I love dance school stories. There was a time in my life when I was obsessed with the film Centre Stage and would play it on repeat to get myself to sleep at night — I still pride myself with being a fan of Zoe Saldana long before Marvel got hold of her. I also love the Aussie TV show Dance Academy.
So when an advanced copy of When It All Sync Up by Maya Ameyaw1 crossed my desk I snatched it up. It may have helped me realize why I love these stories so much. They often deal (some lightly, some more seriously) with recovering from trauma.
Aisha is a talented and dedicated ballet dancer, but she also happens to be Black, and so many in the ballet world feel that she does not “look the part” of a prima ballerina. Aisha convinces her father to let her switch to the dance program of the school her friend Neil attends. Her father agrees, provided she promise not to get in touch with her mother, who lives in the same city.
Taking classes in dance styles that are more emotional expression than the clockwork precision of ballet, Aisha starts to experience strange gaps in time. And when her mother discovers her whereabouts, they start to happen more frequently.
This is a beautiful and touching story that examines the pressures that parents and society can put on young people, especially talented young people, punishing them for their success — rewarding a job well done with yet more work.
When It All Syncs Up will be my featured staff pick for June 2023.
Book links lead to Owl’s Nest Books. Please consider buying these titles from an independent bookstore near you.