feels like she’s already being left in the dust! Luckily, she knows the best way to get herself motivated is with a good rival and who better to pick than the star of the class, Sariah!

Except Sariah doesn’t seem interested in a fun competition with Gracie. In fact, she’s so serious that it seems like she barely enjoys dancing at all? Can Gracie break through to Sariah and find the exciting rival she wants? Or is this rivalry, and Gracie’s future in ballet, both doomed before it can even start?

My Review

I love stories about ballet and dancers. This one captures some of the competitiveness of dance without the intensity that usually accompanies it. Instead, characters have many different approaches to their dance experience. One character enjoys dancing and doesn’t want to be competitive about it. Another is very reserved, despite her obvious talent. She’s driven internally, but she doesn’t express those thoughts out loud. Still another dancer talks a LOT about her prowess and her future plans. She’s not shy about positioning herself front and center and criticizing other dancers she perceives as in her way.

Gracie must find her way around this big city dance camp, and she makes a lot of mistakes along the way. She doesn’t always understand the instructor’s directions or keep up with the choreography. She enters camp expecting the competitive atmosphere, but what truly helps her orient herself and settle into the dance routine is an unexpected friendship.

Some humor about body odor keeps the story light. Gracie’s bold expressions and big feelings also add to the humor. Periodically, the story zooms in on the older characters’ perspectives, offering a glimpse of what the instructors see happening and the relationships among professional dancers.

Ultimately, this is an uplifting story that celebrates dance and the friendships born out of summer camp and long hours of practice. I highly recommend this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to injuries. A dancer is injured during class. Rumors spread that another dancer injured herself on purpose or was injured by a rival.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Corpse de Ballet by Megan Kearney

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Corpse de Ballet
Megan Kearney
First Second
Published July 7, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Corpse de Ballet

In her solo graphic novel debut, Megan Kearney weaves a fresh tale of dark academia and brutal competition. This psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Black Swan!

Arriving at Saint Anselmus in the middle of the year, Rosamund Hammond is ready to practice hard and prove she deserves to be there. But something at this boarding school doesn’t feel right.

It turns out that just before Rosamund enrolled, a student disappeared without telling anyone. Was it really a leave of absence—or something more sinister? Together with her new roommate, Rosamund spirals deeper and deeper into an obsession with the truth. As the school prepares for its showcase performance of Coppélia, can she commit to her hard-earned ballet dreams while solving the mystery that’s haunting her—or will she lose herself in the process?

My Review

As a former dancer, I love books that feature ballet. Graphic novels are especially fun because of the visual representation of dance. This one is no exception. I loved the way that the illustrations captured the movement of dance. The story emphasizes the difference between rote performance and transcendent embodiment of roles and movements. The panels capture that nicely.

I also enjoyed the psychological elements. For a long stretch of the story, I wasn’t sure what to believe. Is Rosamund imagining things? Which characters are trustworthy? Someone is hiding things, but who is it? As the intensity builds, I found myself reading faster, eager to reach the moment the truth is revealed.

Another wonderful surprise in this book is how much history it contains. While I was familiar with the ballet Coppélia, I didn’t know anything about the original tale it was adapted from or anything about the author of that story. That history and some information about famous performances of the story tied together really well with the story Kearney tells here.

Altogether, this is a clever, gorgeous story that will delight and haunt its readers. It’s not quite as intense as the movie The Black Swan, but if you like that kind of story, definitely check this one out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used pretty infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Rosamund believes a ghost is communicating with her. References to a story about an alchemist seeking to animate an automaton.

Violent Content
Bullying and manipulation. Psychological tension. Brief reference to a ritual human sacrifice in a story.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

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I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call (I Feed Her to the Beast #2)
Jamison Shea
Henry Holt & Co.
Published November 12, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call

Monsters and mortals, rejoice! Acheron is back . . .

Though Laure has tried to close the lid on her ballet shoes and the feelings she once held for dance since the Palais Garnier incident two months ago, Laure is spinning out. Between partying, drinking, and avoiding anything and, well, everyone, she has no time to be anything but a monster.

But when Laure stumbles across a mysterious dead body during one of her nights out, she’s forced to notice the cracks stretching beyond herself. Below the streets of Paris, Elysium is dying, and Acheron and Lethe’s influence is spilling into the streets like a blight. Laure isn’t the only of Elysium’s beasts to rise from the ruins of Palais Garnier, and someone is mobilizing an army of monsters with plans greater than Laure, Andor, and Keturah could have ever guessed.

While Laure is warring between her wants and Acheron’s ever-demanding appetite, she and her circle of monsters are left to reckon with a not-so-simple how do you save yourself from oblivion?

Jamison Shea’s sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the “relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific” (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.

My Review

I forgot how engaging Shea’s writing is until I dove back into this duology. In 2023, I reviewed I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me. I remember being so impressed with the way that the author incorporated details about Laure’s ballet experience. There were things that you really wouldn’t know unless you danced or spent a lot of time with ballet dancers.

Though it’s not the focus of this story, Laure’s dancing still has a deep impact on it. I cannot express how strongly I love that Shea uses Laure’s struggle as a classically trained ballet dancer trying to learn to dance in other styles as a metaphor for how disconnected she feels from her body and how alien she feels as the vessel of a god among humans. Would that parallel resonate as strongly for someone without dance experience? I don’t know, but I am so into it. I felt like I instantly understood her struggle on a physical and emotional level.

This is a story about a young woman finding her place, defining herself, and weighing the personal costs of following norms versus creating her role from scratch. Over and over Laure faces frustration and shame when she doesn’t fit the roles she’s assigned, from ballerina to immortal vessel. At first, she blames herself and vacillates between trying harder and breaking down. She begins to break away from those patterns and look for ways to embrace who she is. She starts to see those attributes as strengths rather than hindrances. I loved watching that transformation.

As with Shea’s first book, I found it so easy to get lost in the writing and the strangeness of the story. It’s horror, so it does have some gore, body horror, and other scary elements. This duology might be my favorite representation of ballet in young adult fiction that I’ve read so far.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 15 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Laure has become a vessel for a god named Acheron. Others made bargains with Acheron or another god in exchange for power.

Violent Content
Body horror and depictions of gore. Descriptions of dead animals (deaths not shown). References to and brief descriptions of murder, cannibalism, and being buried alive.

Drug Content
Early in the story, Laure drinks heavily at nightclubs as part of a destructive pattern. She recognizes the destructiveness of her behavior and eventually decides to make healthier choices.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby

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The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History (Adapted for Young Adults)
Karen Valby
Delacorte Press
Published January 14, 2025

Penguin/Random House | Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults)

A full accounting of five incredibly talented Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, founding members among them, that illuminates their hard-fought, historic, and overlooked contributions to the world of classical dance at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies.

It was true until only recently, their past achievements had been erased—that’s what happened to five Black ballerinas, members of the groundbreaking Dance Theater of Harlem. At the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, Lydia Abarca, who dance critics praised effusively, was the first Black prima ballerina of this major dance company, performing lead roles in the most iconic ballets. She was also the first Black ballerina to grace the cover of Dance magazine.

Alongside fellow founding members Sheila Rohan and Gayle McKinney-Griffith, and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, these swans of Harlem shone a bright light on the depth of Black professional classical dancers. Their grit, determination, and exquisite artistry propelled them to dizzying heights, but over the decades, their trailblazing and triumphs were largely forgotten.

Now these ballerinas and longtime friends are giving voice to their stories on and off stage—reclaiming a past so that it is finally recorded and acknowledged.

My Review

I couldn’t put this incredible book down. As a former dancer myself, I love reading about dance history. This book is packed with personal stories and experiences centering on five Black ballerinas who had ground-breaking careers beginning in the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

One of the things the book does so beautifully is to hold many things concurrently. For example, it acknowledges the five dancers’ love and appreciation for Misty Copeland and her career but also respects their frustration at the way their own achievements have been erased.

The book celebrates the incredible achievements of the Dance Theatre of Harlem but doesn’t shy away from the flaws or harm that existed in the company, whether through colorism or harsh criticism from its director.

Really, the story continually centers the stories of these five incredible women. It follows the paths of each one’s career to their reconnection during the COVID-10 pandemic and their reflections on the past from that vantage point.

When I received my review copy of this book, I grabbed my copy of Misty Copeland’s Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy. I’d read it back in 2023 wanted to see if it included any of the women featured in this book. It doesn’t, and in fact, Copeland didn’t even know about these dancers until after writing her book. In a chapter near the end, the five ballerinas join her on stage and share their history with her. I wasn’t expecting to have their absence in Copeland’s book explained. I love that it was something the author included, though.

Conclusion

Dance fans and fans of the arts will especially want to check out this book. The writing is compelling and makes you feel like you get to know each dancer personally. The story is perfectly timed to add to our conversations about the erasure of Black achievements in history and the importance of continuing to tell these stories.

Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of the post!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
References to verbal abuse. References to colorism and fat-phobic comments.

Romance/Sexual Content
Very brief references to marriage and divorce.

Spiritual Content
One dancer eventually converts to Islam. Another uses yoga and Buddhist practices to manage stress.

Violent Content
See above references to verbal abuse. Brief reference to a marriage ended by domestic violence.

Drug Content
Reference to a partner’s cocaine addiction and two dancers’ struggles with alcoholism.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Swans of Harlem Tour Schedule

Visit the other stops and get more information about the book.

February 24th — The Candid Cover

February 25th — The Story Sanctuary (you are here)

February 26th — Lit Lemon Books

February 26th — Tea Time Lit

February 27th — Twirling Book Princess

February 28th — Bloggin’ ’bout Books

Giveaway for The Swans of Harlem

Enter to win a copy of the book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Leap by Simina Popescu

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Leap
Simina Popescu
Roaring Brook Press
Published November 12, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Leap

A coming-of-age graphic novel following two dancers at a conservative performing arts school―exploring friendship, first love, and what it means to fall out of step with your own dreams.

Ana has been studying contemporary dance since she was little, but her heart isn’t in it anymore. Instead her focus is on Carina―a beautiful, ambitious ballerina whose fear of being outed keeps Ana in the closet and their fragile relationship from seeing the light of day. Risking her own career, Ana gives up more and more in order to fit into the shadows of Carina’s life.

Sara, on the other hand, is fielding whispers she may be the best dancer their school has produced in years. Much of that is thanks to her mentor and instructor, Marlena, who plucked Sara from the classical track and encouraged her to blossom as a contemporary dancer. Sara has always been in awe of Marlena, but recently, that admiration has sparked into something more, and Sara’s not sure what to do about it.

As junior year at their performing arts school begins, Ana and Sara are assigned as roommates. What starts off as a tentative friendship soon becomes a much-needed anchor.

My Review

It was so fun reading a dance book this week. Earlier tonight (the day I’m writing this), I started taking a tap class, which marks the first dance class I’ve taken in a long time. I’m excited about it. So the timing of reading Leap was really great for me.

One of the things that’s truly incredible about this graphic novel is the way that the panels capture the motion of dance. Some characters are in a contemporary dance program, and others are in a ballet program, so it shows two different kinds of dance, and I think the illustrations differentiate them well. I only spotted one panel in which I think the position of a dancer’s foot wasn’t right for the ballet move that she seemed to be performing.

The story is really sweet, too. It follows two characters. One, Ana, is in a long-term relationship that started out really well but has hit some bumps. The other character, Sara, has a huge crush on someone she shouldn’t, and she’s trying to understand her feelings and figure out what to do. When the girls become roommates, they bond as friends, and it isn’t too long before they begin speaking hard truths to one another. I loved getting to see their friendship flourish and to see the journey they each had with dancing.

I think readers who enjoy books in international settings or books about dance and relationships will find a lot to love in Leap.

Content Notes for Leap

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Representation
Ana and some other characters are queer.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few F-bombs and some other swearing used somewhat infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between two girls.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
One character makes some negative comments about her body. Ballet instructors also say cruel things to the dancers about their weight and bodies. Some homophobic comments, usually well-meaning, but hurtful. The girls talk about someone whose career was ruined after she was outed.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol in several scenes. (They’re underage.)

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Dance of the Starlit Sea by Kiana Krystle

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Dance of the Starlit Sea
Kiana Krystle
Peachtree Teen
Published August 6, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Dance of the Starlit Sea

“Hades and Persephone” meets Phantom of the Opera by way of Laini Taylor, in a sensually rendered world that seethes with intrigue and indulges the senses. Welcome to Luna Island.

Lila Rose Li arrives at her aunt’s cottage with dashed dreams. For years, she pushed herself to become the perfect ballerina her parents would approve of, but after collapsing on stage, she snapped and lashed out violently. Now, exiled to Luna Island, with its sparkling blue waters and rose-covered boutiques, Lila struggles to believe that a girl like her—a natural disaster—deserves good and gentle things.

As the islanders gear up for their beloved tradition, the Angel of the Sea pageant, Lila vows to remain on the sidelines. But the more she learns about the island’s lore, the more she grows suspicious. Luna Island was nothing more than a failed fishing village before angels supposedly came and blessed them with abundance. The pageant is a competition to seek a High Priestess for their commune. To win is to be loved and adored by all, the ultimate blessing.

However, the Angel of the Sea is supposed to reign for seven years, and the previous winner only reigned for one. Something is haunting the island, throwing off the balance the pageant ensures. And as an eerie voice calls to Lila, drawing her closer to the ocean—to its depths—she worries its haunting her, too. The only way to discover what’s really going on, and protect herself, is to win the pageant. But how can a monstrous girl like her ever hope to be crowned by angels?

Kiana Krystle’s enchanting debut simmers with forbidden romance and dark secrets. A lush and sinister blend of paranormal mystery and mythology, wrapped up in fairytale about a teen girl’s hard-earned journey toward loving every part of herself.

My Review

I really struggled with this book. It has a definite ethereal feel, but the voice keeps the reader at a distance. Lila often describes things in terms of metaphors or symbols, so I found myself struggling to interpret what was meant literally versus what was meant metaphorically. For example, one chapter ends with characters watching the sunset and then a statement about the island beginning to burn. In the next chapter, there’s no reference to a fire, so I assume that comment is metaphorical.

Lila frequently references an altercation she had with her mom that resulted in her parents sending her to the island. Late in the book, Lila revisits that moment again, but we stay in her head, steeped in how she felt and these brief slices of descriptions of what happened. This style left me feeling disconnected from her as a character and unsure about what specifically had happened.

I enjoyed the references to ballet and the descriptions of Lila dancing. I loved that her magic was so connected to dance. The connection between dance and magic added something unique to the story. It felt a little bit like reading a ballet, like Giselle or Swan Lake or something.

On the whole, I wish I felt more connected with Lila and understood the story more deeply. The story world is interesting and the ballet references beautiful, but this one kind of went over my head.

If you like dark, ethereal stories, especially those with a forbidden romance or dance theme, this one might be worth checking out.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Representation
Lila is Chinese American.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few F-bombs and other profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing between boy and girl. References to a romance between two girls.

Spiritual Content
Lila encounters angels and hears a voice in her head she believes to be the devil. The islanders worship the moon goddess, Luna.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Instances of self-harm. References to a violent assault. References to domestic abuse. In one scene, a man whips his son. Near-drowning experiences.

Drug Content
Lila eats a hallucinogenic fruit as part of a ritual.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.