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Publisher Description
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR by New York Public Library • Kirkus Reviews • School Library Journal
In this stunning debut graphic novel, two dancers chase perfection at a prestigious performing arts boarding school in Bucharest, Romania—grappling with friendship, first love, and what it means to be queer in a conservative city. As they reach for their dreams, the girls begin to question if the future they’ve worked for is still the future they want. A powerful story about ambition, identity, and daring to make the steps up as you go.
Ana has been studying contemporary dance since she was little, but her heart isn’t in it anymore. Instead her focus is on Carina—a beautiful, ambitious ballerina whose fear of being outed keeps Ana in the closet and their fragile relationship from seeing the light of day. Risking her own career, Ana gives up more and more in order to fit into the shadows of Carina’s life.
Sara, on the other hand, is fielding whispers she may be the best dancer their school has produced in years. Much of that is thanks to her mentor and instructor, Marlena, who plucked Sara from the classical track and encouraged her to blossom as a contemporary dancer. Sara has always been in awe of Marlena, but recently, that admiration has sparked into something more, and Sara’s not sure what to do about it.
As junior year at their performing arts school begins, Ana and Sara are assigned as roommates. What starts off as a tentative friendship soon becomes a much-needed anchor.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Contemporary dancers Ana Florean and Sara Dumitrescu's junior year at a Romanian performing arts school turns out to be pivotal and transformative in Popescu's debut graphic novel. Assigned to share a dorm room, the girls become fast friends. While talented Sara crushes on Marlena, one of her instructors, Ana risks expulsion for frequently skipping classes to be with her girlfriend Carina, an ambitious ballerina who insists on hiding their relationship for fear of derision from her conservative classical ballet cohort. As the school year progresses, Carina's unwillingness to be open about her relationship with Ana and Sara's deepening feelings for Marlena threaten to upend the roommates' professional pursuits and emotional well-being. Sara's mistaken assumption about Marlena's feelings for her and Ana's school suspension prompt the girls to open up to one another about their respective sexualities, cementing their friendship and providing ample support as they each navigate tumultuous situations. Pastel pinks, muted grays, and saturated reds connote the passage of time in this fluidly illustrated work that gracefully captures the ups and downs of first love, ambition, and friendship. Character skin tones are rendered in varying hues that match the palette used. Ages 14–up.
