Dance Divas: Showtime!

by Sheryl Berk

Overview

Curtains up on the world of the Dance Divas, a team of 8-12 year-old girls who live to dance! Enter stage left: Scarlett, Rochelle, Liberty, Bria, and Gracie. They all dance together at the same studio, run by their choreographer (and former ballerina) Antoinette “Toni” Moore. Toni is known for creating winning routines . . . and she doesn't like anything other than first place! These girls travel all around competing for titles-but every number drums up drama. Can Scarlett hold on to her national junior title? And will the other girls learn to work together in order to defeat their fiercest competition yet? This first book in a new dance series is sure to sweep young readers off their feet!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781619631830
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	09/10/2013
Series:	Dance Divas
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	164
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Sheryl Berk is the author of the wildly popular CUPCAKE CLUB book series (Peace, Love and Cupcakes; Recipe for Trouble; Winner Bakes All) and her book Soul Surfer, co-written with Bethanny Hamilton, hit #1 on the New York Times Children's Bestseller List and was made into a major motion picture. Sheryl is a “dance mom” herself; her 10-year-old daughter Carrie has been studying ballet for 8 years. Sheryl lives with her family in New York, NY.
Sheryl Berk is the author of the Dance Divas series as well as the Cupcake Club book series. Her book Soul Surfer, co-written with Bethany Hamilton, hit #1 on the New York Times Children's Bestseller List and was made into a major motion picture. Sheryl is a "dance mom" herself; her daughter Carrie has been studying ballet for nine years. She lives with her family in New York, NY.

Editorial Reviews

The unique plot twists and detailed descriptions of the world of choreography, including actual steps and costume design, will appeal to young performers. . . . A satisfying read.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

02/01/2014
Gr 3–6—This first title in a new series features a dance team made up of five tweens and a seven-year-old gymnast-turned-dancer. The story revolves around the group's internal bickering and friendships and an external rivalry between its director, Miss Toni, and her former co-dancer/archenemy whose team is the Divas's greatest competition. There are stereotypical aspects to the characterization-the requisite stage moms, an Asian mother who threatens to pull her daughter out of competition if she doesn't keep up with her schoolwork, the ultramean studio director, and a sabotaging competitor. Also, there's no mention of male dancers, and fathers don't play a prominent role. The unique plot twists and detailed descriptions of the world of choreography, including actual steps and costume design, will appeal to young performers, whether they simply love the art or participate in similar competitions. In an unlikely turn of events, a dancer joins her stage-fright-stricken sibling during her very first solo, and they end up winning a duet prize. The rest of the novel, which centers on the team's failings and successes, is quite realistic and plausible. Despite its minor flaws, the book's easy, fluid writing and relatable characters will make it a satisfying read.—Maralita L. Freeny, District of Columbia Public Library

School Library Journal

Dance competition is fierce for four preteens and one little sister. This series opener introduces four girls from New Jersey who belong to the Dance Divas studio and take part in individual and group contests. Scarlett has talent, divorced parents and a little sister who is whiny but acrobatic. Liberty has an over-the-top stage mother and is a snob. Rochelle hates toe shoes and loves hip-hop. Bria has a family of Chinese heritage that values educational excellence. The focus of the story is on costumes and routines that will give them an edge in the judges' ratings. After coming in second at a competition, their drive to win accelerates, spurring intrigue. The coach and choreographer of that winning team used to dance in a ballet company with the Dance Divas' coach, and they have not spoken in years, so the four girls use the Internet and a fake email account to uncover the cause of the feud. The little sister is sent into a studio to spy on the competition; they've brought in a ringer, an older girl. While not surprising, the tactics are certainly questionable. Berk's writing is action-driven, stereotyped and predictable. For those who dance to win--all others can skip the show. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews