To the Stars, Isabelle

American Girl: Isabelle #3

by Laurence Yep, Anna Kmet (Illustrations)

Isabelle is doing great at the Anna Hart School of the Arts--her dancing idol Jackie Sanchez even invites her to go on tour! Isabelle jumps on board, but she quickly finds that the traveling show has its challenges, not the least of which is bossy Renata who was invited to come, too. When the dance show suddenly starts falling apart, Isabelle tries to help Jackie pull it back together--and begins to learn more about a mentor who encouraged Jackie to dance as a young girl. As Isabelle taps into her talents to try to save the show, she not only discovers who inspired Jackie, but also how she, herself, can inspire those around her.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fiction, Juvenile

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Born June 14, 1948 in San Francisco, California, Yep was the son of Thomas Gim Yep and Franche Lee Yep. Franche Lee, her family's youngest child, was born in Ohio and raised in West Virginia where her family owned a Chinese laundry. Yep's father, Thomas, was born in China and came to America at the age of ten where he lived, not in Chinatown, but with an Irish friend in a white neighborhood. After troubling times during the Depression, he was able to open a grocery store in an African-American neighborhood. Growing up in San Francisco, Yep felt alienated. He was in his own words his neighborhood's "all-purpose Asian" and did not feel he had a culture of his own. Joanne Ryder, a children's book author, and Yep met and became friends during college while she was his editor. They later married and now live in San Francisco.

Although not living in Chinatown, Yep commuted to a parochial bilingual school there. Other students at the school, according to Yep, labeled him a "dumbbell Chinese" because he spoke only English. During high school he faced the white American culture for the first time. However, it was while attending high school that he started writing for a science fiction magazine, being paid one cent a word for his efforts. After two years at Marquette University, Yep transferred to the University of California at Santa Cruz where he graduated in 1970 with a B.A. He continued on to earn a Ph.D. in English from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1975. Today as well as writing, he has taught writing and Asian American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley and Santa Barbara.

Reviews

[Xyra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a true four star read. I really liked it and even had a few tears in my eyes at one point.

The story point that contributed to really liking this book is that of jealousy and learning about others. It is in the this book where the jealousy theme between jade and Isabelle comes to a head. That being said, please note that the intensity is more like The Brady Bunch's Jan and Marcia; and I believe the "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia" episode has more drama to it. If you have children then you know that sibling rivalry is not nearly as neatly contained or resolved.

Of the three books, I feel this was the best. In it Isabelle pulls from lessons she learned in the previous two books to use deductive reasoning, rise above, and excel. She grows from student to leader helping others to do their very best.

As noted in my review of book two, the secondary and tertiary characters are really flat. Luisa, in particular, could have had much more definition in her role as best friend.

However, there was great detail in describing some scenes and emotions. Isabelle's enthusiasm working directly with Jackie became a true presence as I read. I was as fan struck as she was - can you imagine working with your favorite person one-on-one? That scenario was presented really well.

Overall, this was a touching conclusion to Isabelle's story. The character struggled and learned from her mistakes and rose above a few (very few) obstacles to become a stronger performer, individual, and sister.

[Eva B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isabelle full series review:
Again, these were fine. I'm not a dancer and so the focus on dance didn't really hit for me. The parts about costuming were interesting and the storyline of her conflict with her older sister was good, but it just didn't do much for me.

[AurorainBookland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one gets five stars the relationship between Isabelle and Jade is realistic and stays real throughout the book. Jackie is an amazing character and has a big heart. I love how Isabelle and her rival understand each other at the end and how they dance at hospitals for the kids. With difficulty to the stars is a great motto and to the stars is the perfect title for this book. It made me want to do what I love, playing piano, more and hopefully I can perform for kids :)

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look. I don't care for dancing. As in, it's nice to watch but I don't know anything about it, I don't "feel" music, and it's just not my thing. But Isabelle's books make me have such an appreciation for it and how a dancer's mind can work. The story just made me feel warm and fuzzy and it was super sweet. Isabelle is a good character who isn't annoying or bratty. I really like that she seems to have a good head on her shoulders.

[Shani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think this is the strongest of the series. I think that some parts where too far-fetched, not plausible enough for me. A younger read would like it better, though.

Still, I thought it was good. I liked it better than I thought I would. I also love the end, how it was done and all. Very moving, and I have to say I like the note it ended on.

[Hope Elizabeth Anne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I paid 35 cents for this book... I feel ripped off 😂Honestly though, even though this book was very short it was incredibly boring and I found it difficult to get through. I almost DNFED it multiple times. Probably my least favorite American Girl book ever.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story

[Liberty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful wrap to the series

[HannahBeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

[Brittany Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great book! I absolutely loved the ending. I was very satisfied with the ending. I loved how in the end everything and everyone came together!

[Cadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I love this book. I really felt like I was there in real life." -Cadee, age 12

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brought me back! :)

[Antonela LoRusso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this series. I love that Renata became nice. I love a good villian turned evil trope. I loved the scene with Trisha too. This is my comfort series. Thank you Laurence!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked reading about their tours and how they overcame obstacles and how mature and talented of a person Isabelle seems to be for someone her age. She'll probably go on to do great things!

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The worst of the three Isabelle books. In this one, Isabelle begins working with a new dance teacher who very clearly and obviously favors her over the other students in class. One girl who is put out by this is framed as being the spoiled bad girl. Isabelle is the lead, so it's okay and even correct that she is getting preferential treatment. It bugged me.

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the target audience for the book, but I enjoy a good kid's book all the same. Thing is, Isabelle is one of those characters who waffles between incredibly likable and "if I knew you in reality, I would probably dislike you immensely" which, I admit, sounds crazy. But for all she messes up in her dancing, she's pretty spectacular all around the board. She gets to hang out with her idol and earns said idol's respect (and first pair of dance shoes), she becomes the leader of her little group, she dances well enough to impress her idol and others when she manages to stop overthinking things, and oh yeah, she's also a design ~star~.

So fun to read about until someone (in this book, it's usually Jade) points out that it's all a little too much, a little too over the top.

I enjoyed the books and think they were written well, but I do wonder why she had to be so very, very good at everything?

[Shreya Ganguly]

I got this book for my 8th birthday. This book is definitely about dancing,traveling and meeting new people. I am now 12. I am reading longer novels. I read The American Girl Series and then the Baby-Sitters Club Series. I’m reading singular novels now. I read some young adult books and some books that are written for adults. I have a very high reading level. I’m currently reading Amal Unbound. What should I read next? My teacher recommended Unbroken and Love,Hate and Other Filters. My friend recommended The Sound and The Fury and Ulysses. My cousin recommended Agatha Christie’s mystery novels. My favorite BookTuber recommended The Boy In The Striped Pajamas. My favorite books are Ticket To India, Out Of My Mind,Fish In A Tree and A Night Divided.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

True rating: 4.5 stars.

Easily the best of the trilogy, especially in terms of plot. Several touching moments, and Isabelle’s natural and welcome emotional growth, top off a satisfying read. The series should make a good movie if American Girl decides to market one as they did for Saige and McKenna.

[noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, but the portrayal of Isabelle as nine years old and Jade as twelve years old was very unrealistic when, in fact! Isabelle was displayed closer to twelve years old, and Jade seems to be nearer to sixteen. This is especially noticeable in the movie made from the book, where the actress playing Isabelle is fifteen.

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A "meh" end to the series. Every conflict in Isabelle's life was wrapped up neatly in a bow, including the mean girl who bullied her through the entire series, who now suddenly thinks she's wonderful. I'm not sure how much of that was Mr. Yep's decision and how much was American Girl's, but boo to whoever it was for giving girls unrealistic expectations.

[Sierra]

Isabelle gets to do a tour with her idol Jackie Sanchez They will preform in front of hospitals and rest homes. Isabelle and her best friend are going to their pirate rutine with solos and the solos are made by Jackie. Jackie loves Isabelle and keeps giving her attion when she tells these things to her sister she gets jealous.

[Julie G Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dance

Dance

Isabelle was just so inspiring. Jade helped too she was the one who helped Isabelle on the way of her mistakes.

[Brylee Ure · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing!!!

[Toryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazing book!

[Mrs. Raemaeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

very sweet and inspiring