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rainbowbookworm's review
4.0
3.5 stars and that last half is for seeing my culture represented in the book.
My mom is Cuban and Alicia Alonso, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and American Ballet theater loomed large in my childhood. However, they loomed larger in Sofía Acosta's life as her parents were Cuban ballet dancers who had danced under Alonso's tutelage. I picked up this book excited that a middle grade novel could hopefully reflect some of my childhood.
In that sense I was not disappointed, but ultimately Otheguy tried to tackle too many themes and there are only so many nearly perfect resolutions this old lady can take.
My mom is Cuban and Alicia Alonso, Ballet Nacional de Cuba, and American Ballet theater loomed large in my childhood. However, they loomed larger in Sofía Acosta's life as her parents were Cuban ballet dancers who had danced under Alonso's tutelage. I picked up this book excited that a middle grade novel could hopefully reflect some of my childhood.
In that sense I was not disappointed, but ultimately Otheguy tried to tackle too many themes and there are only so many nearly perfect resolutions this old lady can take.
riellareads's review
4.0
This was a very touching middle grade story focusing on important issues. It also has a gorgeous cover with such pretty art! Sofia Acosta does not fit in amongst her amazing ballet family. Her parents danced under prima ballerina Alicia Alonso before they immigrated to the New York suburbs. Where they host dancer friends from Cuba for a performance with the American Ballet Theatre, Sofia learns wonderful things about her family and their connections. However, the dancers’ secret plans to defect to the US bring new complications, like the place of immigrant families like hers in the eyes of the tight-knit suburban town.
I haven’t read that much middle-grade recently, so it was nice to read something a bit different. This book felt very real. Sofia was so relatable! She was just trying to figure out her place and her family’s place. She was dealing with big issues of loyalty, privilege, family, and belonging. As she figures it out, there is conflict with her friends, amidst her family, and in her community.. Of course, Sofia is still only in 5th grade and is still processing and learning. I think it was shown realistically, but I did wish she was able to have a conversation with her family at some point. There were definitely some points where I was a little bit embarrassed for her as she tried to figure out her ever-shifting world.
It was nice to see how she began to see different perspectives and that though it changed some of her relationships, it did not break any of them. It was really sweet to see her family, the “Acosta accordion”, it reminds me of some of the stories I have heard about my own family. I also appreciated how they did their best to support Sofia, even if they did not quite do it perfectly.
Overall, this was a sweet middle-grade novel dealing with some deep issues. I am not completely sure if I agree with all that is chosen to be done and different characters have different views throughout the book. However, it is a great way for young people to start learning a bit more through a story and to start thinking about these topics. It is also cool for readers to see themselves and their families in stories like these!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
I haven’t read that much middle-grade recently, so it was nice to read something a bit different. This book felt very real. Sofia was so relatable! She was just trying to figure out her place and her family’s place. She was dealing with big issues of loyalty, privilege, family, and belonging. As she figures it out, there is conflict with her friends, amidst her family, and in her community.. Of course, Sofia is still only in 5th grade and is still processing and learning. I think it was shown realistically, but I did wish she was able to have a conversation with her family at some point. There were definitely some points where I was a little bit embarrassed for her as she tried to figure out her ever-shifting world.
It was nice to see how she began to see different perspectives and that though it changed some of her relationships, it did not break any of them. It was really sweet to see her family, the “Acosta accordion”, it reminds me of some of the stories I have heard about my own family. I also appreciated how they did their best to support Sofia, even if they did not quite do it perfectly.
Overall, this was a sweet middle-grade novel dealing with some deep issues. I am not completely sure if I agree with all that is chosen to be done and different characters have different views throughout the book. However, it is a great way for young people to start learning a bit more through a story and to start thinking about these topics. It is also cool for readers to see themselves and their families in stories like these!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
miszjeanie's review
4.0
Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene is a sweet, thought-provoking middle grade book about finding one’s path, recognizing inequality, and handling prejudice when it comes from unexpected places. This book is suffused with Cuban history and culture, ballet, family love, and a sense of community. While the protagonist is in her last year of elementary school, this book is sure to be loved by younger and older middle grade readers alike.
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/sofia-acosta-makes-a-scene-book-review
Full review: https://readingmiddlegrade.com/sofia-acosta-makes-a-scene-book-review
ljrinaldi's review
4.0
Sofia comes from a family of dancers. Everyone can dance in her family, except her, but she muddles along anyway. Her sister is as talented as their parents. She is good at designing costumes, and would rather do that, but figures because she is an Acosta, the only choice she has is to dance.
The conflict is not so much that a Cuban dancer is going to defect, which is what the synopsis of this book claims, but that a new apartment building is going to be built for low income people, and some of the people already living there, don't want "those sorts" moving in. Sofia thinks it will be great that people can live closer to where they work.
Good middle grade story about speaking out for things that you have to speak out for.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
The conflict is not so much that a Cuban dancer is going to defect, which is what the synopsis of this book claims, but that a new apartment building is going to be built for low income people, and some of the people already living there, don't want "those sorts" moving in. Sofia thinks it will be great that people can live closer to where they work.
Good middle grade story about speaking out for things that you have to speak out for.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
emileereadsbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and Random House Kids for the gifted book that I read along with the library audio.
Sofia has grown up in a ballet centric home just outside of New York. Her Cuban American family lives and breathes ballet. Both her parents were professional dancers, her sister is a ballet prodigy, and her brother shows immense promise. However, Sofia is a bit of a ballet disaster. She would rather be dreaming up beautiful costumes than drilling 8 counts to perfection. But when one of her parent's friends from Cuba comes to visit with her talented son who is going to be a featured ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, Sofia has to face what it means to be an Acosta and what it means to be a Cuban American.
I really enjoyed this book and this deep dive into a sub culture of America that I only know tangentially. I grew up dancing, but as someone who is height challenged I never had aspirations to be a professional ballerina. I didn't know the strong Cuban connection to ballet and I loved this exploration of how to fit into your family, how to harness your dreams, how to reconcile your ties to two countries and more. I was entertained throughout and thought this would make a great book for children and parents to discuss.
Sofia has grown up in a ballet centric home just outside of New York. Her Cuban American family lives and breathes ballet. Both her parents were professional dancers, her sister is a ballet prodigy, and her brother shows immense promise. However, Sofia is a bit of a ballet disaster. She would rather be dreaming up beautiful costumes than drilling 8 counts to perfection. But when one of her parent's friends from Cuba comes to visit with her talented son who is going to be a featured ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, Sofia has to face what it means to be an Acosta and what it means to be a Cuban American.
I really enjoyed this book and this deep dive into a sub culture of America that I only know tangentially. I grew up dancing, but as someone who is height challenged I never had aspirations to be a professional ballerina. I didn't know the strong Cuban connection to ballet and I loved this exploration of how to fit into your family, how to harness your dreams, how to reconcile your ties to two countries and more. I was entertained throughout and thought this would make a great book for children and parents to discuss.
cedardleland's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
becca_willie04's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lrector's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book! Emma Otheguy explores immigration and how hard it can be to find your voice when you are only 10 years old. Sofia and her family are Cuban and lucky enough to be excellent ballerinas, well, everyone but Sofia. Sofia is on a journey of self-discovery throughout the book. She loves sewing, not dance. She loves being Cuban but not arguing with her best friend about it. How can she be a proud Acosta without dance? How can she be a proud Cuban without offending her friend? Sofia discovers the answers to these questions throughout the book.
There is a lot of important information. It's well written and hits on some hard topics in a way that kids can understand and learn from. There were times I was lost in too much detail of the chaotic Acosta house, but that would be my only critic. Otherwise this book was great.
There is a lot of important information. It's well written and hits on some hard topics in a way that kids can understand and learn from. There were times I was lost in too much detail of the chaotic Acosta house, but that would be my only critic. Otherwise this book was great.
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