Step Up and Dance

November 1, 2012
Grades 7-10 Dance, misunderstanding, and ambition mix in this lighthearted novel that should appeal to reluctant readers. At 16, Saph is the youngest member of the Magic Charms, the cheerleaders for a professional basketball team in Australia. It's a dream gig that allows her access to a grown-up world from which she would otherwise be excluded. When she receives a valentine from one of the Magic's starswho just happens to be her secret crushshe thinks her life is complete. The valentine turns out to be a hoax, which pits her in a battle of pranks with Jay, a classmate who infuriates her with his insinuation that cheerleading is for bimbos. Readers will realize almost immediately where the story is headed, but author Kalkipsakis throws in a few surprises to keep the plot from becoming too obvious. Saph's determination as a dancer, her earnestness at discovering what is really important to her, and her honesty at confronting her own mistakes brings an authenticity to the story that teenagers will appreciate.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)