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A review by riellareads
Sofía Acosta Makes a Scene by Emma Otheguy
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.