Name: Up to This Pointe
ISBN: 9780553537673

Jennifer Longo

Devastated when her dream of becoming a professional ballerina falls through, seventeen-year-old Harper Scott takes a job as a research assistant, wintering over at McMurdo, a U.S. science station at the tip of Antarctica where, for the first time, she considers other possible futures.

Up to This Pointe

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights ReviewsHarper has her life planned out with her best friend Kate. They have a list of everything they will accomplish together like renting an apartment and auditioning and getting accepted at San Francisco School of Ballet. When this plan falls through the floor, Harper takes a chance and travels to Antarctica.

Harper's story is a lot of finding out who you are as a person and what you want to do in your life. Sometimes things we plan aren't necessarily for us but new opportunities are opened and this is the case with Harper, which I was glad to see grow more and more each day in a very far away place from home. I liked that the book had past and present chapters: past would be focused on Harper's life as a ballet dancer before traveling to Antarctica and the present is focused on Harper at Antarctica. I preferred her Antarctica life. I feel she was free in that place even though she was confined to stay in if there was a snow storm. I felt like she got to discover more of herself in that place than back home with people she loves. She also met new friends in Antarctica that I wish had gotten more light in the book. They were very nice and were there for Harper, unlike her best friend Kate.

I didn't like reading about her past because it was centered on her friendship with Kate and let's just say I wouldn't want to have a friend like Kate. While she was good, she was kind of selfish and ready to drop her plans with Harper for a better offer that concerned ballet. Harper was ALWAYS complimenting Kate and Kate wouldn't even really bother to return back any compliment. I couldn't deal with her at all. Also, note that this book has lots of ballet terminology and if you don't know ballet (like me), you might be lost and not understand very well these terms.

Overall, I liked Harper's character because I could relate to her a few times. Her story is also focused on discovering herself, which made me like this story even more.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

Hand this utterly unique contemporary YA to anyone who loves ballet or is a little too wrapped up in their Plan A. (It's okay to fail, people!) "Harper had a plan. It went south." Harper Scott is a dancer. She and her best friend, Kate, have one goal: becoming professional ballerinas. And Harper won t let anything or anyone get in the way of The Plan, not even the boy she and Kate are both drawn to. Harper is a Scott. She s related to Robert Falcon Scott, the explorer who died racing Amundsen and Shackleton to the South Pole. Amundsen won because he had a plan, and Harper has always followed his model. So when Harper s life takes an unexpected turn, she finagles (read: lies) her way to the icy dark of McMurdo Station . . . in Antarctica. Extreme, but somehow fitting apparently she has always been in the dark, dancing on ice this whole time. And no one warned her. Not her family, not her best friend, not even the boy who has somehow found a way into her heart. It will take a visit from Shackleton's ghost the explorer who didn't make it to the South Pole, but who got all of his men out alive to teach Harper that success isn't always what's important, sometimes it's more important to learn how to fail successfully. An Indie Next List Selection Longo makes Harper a standout character of fire, commitment, and sass. "The Bulletin," Starred Review A stunning love letter to ballet and San Francisco. . . . The perfect meld of adorable and heart-wrenching. "Shelf Awareness," Starred Review "One of the most breathtaking explorations of navigating heartbreak that I've ever read. This is one for the ages." Martha Brockenbrough, author of "The Game of Love and Death""

b.andherbooks

Harper Scott has one goal - become a professional ballerina with the San Francisco Ballet Company. She shares this goal with her best friend, Kate. Both work tirelessly, but unlike Kate who is naturally blessed with the correct body type, feet, and hips, Harper has to strive twice as hard. When Harper is dropped from the first round of auditions and has no clear path in front of her, she jumps at a chance to live in Antarctica for six months, leaving behind her family, Kate, and a really nice boy. 
An extreme move, but one she hopes will clear her head and point her in the right direction.

Super charming, and full of great cast of supporting characters. The alternating chapters of pre-ballet audition and Antarctica were great, and helped show Harper's character development.

I also love the Noelle Stevenson designed book jacket!

Harper had a plan. It went south. Hand this utterly unique contemporary YA to anyone who loves ballet or is a little too wrapped up in their Plan A. (It's okay to fail, people!) Harper Scott is a dancer. She and her best friend, Kate, have one goal: becoming professional ballerinas. And Harper won’t let anything—or anyone—get in the way of The Plan, not even the boy she and Kate are both drawn to. Harper is a Scott. She’s related to Robert Falcon Scott, the explorer who died racing Amundsen and Shackleton to the South Pole. Amundsen won because he had a plan, and Harper has always followed his model. So when Harper’s life takes an unexpected turn, she finagles (read: lies) her way to the icy dark of McMurdo Station . . . in Antarctica. Extreme, but somehow fitting—apparently she has always been in the dark, dancing on ice this whole time. And no one warned her. Not her family, not her best friend, not even the boy who has somehow found a way into her heart. It will take a visit from Shackleton's ghost--the explorer who didn't make it to the South Pole, but who got all of his men out alive--to teach Harper that success isn't always what's important, sometimes it's more important to learn how to fail successfully. A Kids' Indie Next List Selection "Longo makes Harper a standout character of fire, commitment, and sass." —The Bulletin, Starred Review "A stunning love letter to ballet and San Francisco, Jennifer Longo's (Six Feet Over It) quirky sophomore novel, Up to This Pointe, is the perfect meld of adorable and heart-wrenching." —Shelf Awareness, Starred Review "One of the most breathtaking explorations of navigating heartbreak that I've ever read. This is one for the ages." —Martha Brockenbrough, author of The Game of Love and Death "Longo's book brings the reader intimately into Harper's heartbreak and healing in a way that will speak to readers of all ages." —Anna Eklund, University Book Store, Seattle, WA "Incisively written. Longo makes it easy to commiserate with Harper as she tries to move past disappointment and envision a new path forward." —Publishers Weekly "A moving love letter to dance, dreams, and San Francisco." —Kirkus Reviews "Harper is a well-developed, relatable character. Her inner monologue is witty and dominates most of the novel, giving a unique perspective. . . . A recommended read for determined teens with an interest in following and exploring their dreams." —School Library Journal "Harper’s temporary Antarctic life is evoked with as much vivid, fascinating detail as her 'second home,' the ballet studio. . . . An affecting, memorable examination of disappointment and loss." —The Horn Book Review "Longo's fabulous depiction of McMurdo and the winter residents captures the beauty, humor, and danger of such an isolated existence. An adventure story with lots of heart." —Booklist

Sabrina Davis

Although the first time I tried reading this I only got through two chapters, years later I am so glad I picked it back up. This is the most connected I’ve felt with a new book in a long while. The characters were raw and real; the settings and descriptions of both ballet and Antarctica were so beautiful; the plot was so well developed and staged. I love the arc of acceptance and forgiveness and all the different kinds of love. 

Up to This Pointe

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