ABOUT THE BOOK
MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS
Author: Brooks Benjamin
Release Date: April 12th, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte/Random House
Author: Brooks Benjamin
Release Date: April 12th, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte/Random House
SYNOPSIS:
LIVE IT.
All Dillon wants is to be a real dancer. And if he wins a summer scholarship at Dance-Splosion, he’s on his way. The problem? His dad wants him to play football. And Dillon’s freestyle crew, the Dizzee Freekz, says that dance studios are for sellouts. His friends want Dillon to kill it at the audition—so he can turn around and tell the studio just how wrong their rules and creativity-strangling ways are.
WORK IT.
At first, Dillon’s willing to go along with his crew’s plan, even convincing one of the snobbiest girls at school to work with him on his technique. But as Dillon’s dancing improves, he wonders: what if studios aren’t the enemy? And what if he actually has a shot at winning the scholarship?
BRING IT.
Dillon’s life is about to get crazy . . . on and off the dance floor.
This is a pretty fun and cute book. Ok maybe cute isn't the right word, but I don't know what other one to use! Maybe sweet would be a better word, or charming or pleasing or adorable, or entertaining or satisfying? Ok so it would be all those. It really was a sweet cute book about a boy trying to be who he wants to be when no on will let him. I know that could sound like a cliche but it doesn't play out like one. Dillon (the main boy character) is funny, awkward and perfectly hits what it's like to be his age and wanting to go against the grain. How he struggles with not wanting to hurt his friends yet be true to his needs is genuine for a kid this age. The topic may not be one you often see - a boy wanting to dance (and that's good!!), but it's the struggle I would often see my middle school students go through. This book would be great for any teen feeling this way because it would give them the courage to move forward and maybe the knowledge of how to without hurting people you care about.
Of course every once in awhile I wanted to shake Dillon - or even any of his friends - but I could buy into the fact that at their age they didn't know any better and this was a chance for them to learn.
I like how the ending played out. I won't go into details in order to avoid spoilers, but it was an ending I could buy into a whole lot more than other ways it could've been written. (oh and one scene towards the end really had me giggling which was good too!)
My only one concern with the book is it's appeal to both boys and girls. It's clearly written from a boy's point of view, so it should appeal to boys, but I do think it will be a bit of a struggle to get them to see that because it deals with dance. Although Dillon's dance is not your typical classically trained dancing. Think more ninja dancing :)
Final thought - Good solid book for helping the middle school age kid learn to be who he or she wants to be.
All Dillon wants is to be a real dancer. And if he wins a summer scholarship at Dance-Splosion, he’s on his way. The problem? His dad wants him to play football. And Dillon’s freestyle crew, the Dizzee Freekz, says that dance studios are for sellouts. His friends want Dillon to kill it at the audition—so he can turn around and tell the studio just how wrong their rules and creativity-strangling ways are.
WORK IT.
At first, Dillon’s willing to go along with his crew’s plan, even convincing one of the snobbiest girls at school to work with him on his technique. But as Dillon’s dancing improves, he wonders: what if studios aren’t the enemy? And what if he actually has a shot at winning the scholarship?
BRING IT.
Dillon’s life is about to get crazy . . . on and off the dance floor.
Of course every once in awhile I wanted to shake Dillon - or even any of his friends - but I could buy into the fact that at their age they didn't know any better and this was a chance for them to learn.
I like how the ending played out. I won't go into details in order to avoid spoilers, but it was an ending I could buy into a whole lot more than other ways it could've been written. (oh and one scene towards the end really had me giggling which was good too!)
My only one concern with the book is it's appeal to both boys and girls. It's clearly written from a boy's point of view, so it should appeal to boys, but I do think it will be a bit of a struggle to get them to see that because it deals with dance. Although Dillon's dance is not your typical classically trained dancing. Think more ninja dancing :)
Final thought - Good solid book for helping the middle school age kid learn to be who he or she wants to be.
Book Trailer
BOOK LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
Brooks and his wife, Jackie, live in Tennessee
with their 75 pound daughter, LeeLoo, a sweet and severely demented German
Shepherd mix.
GIVEAWAY
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TOUR SCHEDULE
April 4 Shelf
Life REVIEW
April 5 The O.W.L REVIEW
April 6 Me, My Shelf and I SPOTLIGHT
April 7 Curling Up With A Good Book INTERVIEW
April 8 The Reading Nook REVIEW
April 11 The Forest of Words and Pages REVIEW
April 12 A Dream Within A Dream GUEST POST
April 13 Big Hair and Books REVIEW
April 14 Aurelia {lit}{geek}{chic} REVIEW
April 15 Owl Always Be Reading EXCERPT
April 5 The O.W.L REVIEW
April 6 Me, My Shelf and I SPOTLIGHT
April 7 Curling Up With A Good Book INTERVIEW
April 8 The Reading Nook REVIEW
April 11 The Forest of Words and Pages REVIEW
April 12 A Dream Within A Dream GUEST POST
April 13 Big Hair and Books REVIEW
April 14 Aurelia {lit}{geek}{chic} REVIEW
April 15 Owl Always Be Reading EXCERPT
In 18 years of teaching, I've only known two boys interested in dance. One went on to a career in ballet, and one I have now does a variety. Have to think about this on Earth!
ReplyDeleteHaha love the ninja dancing! This books sounds super fun and one I'll definitely pick up. Great review!
ReplyDelete