Sofia Acosta may only be in fifth grade, but she knows what it’s like to struggle to fit in. Her parents teach dance at the local high school for the performing arts. As former professional members of a professional ballet troupe, they have a lot to offer their students. Born in Cuba, they found their way to America through ballet, and it’s a huge part of the family. Sofia’s older sister Regina is already dancing on pointe and wants to join the American Ballet Theatre one day. Her younger brother Manuel is also a dancer with a lot of natural talent.
Sofia goes to dance class every week, and she’s excited to audition for The Nutcracker, but she’s even more mesmerized by the costumes that ballerinas wear. Truth be told, as much as she’s hoping to be in the Party Scene of the ballet, she’s just as excited to add some new lace and decorations to the Party Scene costumes that are looking a little worn.
At school. her teacher Mr. Fallon has just become a citizen of the United States, and the class is planning a party to celebrate that with the help of the school secretary. Sofia was hoping to be on the Decoration Committee with her best friend Tricia, but instead she gets put on the History and Contexts Committee with Laura, who is known as the Bad News Machine for her views on social issues.
And then she finds out that The Ballet Nacional de Cuba is putting on a show with the American Ballet Theatre, and her mother’s best friend when they were younger, Yolanda, is coming with her son Alvano is coming to dance. Sofia is excited, and she can’t wait for them to come to America. They’ll be living with the Acostas for three months, and Sofia is really looking forward to spending time with them and getting to know them better.
But the more time Sofia spends with Yolanda and Alvano, hearing about the Cuba of today, and the more she spends time with Laura, researching the way immigrants have been treated in America since the days of Ellis Island, the more Sofia notices the small moments of racism that she and her family face. But what will she decide to do about it?
Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene is a charming middle grade book with engaging characters and lots of interesting information for kids who are interested in ballet or in social justice issues. There is a lot going on in the story, and in the Acosta house, but that energy keeps the story moving forward. Sofia is a sweetheart, wanting to do her best for everyone and trying to find her own place as well, which I think kids will relate to.
Personally, I love Sofia’s spirit and her generosity, her honesty and her loyalty. I like how she develops her voice and thinks through the things that are bothering her before she takes action. She is her own person, and she makes her own way through life. Even though not everyone around her recognizes her gifts, she tries to share them anyway, grateful for all the good things that have happened for her family. And then the awareness of racism in their neighborhood, growing as Sofia pays more attention to her friends and family, is a poignant reminder of the reality of daily life for some immigrants, building empathy and compassion in readers. This is a good story with a good message, and a lot of fun as well.
Egalleys for Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene were provided by Random House Children’s (Knopf Books for Young Readers) through NetGalley, with many thanks.
