Seventh Grade Tango [Paperback]

Elizabeth Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2, 2001 | Grade Level: 3 and up

The day that ballroom dancing invades William T. Harris Middle School comes with no warning. And once the cute new dance teacher, Mr. DePalma, sweeps into Rebecca's life, being able to dance becomes one of her biggest priorities. Paired with her friend Scott, whose toe she'd accidentally broken at last year's dance, Rebecca has her work cut our for her. But when her best friend Samantha decides they need to start playing kissing games with boys -- including Scott -- Samantha's tango turns into a tangle.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 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
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (October 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786815655
• ISBN-13: 978-0786815654
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,094,862 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent portrayal of adjustment!, June 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Seventh Grade Tango (Hardcover)

As the title suggests, this book is about doing the Tango, but in more ways that one. Rebecca, who's thoughts and emotions are well portrayed, has to face growing up and becoming a teenager. Suddenly her best friend Scott is weird, and her friend Samantha just wants to play "kissing games" at parties. Rebecca escapes with gym class, where they are doing a unit on dance, including swing and the tango. She is partnered with Scott, and they become a sensational dance team. Levy captures the uncertainty of seventh graders, while glorifying a sport that usually gets very little time in the spotlight: dance.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Maybe it's not as well know as Harry Potter.., October 17, 2003

By 

Maria (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seventh Grade Tango (Hardcover)

Maybe its not as well known as Harry Potter, or War and Peace, or Romeo and Juliet. But its definitly as good! Seventh Grade Tango is about a girl, she has a best friend who is a boy and their class is forced to do ballroom dancing. She gets paired with...oops. I shouldnt say...just trust me though. READ IT!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reluctant Reader Grabber, March 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Seventh Grade Tango (Hardcover)

This book is just right for that preteen who is losing interest in reading. The content is exciting (dancing & kissing), the print is easy to read and it is funny. The cover makes it clear that it is a girl book, but the girl is a strong, likeable character.