School Library Journal Review
Gr 5-7-When handsome Mr. DePalma brings ballroom dancing to William T. Harris Middle School, Rebecca's self-confidence soars. She and her partner Scott, good friends throughout grade school, discover that they have a flair for dance. The fun (and occasional arguments) they share help their friendship blossom into a bit of romance, but neither of them is particularly comfortable playing the kissing games that their friend Samantha insists must accompany seventh-grade parties. However, when they win the tango dance competition, they finally allow themselves an innocent kiss and experience "Seven Seconds in Heaven." This well-paced tale is filled with both the traumas and humor surrounding contemporary middle-school friendships. Chapter titles are catchy and the chapters themselves are short, making this a good choice for reluctant readers. However, two of the chapters seem a bit out of place. One, entitled "Patience, Jackass, Patience," is a reference to the punch line of a joke that Rebecca's father tells, and the other, "Where's Second Base?" tells of a rumor that Rebecca and Scott did more at a party than just kiss. Overall, though, the story works well, despite some predictability. Levy's dialogue is snappy, and her portrayal of young adolescents is true to life. While not an essential purchase, this is a pleasant addition.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Levy (My Life as a Fifth Grade Comedian) leads a merry dance in this novel about a ballroom competition. When Rebecca's school is chosen for a pilot arts program, the dance teacher pairs the seventh grader with her longtime buddy and budding crush, Scott. Complications arise when Rebecca's reputed friend Samantha ("the kind of girl for whom the adjective `cute' was created") decides to target Scott as her next boyfriend. Levy's depiction of junior high crushes is spot-on, as she chronicles Rebecca's infatuation with her charismatic dance instructor, a love triangle involving Rebecca, Samantha and Scott and the middle schoolers' squirmy, nervous reactions to kissing games at parties. Rather than painting Samantha as an obvious villain, Levy characterizes her as credible enough to earn Rebecca's dogged loyalty, then gradually escalates Samantha's coy competitiveness. Meanwhile, Rebecca and Scott's chemistry simmers from the start and finishes with a steamy round of tango in a citywide contest. Readers will likely enjoy a turn on the dance floor with this likable couple. Ages 8-12. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Gr. 5^-7. Seventh-grader Rebecca wishes her nickname "Killer Dancer" would disappear, and when the school implements a ballroom dancing program, she gets her wish. She and her childhood friend Scott make a gifted dancing duo, and her feelings toward Scott change. When schoolmate Samantha pursues Scott, Rebecca discovers that dance competitions are one thing; romance competitions another. This light, easy read offers a sympathetic look at the transitional teen years. Descriptive prose, snappy dialogue, and diverse characters enhance the story, which notably portrays ballroom dance as a hip, fun activity, though feminists may balk at the dance instructor telling the girls "to forget all your leadership qualities." Some of the close, sexy dance moves described are not likely to be found in real-life middle-school dance lessons, but the book nicely debunks the "sissiness" of dancing, presenting it as a complex, respectable sport. --Shelle Rosenfeld
