Pointe, Claw

Reviewed by: Elizabeth Andersen - Westbrook High School, Westbrook, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 4, 2018

Review

The author, Amber J. Keyser, is a former ballerina and an evolutionary biologist, and she brings both these interests to life through the characters of Dawn and Jessie. Dawn is hoping to study at Stanford next fall, but then she begins to experience unexplained blackouts and a sense that she is trapped in her skin. Jessie is a ballerina who has trained for years and has one last chance during her senior year to prove she is a star. Dawn and Jessie have not seen each other for years since their parents separated them when they are caught experimenting with their new-found puberty. They are brought together again when Dawn's mother contacts Jessie's family in hopes that it can somehow help with her daughter's condition. The alternating narratives weave together to form a story that is intense, full of raw and powerful emotion. Recommend for students looking for something different than a traditional dance story or for those who like pondering the intersection of the supernatural and science.

Overall Book Score: very good