The Other Side of Perfect
-
-
4.7 • 3 Ratings
-
-
- $2.99
-
- $2.99
Publisher Description
For fans of Sarah Dessen and Mary H.K. Choi, this lyrical and emotionally driven novel follows Alina, a young aspiring dancer who suffers a devastating injury and must face a world without ballet—as well as the darker side of her former dream.
Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but then a terrifying fall shatters her leg—and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it.
After a summer healing (translation: eating vast amounts of Cool Ranch Doritos and binging ballet videos on YouTube), she is forced to trade her pre-professional dance classes for normal high school, where she reluctantly joins the school musical. However, rehearsals offer more than she expected—namely Jude, her annoyingly attractive castmate she just might be falling for.
But to move forward, Alina must make peace with her past and face the racism she experienced in the dance industry. She wonders what it means to yearn for ballet—something so beautiful, yet so broken. And as broken as she feels, can she ever open her heart to someone else?
Touching, romantic, and peppered with humor, this debut novel explores the tenuousness of perfectionism, the possibilities of change, and the importance of raising your voice.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Debut author Turk draws readers into the contrasting worlds of classical ballet and musical theater in this insightful story about a half-white, half-Japanese high school junior whose dreams of becoming a professional ballerina are shattered. After a bad break results in "sixteen screws and two plates" in her leg and a life without dancing en pointe, Alina faces what feels like a dismal future. Previously devoted entirely to perfecting her dance technique, she now feels distanced from her schoolmates; her former dance friend, Colleen; as well as her younger sister, who traded in ballet for modern dance a long time ago. Now, Alina's only friend is classmate Margot, who prods Alina to audition for the upcoming musical. Becoming a lead dancer in Singin' in the Rain doesn't erase all of Alina's pain, but it does open the door to new possibilities as it causes her to reflect on ballet's limitations, and introduces her to dance partner Jude, who literally and figuratively sweeps her off her feet. In addition to critiquing ballet's narrow traditions and bringing to life the energy of performing on stage, Turk details a teen's adjustments through a persuasive and winning first-person narrative. Ages 12–up.
Customer Reviews
The other side of perfect
The book is flawlessly written it made me feel as if I was there in the book. It keeps you on edge or pointe! :) It dives deeper into the racism of ballet and truee sorrow. Overall I loved this book and highly reccomend for others!
Underrated coming of age
Please give this book a chance. Read it.
Have you ever been stereotyped? Have you ever experienced discrimination? Racism? Been called names? Been harassed? Been stuck in a rut that you couldn’t get out of?
This story has all of that PLUS lgbtq characters (if you’re looking for that). It manages to raise awareness and acceptance of the community.
It may involve romance but the story is much bigger than that. I highly suggest this to learn something from it.