“Beautifully dark and moving.” —Joya Goffney, author of Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry and Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl
A Black teen dancer with dreams of landing a spot in a prestigious ballet company must learn to dance on her own terms in this explosive debut about the healing power of art and friendship, perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Tiny Pretty Things.
Ballet is Aisha’s life. So when she’s denied yet another lead at her elite academy because she doesn’t “look” the part, she knows something has to change–the constant discrimination is harming her mental health. Switching to her best friend Neil’s art school seems like the perfect plan at first. But she soon discovers racism and bullying are entrenched in the ballet program here, too, and there’s a new, troubling distance between her and Neil. And as past traumas surface, pressure from friends and family, a new romance, and questions about her dance career threaten to overwhelm her. There’s no choreography to follow–for high school or for healing. Aisha will have to find the strength within herself–and place her trust in others–to make her next move.
Book details
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Publisher
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Original text
Yes -
Language
English -
Publication date
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Page count
250 -
Theme
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Audience
About the author
Maya Ameyaw
MAYA AMEYAW is a former bookseller and currently works as a community
arts writing instructor. She has edited several mental
health–themed anthologies for youth and adults, and her writing was
included in the anthology Brilliance Is the Clothing I Wear (Dundurn
Press). Maya also runs a YouTube series and blog where she interviews
YA authors about their writing journeys. She lives in Toronto and can be
found on Twitter @MayaAmeyaw.
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