A poignant coming-of-age story about a Cuban American girl trying to figure out where she belongs--both in her ballet-loving family and the wider world. Perfect for fans of Front Desk and Merci Surez Changes Gears."An important and honest look at immigration, racial inequities, and understanding how one person can make a difference." --School Library Journal It's a good thing Sofa Acosta loves dreaming up costumes, because otherwise, she's a ballet disaster--unlike her parents, who danced under prima ballerina Alicia Alonso before immigrating to the suburbs of New York. Luckily, when the Acostas host their dancer friends from Cuba for a special performance with the American Ballet Theatre, Sofa learns there's more than dance holding her family together. Between swapping stories about Cuba, sharing holiday celebrations, and Sofa learning more about costume design, the Acostas have never been more of a team. Then Sofa finds out about the dancers' secret plans to defect to the United States and makes a serious mistake--she confides in her best friend, only to discover that Tricia doesn't want "outsiders" moving to their community. Now Sofa wonders what the other neighbors in her tight-knit suburban town really think of immigrant families like hers. Sofa doesn't want to make a scene, but if she doesn't speak up, how will she figure out if her family really belongs?
A poignant coming-of-age story about a Cuban American girl trying to figure out where she belongs--both in her ballet-loving family and the wider world. Perfect for fans of Front Desk and Merci Surez Changes Gears."An important and honest look at immigration, racial inequities, and understanding how one person can make a difference." --School Library Journal It's a good thing Sofa Acosta loves dreaming up costumes, because otherwise, she's a ballet disaster--unlike her parents, who danced under prima ballerina Alicia Alonso before immigrating to the suburbs of New York. Luckily, when the Acostas host their dancer friends from Cuba for a special performance with the American Ballet Theatre, Sofa learns there's more than dance holding her family together. Between swapping stories about Cuba, sharing holiday celebrations, and Sofa learning more about costume design, the Acostas have never been more of a team. Then Sofa finds out about the dancers' secret plans to defect to the United States and makes a serious mistake--she confides in her best friend, only to discover that Tricia doesn't want "outsiders" moving to their community. Now Sofa wonders what the other neighbors in her tight-knit suburban town really think of immigrant families like hers. Sofa doesn't want to make a scene, but if she doesn't speak up, how will she figure out if her family really belongs?
