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Library | Material Type | Shelf Number | Copies | Item Notes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... Bagdad Public Library | Book | RYA | 1 | .SOURCE. '91 gift | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Chino Valley Public Library | Book | RYAN, MARY E. | 1 | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
Leaving her old boyfriend behind in Brooklyn when she moves to Manhattan and enrolls in a summer program at a prestigious dance academy, sixteen-year-old Katie finds painful romance and difficult career choices.
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 6-12A sequel to Dance a Step Closer (Dell, 1988). Now 16, Katie is experiencing several important changes in her life: her acceptance as a summer scholarship student at the American Dance Conservatory, her mother's sec ond marriage to a wealthy stockbroker, and the family's subsequent move from Brooklyn to the fashionable Gramercy Park area of Manhattan. However, Ka tie's adjustment to her shy stepfather and his lifestyle play a minor role in this sprightly first-person account marked by frequent dialogue that adds immedi acy to a plot that's always in motion. Katie enthusiastically describes dance classes under the tutelage of seasoned instructors, as well as those with the handsome choreographer Chris, who temporarily wins her heart. Katie's maturation continues as she encounters fellow students who become friends, and others who choose to be jealous enemies. The characters are believable, and Katie's relationship with her moth er is close and warm. The narrative lacks the reflection and sense of place of Cynthia Voigt's Come a Stranger (Atheneum, 1986), a third-person story of a black dancer who experiences some of the same peer rejection as Ka tie, but for different reasons. Voigt's more thoughtful book is notable for its stylistic strengths; nevertheless, teens will enjoy the sunny-toned narrative of Ryan's novel, in which Katie's prob lems, though perplexing, are never heavy enough to drag her down for long.Phyllis Graves, Creekwood Mid dle School, Kingwood, Tex. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
When Katie, the heroine of Dance a Step Closer , begins studying at the American Dance Conservatory, she isn't sure whether or not she likes it. The classes are great, but many of the kids seem to care more about winning than dancing. Then Chris, a handsome older choreographer, asks Katie to solo in a dance he has created. Their partnership quickly develops into a romance and Katie falls in love. Few readers will be surprised when Katie discovers that Chris is less serious about their relationship than she had imagined. Shortly before they are due to perform together, Katie sees Chris kissing another girl. In true show business tradition, Katie masters her feelings and dances better than she ever has. Despite these predictable plot elements, this fast-paced novel, with its combination of romance and dance lore, will appeal to many. Ages 12-up. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Sixteen-year-old Katie Kusik, who made her debut in Dance A Step Closer (paper, 1988), moves to Manhattan and spends a summer at the American Dance Conservatory. What makes this more than just a dance book is Katie's willingness to share her feelings--and she's got a lot of confusing experiences to go through. The move to Manhattan is a result of her would-be actress mother's new career as an agent and new marriage to stockbroker Carl, whose posh brownstone makes Katie feel as if she's living in a hotel. Her old boyfriend from Brooklyn doesn't fit into her new world, although she wants him to, and a handsome, older choreographer is coming on strong. Meanwhile, the competition at the ADC is fierce--in the dressing room as well as on stage. Things do not just work out for Katie; she works through her problems and learns from them. Her honesty, courage, and candor make her a likable character who will interest readers both within and beyond the dance world. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.