Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You

My daughter is a dancer so when I stumbled across this book in the pile of books awaiting parent reviews in the middle school library Book Buzz stack, I snagged it. I personally have two left feet but I have now watched enough dance classes, recitals, and competitions to feel like I know a little something about the whole thing. Cirrone did a nice job using the dance world to highlight teenaged body image issues and societal expectations and pressures surrounding bodies, especially but not limited to girls'.

Sixteen year old Kayla is a ballerina. She works hard and is quite good. But Kayla doesn't look the expected part of a prima ballerina. In short, she is very busty. Her dance instructor at school suggests a breast reduction, even show more going so far as to give Kayla the name of a surgeon. And Kayla is passed over for a plum roll in the production of Cinderella, reduced to the comedic roll of an ugly stepsister because the outside choreographer refuses to look past her shape and recognize her talent. As Kayla agonizes over whether or not to submit to surgery that would allow her to better chase her dream of a career in dance, she is also faced with a typical teen fledgling romance with Gray, the good-looking new boy in school, and the usual girl conflict with a fellow student exacerbated by the competition for parts.

While Kayla battles her own insecurities, her older sister faces the censorship of her senior art project, which is partly inspired by the body issues that Kayla is facing, and red pointe shoes start showing up around school with the message that "dancing in red shoes will kill you" causing a flurry of panic and an investigation of the threats. Of course, when the shoes start appearing, no one knows yet who will be wearing the red shoes in the production but it turns out that it will be Kayla, the other ugly stepsister, and Cinderella's mother.

Cirrone ties together the various plot lines nicely with each adding to the commentary about societal expectations and body image. She manages to do this without coming across as preachy and also without making Kayla seem inauthentic for a sixteen year old. The characters are definitely left-of-center off beat but they are still kids, even with their occasionally over-earnest discussions. Although the secondary characters aren't as fully developed as Kayla and act mainly as foils to her, staying within their prescribed roles: entertaining best friend, serious and advice-laden older sister, etc., they are still enjoyable to read. The pacing of the plot is good and the resolution of the mystery, while somewhat anti-climactic, reinforces the theme of the whole.

The one wrong note that did strike me is when the girls receive their pointe shoes for the production. While renting or borrowing the rest of the costumes for the show, it is pretty inconceivable that the local dance company would send shoes as well. Pointe shoes are very individual (my daughter, admittedly a difficult case, probably tried on 20+ in her size before she was properly fitted) and it would be very unlikely for the girls to dance in borrowed shoes that weren't fitted to their particular feet. But that's a minor quibble and those with an interest in dance or in feminist issues like the body will find much to enjoy in this middle grade novel. show less

Interest/Grade Level: Grades 7-12

Synopsis:
Kayla is a 16-year-old high school student who loves ballet. She attends, along with her sister (Paterson) a school for the arts called Florida Arts High School, euphemistically referred to as “Farts.” Paterson is a senior with a passion for feminist rights and art. Kayla’s dilemma is her non-typical ballet body. She has large breast that prevent her from having the lead in the production at Farts of Cinderella. She has the talent but not the small, lithe frame characteristic of dancers. Her teacher suggests seeing a plastic surgeon about reducing her double-D breast to a smaller size. In the midst of this and Paterson’s art exhibit being censored, red toe shoes with an ominous note show more attached begin to appear at school. The title, “Dancing in Red Shoes Will Kill You” is an allusion to a folktale called “Red Shoes.” The dialogue and humor makes this a fun read as the characters have all the nuances of high school teenagers everywhere. Sarcasm and witty repartee are evident between the students. It turns out the red toes shoes are really an art project of Kayla’s new boyfriend, Gray, and not death threats by another ballerina, Melissa. Ultimately, Kayla must decide if she is going to have surgery to become a lead ballerina and Paterson must decide if she will redo or modify her art project.
Review:
One of my students suggested I read this after I asked her how she liked the book. This particular student is a tall girl (5’10”) and aspires to be a ballet dancer. She chose this book to see how the main character (Kayla) dealt with her own limitations. The dialogue between the characters is very amusing. At the same time, it is a rather touching story as Kayla deals with peer pressure and how to be comfortable with her body. I like how there is a sweet budding love story and that one of her friends is gay (Joey is a ballet dancer as well). Both situations are easily dealt with as normal and non-exceptional. When the dancers and the art department decide to protest the principal’s censorship decision, it reminded me of my days protesting the Viet Nam war. The topic of body image is central to Kayla and I was pleasantly surprised that she decides not to have the surgery. She takes a new view of how she can continue with ballet while not being a prima ballerina. It is good to see her examining other alternatives and still stay in her field of passion. I really appreciated that Kayla’s mom took her to the doctor and also held her confidences from Paterson. I would recommend this book to middle and high school students, especial to those girls with mild body dysmorphic issues. This is a funny book to read while addressing real issues to discuss with teen girls. show less

I was pleasantly surprised by DiRSWKY. Though this book can only be rightfully described as Brain Candy (it took me less than two hours to read it), shockingly, it had a great message for young adult women.

The premise: sixteen year old Kayla is at an art school studying ballet and is denied a plumb roll in the upcoming production of Cinderella because her body doesn't fit the ideal ballerina mold -- she has DD-sized breasts.

The execution: Cirrone weaves analysis of the classic versions of fairy tales into the story to make the point that women are expected to change themselves to meet societal and cultural expectations. This is certainly not a new or revolutionary thesis, but definitely one that I think is important to expose show more adolescent girls to. show less

Kayla loves to dance but her over-sized breasts are becoming a problem. When she misses out on the lead role because of them, her teacher suggests surgery. To add to her worries, a pair of red ballet shoes are found with a threatening message.
This book is a thoughtful yet humourous look at body image and conformity referring to a number of fairy tales where the heroine was mutilated to conform. On the whole the characters are well-drawn however Kayla's boyfriend seems a little too good to be true.
Recommended for teen girls - especially those who love dance.

A very cute book about a teenager with big bazoombas that interfere with her aspirations to be a ballerina. With allusions to the Andersen fairy tale "The Red Shoes" and the Grimms' "Cinderella" as a springboard to discuss female body issues and social pressures, this is an important book for young girls. With a dash of innocent romance and a sprinkling of mystery, this made for quite a page-turner that I finished in just a few hours. Some of the ballet talk was a little lost on me, but I muddled through.

Kayla is a ballet dancer and has (almost) always wanted to be a ballerina. But something has come between her and her dream…..her breasts. When she does not get the lead in Cinderella because of them she starts thinking about taking action. Meanwhile, some nefarious person is hanging red shoes around the school and a cute, new boy may be just the ticket to making Kayla’s life a little more fun. This is a cute, fluffy book that does deal with a weightier issue, but in such a way that you never even realize it. It delves into all the trials and tribulations of being a teenager while staying upbeat and funny. A quick, light read.

Kayla has been studying ballet for years. She loves it and is talented, but as her body develops, she finds she is turned down for the good parts in a production of Cinderella. Her instructor advises breast reduction surgery. Then red pointe shoes begin showing up at her school with threatening messages - and Kayla is to wear red shoes during the production. Is she in danger?