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Off Pointe
When Meg's summer ballet program is canceled and her ballet teacher suggests she attend Camp Dance to learn new dance styles, Meg is devastated. Worse still, her teacher thinks she lacks stage presence and needs to connect more with her audience. At camp, Meg struggles to learn contemporary dance. A girl named Logan, who is jealous of Meg's ballet technique and her friendship with Nio, a cute contemporary dancer, makes Meg's life even more difficult. When Meg, Nio and Logan have to work together to create a piece for the final show, arguments threaten to ruin their dance. Unless they are able to overcome their differences, Meg's time at Camp Dance will have been a disaster from start to finish.
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
280 people want to read
About the author
Leanne Lieberman
7 books51 followersLeanne Lieberman is the author of six YA books including Gravity (a Sydney Taylor Notable Book), and Lauren Yanofsky Hates The Holocaust. Her latest YA book is Cleaning Up, Leanne also writes adult fiction and is working on a novel entitled The Bird Girls. Leanne is a graduate of The University of Windsor's MA in in Creative Writing. Originally from Vancouver BC, Leanne now lives in Kingston ON with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 4, 2014
Ocra Limelights are a series of hi-lo books from Orca Books. Hi-lo books are books that are high in interest and low in effort. They're especially good for struggling readers. As such, OFF POINTE is short, to the point, and very easy to read.
Meg is a ballerina. She lives and breathes ballet, and hopes to do it professionally. However, there is something holding her back. So when her ballet camp plans fall through, her teacher advises her to go to a different dance camp, one that will expose her to other disciplines. Meg decides to focus on contemporary thanks to Nio, the boy she set next to on the bus. But she's deeply unhappy to not be doing ballet, and finds contemporary somewhat embarrassing. She doesn't like improving dancing like a tree and such.
There's two storylines. One is about Meg's dance, learning to stretch herself and develop a comfortable stage presences. The second has to do with her rivalry with Logan, the star of the contemporary class and Nio's usual partner. The two girls are jealous of each other and the other's friendship with Nio. It's all very platonic as the book dances around the fact that Nio is probably gay. (Obviously, not all male dancers are gay, but Nio certainly doesn't seem interested in the girls around him, even when they are having catfights over his attention.)
The brief page count means there isn't time for OFF POINTE to go off into unpredictable directions. But that's fine. Sometimes a standard plot executed well is enough. OFF POINTE is well suited to the targeted group, and it is perfect for dance-crazy young readers.
Meg is a ballerina. She lives and breathes ballet, and hopes to do it professionally. However, there is something holding her back. So when her ballet camp plans fall through, her teacher advises her to go to a different dance camp, one that will expose her to other disciplines. Meg decides to focus on contemporary thanks to Nio, the boy she set next to on the bus. But she's deeply unhappy to not be doing ballet, and finds contemporary somewhat embarrassing. She doesn't like improving dancing like a tree and such.
There's two storylines. One is about Meg's dance, learning to stretch herself and develop a comfortable stage presences. The second has to do with her rivalry with Logan, the star of the contemporary class and Nio's usual partner. The two girls are jealous of each other and the other's friendship with Nio. It's all very platonic as the book dances around the fact that Nio is probably gay. (Obviously, not all male dancers are gay, but Nio certainly doesn't seem interested in the girls around him, even when they are having catfights over his attention.)
The brief page count means there isn't time for OFF POINTE to go off into unpredictable directions. But that's fine. Sometimes a standard plot executed well is enough. OFF POINTE is well suited to the targeted group, and it is perfect for dance-crazy young readers.
December 31, 2015
The Orca books remain cute but fairly insubstantial. Or...not insubstantial, but if it weren't for the tight page limit, there'd be a lot more room for character development and so on. Tradeoff, I guess! I love that Meg learns some flexibility but basically remains wedded to ballet, but I'd have preferred to see more character development for Logan in particular, and to see how things play out for Meg when she goes home...oh well. Not in the cards for this one, and the plot that remains is tightly done.
One interesting thing to note, though: in the acknowledgments, Lieberman thanks her editor...who is Robin Stevenson. Huh.
One interesting thing to note, though: in the acknowledgments, Lieberman thanks her editor...who is Robin Stevenson. Huh.
November 22, 2014
Firstreads giveaway through Goodreads. Thank you very much.
Delightful, tightly written little book about teenaged dancers facing their fears and expanding their lives. I too dreamed of becoming a ballerina, though due to health problems switched to singing and theater when I was 12. I've had the good fortune to be able to perform as a professional actress, though never as a ballerina. This book captures the heart of a young performer, and an introvert. I remember well the shear terror of going to a sleep away camp at around 8 or 9 yo. Meg is older, but the emotions are well portrayed here. The book is short, but the point is made succinctly. It doesn't need more.
Delightful, tightly written little book about teenaged dancers facing their fears and expanding their lives. I too dreamed of becoming a ballerina, though due to health problems switched to singing and theater when I was 12. I've had the good fortune to be able to perform as a professional actress, though never as a ballerina. This book captures the heart of a young performer, and an introvert. I remember well the shear terror of going to a sleep away camp at around 8 or 9 yo. Meg is older, but the emotions are well portrayed here. The book is short, but the point is made succinctly. It doesn't need more.
May 27, 2015
Meg was excited to attend her annual ballet program but, it ends up being cancelled so Meg's ballet teacher recommends a camp-that has no ballet. Things get worse for her while she tries to do a contemporary dance. Off pointé is about perserverance, dedication, and hard work.
February 27, 2024
Very good story! Love ballet!
August 29, 2024
This book was weird and too short to form any real attachment to any of the characters. However if it was any longer I think I would kms
July 10, 2024
Meg wants to be a ballet dancer, but the typical summer camp she goes to isn't happening. She tries a completely different style. Will she fail?
First the positives. I liked that this is a quick read. I like the thought of trying something out of your comfort zone and conquering your fear. There's no language and no romance.
Now the negatives. I felt the ending needed one more scene. There is agenda in the book, however mild.
First the positives. I liked that this is a quick read. I like the thought of trying something out of your comfort zone and conquering your fear. There's no language and no romance.
Now the negatives. I felt the ending needed one more scene. There is agenda in the book, however mild.
August 6, 2014
I received a copy of this novel from LibraryThing on behalf of Orca Publishing in exchange for a fair review.
This will be a very short review because this was a very short book.
Meg has been a ballet dancer for years. It’s all she wants from life, to be a professional dancer. She’s good yes, but she’s also very introverted. She doesn’t have a good stage presence. She lacks confidence.
Because of her teacher’s back surgery, her normal summer ballet school has been canceled. Since her parents are vacationing in Italy, she has two options, go to her Nana’s house or go to this dance camp that doesn’t offer ballet. Meg reluctantly agrees to the dance camp.
Once there she sorta befriends Nio, a contemporary dancer who has been going to the camp for years. This causes some jealousy with his friend Logan, who has been attending the camp for as long as Nio.
Logan mocks ballet and just generally gives Meg the cold shoulder. Meg does what she can to avoid Logan but Nio talks them both into working with him for a final dance performance. They form something of a compromise and choreograph a routine but before the finale dance, the book ends so I’m not sure if the compromise turned into a friendship.
That’s one thing about novellas; they don’t give you enough information. The book was cute enough, and the writing was decent but there just wasn’t enough story. I would’ve liked to see Meg accomplish the goals she set for herself, to be more confident and have a better stage presence. I would have liked to see her and Logan resolve their differences.
It wasn’t a bad book, it just needed more.
This will be a very short review because this was a very short book.
Meg has been a ballet dancer for years. It’s all she wants from life, to be a professional dancer. She’s good yes, but she’s also very introverted. She doesn’t have a good stage presence. She lacks confidence.
Because of her teacher’s back surgery, her normal summer ballet school has been canceled. Since her parents are vacationing in Italy, she has two options, go to her Nana’s house or go to this dance camp that doesn’t offer ballet. Meg reluctantly agrees to the dance camp.
Once there she sorta befriends Nio, a contemporary dancer who has been going to the camp for years. This causes some jealousy with his friend Logan, who has been attending the camp for as long as Nio.
Logan mocks ballet and just generally gives Meg the cold shoulder. Meg does what she can to avoid Logan but Nio talks them both into working with him for a final dance performance. They form something of a compromise and choreograph a routine but before the finale dance, the book ends so I’m not sure if the compromise turned into a friendship.
That’s one thing about novellas; they don’t give you enough information. The book was cute enough, and the writing was decent but there just wasn’t enough story. I would’ve liked to see Meg accomplish the goals she set for herself, to be more confident and have a better stage presence. I would have liked to see her and Logan resolve their differences.
It wasn’t a bad book, it just needed more.
December 18, 2014
The plot: Meg is devastated when her summer ballet program is canceled. Being unavailable herself, Meg's teacher suggests she attend Camp Dance to learn new dance styles. Worse still, her teacher thinks she lacks stage presence and needs to connect more with her audience and learn to 'feel' the dance. Since her parents will also be out of town, Meg has no choice but to attend. At camp, Meg struggles to learn contemporary dance and also deal with critical judgement from other dancers. A girl named Logan, who is jealous of Meg’s ballet technique and her friendship with Nio, a cute contemporary dancer, makes Meg’s life even more difficult. However, when Meg, Nio and Logan have to work together to create a piece for the final show, they find that they can overcome their differences and learn from each other.
The characters: Meg is an adequately developed main character for this high/low reader. Her dedication and worries about dancing are legit and relateable for most readers. The other characters such as Nio and Logan are a bit too stereotypical to garner much depth. However, they are still likable and relevant to the story.
Overall evaluation: This was a quick read. I liked it well enough and it has it merits for a certain type of reader. This is definitely marketed for young girls. Having a interest in dance is welcomed but not necessary. I would recommend this as an optional purchase for schools and public libraries.
The characters: Meg is an adequately developed main character for this high/low reader. Her dedication and worries about dancing are legit and relateable for most readers. The other characters such as Nio and Logan are a bit too stereotypical to garner much depth. However, they are still likable and relevant to the story.
Overall evaluation: This was a quick read. I liked it well enough and it has it merits for a certain type of reader. This is definitely marketed for young girls. Having a interest in dance is welcomed but not necessary. I would recommend this as an optional purchase for schools and public libraries.
November 21, 2014
One of my favorite things to say is "on the other hand". Bear with me! My opinions love to clash with each other.
On one hand (here we go), I wanted Meg to get a grip. She had a solo in the most recent ballet recital, but her teacher wants her to work on stage presence while at summer camp. Meg freaks out and thinks she won't become a professional simply because she has room to improve. Seriously, girl? On the other hand, I think a lot of people, myself included, can relate to her. If someone criticizes one thing, that means there must be other problems they're too nice to mention, right? Or, ya know, not. But some people don't think that way.
The writing is quick and to the point. I know some middle school girls who do ballet, and I think they'd really like this book. I just wish it had been longer though. There were lots of details that could have been explored, like Meg's relationship with her family and just how good she really was at ballet.
Would I read other books by Leanna Lieberman? Yes! When I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, it came with a bookmark for Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust, which I plan on reading. The publicity did not go to waste!
On one hand (here we go), I wanted Meg to get a grip. She had a solo in the most recent ballet recital, but her teacher wants her to work on stage presence while at summer camp. Meg freaks out and thinks she won't become a professional simply because she has room to improve. Seriously, girl? On the other hand, I think a lot of people, myself included, can relate to her. If someone criticizes one thing, that means there must be other problems they're too nice to mention, right? Or, ya know, not. But some people don't think that way.
The writing is quick and to the point. I know some middle school girls who do ballet, and I think they'd really like this book. I just wish it had been longer though. There were lots of details that could have been explored, like Meg's relationship with her family and just how good she really was at ballet.
Would I read other books by Leanna Lieberman? Yes! When I received this book through Goodreads First Reads, it came with a bookmark for Lauren Yanofsky Hates the Holocaust, which I plan on reading. The publicity did not go to waste!
December 5, 2014
After finishing her freshmen year of high school, all Meg can think about is once again attending her summer ballet program. Meg lives and breathes for ballet and hopes to dance professionally one day. Her plans change when her summer ballet program is cancelled and Meg is forced to either attend a dance camp (that doesn’t offer ballet) OR spend two weeks with her Iranian grandmother in her small one-bedroom apartment. She chooses Camp Dance.
Meg’s ballet instructor thinks that this camp will develop her stage presence so she can connect with the audience. Meg thinks that this camp will be horrible as she’s truly an introvert. Upon arriving at Camp Dance, Meg is shocked by how loud and chaotic everything and everyone is, but when a male dancer befriends her, she decides to try out his type of dance--contemporary. Immediately one of his friends begins picking on Meg and making her feel like even more of an outcast. Meg struggles to dance in improve and longs for ballet with its rigid structure. Will Meg ever feel comfortable dancing in a new way with new people or will this be the worst summer ever?
Like other Orca novels, this Limelights novel will appeal most to reluctant readers, especially teens who enjoy dancing with a bit of mean girl drama thrown in. Each book in this series focuses on one performing art, such as music, theater or dance.
Meg’s ballet instructor thinks that this camp will develop her stage presence so she can connect with the audience. Meg thinks that this camp will be horrible as she’s truly an introvert. Upon arriving at Camp Dance, Meg is shocked by how loud and chaotic everything and everyone is, but when a male dancer befriends her, she decides to try out his type of dance--contemporary. Immediately one of his friends begins picking on Meg and making her feel like even more of an outcast. Meg struggles to dance in improve and longs for ballet with its rigid structure. Will Meg ever feel comfortable dancing in a new way with new people or will this be the worst summer ever?
Like other Orca novels, this Limelights novel will appeal most to reluctant readers, especially teens who enjoy dancing with a bit of mean girl drama thrown in. Each book in this series focuses on one performing art, such as music, theater or dance.
August 29, 2014
Megan and ballet go hand in hand. She lives and breathes ballet, dreams about pirouettes and arabesques, piques and sautes. Which is why she is heartbroken to learn that not only is her ballet camp canceled but that her own teacher thinks that she doesn't quite have all the necessary requirements to be a ballerina.
When her teacher suggests that Megan spend two weeks at Camp Dance, learning how to connect with her audience Megan is less than thrilled.
Camp Dance doesn't offer one ballet class and Megan feels that it will be a waste of her time to go while all the other dancers in her company are improving their technique and mastering their dance skills. But what Megan learns from Camp Dance is much more than stage presence and self esteem, she learns about friendship and how to believe in herself and others.
"Off Pointe" was a cute read, definitely geared toward a younger audience but I still enjoyed it and would recommend it to younger readers who have a passion for dance of any kind.
Until next time,
Ginger
In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review.
My review is my honest opinion.
December 11, 2014
This is a promising book about a young ballet dancer who is forced out of her comfort zone and must learn to manage different friendships and styles of dance. It's a short high-low novel, with dramatic emphasis on Meg's discomfort and feeling of being out of place. Although I understand why the author wrote a shorter novel, I really did wish for more character and plot development. I felt that there was more of a back story with the main characters and would have loved to know more. But overall, I did enjoy this book quite a bit and I would have rated it higher if there had been more to the story.
I received this through Goodreads First Reads; I received no money for this review and all thoughts are my own.
I received this through Goodreads First Reads; I received no money for this review and all thoughts are my own.
August 8, 2015
Meg's ballet camp is cancelled. Devastated and needing to make sure she has a way to practice and train over the summer, Meg takes a suggestion from her dance teacher to branch out and learn more styles. At camp, Meg is seen as a ballet snob who doesn't know what she is doing. As the teens find themselves choosing groups to perform, Meg is paired with Logan, a girl who has attended camp for years and looks down on Meg. When they work together, they put their differences aside for the dance. A quick read, this book has technical vocabulary relating to dance. It also touches on the male perspective of dance, including a teen who is gay. REcommended for readers in grades 9 through 12.
November 18, 2014
Introverted Meg is devastated that her ballet teacher, Mrs G. has suggested she learn new dance styles in order to progress to the next level in ballet. She is then sent to Camp Dance where she faces bullying and fear. The characters are nicely nuanced, in an easy to read format, Off Pointe is recommended for tween balletomanes who want a fast yet satisfying book.
April 26, 2015
In the aptly titled book Off Pointe, a girl faces her fears and tries something different. The accuracy of the ballet terminology adds authenticity and depth. The plot moves along swiftly and the characterizations are all interesting and genuine. It's an inspiring read and certainly one that any young dancer will enjoy -- particularly reluctant readers ages 11 to 15.
September 4, 2016
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews