The audition by Maddie Ziegler

HarperCollins, 2017. ISBN 9781460753774
(Age: 9+) From 'Dance Moms' star and 'So you think you can dance: The next generation' judge Maddie Ziegler comes the first novel in a brand new middle grade trilogy about friendship, dance, and going after your dreams.
"Twelve-year-old Harper has been dancing practically since she learned to walk. She loves her dance studio and team, and just won her first ever top junior solo in a regional competition. But right before the school year starts, Harper's parents drop a bombshell - the family has to relocate from their cosy town in Connecticut to sunny Florida for their jobs. That means saying goodbye to her friends, dance team, trips to see shows in NYC - and did she mentioned dance team?" (Publisher)
I must say I was a little sceptical when I was given this book and thought it would be along the lines of 'Sweet Valley High' from my own childhood. However I was pleasantly surprised. Knowing very little about the world of dance (except from the few episodes of Dance Moms my daughter has made me watch!) I can imagine that this book will resonate with those who are involved in the world of competitive dance. There are five strong female characters all with very different personalities. The development of the friendships will allow the reader to draw correlations to their own. The book provides excellent examples of curve balls that life can throw at us all and how successful we are can be measured by how we respond to these situations. It also provides an insight into how change can be hard but if managed effectively all will work out in the end.
This book will certainly be a winner with girls aged 9 and up as it  deals with the complexities adolescent girls face, angst, friendship issues, competitive natures and mean girl syndrome.
This is the first in the trilogy and it will be interesting to see if the high standard can be maintained.
Kathryn Schumacher