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Learning the Ropes
Mandy dreams of a career in the circus, working as an aerialist who specializes in rope climbing. When she is accepted into the prestigious Montreal Circus College summer program, she feels that she is finally on her way to fulfilling her dreams. At circus camp she is befriended—and challenged—by young circus performers from around the world. Circus camp turns out to be a magical combination of work and play, but when a veteran aerialist is killed in a fall, Mandy must confront the reality of circus life.
- GenresYoung Adult
158 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 22, 2015
I got Learning The Ropes through LibraryThing and I have to admit, I was engrossed by the cover but not so much the synopsis. Everyone knows that if I am going to read a book, it better have a romance and this book doesn't have romance so I thought "I might not enjoy this." Well, let me tell you that I was completely wrong! I really enjoyed reading this story so much. It is very short and light and definitely taught me a few things that I will not be trying or I will end up in a wheelchair for life.
The story starts with Mandy, a rope climber, at an airport about to leave for Montreal Circus College's Summer Circus Camp. Each year, only twenty-five teenagers from around the world are accepted into this prestigious program. Mandy needs to stand out in order to get into MCC because only the best go to the summer camp.
Of course, in camps like this one, there will be rivals and in this case, Genevieve, an aerialist, is against Mandy. Why? Because only one of them will get into Montreal Circus College.
What I really, really liked about this story was the way it was written and how direct Monique was. I loved that I could see everything in my mind so vividly and I felt as if I was a part of the story. You see, normally when there's a book that involves ballet or these difficult techniques, it is very hard for someone to picture them unless the reader has participated in doing some of the techniques. I have only been in gymnastics and that was a long time ago (when I had MySpace...loooong time ago, I tell you) so I don't really remember much.
Monique described everything on point and everything was so understandable. I felt like I was watching everything from the stands, as if I was really in the public watching everything unfold. Now that, has never happened to me before, to the point where I could understand and imagine it.
This book is for ages 11-14 but I honestly think everyone can read it and enjoy it :)
The story starts with Mandy, a rope climber, at an airport about to leave for Montreal Circus College's Summer Circus Camp. Each year, only twenty-five teenagers from around the world are accepted into this prestigious program. Mandy needs to stand out in order to get into MCC because only the best go to the summer camp.
Of course, in camps like this one, there will be rivals and in this case, Genevieve, an aerialist, is against Mandy. Why? Because only one of them will get into Montreal Circus College.
What I really, really liked about this story was the way it was written and how direct Monique was. I loved that I could see everything in my mind so vividly and I felt as if I was a part of the story. You see, normally when there's a book that involves ballet or these difficult techniques, it is very hard for someone to picture them unless the reader has participated in doing some of the techniques. I have only been in gymnastics and that was a long time ago (when I had MySpace...loooong time ago, I tell you) so I don't really remember much.
Monique described everything on point and everything was so understandable. I felt like I was watching everything from the stands, as if I was really in the public watching everything unfold. Now that, has never happened to me before, to the point where I could understand and imagine it.
This book is for ages 11-14 but I honestly think everyone can read it and enjoy it :)
January 17, 2023
I enjoyed the setting for this novel. Before I read the author's note, I suspected she either had first hand experience with circus or had done sufficient research to create a realistic representation. In her note, she stated that she has personal experience with circus camps.
The setting for this novel is more interesting than the rather basic plot. YA readers will like this one.
The setting for this novel is more interesting than the rather basic plot. YA readers will like this one.
July 5, 2024
This is a nice, quick read. There's a good message about being cautious, doing things the right way, and having a good work ethic. There is no language. There's no sexual content, but there is a suspected—but never proved—same sex couple. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic. I felt like there should have been more.
February 4, 2015
YA fiction can be for anyone. Even though the main characters are young, the premise of the story and what the characters go through can grip the reader no matter the age. That's this book to a T.
Mandy is teen and has dreamed of being a performer in the circus pretty much her whole life. She gets her chance to go to Circus Camp at the prestigious Montreal Circus College for two weeks one summer. It's a chance to shine and perhaps get selected to actually attend Circus college one day.
The book is what it's like to be a teen. There is competition, self-doubt, friendship, jealousy, back-biting, how to work hard, when to listen...it's all here. In a circus atmosphere.
The book moves quickly in all that it takes place in a two week timeframe. I enjoyed it and I know many other readers will too. I look forward to finding more books by the author (this # 17 she's written).
Definite recommend.
Mandy is teen and has dreamed of being a performer in the circus pretty much her whole life. She gets her chance to go to Circus Camp at the prestigious Montreal Circus College for two weeks one summer. It's a chance to shine and perhaps get selected to actually attend Circus college one day.
The book is what it's like to be a teen. There is competition, self-doubt, friendship, jealousy, back-biting, how to work hard, when to listen...it's all here. In a circus atmosphere.
The book moves quickly in all that it takes place in a two week timeframe. I enjoyed it and I know many other readers will too. I look forward to finding more books by the author (this # 17 she's written).
Definite recommend.
March 11, 2016
I received this advanced reading copy for free in exchange for an honest review.
I thought this was a very cool premise for a book, but the dialogue and characters fell a bit flat. Learning the Ropes tells the story of a girl named Mandy who gets accepted into the Montreal Circus College summer program as an aerialist. I really enjoyed the location and have not read many circus books. Other than Water for Elephants and The Night Circus, it was nice to see a young female protagonist in a contemporary teen setting. I felt that the dialogue was a bit mediocre and there were too many side characters to keep track of. The romance also felt a bit forced, but alas. In conclusion, this was a cute short book, that with some editing, will be enjoyed by many.
I thought this was a very cool premise for a book, but the dialogue and characters fell a bit flat. Learning the Ropes tells the story of a girl named Mandy who gets accepted into the Montreal Circus College summer program as an aerialist. I really enjoyed the location and have not read many circus books. Other than Water for Elephants and The Night Circus, it was nice to see a young female protagonist in a contemporary teen setting. I felt that the dialogue was a bit mediocre and there were too many side characters to keep track of. The romance also felt a bit forced, but alas. In conclusion, this was a cute short book, that with some editing, will be enjoyed by many.
February 4, 2015
I won this book as a librarything giveaway. It is an excellent young adult book. The characters are very realistic and well developed. Within a few pages, I was convinced that this book was autobiographical until I read about the author. I love Eric Walters books and I would rate this book as being equally good and would recommend the author to young adults. You can easily feel the excitement of the protagonist as she arrives in Montreal and her emotions as she deals with the various elements of her life at camp. It teaches you to push through your fears and try your best. It also deals with handling peer pressure and peer competition.
I highly recommend this book. I will happily pass this along to a young adult reader and hopefully she will read others by this author as well.
I highly recommend this book. I will happily pass this along to a young adult reader and hopefully she will read others by this author as well.
January 21, 2015
I think if I'd read this when I was 15, or 12 I probably would have given it more stars. But I'm not 15 or 12, so take my 3 stars as worth reading, but not run out and buy this second!
Mandy flies from Vancouver to Montreal to attend circus camp at the Montreal Circus College. Mandy is an aerialist. She climbs rope.
“There will probably only be a spot at the Montreal Circus College for one aerialist. And it had better be me.” (6)
This is the only YA book I’ve read about a teen wanting to be in a modern circus. Received from publisher Orca Book & Library Thing in return for a review 1/15/15.
Mandy flies from Vancouver to Montreal to attend circus camp at the Montreal Circus College. Mandy is an aerialist. She climbs rope.
“There will probably only be a spot at the Montreal Circus College for one aerialist. And it had better be me.” (6)
This is the only YA book I’ve read about a teen wanting to be in a modern circus. Received from publisher Orca Book & Library Thing in return for a review 1/15/15.
August 7, 2015
This book was a good read. It is based in Montreal and loosely based on the horrible event that happened to a Cirque du Soleil acrobat a few years ago.
The lead character is well written and because of the size of this very short book, Polak was limited on how much back story she could give us.
If you like circus/acrobat based books, you will enjoy this. I don't particularly, but I do like this series and I do like this author - she does a good job of writing an entertaining story without making it too mushy or over the top.
Nice.
The lead character is well written and because of the size of this very short book, Polak was limited on how much back story she could give us.
If you like circus/acrobat based books, you will enjoy this. I don't particularly, but I do like this series and I do like this author - she does a good job of writing an entertaining story without making it too mushy or over the top.
Nice.
January 11, 2016
This high interest, low level read is an interesting glimpse into the life of circus performers. Mandy is a rope climber- an aerialist that uses the rope as her medium. She is attending the prestigious Montreal Circus College's Summer Circus Camp to learn more about her craft. There she makes friends, frenemies, and works hard to fulfill her dream.
This title is part of the Orca Limelight Series that focuses on stories around performing. "Learning the Ropes" is a great read that makes me want to go watch my Cirque du Soliel DVDs again.
This title is part of the Orca Limelight Series that focuses on stories around performing. "Learning the Ropes" is a great read that makes me want to go watch my Cirque du Soliel DVDs again.
January 30, 2016
Learning the Ropes is an interesting read, however, for me it failed to really spark my interest. Despite the author doing a good job describing the circus, and the challenges being in the circus can bring - which includes some unhealthy competition, the book mostly fell flat for me.
I think this book would be much more appreciated by a youngster, in middle school, perhaps fascinated by aerialists, or the circus. For me, it did not have enough substance, but was an enjoyable enough read.
I think this book would be much more appreciated by a youngster, in middle school, perhaps fascinated by aerialists, or the circus. For me, it did not have enough substance, but was an enjoyable enough read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews