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5th out of 14 books
—
36 voters
Chance to Dance for You
BRONZE MEDAL WINNER --?Moonbeam Awards, mature issues FINALIST -- Forest of Reading White Pine Award FINALIST --Alberta Readers?Choice awards
Paperback, 172 pages
Published
May 1st 2011
by Great Plains Publications
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I was eager for this one, since I'd just commented there aren't any books featuring male dancers in them. But I walked away really disappointed.
The entire book is about how Ian isn't a stereotypical gay dancer. And he tells us this over and over. And...that's all that happens. There's a secret kiss with a football player but it has to be kept a secret because the stereotypical football players would hate if their star was gay. Maybe in the end Ian changes, but everything that's not him (i.e., th...more
The entire book is about how Ian isn't a stereotypical gay dancer. And he tells us this over and over. And...that's all that happens. There's a secret kiss with a football player but it has to be kept a secret because the stereotypical football players would hate if their star was gay. Maybe in the end Ian changes, but everything that's not him (i.e., th...more
Chance to Dance for You is simultaneously a tale of tragedy and of triumph. As a young gay man in Manitoban suburbia, Ian Trudeau endures more than his fair share of bigotry, exclusion, and abuse. He takes refuge in dance, and is hard at work leading up to an audition for the National Ballet School in Toronto when one of his bullies pulls a fast one. Jess Campeau, jock and vocal homophobe, makes a move.
Their romance is a tumultuous one, strained by Jess's need for secrecy and his fear of his vio...more
Their romance is a tumultuous one, strained by Jess's need for secrecy and his fear of his vio...more
Glee on Sleeping Pills, that's what this was.
This book was the cheesiest thing I've read in a long time. I think gay relationships are great, but they are still just regular relationships. I"m pretty sure homosexual partners do not sit around and talk about being gay WHENEVER they see each other. The author used the words fag/faggot and scumbag far too much to be respectful.
Ian lives in a stereotypical suburbia and although he claims he wants to break free of the perfection, he's a walking ster...more
This book was the cheesiest thing I've read in a long time. I think gay relationships are great, but they are still just regular relationships. I"m pretty sure homosexual partners do not sit around and talk about being gay WHENEVER they see each other. The author used the words fag/faggot and scumbag far too much to be respectful.
Ian lives in a stereotypical suburbia and although he claims he wants to break free of the perfection, he's a walking ster...more
I don't know what people see in this book. The only reason I can relate is because I have a friend who shares the same orientation as Ian. Ifound Jess annoying and felt he was only in love with Ian to create a story line but I couldn't relate to him, or Ian's mom or any of Ian's friends besides Ian. I like being able to feel the personality of the character which I could barely do.
The story line droned on. It just kept flashing to Ian's remote feelings about Jess but nothing other than thar happ...more
The story line droned on. It just kept flashing to Ian's remote feelings about Jess but nothing other than thar happ...more
Living in the Canadian suburbs has not stopped Ian from thinking of bigger and better things for his dancing career. Ever since he was a tot he hasn't done anything or thought about anything more all-consuming than his dancing. And although the teachers at his high school don't like to talk and rather stay away, they can't ignore the results that incorporating his dance techniques and flexibility exercises helps improve their athletes mobility. When a certain jock takes notice of Ian, it sparks...more
I loved this book...there is some unfamiliar ballet jargon but overall a very nicely written book. I found the main character to be very relatable...even though he's very well put together he has is vulnerable moments...he's mature for a 17 year old but lets his age show every once in a while. He's very self aware and willing to look at his own shortcomings.
Ms Sobat manages to paint the picture of Canadian suburbia really well and tackles racism, poverty and other issues in addition to homophobi...more
Ms Sobat manages to paint the picture of Canadian suburbia really well and tackles racism, poverty and other issues in addition to homophobi...more
The narrative bugged me. It is very choppy and unnecessarily abrupt in a lot of places. The story itself was okay, but kind of boring and very stereotypical. I get the impression that Sobat was going for a story full of stereotypes though, and if I'm correct, that she succeeded. I would've preferred if the story was more about the relationship between Ian and Jess. I also found some of the remarks that Ian made about himself and other gays offensive in a lot of aspects, and rather unrealistic. I...more
Ian is a young gay boy who expresses himself through dance. He has a friend Tilly, a young Metis girl who is also picked on. Ian starts up a relationship with Jess Cambeau the quarteback of the football team, who won't come out because his father is a homophobic person. Many issues discussed in the book like bullying at school that is never dealt with but the author does a great job resolving up all the little subplots and issues. Great young adult book that should be in all high school and publ...more
Frustrating, not only because of the writing style but also because of the themes. There were times when I thought, wow, this could have been really good, and there were times when I thought the whole gimmick was hokey. See, Ian is openly gay in a bigoted suburban neighbourhood. He's a rainbow flag waving in a sea of beige houses. Everyone in his school, in his neighbourhood, is pretty much against the concept of diversity, except for a select few. Things get complicated when he gets involved wi...more
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Ian is openly gay. He also happens to live in a suburb so boring and brainwashed with bigotry that he can't go a day without having to wash some asinine comment from his locker's door.
Ian is a dancer. But that just stereotypes him more as the fag, queer, gay-boy.
Ian falls in love...with Jess, the school's most popular and homophobic jock. The last person he should have fallen in love with.
Except maybe Jess' not as homophobic as Ian thinks.
Chance to Dance for You...more
Ian is openly gay. He also happens to live in a suburb so boring and brainwashed with bigotry that he can't go a day without having to wash some asinine comment from his locker's door.
Ian is a dancer. But that just stereotypes him more as the fag, queer, gay-boy.
Ian falls in love...with Jess, the school's most popular and homophobic jock. The last person he should have fallen in love with.
Except maybe Jess' not as homophobic as Ian thinks.
Chance to Dance for You...more
At first, I rated this novel 5/5.
Thinking back on it now, I may have been too blinded by my passion for anything concerning homosexuals.
This was quite an interesting book; it was my first time reading a story in the perspective of a homosexual teenage boy.
I enjoyed reading about the struggles that he had to endure.
I haven't much to say except that this is a very Glee-like book.
It's possible that I'll want to read it again one day.
Thinking back on it now, I may have been too blinded by my passion for anything concerning homosexuals.
This was quite an interesting book; it was my first time reading a story in the perspective of a homosexual teenage boy.
I enjoyed reading about the struggles that he had to endure.
I haven't much to say except that this is a very Glee-like book.
It's possible that I'll want to read it again one day.
A strong contender for the Alberta Reader's Choice Award nominee. I read this one in an afternoon. Ian is a highly sympathetic character and the tension of his situation--an openly gay high school student secretly dating the school jock--really pulled me in.
My only quibble is with the first five pages, which focussed on setting and theme; the hook didn't come until the last half-page of chapter one.
My only quibble is with the first five pages, which focussed on setting and theme; the hook didn't come until the last half-page of chapter one.
This is an important book. The truth of it hurts and much as it is empowering. Gail, you are a wonderful writer, an amazing teacher and a beautiful person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being who you are and for writing this touching too true book. One day I have to believe that the world will become a safer place for anyone outside our suburbanite culture. I see the change everyday with my students, my family, my children.
This book actually had so much potential. So much.
It was the author's execution that ruined everything.
The main reasons
a) teenagers don't talk like that
b) teenagers don't behave like that
c) FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS THAT ARE HOLY AND SACRED IN THIS WORLD, LEARN SOME PROPER GRAMMAR, WOMAN.
It was the author's execution that ruined everything.
The main reasons
a) teenagers don't talk like that
b) teenagers don't behave like that
c) FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS THAT ARE HOLY AND SACRED IN THIS WORLD, LEARN SOME PROPER GRAMMAR, WOMAN.
This book is one those that gets better the more you read it. In the beginning, it seemed very normal, just like any other ya gay novel. It's only after you keep reading (at least 50 pages) you see some differences, but even then I had to force myself to read some of it... I liked it though. By the end, I really liked the book.
Good book, the author's portrayal of a gay teen boy living in Ontario wasn't that great. His voice was messy and convoluted. Just a little too teenagery, which takes out some of the interest for mature readers.
This book was okay. (Why I gave it two stars). I didn't find the book that great, I hated the way the author wrote. I don't know how this got past the editor. Sure, some parts were funny, but over all, it was pretty dull. I hope this doesn't win. I'm pretty sure Red Blood Road is going to win, everyone seems to love it. So yeah, a gay boy named Ian who came out of the closet falls in love with a coward, jock boy in the school. It was sad how he got beat up at the ending, for just being gay, and...more
This was a really good book! It was very close to reality. It was a really good romance, without being the stereotypical romance. That is all I have to say other than read it.
The characters are lovable, the setting is relatable, the writing delectable. Heartbreaking, quirky and painful all at the same time, Chance to Dance For You took me on a roller coaster ride I would not have wanted to miss.
It was ok. I could see where Ian was coming from, but I thought there were too many different threads all pulling in opposite directions.
very well written, i read this as a book club book for my school and i thought it was very touching. I was rooting for Ian throughout the whole story.
A definite must-read. Funny, quirky, painful, and ultimately uplifting--trademark Gail Sidonie Sobat stuff.
It had a good storyline, but it reminded me a lot of Glee(specifically the Kurt plotline).
Essentially, this was a nice book. However, it was more of the main character's story and experiences rather than an actual story.
I loved this book. It was captivating. It was romantic, funny and sad. But above all, it was extremely inspirational. I most definitely recommend it.
Found it a tad predictable and trite. Not a fave.
Review coming on 2/9 on www.memyshelfandi.com
Super awesome :D
Laws It is a book that changes the reader's perspective. When I started the book it seemed to be all about bullying .. but all of sudden it turned interesting.. and it does make you think about some unspoken things.
LGBTQ insights. Some stereotyping but likely done to make a point. Ending is weak which is why I gave it a 4.
Social content: High school
Social content: High school
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Gail is a witch at heart, a pirate in her dreams, and a gypsy in practice.
She has assumed any number of disguises in her lifetime, including that of teacher, adjunct professor, woman-in black, professional actor and singer, grounds keeper, flag girl, parimutuel seller and flower seller. She is the creator/ coordinator of YouthWrite, a camp for kids who love to write, a teacher at the University of...more
More about Gail Sidonie Sobat...
She has assumed any number of disguises in her lifetime, including that of teacher, adjunct professor, woman-in black, professional actor and singer, grounds keeper, flag girl, parimutuel seller and flower seller. She is the creator/ coordinator of YouthWrite, a camp for kids who love to write, a teacher at the University of...more
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“I wonder why peopke are so afraid of love. Of different kinds of love. I just don't get it. Why aren't we afraid of racism" Of war? But love? It just doesn't make sense.”
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6 people liked it
“It's a funny thing about love. Starts off pretty wonderfully with your stomach doing somersaults for joy. You look forward to seeing the person whenever and however often you can. Find excuses for calling and talking. Sending texts. Notes. Emails. You can't get enough of each other. Or you think you'll die. You have trouble concentrating. Every little thing- your hair, what you wear, what you say, how you eat- is considered in the light of the other. What will that person think of this? Of that? Of you? You kind of live for the person. Give it all up for the person. Get swept up in the idea that the person you love is perfect. Or nearly so.”
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1 person liked it
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Dec 20, 2011 02:47pm