Just Dance

by Patricia MacLachlan

A coming-of-age story about finding your own voice while learning to understand the people you love the most.

Sylvie Bloom wants to find something new and exciting this summer—at least more exciting than the cows, goats, and chickens on her family’s farm that she’s become accustomed to. Luckily, Sylvie’s teacher Mrs. Ludolf has the perfect idea. Sylvie can take over her husband Sheriff Ludolf’s column in the newspaper for the summer, reporting on all the important events that happen in their small Nebraska town. Sylvie is thrilled to have a new challenge, but she’s not sure she’ll actually see anything amazing. At least nothing like the things her mother saw when she traveled the world as a famous opera singer.

Sylvie can’t figure out why her mother would give up singing in front of thousands of people. Have she and her brother Nate been holding her mother back? And when her mother’s old duet partner James Grayson writes that he’s coming to perform nearby, will she be tempted to return to the stage, without them?

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Contemporary, Family, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction

128 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2017

About the author

Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another OBOB book that I read with JJ. Cute elementary age chapter book by the author of Sarah Plain and Tall.

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Just, Dance showed up on my doorstep, I actually had no idea that Patricia MacLachlan, the infamous author of Sarah, Plan and Tall had a new book coming out. And perhaps it slipped under my radar because I've always paid a little bit more attention to YA than Middle Grade but it was a pleasant surprise and I was excited to read another book by the author of one of my favorite books from when I was a kiddo.

Just, Dance is a sweet, little novel that in many ways transcends age. It's about feeling like you're not enough and as I college student, I am just going to slap on my current experiences and say it might even be about impostor syndrome in many ways. Sylvie Bloom doesn't quite comprehend how her mom could have given up a glamarous life to raise her kids and is always wondering if she and her brother are enough to keep her around. Over the course of the book, Sylvie redefines her relationships with members of her family and gains some self-esteem too. YAY SYLVIE!

***This mini-review was also posted on Xpresso Reads

[Candice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to the little boys for school. The book was an amazingly subtle exploration of love, guilt, beauty, and poetry in an early chapter book. I enjoyed a lot of it, but I think it most of the nuance passed right over my young one’s heads.

Surprisingly, the book takes place in Casper, Wyoming. The frustrating part is the book’s lack of a sense of place. My home state doesn’t often get chosen as location for books, and the way things were described in this book made me doubt that the author has ever been to Casper. Putting a coyote and a horse in a story isn’t enough to place it in Wyoming. I think this lack is a common oversight in children’s literature.

[Jessica Dudenhofer Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because it had a horse on the cover and it's written by the author of "Sarah, Plain and Tall." It was a cute, quick read. A middle schooler is coming of age and realizes that her mother gave up fame and fortune to stay at home (in a rural community). The girl can't understand how or why she could give all that up...but after a summer of working for the local newspaper, meeting all kinds of colorful characters, this young lady learns about choosing what really matters - those you love. It's a decision you will never regret.
Very cute book; clean, with no language and a healthy family life. Would recommend.

[Suzanne Maley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: I grew up on a farm, and I'm ten, so I don't know much about love. I know about cattle, chickens, two goats, sheep, and how to ride a horse. But I know love when I see it.

Premise/plot: Sylvie Bloom is an observant young girl who loves to write. She's given a unique opportunity to write for the local newspaper over the summer. Her columns are written in poetry and are inspired by local events. Her spin on country life is refreshing to readers. But as much as she observes, she lacks in understanding. Her big question of the summer: why did her mother stop being a famous opera singer to settle down in the country? How is family enough for her when she's so brilliant?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this one. Confession: I have a weakness for Patricia MacLachlan. I've enjoyed most everything of what I've read by her--whether it's contemporary like Just Dance or historical like Sarah, Plain and Tall. I do question the cover, however. I think her mom appears in a prairie-like dress to remind readers, hey, this is by the author of Sarah, Plain and Tall. It just doesn't seem to say contemporary mom who works on a farm.

Do you have a favorite MacLachlan book?

[Molly Grimmius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with the kiddos... Amanda recommended after they had read it and we love Patricia MacLachlan. It ticked a lot of boxes... poetry, music references, sweet family dynamic and a great coming of age story. Be perfect for 8- 12 old girls. Sylvie is unsure why her mom gave up her famous opera singing career to marry a rancher in Texas and sing to the animals. She seeks that answer while also reporting the local news in poetry form. I mainly wanted more... I thought some things and characters could have developed a bit more but I just really adored this sweet novel overall!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything I read lately by Patricia MacLachlan is like a prose poem that goes down easy and is full of sparkling gems that stay with me for quite some time. Especially symbolic for me is that this story is set in Casper, Wyoming, where I was born but spent only one year. I was glad to read this sweet tale of life in a small farming village (probably outside of the city somewhere), which contrasted greatly with stories I've grown up with about the bleak, harsh weather and landscape of Casper.

[Lindsey Carnicella]

A book with some beautiful themes, but not my favorite read aloud. Various issues where reading in print would be more clear than reading aloud. Lots of song titles and references that required some explanation. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but helpful to know in advance. Perhaps would be better suited for someone above kindergarten age.

[Karis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwww..... Just. Perfect. Review to come. :)

[Nikki Edgar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute story about understanding your family and place in life!

[Abby Williams]

Had to read for class

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of a child writer who understatements her parents love.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another heartwarming story from Patricia MacLachlan about growing up, and the meaning of home, and family. Rich in friendship, this simplistic story is set in the open prairies of Wyoming. One of the things I enjoyed about this coming of age story is Sylvie's personal search and discovery of what it really means to be home. Home is where your family is at.

FULL REVIEW http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Samantha Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely one of my favorites! Living on a farm and loving to write I felt like I could really relate to Sylvie Bloom and her family! Just Dance is the perfect length and I guarantee you that you will not be able to put it down. It will teach you many lessons about a loving family, true friends, and a whole lot of furry friends along the way! Most of all it will teach you how to Just Dance!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Sylvie is a going into fifth grade girl living on a farm and wondering why her famous soprano mother would want to be stuck with a husband, kids and animals when she could be on-stage, traveling the world. When her favorite teacher recognizes her writing talent and gets her a job writing for the newspaper, Sylvester joins the sheriff and a host of interesting townspeople and finds out exactly why her mom is happy where she is and isn't going anywhere. Readers in the 3rd-6th grade will connect with Sylvia's uncertainty and by the end will be left with a sense of hope and security in the love of family. Teachers will get that feeling as well but will also love the seamless integration of various types of poetry, the distinctive voice of the young girl, and the strong cast of well-developed supporting characters. I look forward to putting this book into the hands of many of my girls who love a heart-warmer. (Review based on digital ARC from EdelweissPlus)

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I added this to my reading list when I saw it as a new release because in general I have found everything from Patricia MacLachlan is worthwhile. I received a digital access ARC for the purposes of review and started previewing it on my own, then 2020 hit my to do list, soon after I purchased a paperback copy on the recommendation of Sonlight Curriculum Kindergarten (2020). This little book is worth every penny as our young protagonist Sophie spends a summer questioning her worth and purpose in her mother’s eyes and in life in general. There are links to music and terms of poetry that provide excellent conversation and foundational fodder to jump from. I ended up reading the entire little novel aloud to my crew and everyone enjoyed it from the toddler to the middle schooler and the elementary kiddos in between. Heartstrings were pulled and my mama’s throat even choked up a bit as emotions and a desire for understanding bubbled to the surface. Just Dance is absolutely worth the read.

[Cala · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice fictional story about a ten year old girl, Sylvie, and her journey to discover why her mother gave up fame to live on a farm with her family. I love that Sylvie's poetry about her life, experiences, and discoveries about life are included in the text of the book. Small town life and joy exudes from the entire story.

This is a read aloud for Sonlight K's homeschool program. While I liked the story and my 5 yo son loves basically all books read to him, I don't think he understands half of the themes in the book. An older reader, I think, would better appreciate the many themes of life and literature expressed.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t think of too many things that are lovelier than a patrician MacLachlan book. She has done it again in her latest, Just Dance. It is the story of the love of a husband and wife - and what they each give up to live together and raise their family - all seen through the eyes of their daughter, Sylvia. She is trying to figure out why her mom would give up a successful singing career to stay home and be her mom. She learns so many lessons during life - and during her short career as a writer for the newspaper. Tender, sweet, and simple. Lovely.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing and a sweet story will appeal to young and old alike.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love poetry. I love music. I love love. I love this book. Read aloud, please. MacLachlan is a beautiful poet and I recommend her as an author study.

[Annina Luck Wildermuth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the premise and loved the cover. This one might be tough to appreciate as a grown up because it is truly, I think, intended for a very young middle grade reader.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot is happening in a small town in Wyoming. Sheriff Ludolf is a terrible writer, but he has a newspaper log to keep. Here is what he writes:


“Madd cat will not let Maude Willie in her house. Jake Willie couldn’t stop laffing and had to be taken to the hospital.”


The sheriff knows his writing is horrible so he decides to recruit Sylvia Bloom, his wife’s best student, for the job. Her articles look like this:


“A trail of grain,

Followed by

Maude’s

Reckless

Running chickens,

Beaks on the ground

Until they are happily home again.”


Sylvia’s life is not as easy to understand as her writing. Her number one question: Why did her mother stay on the farm instead of going back onstage? Is it her fault? Her brother’s fault? Her dad’s fault? And will writing the log help her find out the answer?

Opinion:
Just Dance is an inspiring book about understanding the people close to you. The book’s strength lies in its exquisite, descriptive wording. The vocabulary is appropriate for 8-12 year olds, and the book would interest 7-10 year olds. Patricia MacLachlan did a great job including interesting elements, such as a strange man who lives in the woods, but the plot didn’t develop these. If you are looking for a light, easy read, Just Dance is just that.

Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer, Age 11

[Mrs. Melaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ten-year-old Sylvie lives on a farm in Wyoming. As a budding writer, she is excited to be asked to write a daily column in the town newspaper during the summer. Her observations about the folksy events she witnesses in her small town provide readers with a chance to experience a bit of what life is like in a rural community where everyone knows everyone else. Meanwhile, a second storyline concerns Sylvie’s mom. Before meeting and falling in love with her father, Sylvie’s mom had sung opera on stage. Now, she only sings to an audience of cows and chickens as she goes about her daily routines. Sylvie starts to worry that her mom misses her stage life, particularly when a famous tenor with whom her mom had sung gets in touch. Sylvie is lucky to have many kindly, wise men (dad, sheriff, James the tenor, and her neighbor Tinker) in her life, but it does strain credulity. Though slim, this book speaks volumes about the importance of family, friends, and community.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a former life Sylvie's mother was a famous opera singer. But she gave it all up when she met Sylvie's father, fell in love, and moved to his farm in Wyoming. She still sings - but only to the animals and in the shower. Sylvie and her little brother Nate love to sit outside the bathroom door and listen! But Sylvie can't help but wonder; does her mother ever miss her former life? How can a boring, quiet life in a small town compare to traveling the world and performing? When her mother's former opera partner is scheduled to appear close by and sends tickets for the whole family to attend the performance, she is even more worried. This short yet eloquent book celebrates small town life, music, writing and the power of friendship and family. Would make a great read - or read aloud - for grades 3 and up.

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sylvie Bloom is moving up from 4th grade to 5th grade and is sad to be leaving her most perfect teacher behind, one who knows what she is thinking without her having to say a word.
Sylvie's teacher, Mrs. Ludolf, has a husband, the sheriff, who is almost illiterate and writes a "crime/news interest" column in the town newspaper. Mrs. Ludolf gives Sylvie her husband as her summer project - to write his column for him as she rides around town with the sheriff.
Sylvie also has a personal project this summer - to figure out why her mother, a famous opera singer, is content to stay in their small Wyoming town instead of returning to life on the stage.
This short book is a treasure.
I read this with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I want to live in this place where everyone loves opera, poetry and are all kind and wise. It IS lovely to think about such a place and reading this sweet short novel refreshed my heart.

MacLachlan's trademark spare text is anything but spare in emotional impact. Sylvie wonders why her mother gave up performing and if she meets her old co-star, will she go back to the stage. It is a worry she hugs to herself - a very kid-like behavior. If you speak it out loud or ask, it might change from worry to truth somehow.

I loved Sylvie's haiku reports and the picture of so many caring adults and the sense of such contentment the book provides. Sometimes, we all need to be in a place like that even if we just visit there through a book.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obob 2019. Daughter wonders if her mom regrets giving up stardom and the opera for her simple country life as a mom - mom doesn’t of course because she has her family and gives up a reunion show to stay home with her sick daughter. The author didn’t include any real complexity to reflect how real mothers might feel both things - regret for leaving youth/fame/excitement and also happiness around their current life. I did really like the friendship between the girl and the sheriff, her blog and experiences writing about the town, freeing a dog from a hot car, etc. Sofia loves this book but not as much as obob out of left field, which is much more complex.

[Miraya Aleman]

This book is about this girl named sylvie Bloom. Her family lives a very country lifestyle.. Melinda May is the mother, she loves to sing but is shy to sing in front of people. So when sylvie sees a letter for her mom it's from someone named james and it says something like this ‘‘hey Melinda this is James and i was wondering if you wanted to come down and sing again” so melinda and Sylvie Bloom go to sing, and then …………………………………………………………………….. Sylvie realize that her dad is not really her dad.

I really like this book because it has many like “ What ?” questions and “Why?”.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a particularly short and quick story. It was sweet and touching. The writing style is poetic, and I really liked the poems the main character wrote for the newspaper. My biggest complaint was that the children were just a little too wise for their ages. I have five children, and none of them have conversations with me about philosophy and the meaning of love. The younger brother was particularly hard to swallow. Overall though, it was a cute story and I think a good inclusion in this year's OBOB list.