Sophie [School & Library Binding]

Erika Tamar (Author), Mem Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up

Marisol has always loved to dance--from the salsa at family parties to the boom boxes on Loisada Avenue. Then she wins a scholarship to ballet school and discovers an inspiring new world of beauty and discipline. When violence erupts in Alphabet City, Marisol's dream starts to slip away. To keep dancing she must make heartbreaking choices--perhaps impossible ones.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Growing up motherless in a neighborhood where drug dealers rule the streets, Marisol has her share of worries, but nothing can squelch her passion for music and dance. A door to opportunity opens for the 10-year-old when she wins a scholarship to the Manhattan Ballet School; still, there are obstacles to overcome. Getting the money for dance clothes is one problem, but even more pressing is finding an adult to take her safely uptown to afternoon classes. With the support of her Puerto Rican father and brother and showing real determination, Marisol manages to knock down each hurdle. Struggling for perfection, Marisol learns discipline, gains self-confidence and recognizes how others (including her "cool and controlled" brother and the "rich" girls in her dance class) experience hardships equal to her own. Scenes of the ballet school evoke both the frustration and elation of serious dance students. Scenes of Marisol's neighborhood flirt at grimness but stress the strength of community, as in Tamar's picture book The Garden of Happiness. Written with warmth and optimism, this highly readable novel is an easy choice for ballerina hopefuls, if not altogether convincing in its grasp of inner-city culture. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9. New York City is an exciting place, even for motherless Marisol. A spirited 10-year-old, she loves dance, especially the dances of her Papi's native Puerto Rico. Movement and music allow her to forget the small apartment, the street with its drugs and poverty, and her worries about her older brother Luis. When Marisol is offered a scholarship to ballet school, her world opens up. Along with Desiree, a recent Haitian immigrant, she finds a new love, but fears the loss of her brother to Tito, the drug dealer. Tamar depicts the city with an expert hand; street scenes come to life with the language, movement, and music of a vibrantly alive place. Spanish phrases enrich this realistic depiction. Marisol could be any child with her excitement and desire for a dream come true. A father's struggle to maintain his home and family, a brother's wish for adulthood, and the challenge of living in an urban center with its myriad tensions are all effectively portrayed. Plot and characters are carefully developed and create a sense of energy that catches readers and holds them to the final page. Good booktalk potential.?Gail Richmond, San Diego Unified Schools, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: Turtleback Books (September 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 061303595X
• ISBN-13: 978-0613035958
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,608,582 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 Rebecca Caudill Young Reader's Book Award nominee - Yr 2000, April 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alphabet City Ballet (Hardcover)

This title was appreciated by enough students and professional librarians and teachers to make the Year 2000 list of nominees for Illinois' childrens' choice award named after the Illinois author Rebecca Caudill. This book is best for grades 4-8.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Story with Heart, August 9, 2007

By 

Elizabeth Garrett - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alphabet City Ballet (Paperback)

Alphabet City Ballet has realistic characters, unpredictable twists of plot, spirit, and depth. I am a teacher and read this in connection to the class I teach, but once I started, I was totally captivated. To me, the best things about the story are the family interactions and the changes that take place in the main character. I like this book very much.

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It was borrrriiiinnnng and confusing, June 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alphabet City Ballet (Paperback)

This book stinks. It was one of the worst have ever read. It got confusing and then became a sleeper. I had to read it for school and even my classmates thought the same. If I could I would have given it 0 stars.