Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Print length: 368 pages
ISBN-10: 1643796437
ISBN-13: 978-1643796437
After a panic attack prevents Florencia from performing as Clara in The Nutcracker and her best friend takes the lead, a new dance style helps her face her anxiety as well as a troubled friendship.
Ballet is Florencia del Lago’s entire world. After years of hard work, she is chosen as Clara in the winter production of The Nutcracker. Not only is she the youngest dancer to receive such an honor but also the first Latina. She’s on track to be recruited by the best ballet companies.
Unfortunately, she suffers a panic attack on opening night–on stage, in front of everyone. And then Selena, Florencia’s best friend, steps right into the role to replace her. Just like that, Florencia’s whole world falls apart–the ballet studio expels her, and her best friend turns on her, tormenting her on social media and in real life.
But even though the one thing she was driven toward has come to an end, therapy and family support help Florencia open up to new experiences. She notices people at school she’s never paid attention to before, and she even stumbles upon an Irish dance school and decides to give it a try. Can a new passion for Irish dance help Florencia find the joy of performing on the stage that she lost that fateful winter night?
El deseo de mi corazón
Cuando un ataque de panico impide que Florencia actúe como Clara en El Cascanueces y su mejor amiga actúa como Clara en lugar de ella, un nuevo estilo de baile la ayuda a enfrentar su ansiedad y una amistad problemática.
El ballet lo es todo para Florencia del Lago. Después de años de arduo trabajo, es seleccionada como Clara en la producción invernal de El Cascanueces. No sólo es la bailarina más joven en recibir tal honor sino también la primera latina. Está en camino de ser contratada por las mejores compañías de ballet.
Desafortunadamente, la noche del estreno, sufre un ataque de pánico– en el escenario, delante de todos. Y luego Selena, su mejor amiga, la reemplaza como Clara. Así, se desmorona su mundo entero– el estudio de ballet la expulsa, y su mejor amiga se vuelve contra ella, atormentándola en las redes sociales y en la vida real.
Pero a pesar de que algo que ella amaba llegó a su fin, la terapia y el apoyo familiar la ayudan a abrirse a nuevas experiencias. Forma una amistad con dos chicos de la escuela a los que nunca les había prestado atención, e incluso se encuentra con una escuela de danza irlandesa y decide intentar aprender esta nueva forma de arte. ¿Podrá una nueva pasión por la danza irlandesa ayudarla a encontrar la alegría de bailar en el escenario que perdió aquella noche de invierno?
REVIEW
* "This age is difficult to capture, and Méndez portrays it beautifully; Florencia has very grown-up feelings and actions interspersed with childlike observances. . . . Seeing a fellow tween navigate a difficult time will inspire not just dancers but any young person finding their way back to themselves." -- Booklist, starred review
* "A beautifully realized book that reminds readers that there's more than one rhythm to dance to." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Méndez examines the toll that participating in elite dance has on one child's friendships and mental health in this emotionally raw and honest offering." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Méndez offers readers a fully dimensional protagonist in Flor, an ambitious girl who balances her people-pleasing tendencies with her own desires. . . . Her grief, anxiety, and anger are all conveyed in a voice ringing with authenticity." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"An impactful and nuanced look at childhood mental health and the pressures children sometimes face when pursuing their passions at an early age." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
Yamile Saied Méndez is the award-winning author of many books for young readers and adults, including Furia, Where Are You From?, the Horse Country series, and On These Magic Shores, among others. She was born and raised in Rosario, Argentina, but has lived most of her life in a lovely valley surrounded by mountains in Utah. She's a graduate of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA Writing program, and a founding member of Las Musas, a marketing collective of Latine writers. Connect with her at yamilesmendez.com.
