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“The novel is vivid with historic details, making Minneapolis’ Block E neighborhood a character in itself and setting the atmosphere for a relatable main character to learn what her truth is and what it means to live it. Rosa is Mexican American, and Nikki is Puerto Rican; Spanish is seamlessly woven throughout, adding cultural texture to the story. A powerful story of overcoming expectations with a hopeful ending.”
—Kirkus Reviews

The Turning Pointe

Written by Vanessa L. Torres
Published by Random House Children's Books

When sixteen-year-old Rosa Dominguez pirouettes, she is poetry in pointe shoes. And as the daughter of a tyrant ballet Master, Rosa seems destined to become the star principal dancer of her studio. But Rosa would do anything for one hour in the dance studio upstairs where Prince, the Purple One himself, is in the house.

After her father announces their upcoming auditions for a concert with Prince, Rosa is more determined than ever to succeed. Then Nikki—the cross-dressing, funky boy who works in the dance shop—leaps into her life. Weighed down by family expectations, Rosa is at a crossroads, desperate to escape so she can show everyone what she can do when freed of her pointe shoes. Now is her chance to break away from a life in tulle, grooving to that unmistakable Minneapolis sound reverberating through every bone in her body.

Primary ISBN: 9780593426135
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older

Community Represented: ,

Themes: , ,

Setting: United States (Minneapolis, MN)

Character’s New Arrival/New American Status:

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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