Title: Up to this Pointe by Jennifer Longo

Pages: 368

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (Jan. 19, 2016)

Genre: YA, contemporary

Summary

She had a plan. It went south.
 
Harper 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 to the South Pole. 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.

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At the end of 2024/beginning of 2025, I was in a bit of a reading slump. No book was standing out to me. Then I saw Up to this Pointe on my shelf. It was in the back, and I had forgotten I owned this one. That’s when I decided now was the perfect time to give it a chance – and I am so glad I did!

As a former ballet girlie, I felt this book. Sometimes passion does not equal talent and that is exactly what Harper discovers and struggles with in Up to This Pointe. After devoting her life to ballet, she has to come to terms with the fact that she does not have the potential to be the rising ballerina that she had worked her entire childhood towards.

This is a sweet and heartfelt novel. Told in dual timelines – before Antarctica and during it. It deals with grief and new beginnings in a unique, but authentic way. While Harper may not be the very best dancer, she is able to learn that there are still things to look forward to and ways to still honor your passions.

Harper and her best friend, Kate, deal with the struggles of change and growing up in a very honest, realistic way. Plans change and they both learn that and how to navigate a friendship that was based on one, specific plan.

Another thing I loved about this book was the Antarctica experience. I don’t think I could ever handle months without the sunlight, lol, but it was fascinating to read about. I also loved reading about the friendships Harper formed with the rest of the crew.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. I read Up to this Pointe in January and I would definitely suggest reading this one in the winter. The vibes are perfect for a post-Christmas, wintry read. It’s safe to say this book brought me entirely out of my reading slump. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an encouraging read that is filled with good character growth.

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