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by Simina Popescu
A coming-of-age graphic novel following two dancers at a conservative performing arts school―exploring friendship, first love, and what it means to fall out of step with your own dreams.
Ana has been studying contemporary dance since she was little, but her heart isn't in it anymore. Instead her focus is on Carina―a beautiful, ambitious ballerina whose fear of being outed keeps Ana in the closet and their fragile relationship from seeing the light of day. Risking her own career, Ana gives up more and more in order to fit into the shadows of Carina's life.
Sara, on the other hand, is fielding whispers she may be the best dancer their school has produced in years. Much of that is thanks to her mentor and instructor, Marlena, who plucked Sara from the classical track and encouraged her to blossom as a contemporary dancer. Sara has always been in awe of Marlena, but recently, that admiration has sparked into something more, and Sara's not sure what to do about it.
As junior year at their performing arts school begins, Ana and Sara are assigned as roommates. What starts off as a tentative friendship soon becomes a much-needed anchor.
"While the portrayal of the world of pre-professional ballet is sobering, reflecting the struggles of many dancers who present as queer or have bigger bodies, it also shows glimmers of a better future as the girls rediscover the joy of dancing and explore how gender norms can be bent or broken. An ultimately hopeful portrayal of dance, coming of age, and being true to yourself." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"While the complicatedly unrequited dynamics of both Ana and Sara's relationships will be Relatable to any reader who has danced away a broken heart, their friendship is the truly resplendent pas-de-deux of this queer Eastern European coming-of-age story... be sure to pick up this debut graphic novel on its opening night." ―BCCB (starred review)
"Pastel pinks, muted grays, and saturated reds connote the passage of time in this fluidly illustrated work that gracefully captures the ups and downs of first love, ambition, and friendship." —Publishers Weekly
"A sweet, queer coming-of-age story about listening to one's self and navigating the complex world of friendships and romance." ―School Library Journal
"Beautifully expressive ... in muted shades of gray and pink with the occasional brilliantly colored splash of dynamic dancing. A touching portrait of girls coming of age and forging their paths to the future. A touching portrait of girls coming of age and forging their paths to the future." ―Booklist
This information about Leap was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Simina Popescu (they/she) is an author, illustrator, and cartoonist. They're passionate about LGBTQIA+ representation in contemporary media and stories about queer friendship, intimacy and intense emotion. They live in Bucharest, Romania with a mean cat named Fredi. Leap is Simina's debut graphic novel.
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