The Audition (Maddie Ziegler #1)

by Maddie Ziegler (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Maddie Ziegler

From Dance Moms star and So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation judge Maddie Ziegler comes the first novel in a brand-new middle grade trilogy about friendship, dance, and going after your dreams.

Twelve-year-old Harper has been dancing practically since she learned to walk. She loves her dance studio and team, and just won her first ever top junior solo in a regional competition. But right before the school year starts, Harper's parents drop a bombshell--the family has to relocate from their cozy town in Connecticut to sunny Florida for their jobs. That means saying goodbye to her friends, dance team, trips to see shows in NYC--and did she mentioned dance team?

While her parents reassure her that they will find her a new studio as soon as they move, Harper is not happy. When she arrives, she realizes that the competition in Florida will be fierce and it doesn't matter how talented she is--she is the new girl and will have to prove herself. During her very first class, Harper finds it harder than she thought it would be. Even though they are all the same age and have been dancing for roughly the same amount of time, it feels like everyone has better feet, quicker turns, and faster taps than Harper. And it doesn't help that a group of girls, who nicknamed themselves

The Bunheads, wonder how she made the team if she can't even do a simple turn sequence in front of the class. Thankfully, Harper befriends Lily, a fellow newbie in the studio who is just as eager to make her mark and find a friendly face. With a big competition coming up for the dance team, Harper is determined to show everyone--especially those Bunheads--what she's made of! And when a very badly timed sprained ankle threatens all of the work they have done, the Bunheads, Lily, and Harper must learn to truly work together to give them their best shot at the top spot!

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Kirkus Reviews

While the story of girls coming together over their love of dance is wonderful on the surface, the failure to acknowledge many negative features within the story is concerning, particularly as this is likely to appeal to many aspiring young dancers.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Twelve-year-old Harper's has just moved to Florida and joined a new dance team in this first installment of a planned trilogy. Fans of reality TV's Dance Moms will be familiar with the ensuing drama, mean-girl bullying, and roller coaster of competing egos. No surprise there--Ziegler rose to fame on the show and penned a memoir about her dance experiences (The Maddie Diaries). Ziegler even writes herself into this fictional narrative: Harper mentions watching YouTube videos of the real-life Ziegler. Along with dance rehearsals are pillow fights, social media betrayal, triumph in the dance studio, and a subsequent embarrassing parade incident in front of a rival team. It all culminates in a dramatic dance-off. The story line is pretty formulaic, and though most of the characters are not terribly likeable, they do feel authentically tween-aged. Catty and self-absorbed characters decide they like each other just enough to work together at the last minute. VERDICT This book will appeal to Ziegler's fans and readers looking for a window into the all-consuming world of competitive dance.--Mary Dubbs, Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, MN

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781481486378
Lexile Measure
530
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Aladdin Paperbacks
Publication date
October 20, 2018
Series
Maddie Ziegler
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
Library of Congress categories
Dance
Families
Family life
Florida
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Friendship
Moving, Household
Competition (Psychology)
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / New Experi
Cliques (Sociology)
JUVENILE FICTION / Performing Arts / Dance

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