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Chance to Dance for You
Sometimes keeping a secret is harder than telling the truth.
Ian lives in a suburb where everything’s the same. The houses are the same, the cars are the same, and their aspirations are the same. But Ian is different. Openly gay in his bigoted high school, Ian doesn’t exactly fit in. But he’s not worried – he’s been training in dance for a long time and soon he’ll be able to leave town and train to become a professional. Then he falls in love with Jess, the high school quarterback…
Ian lives in a suburb where everything’s the same. The houses are the same, the cars are the same, and their aspirations are the same. But Ian is different. Openly gay in his bigoted high school, Ian doesn’t exactly fit in. But he’s not worried – he’s been training in dance for a long time and soon he’ll be able to leave town and train to become a professional. Then he falls in love with Jess, the high school quarterback…
172 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
148 people want to read
About the author
Gail Sidonie Sobat
13 books21 followersGail 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 Alberta Hospital School, an instructor in the University of Alberta Faculty of Education, and the Canadian Authors Association(Alberta Chapter) Writer-in Residence. Gail completed a Master’s degree in English at the University of Alberta in Children’s Literature, specializing in fantasy.
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 Alberta Hospital School, an instructor in the University of Alberta Faculty of Education, and the Canadian Authors Association(Alberta Chapter) Writer-in Residence. Gail completed a Master’s degree in English at the University of Alberta in Children’s Literature, specializing in fantasy.
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December 11, 2011I 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., the non-stereotypical gay dancer) is made a stereotype. There's the football players who are macho, hulking goobs; there's the entire neighborhood which is so boring and lame and no one understands or appreciates differences; oh and then there's the librarian who LOVES the weird kids (guh, that may be the stereotype I hate most about librarians).
There's a lot of telling and nothing else. The writing itself is challenging to get through, too, as it makes use of the incomplete thought and the emphasizing fragments. The problem is they're overused to the point they become distracting rather than emphasizing.
The book tried way too hard.
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., the non-stereotypical gay dancer) is made a stereotype. There's the football players who are macho, hulking goobs; there's the entire neighborhood which is so boring and lame and no one understands or appreciates differences; oh and then there's the librarian who LOVES the weird kids (guh, that may be the stereotype I hate most about librarians).
There's a lot of telling and nothing else. The writing itself is challenging to get through, too, as it makes use of the incomplete thought and the emphasizing fragments. The problem is they're overused to the point they become distracting rather than emphasizing.
The book tried way too hard.
December 23, 2011
More over at Breaking Bookshelves
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 is a funny, and slightly exaggerated, glimpse of what it's like to be a rare out-and-proud teenager. It is also deeply heartbreaking in its truth.
There's just so much I could say about this book. It had its good points and bad points, highs and lows, just like any other book. One good point is that it was an incredibly fast read, a few hours at best. Though it was quick, it was still interesting. I also liked how it was set in Canada. WOOT! Canadian pride~
Ahem, anyhoo, its lows were mostly of the writing variety. I stumbled over some sentences because it had improper grammar or missing punctuation. There was also a moment where “wtf” appeared in a sentence. Not spoken, no. Not capitalized. Not texted either. Just there, in the sentence. And I literally W.T.F-ed almost out loud, right there in the school library. But I digress (which is a phrase used quite often in the novel). The writing wasn't bad, but it was amateur. There was a lot, A LOT, of telling. But somehow, I could ignore it. Maybe because this was meant to portray a normal, albeit gay, teenager. It sure as hell sounded like a teenager.
Since we're on low points, I guess another point I didn't like was the sheer amount of stereotyping. There was just...so much. A few times Ian would pipe up and say this was a stereotype, or that was a stereotype, and it felt as if those things were being called out because it made the author feel better about stereotyping. It was like if she had the character point these things out it would make it okay. It didn't. I just noticed them more. And they were not okay. The suburbs aren't all boring and bigoted. All jocks aren't homophobic trash. Not all big-breasted girls are snobby little ditzes. I didn't like how Ian's dance teacher was stereotypical Russian; has an accent, smokes, and is highly interested in vodka. I mean, really? But this will turn into a rant if I keep on that track, so let's move on.
Another thing I realized is that I don't care much for the side-characters. Usually, I would. Usually, one of the side-characters would be my favourite compared to the protagonist. But in this novel, I didn't quite feel anything for them. This was easily ignored since much of the narration was about Ian and Jess anyway. Speaking of Jess, now we get to the main thing I liked about this novel.
No, Jess is not the main thing I liked about this novel. He's a stinking pile of self-hating feces. He could stay buried and rot in his damn locked closet for all I care. Might sound harsh, but after what he did – or more specifically, didn't do – to Ian, I could care less. Yet, despite my dislike for his cowardly personality, Jess was so realistic. So parallel to people I have met and known. Cowards just like he was. A coward like all humans can be. And that made him so damn frustrating. Which is, I guess, the good point I was trying to get at in all of this. Jess was real. Ian was real. And the only reason I could take all the stereotyping was because it was so true to life. Exaggerated, yes, but it was oh-so-true. Some people actually view the world like this. These things could have happened. These situations are happening. Sometimes when we read a fiction story or watch a movie we say, “Hell, that was just messed up. No one does that in real life.” We think that what has been put down is the worst possible situation someone's twisted mind has come up with. That it doesn't happen for real. But the truth is...it does. It happens. Sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction. Sometimes it's worse. Where do you think the inspiration for these stories come from?
So that's what I like the most about this novel, it has that humour element that I use to look at life, but it also has the deeper and more sorrowful undercurrent that shows us what humans are, and can be, capable of. What one's fear and cowardice can accomplish, and what love and determination can counter.
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 is a funny, and slightly exaggerated, glimpse of what it's like to be a rare out-and-proud teenager. It is also deeply heartbreaking in its truth.
There's just so much I could say about this book. It had its good points and bad points, highs and lows, just like any other book. One good point is that it was an incredibly fast read, a few hours at best. Though it was quick, it was still interesting. I also liked how it was set in Canada. WOOT! Canadian pride~
Ahem, anyhoo, its lows were mostly of the writing variety. I stumbled over some sentences because it had improper grammar or missing punctuation. There was also a moment where “wtf” appeared in a sentence. Not spoken, no. Not capitalized. Not texted either. Just there, in the sentence. And I literally W.T.F-ed almost out loud, right there in the school library. But I digress (which is a phrase used quite often in the novel). The writing wasn't bad, but it was amateur. There was a lot, A LOT, of telling. But somehow, I could ignore it. Maybe because this was meant to portray a normal, albeit gay, teenager. It sure as hell sounded like a teenager.
Since we're on low points, I guess another point I didn't like was the sheer amount of stereotyping. There was just...so much. A few times Ian would pipe up and say this was a stereotype, or that was a stereotype, and it felt as if those things were being called out because it made the author feel better about stereotyping. It was like if she had the character point these things out it would make it okay. It didn't. I just noticed them more. And they were not okay. The suburbs aren't all boring and bigoted. All jocks aren't homophobic trash. Not all big-breasted girls are snobby little ditzes. I didn't like how Ian's dance teacher was stereotypical Russian; has an accent, smokes, and is highly interested in vodka. I mean, really? But this will turn into a rant if I keep on that track, so let's move on.
Another thing I realized is that I don't care much for the side-characters. Usually, I would. Usually, one of the side-characters would be my favourite compared to the protagonist. But in this novel, I didn't quite feel anything for them. This was easily ignored since much of the narration was about Ian and Jess anyway. Speaking of Jess, now we get to the main thing I liked about this novel.
No, Jess is not the main thing I liked about this novel. He's a stinking pile of self-hating feces. He could stay buried and rot in his damn locked closet for all I care. Might sound harsh, but after what he did – or more specifically, didn't do – to Ian, I could care less. Yet, despite my dislike for his cowardly personality, Jess was so realistic. So parallel to people I have met and known. Cowards just like he was. A coward like all humans can be. And that made him so damn frustrating. Which is, I guess, the good point I was trying to get at in all of this. Jess was real. Ian was real. And the only reason I could take all the stereotyping was because it was so true to life. Exaggerated, yes, but it was oh-so-true. Some people actually view the world like this. These things could have happened. These situations are happening. Sometimes when we read a fiction story or watch a movie we say, “Hell, that was just messed up. No one does that in real life.” We think that what has been put down is the worst possible situation someone's twisted mind has come up with. That it doesn't happen for real. But the truth is...it does. It happens. Sometimes, reality is stranger than fiction. Sometimes it's worse. Where do you think the inspiration for these stories come from?
So that's what I like the most about this novel, it has that humour element that I use to look at life, but it also has the deeper and more sorrowful undercurrent that shows us what humans are, and can be, capable of. What one's fear and cowardice can accomplish, and what love and determination can counter.
November 2, 2013
Basically an episode of Glee. I'm not even kidding. The romance plot was literally stolen from the Kurt/Karofsky storyline. At first, I called it a coincidence. After all, there are very few truly unique ideas. But then Glee is mentioned as Ian's favourite show...
As for the rest of the book, well, my mother said that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
As for the rest of the book, well, my mother said that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2017
Review to come
October 30, 2011
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 violently homophobic father. The relationship costs both boys so much trouble and heartache by the end of the novel, irrevocably changing their lives and shaping their attitudes about love.
Chance to Dance for You is a very moving book about the experience of gay teen boys. It made me glad to have grown up in a fairly progressive-minded community. I would recommend it to young people, even though the book was far from perfect.
I didn't always believe Ian's voice. In his upbeat moments, the first-person narration sometimes reads like a stereotypical happy-go-lucky gay boy, which is a shame because Sidonie Sobat writes his serious and sad moments with such profound clarity.
Madame, Ian's dance teacher and one of his mentors, was also a bit of a disappointment. A former professional ballerina, fallen from grace in what others only ever refer to as "that fiasco," Madame is a questionable role model for Ian. She drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney right in front of him, but never fails to remind Ian that he shouldn't pick up the same habits. She is a model of what can go wrong in a dancer's career, and I couldn't figure out why Ian idolized her. The reader is frequently told that she is "brilliant," but I didn't see much personal appeal. Perhaps Ian likes her primarily because she dotes on him.
When Madame's "fiasco" is finally revealed toward the end of the novel, it too is a disappointment. It's barely enough to call a scandal. Madame is simply broken hearted, and I had difficulty believing that such a tough woman could really be so fragile as to let her career fall apart over an unrequited love.
Despite having some weak points, this book did make me think. I might read it again in the future, and I would recommend it to others as food for thought.
Originally reviewed here.
Their romance is a tumultuous one, strained by Jess's need for secrecy and his fear of his violently homophobic father. The relationship costs both boys so much trouble and heartache by the end of the novel, irrevocably changing their lives and shaping their attitudes about love.
Chance to Dance for You is a very moving book about the experience of gay teen boys. It made me glad to have grown up in a fairly progressive-minded community. I would recommend it to young people, even though the book was far from perfect.
I didn't always believe Ian's voice. In his upbeat moments, the first-person narration sometimes reads like a stereotypical happy-go-lucky gay boy, which is a shame because Sidonie Sobat writes his serious and sad moments with such profound clarity.
Madame, Ian's dance teacher and one of his mentors, was also a bit of a disappointment. A former professional ballerina, fallen from grace in what others only ever refer to as "that fiasco," Madame is a questionable role model for Ian. She drinks like a fish and smokes like a chimney right in front of him, but never fails to remind Ian that he shouldn't pick up the same habits. She is a model of what can go wrong in a dancer's career, and I couldn't figure out why Ian idolized her. The reader is frequently told that she is "brilliant," but I didn't see much personal appeal. Perhaps Ian likes her primarily because she dotes on him.
When Madame's "fiasco" is finally revealed toward the end of the novel, it too is a disappointment. It's barely enough to call a scandal. Madame is simply broken hearted, and I had difficulty believing that such a tough woman could really be so fragile as to let her career fall apart over an unrequited love.
Despite having some weak points, this book did make me think. I might read it again in the future, and I would recommend it to others as food for thought.
Originally reviewed here.
October 12, 2014
This was my first LGBTQ novel and I found it very interesting. I can see why it has won literary awards. When I picked up this book I didn't realize it was the same author that wrote Gravity Journal - which I just recently finished a enjoyed as well.
This story follows Ian, an gay teenager in a town where there aren't any. He's strong and passionate about many things, including dance - another thing that causes him to be a target. This story follows him falling in love with someone he didn't ever expect to and how he handles it along with his training for his dance career. Jack is the unexpected love interest, a high school quarter back - the most popular lady's man at their high school! Jack doesn't want anyone to know his true feelings, especially his family.
I loved how Gail was able to pull me into their story. I hated putting this book down. I could sympathize and understand what Ian was going through and his feelings without ever having experienced them myself. It opened my eyes to things I never would have thought of when looking at the LGBTQ community. Gail also brings up racism and how it's handled in a smaller community. She tackles these harder topics and you're able to relate to these people - no matter how unlikely it is for you to ever actually experience it - and the feelings resonate with you as a reader.
Although I found the story pretty basic, it was the actual writing of emotions and experiences that made me stick with it. If it was a typical boy meets girl story then I probably would have found it pretty boring - mind you if it was a typical boy meets girl story there wouldn't have been the amount of tension there was.
Overall, I liked Chance to Dance for You. It was a quick read and really involved. The ending was amazing and shocking. If you've never read a LGBTQ novel then this is a good place to start. If you enjoyed other novels by Gail then you should read this one as well. Just keep in mind that there is bullying and violence in this book before you pick it up - it was one of the more emotional parts in the book for me.
This story follows Ian, an gay teenager in a town where there aren't any. He's strong and passionate about many things, including dance - another thing that causes him to be a target. This story follows him falling in love with someone he didn't ever expect to and how he handles it along with his training for his dance career. Jack is the unexpected love interest, a high school quarter back - the most popular lady's man at their high school! Jack doesn't want anyone to know his true feelings, especially his family.
I loved how Gail was able to pull me into their story. I hated putting this book down. I could sympathize and understand what Ian was going through and his feelings without ever having experienced them myself. It opened my eyes to things I never would have thought of when looking at the LGBTQ community. Gail also brings up racism and how it's handled in a smaller community. She tackles these harder topics and you're able to relate to these people - no matter how unlikely it is for you to ever actually experience it - and the feelings resonate with you as a reader.
Although I found the story pretty basic, it was the actual writing of emotions and experiences that made me stick with it. If it was a typical boy meets girl story then I probably would have found it pretty boring - mind you if it was a typical boy meets girl story there wouldn't have been the amount of tension there was.
Overall, I liked Chance to Dance for You. It was a quick read and really involved. The ending was amazing and shocking. If you've never read a LGBTQ novel then this is a good place to start. If you enjoyed other novels by Gail then you should read this one as well. Just keep in mind that there is bullying and violence in this book before you pick it up - it was one of the more emotional parts in the book for me.
March 21, 2012
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 with hot jock Calvin Klein model-esque Jess Campeau, who's pretty much the biggest homophobe around.
Some parts I found great; Gail Sidonie Sobat is also a spoken word performer, and you can see that part of her in some of the phrases in this book. I feel like the book was originally written as a long piece since there were just so many disjointed phrases and fragments.
I liked Ian's activism; he came across as passionate about what he does. I felt like he could have been more fleshed out though. And his voice! Sometimes, he felt real. When he reflected about racism and going through adolescence, and the pressure of being a dancer, yeah, I could relate to him. But then he'd suddenly revert to doing/behaving in a stereotypical fashion (overuse of the word hotties, out-of-character shifts into giddiness, just very weird) which was irritating, given that he constantly put down other characters for being stereotypes. Big-boobed bimbos, Goths, jocks, Russian dance teachers with dark pasts--all make an appearance here, and all behave just as you would expect these cliches to behave.
And Jess Campeau never does it for me as a character; he never seemed to materialize beyond his cardboard cutout self. But I did sympathize with his portrayal as the gay son in a homophobic family, which I felt was realistic.
It could have been so much more, but there were just too many things to bog it down.
Some parts I found great; Gail Sidonie Sobat is also a spoken word performer, and you can see that part of her in some of the phrases in this book. I feel like the book was originally written as a long piece since there were just so many disjointed phrases and fragments.
I liked Ian's activism; he came across as passionate about what he does. I felt like he could have been more fleshed out though. And his voice! Sometimes, he felt real. When he reflected about racism and going through adolescence, and the pressure of being a dancer, yeah, I could relate to him. But then he'd suddenly revert to doing/behaving in a stereotypical fashion (overuse of the word hotties, out-of-character shifts into giddiness, just very weird) which was irritating, given that he constantly put down other characters for being stereotypes. Big-boobed bimbos, Goths, jocks, Russian dance teachers with dark pasts--all make an appearance here, and all behave just as you would expect these cliches to behave.
And Jess Campeau never does it for me as a character; he never seemed to materialize beyond his cardboard cutout self. But I did sympathize with his portrayal as the gay son in a homophobic family, which I felt was realistic.
It could have been so much more, but there were just too many things to bog it down.
January 14, 2012
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 a secret relationship between the two that the former would die to keep.
To start off, the predictability bar was set very high and did not disappoint. I knew what was going to happened before I even read the book. One thing I did not expect was for Chance to Dance for You to be crazy funny and satirical at times. Ian loved to make fun of the jocks, the burbs, his school in general and I loved reading all the names he came up with; they all had their own original twist on the names we hear everyday. I also appreciated the fact that Ian had a separate life that concentrated on his dancing when he started his relationship with Jess. That distraction definitely gave a spin to the book that was needed in order for the plot not become stagnant and solely focused on the secrecy between Ian and Jess.
Since Chance to Dance for You was such a short read, the only issues I had with it was the predictability and the ending. In a lot of ways, these two things coincide and it was the ending that I saw coming and did not enjoy reading at all. I know some may say different, that it's really the reality of homosexuality right now but the way and context in which this book was written set up such high hopes for the reader only to have them come crashing down in two seconds. However, I imagine that's how brief it would take to ruin someone's life, and I understand how the author wanted to illustrate that.
Grade: C
To start off, the predictability bar was set very high and did not disappoint. I knew what was going to happened before I even read the book. One thing I did not expect was for Chance to Dance for You to be crazy funny and satirical at times. Ian loved to make fun of the jocks, the burbs, his school in general and I loved reading all the names he came up with; they all had their own original twist on the names we hear everyday. I also appreciated the fact that Ian had a separate life that concentrated on his dancing when he started his relationship with Jess. That distraction definitely gave a spin to the book that was needed in order for the plot not become stagnant and solely focused on the secrecy between Ian and Jess.
Since Chance to Dance for You was such a short read, the only issues I had with it was the predictability and the ending. In a lot of ways, these two things coincide and it was the ending that I saw coming and did not enjoy reading at all. I know some may say different, that it's really the reality of homosexuality right now but the way and context in which this book was written set up such high hopes for the reader only to have them come crashing down in two seconds. However, I imagine that's how brief it would take to ruin someone's life, and I understand how the author wanted to illustrate that.
Grade: C
December 14, 2011
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 happedned until the very end. I found this to be a boring book which an average talented author. I do like how the book was set in Canada, but I wasn't drawn into the story line at all. I think it was because I am not into dancing, it was just a short story to me.
I am also uncomfortable with how many bashful words the author decided to use. I wasn't fond of reading them but they did make me feel bad for people who go through what Ian does and that was basicly the only good thing.
My point is, the book could have been done a lot better. There was no excitement, no humour, just thoughts and opinions of a gay dancer over and over again. The book had good morals but they certainly were not addressed properly. I won't ever want to read this book again. It's forgettable and uninteresting. If you have half a brain, you will skip this read unless you have an emotional relation to the plot.
The story line droned on. It just kept flashing to Ian's remote feelings about Jess but nothing other than thar happedned until the very end. I found this to be a boring book which an average talented author. I do like how the book was set in Canada, but I wasn't drawn into the story line at all. I think it was because I am not into dancing, it was just a short story to me.
I am also uncomfortable with how many bashful words the author decided to use. I wasn't fond of reading them but they did make me feel bad for people who go through what Ian does and that was basicly the only good thing.
My point is, the book could have been done a lot better. There was no excitement, no humour, just thoughts and opinions of a gay dancer over and over again. The book had good morals but they certainly were not addressed properly. I won't ever want to read this book again. It's forgettable and uninteresting. If you have half a brain, you will skip this read unless you have an emotional relation to the plot.
April 24, 2012
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 homophobia (which is kinda expected in a gay YA novel). She makes cultural references that are relevant to teens today e.g. Glee (well mostly anyway...the famous ballet personalities and some of the older singers mentioned are likely to fly over the head of most teens). I would recommend this book to a teacher(especially a Canadian one) who wants to bring up the topic of social justice with their students.
Ms Sobat manages to paint the picture of Canadian suburbia really well and tackles racism, poverty and other issues in addition to homophobia (which is kinda expected in a gay YA novel). She makes cultural references that are relevant to teens today e.g. Glee (well mostly anyway...the famous ballet personalities and some of the older singers mentioned are likely to fly over the head of most teens). I would recommend this book to a teacher(especially a Canadian one) who wants to bring up the topic of social justice with their students.
April 16, 2012
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 what really was disappointing was the fact that he didn't get accepted to the National Ballet School. Oh well, it was a light, quick read, but awfully boring. Nothing too special.
August 14, 2015
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. In the end I sort of enjoyed this book, but not as much as I would have liked to based on the summary.
August 19, 2011
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 public libraries.
Naomi
Naomi
June 18, 2011
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.
February 5, 2012
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.
January 10, 2013
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.
August 11, 2011
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.
December 27, 2022
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.
January 5, 2012
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.
January 7, 2013
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.
September 2, 2014
In the end, I liked this book, but it took me a while to warm up to it. Maybe Sobat tried too hard in the first half, maybe her writing got better, or maybe it was my imagination that the book improved towards the end.
A bit didactic in places, but overall, this book has an important message.
A bit didactic in places, but overall, this book has an important message.
December 29, 2011
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.
April 6, 2015
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.
February 7, 2012
Review coming on 2/9 on www.memyshelfandi.com
March 13, 2012
Super awesome :D
February 25, 2018
Glee on Sleeping Pills, that's what this was.
March 20, 2012
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.
August 4, 2012
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
May 24, 2012
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.
January 19, 2013
Found it a tad predictable and trite. Not a fave.
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