Partly based on the author's own experiences at the famous Manhattan high school for the performing arts, this novel explores friendship, freedom, ...
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Dec 16, 2010
Cara
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Rose is a dancer at heart. It's hard for her to fully embrace that though because chasing her dream has proved to cost her a lot. Right next door to Rose is a Russian girl. In all reality she doesn't know much about her but since she can see her into her room she feels a kind a thin line of connection with her. One day that all changes when the Russian girl, Yrena, decides to bridge the gap and climbs into Rose's bedroom. What follows is a night to remember.
In the beginning Rose is i More...
In the beginning Rose is i More...
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Dec 19, 2010
Aaron
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It's 1982, and Rose is starting off her freshman year at an arts school in New York City. It was a rough ending to the summer as Rose's best friend, queen bee Daisy, decided they couldn't be friends anymore. Now, Rose, who has always been shy, is finding it difficult to get settled in and make new friends even in an environment when all of the other students are into the arts.
Rose has always loved art. She has taken lessons since she was a little girl. Unfortunately, she has always doubted More...
Rose has always loved art. She has taken lessons since she was a little girl. Unfortunately, she has always doubted More...
Dec 17, 2010
Margo
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When I saw the cover of this novel by YA author/diva Cecil Castellucci, I thought it was a contemporary fairy-tale retelling, a la Beastly. Instead, it's a novel set in the early 1980's about the last years of the Cold War, dance, friendship, and freedom. The main characters are two teenage girls: Rose, a talented dancer who attends the New York High School for the Performing Arts, and her neighbor Yrena, a 16-year old ballet dancer who lives right next door in a Soviet compound.
R More...
R More...
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Nov 29, 2010
bjneary
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I truly enjoyed this novel about a really sweet girl, Rose, who has had a tough time because she chose to continue her dance and ballet in high school. Her "best friend" Daisy dumps her (because she chose to go to another school and pursue dance). She has no friends, and Rose lives across from a real Russian dancer, who she has never met. Life is looking really bleak for Rose until one night, Vrena, the Russian dancer, breaks into her room and they begin a friendship. The great part
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Nov 25, 2010
Lucille
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Rose is a quiet girl with a fear of being rejected by friends after her best friend dumped her over Rose's decision to pursue ballet. She lives in New York during the 1980s, where the Cold War is a hot topic, especially on her street, because of the Soviet apartment building next door. Yrena is a teenage Russian girl who deeply desires to experience one night of freedom. She has an idealized version of the typical american teenage experience, and she badly wants to have one of her own. On a nigh
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Sep 16, 2010
Rosalia
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What a phenomenal book. I absolutely loved it. Rose goes to the performing arts high school in Manhattan. Making this decision seperated her from her best friend Daisy (who wasn't really a good friend) and made her feel like having friends was too hard. So she has closed herself off, until the day two girls at school reach out to her and her next door neighbor comes in through her window. The book chronicles Yrena and Rose's night in the city. But it's sooo much more then that. The book t
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Aug 22, 2010
Jennifer
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The Good Stuff
* Compelling, realistic and touching
* Made me feel and remember what it was like to be that young and idealistic -- and that is a wonderful thing
* Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down, thank goodness it wasn't a super long read
* Extremely well written, you really feel you know these people and understand them
* Very realistic portrayal of YA's and their heightened emotions and being on the cusp of adulthood
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* Compelling, realistic and touching
* Made me feel and remember what it was like to be that young and idealistic -- and that is a wonderful thing
* Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down, thank goodness it wasn't a super long read
* Extremely well written, you really feel you know these people and understand them
* Very realistic portrayal of YA's and their heightened emotions and being on the cusp of adulthood
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Aug 04, 2010
Rachael
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For two years, Rose has been lonely. With no friends and no hope for becoming the greatest ballerina, she has sunk into a fog of despair. For two years, Yrena, a Soviet transplant, has lived next door to Rose. Yrena’s life has been limited to her home and the Soviet compound; she has never truly experienced living in New York City, though she yearns to. It all changes with a surprising party invitation, a trip to an ice cream shop, and spontaneity. Together, Rose and Yrena will experience a nigh
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Apr 08, 2010
Jessica
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It’s about a girl named Rose who goes to a performing arts school (for dance) in New York in 1982. That it took place in 1982 is great, but I wish it had been made clearer in the beginning of the book. There were some statements made (Rose lives next to a Russian family and, well, you can see where I’m going: KGB, Soviet Union, etc.) that made me raise my eyebrow, but I honestly didn’t put it together until halfway through the book. That’s a fairly minor complaint, though, and one of few that I
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Jan 14, 2011
Jacki
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Summary: The year is 1982, the setting is New York, New York. Rose is in a black period. She loves ballet, but her lack of confidence holds her back, and her social life is in ruins because of her backstabbing ex-BFF. Then one night, the Soviet girl next door comes through her window and takes her on an unlikely journey into friendship and understanding.
Plot: The setup's an old favorite. Teen girl has a passion she's afraid to pursue with all her heart. She had a bossy, smothering be More...
Plot: The setup's an old favorite. Teen girl has a passion she's afraid to pursue with all her heart. She had a bossy, smothering be More...
Jul 30, 2010
Jessica
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Quick Overview: Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci is the type of book you want to read when you are in a bad mood. It's inspiring events makes you want to go and experience life.
I am very glad I read Rose Sees Red. Rose starts off being like a lot of teenage girls are: so eager to fit in that they forget themselves entirely. Rose is doing the bare minimum for life, and she is barely squeaking by. Rose really spoke to my inner insecure 14-year-old counterpart, and I know that she will More...
I am very glad I read Rose Sees Red. Rose starts off being like a lot of teenage girls are: so eager to fit in that they forget themselves entirely. Rose is doing the bare minimum for life, and she is barely squeaking by. Rose really spoke to my inner insecure 14-year-old counterpart, and I know that she will More...
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Sep 19, 2011
Jasmineluvsjb
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This book takes place in the past when there still were twin towers and when the Soviet Union was still together and Americans and Russians hate each other.
This story starts off with a girl (Rose) who has lost all her friends in middle school when she decides to go to an art school for ballet. Not just like lost touch but all of them hate her for "trading them for dance classes". But she goes on with her dream of being a performer. But she feels lonelier then ever. But someone as More...
This story starts off with a girl (Rose) who has lost all her friends in middle school when she decides to go to an art school for ballet. Not just like lost touch but all of them hate her for "trading them for dance classes". But she goes on with her dream of being a performer. But she feels lonelier then ever. But someone as More...
Nov 09, 2010
Vicki
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Something about this was so charming; I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe because it felt so "of its era" (early 80s)? Hard to say, but in any case, I really enjoyed it. Castellucci tells the story of two ballerinas who live next door to each other, one an American freshman, one a Russian high schooler who lives on the Soviet compound. Their bedrooms face each other but they never talk until one night, when the Russian girl sneaks in to the other's bedroom. And the night that
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Oct 19, 2010
Mary (BookHounds)
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This turned out to be one of my favorite books that I have read this year. The words just rolled off the pages and into my brain. I have had this book sitting around since last June and wasn't prompted to read it until I saw Cecil Castellucci read from her entry in Geektastic about how not to act in front of your favorite authors. She sold me on her writing. I have to admit the first line of the book was a little depressing and I wasn't inclined to give it a chance. I didn't even give it th
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Jan 14, 2010
Claire
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Set in the height of the cold war, Rose lives in NYC across from a Russian station the 'men in suits' that loiter the streets are assumed to be KGB or CIA. Rose has seen a Russian girl in the window across the street for two years. On this day, they smile and meet and have a wonderful adventure that crosses the oceans, continents and mindsets that divide.
Castellucci describes Rose's life as one dominated by her cruel 'friend' clearly showing girl bullying and alpha behavior. Rose has side More...
Castellucci describes Rose's life as one dominated by her cruel 'friend' clearly showing girl bullying and alpha behavior. Rose has side More...
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Jul 22, 2011
Frankie
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This book is amazing! It has become my new favorite. And if it doesn't quite beat my fantasy favorite it is by far my most liked realistic fiction book. Anyone should read it, but EVERY dancer should read Rose Sees Red by Cecil Castellucci. It is short, only about two hundred pages, so even if you're not big on reading, you can still read this book.
A little bit of information:
It is historical fiction, set during the cold war, just outside Manhattan. The main character, Rose More...
A little bit of information:
It is historical fiction, set during the cold war, just outside Manhattan. The main character, Rose More...
Jan 14, 2012
Leeah
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Rose has given up. She's given up on friendship, on happiness, on life being anything other than black, black, black. Yrena wants out. She's a dancer who doesn't want to dance, a prisoner in her own home, a resident of New York who never gets to see the city. To Rose, Yrena has always been the Russian girl who lives next door, seen through the window but never spoken to. At least not until Yrena crashes into Rose's room-and Rose's life-and sets in motion a night in New York City that none of the
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Jan 19, 2011
Jan
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Although I am an admirer of Castellucci, I thought this modern day fable was also predictable and a bit of a yawn. It had its moments, but we really never understand why Rose is depressed at the beginning of the novel and it seemed as if the character development was sacrificed to engineering a “message” fable about peace and freedom. The 80’s setting was kind of fun, though. But it was just kind of nice and oh so predictable. You knew that Rose was going to bust out and take Yrena with her
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Aug 14, 2010
Kelsey
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Rose Sees Red was my first read by Cecil Castellucci- and it definitely won't be my last! This was a short read (under 200 pages), but it included so much detail and development. I was drawn into the story from the beginning. Rose was a main character I liked right away and grew to like even more as the story progressed. The other characters were all well developed and likable as well and the plot was so different than anything I've read before.
A ballerina, Rose wants nothing more th More...
A ballerina, Rose wants nothing more th More...
Aug 11, 2011
Amy
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Early 1980s height-of-the-Cold-War New York City.
Who is Rose? A socially estranged ballet dancer at a Fame-like performing arts school.
Who is Red? THE COMMUNISTS! I love it...Rose meets her neighbour Yrena, the daughter of a Soviet diplomat temporarily living in the United States.
Together they have the most adventurous night out in New York City, where Yrena has never been allowed to explore. They view art, take the Statten Island Ferry, ride the subway, find lov More...
Who is Rose? A socially estranged ballet dancer at a Fame-like performing arts school.
Who is Red? THE COMMUNISTS! I love it...Rose meets her neighbour Yrena, the daughter of a Soviet diplomat temporarily living in the United States.
Together they have the most adventurous night out in New York City, where Yrena has never been allowed to explore. They view art, take the Statten Island Ferry, ride the subway, find lov More...
Jul 15, 2011
Savannah
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I had no idea that this book was about the 80's till half way through it! Maybe I wasn't paying attention??? But the book was only was "okay". I felt like it was a little pointless (just my honest opinion, no need to get all pissy) she was your classic depressed-youth and I didn't care for her much, Rose that is.
I was confused with how suddenly Caleb was showing interest in her, I thought that she had the hots for Maurice. . . . Not Caleb. . . Oh well. It was a short book so not More...
I was confused with how suddenly Caleb was showing interest in her, I thought that she had the hots for Maurice. . . . Not Caleb. . . Oh well. It was a short book so not More...
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Jun 30, 2011
Shae
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May 27, 2011
Sarah
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And absolutely lovely book about two girls, one American and one Russian. Set in the 80s, Castellucci's novel is about growing up, and only superficially related to ballet and NYC. It was a super fast read, which isn't a bad thing. And, actually, that made it even better. I zoomed through the book, as it basically takes place in the span of one day. It reminded me, and only in good ways, of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, which is one of my favorites. It was lots of fun, sweet and very endea
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Aug 25, 2010
Jen Bigheart
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Aug 05, 2011
Eden
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The cover:
I like the single red rose standing out against the vines and the NYC skyline, but I'm thinking they could've done that with the title, too -- maybe keep "Rose Sees" in navy blue or black, and then make "Red" red. As well, the skyline could've been a more distinct colour, like navy blue or even brown; a whole cover of gray is a little monotonous.
The book:
In the beginning, Rose is not a pleasant character. Her thoughts are black, i More...
I like the single red rose standing out against the vines and the NYC skyline, but I'm thinking they could've done that with the title, too -- maybe keep "Rose Sees" in navy blue or black, and then make "Red" red. As well, the skyline could've been a more distinct colour, like navy blue or even brown; a whole cover of gray is a little monotonous.
The book:
In the beginning, Rose is not a pleasant character. Her thoughts are black, i More...
Dec 08, 2010
Kathy G.
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Cecil Castellucci’s Rose Sees Red is an adventure back in time. Back to the early 80’s and the Cold War feeling. Back to what it feels like to be young and not sure of yourself. This was a wonderful YA novel.
Our main character, Rose is a high school teenager living in the Bronx in New York. She has had many disappointments and especially with a “best friend” who really was not the best. I found Rose so much like myself and the way I felt at that age. She wants to fit in, but doesn’t More...
Our main character, Rose is a high school teenager living in the Bronx in New York. She has had many disappointments and especially with a “best friend” who really was not the best. I found Rose so much like myself and the way I felt at that age. She wants to fit in, but doesn’t More...
Mar 15, 2011
Kat
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There are certain things Rose has learned living next to the Soviet compound in the Bronx, New York, in 1983. How to tell the KGB from the CIA, for instance (it's all in the eyebrows). Also, that world powers can act an awful lot like children.
Not that Rose cares all that much. Tagging the suits as KGB or CIA is fun, as is watching Yrena, the Russian girl next door, but Rose has other things to worry about. School at the Performing Arts academy, avoiding former best friend Daisy, et More...
Not that Rose cares all that much. Tagging the suits as KGB or CIA is fun, as is watching Yrena, the Russian girl next door, but Rose has other things to worry about. School at the Performing Arts academy, avoiding former best friend Daisy, et More...
Jul 20, 2011
Lizz
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I love Cecil Castellucci. She creates worlds that suck you in, worlds you don't have access to (Hollywood, punk rock, the High School for the Performing Arts, 80s Cold War) and worlds that feel completely real. Even as I sometimes quibble with her details, I still buy her characters, their reactions and actions, and the settings hook, line and sinker.
From excellent New Wave fashion descriptions to avoiding cliches, this book presents a night in the life of emo Rose and her Russian nei More...
From excellent New Wave fashion descriptions to avoiding cliches, this book presents a night in the life of emo Rose and her Russian nei More...
Apr 06, 2011
Jennifer
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Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Rose has made her decision. When she chooses to attend the High School of Performing Arts rather than the Bronx Science school, her friend Daisy disowned her. Rose couldn't even tell Daisy that she was going to try out for the dance program, because Daisy decided a few years back that they shouldn't do ballet anymore. It made Rose realize that Daisy wasn't a real friend in the end.
Every morning, Rose and her brother, Todd, watch as t More...
Rose has made her decision. When she chooses to attend the High School of Performing Arts rather than the Bronx Science school, her friend Daisy disowned her. Rose couldn't even tell Daisy that she was going to try out for the dance program, because Daisy decided a few years back that they shouldn't do ballet anymore. It made Rose realize that Daisy wasn't a real friend in the end.
Every morning, Rose and her brother, Todd, watch as t More...
Jul 13, 2010
Brittany
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Rose lives next to a Soviet Russia compound in New York. Everyday, there are men in suits outside, KGB or CIA(you can tell by their eyebrows).When Rose chose dance at The Performing Arts School instead of following her friend Daisy to Bronx Science, she lost a friend and was shunned from the group. She is too shy to really open up and be vulnerable at her new school and therefore hasn't made any friends. That is until the girl from across the street (in the compound) decides to befriend Rose bec
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