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Up to This Pointe
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
15 posts | 16 read | 29 to read
Harper had a plan. It went south. Hand this utterly unique contemporary YA to anyone a 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 "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 "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 "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 Praise for Jennifer Longo's Six Feet Over It: A VOYA Perfect Tens 2014 Pick An Indies Introduce New Voices Pick "Like nothing you've read before." --Bustle.com "Equal parts poignant and humorous. . . . Superb." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred "A vibrant voice. . . . Readers will rejoice." --The Bulletin, Starred "A unique book for unique teens." --Booklist "Darkly funny and deeply moving. An original, memorable voice." --Jennifer L. Holm, New York Times bestselling author "A wildly funny coming-of-age story about life, love, death, and everything in between." --Sarah McCarry, author of All Our Pretty Songs "Terrific. Longo had me at 'graveyard' and then dug me in deeper with wit, dark humor, and splendid characters." --Lisa Brown, New York Times bestselling author "A strong heroine, multicultural cast, and eclectic contemporary setting make Longo's story stand out." --Publishers Weekly "Stands out for its unusual setting and also the sarcasm and caustic humor of its protagonist." --The Horn Book Review "Hilarious, clever, and poignant." --SLJ
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Eryn2513
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Pickpick

This is my new favorite book. No joke. It has been a long time since I've read a book with s protagonist that I so closely related to. Harper's drive to the extreme? I get you. I felt lost and moved to the Arctic. She went to Antarctica. Ballet crushing your soul because the genetic gods were cruel? I'm there. Harper Scott... you are me. I am you. Please don't put on 70 lbs though when you're done with dancing though. Learn from this gal.

17 likes1 stack add
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Eryn2513
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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I know I live in a remote village above the Arctic circle BUT.... I want to go to Antarctica SO BADLY!!!!

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Eryn2513
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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This quote really resonated today, and not only because 15 years ago I learned that ballet didn't love me nearly as much as I loved it 😂😝

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Eryn2513
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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9.5 hours into #24in48 and I'm loving this read about two of my favorite things: Ballet and Antarctica! Also, I never drink soda, but the one time I want to splurge, our 3 little stores in my village are almost completely out. Chicka-cherry cola it is! Happy reading to all!

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Teenta
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Pickpick

An implausible but charming story about ballet, Antarctica, and finding your path in life. What's not to love? #sequoyahnominee

Ahzam Hi 7y
10 likes1 stack add1 comment
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skrishna
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Pickpick

Ballet + Antarctica. That's all I needed to know to convince me to read this YA novel. The main character took a little time for me to warm up to, but once I did, I fell in love with this beautiful coming of age story.

BookishClaire Oh I loved this! One of my favourites last year. 8y
B.Reader Definitely one of my favorites of last year as well!! 8y
bookloaner Loved this one, and I love snow so I thought the setting was so cozy 8y
Matilda Yes! I was surprised I didn't see much talk about it. 8y
68 likes13 stack adds4 comments
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Fancypants
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
Mehso-so

A really cute quick read. The main character is a ballerina and the story is about how she handles a set back in her ballet career. I thought it was an enjoyable book but didn't blow me away.

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RBG_wannabe
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
Mehso-so

I enjoyed all the fun facts about Antartica, but this book didn't do much for me.

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RBG_wannabe
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Summertime may not be the most appropriate season to read this book set in Antartica, but you know who cares?

Carol Actually sounds like the perfect pairing to me, 9y
6 likes1 comment
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Gingersnapppp
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
Pickpick

This is a contemporary YA about ballet, love, Antartica, and San Fransisco. I really love how the story was told in alternating chapters. It really helped show the journey the main character Harper goes on. I really enjoyed this book and want to pick up the authors first book.

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wanderlust_lit
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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I know it's supposedly "terrible" but I often judge books by their cover before knowing what they're about. If the cover isn't selling it for me I probably won't pick up the book. This cover drew me in instantly and I'm already in love with this beautiful story.

3 likes2 stack adds
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BookGirl1313
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Instead of flowers I bring stacks of ARC's when I go to lunch w/friends!

TheNextBook Sounds like the kind of friendship I need! 9y
TheNextBook @creepycomforts A friend that brings book! My kind of party 9y
3 likes3 comments
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readwritelove28
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
Pickpick

I definitely liked this one more than I expected. After losing her pathway to her ultimate dream, a girl decides to go to Antarctica.

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jaimearkin
Up to This Pointe | Jennifer Longo
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this story. Longo‘s writing here perfectly captures the confusion of someone who isn‘t sure what comes next and the sadness that goes with the loss of a lifelong dream. This won't be my last Jennifer Longo book!

gabysalpeter Yesssssssss 9y
2 likes1 comment