When she was thirteen, Theo's much-older boyfriend abandoned her. Two weeks later, her best friend disappeared. Since then the aspiring ballerina has dealt with both an eating disorder and a lot of shame. But Theo's best friend has just been recovered, Theo has a chance at a future in ballet, and the guy Theo's crushing on, well, isn't the greatest but isn't quite as bad as her first love. Things are looking up, right? Actually, no. Because Theo has a lot of baggage to deal with, and a lot of pressure. And that will only get worse as the trial for her best friend's kidnapper grows near.
First of all, the cover of this book is beautiful, designed to draw students from across a busy library. The details on the ballet lifestyle are fascinating, and the diversity of the cast feels refreshing and real without trying too hard. There is no doubt that this book deals with some important issues as well, and ones that do need to be addressed in a realistic way without moralizing, over-explaining, or condoning said actions. However, there is so much going on in just over 300 pages -- statutory rape and molestation, kidnapping, drinking, drugs, eating disorders, betrayals, cheating boyfriends, Stockholm syndrome, PTSD, and much more -- that it becomes overwhelming. Each of these could take up an entire book, such as in Winter Girls or Speak, but since they were all crowded into one story none of them could get the full attention it deserved. The spread-out plot also made for a lot of characters, many of whom were underdeveloped, and the ending felt a bit anti-climatic. Still, Colbert's writing is lovely, and more mature readers may enjoy it very much.
HS -- OPTIONAL. Reviewer: Caryn
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