Ballet Breakdown

Gr 2–4—Jada's family has moved to New Jersey, but she misses Philadelphia; the city, her friends, and, most of all, the dance academy where she learned ballet. Jada is nevertheless impressed with her new studio and teacher, Ms. Marianne. Jada tries her best and makes it on the dance team, then meets fellow teammates Grace, Gabby, and Brie. However, Jada's negative attitude about her new home distracts from her practice and culminates in an injury that threatens to end her dancing. Jada's supportive parents encourage her to be positive, and once she takes their advice, everything falls into place. Dance enthusiasts will appreciate the details on ballet positions and steps throughout the text as well as the included glossary of terms. Readers starting on chapter books but not quite ready for Sheryl Berks's "Dance Divas" will gravitate towards this new series. Almon's illustrations depict Jada and her family as black.