***Spoilers included***
Well, since it’s “written” by a young adult, I can’t be too critical (even though I know her mother at least probably guided her through parts…she mentions Candid Camera, after all, which was even before my time…), but it is a disappointment for a Dance Moms fan. This book could be subtitled “A tribute to Sia,” “Maddie knows best,” or “Why Maddie is so amazing.” My reasoning is as follows:
Maddie and Sia are mutually obsessed with each other. Maddie travels with Sia, hangs out with Sia and her “hubby”/dogs, and quotes her songs to readers for inspirational advice. Ok, that makes sense. Any fourteen-year-old who is befriended by a pop star would feel the same. But Sia’s obsession is a little disturbing to an adult reader: “So after the video I decided I never wanted to do anything without her” (VIII). Sia dresses Maddie like her, talks to her daily, and would adopt Maddie if “she didn’t have such a great family.” It’s apparently fine in this situation, but everyone also thought it was innocent when young males were invited to Neverland Ranch! Sure, I’m sure everything is actually normal…as normal as it can be when a grown adult identifies most with a child…Also, though Sia gets her own chapter, she also permeates the book.
Maddie knows best: I wasn’t prepared for the weird advice column where people are asking Maddie for advice on bullying, family issues, and emotional insecurities. Who wrote these questions?! Did Melissa make them up and coach Maddie through politically correct/mature responses? If kids actually wrote them, how were they solicited?! I can’t imagine Maddie gets heavy questions such as these on a regular basis. Also, I get that she’s presented as “wise beyond her years,” but not once does she tell people to get the help they need! Maddie can save everyone!
Why Maddie is so amazing: There are narratives from friends and coworkers gushing about her all over the book. Sure, it does bolster her ethos, but even Mackenzie has to exalt her sister, which I can only imagine will affect her psyche in the future.
What I learned:
Apparently there are dolls made of them. WHY?!
Maddie really likes make up.
Maddie still pretends like she knows how to handle school situations even though she’s been homeschooled for years.
The producers (was Abby a producer) chose the themes of most dances on the show.
Maddie seems to be easily influenced by the adults she’s around. She apparently wants to be an actress now (and I saw The Book of Henry and would advise some more coaching before she makes that decision…) and be in more music videos (I’m sure she would love to sing with Sia if she could carry a tune…), but she used to want to be on Broadway or be a Rockette, which would have required more actual skill and were obviously influenced by Abby. I hope that she searches more within herself as she matures. It’s sad that her original dreams that required more effort are dubbed “little girl” dreams now and the ones that are more attainable are more set “in reality” (215)
Maddie was never that great of a dancer skill-wise and Gianna even admits it! I guess it’s inspirational to kids who aren’t naturally good at something to work harder, but I have a hard to believing it since she won so many competitions.
Maddie could write fortune cookie notes as a side hustle. The chapters are filled with advice such as “Today is a great day too…” Paint! Mix patterns! Eat something new! Now, that’s advice from a fourteen-year-old that is appropriate!
Paige and Brooke apparently don't exist in Maddie’s word anymore even though they were present when Melissa got married to the step dad…
Maddie grew up so fast. It seems like she was always expected to be a “little mother” for Mackenzie and is already nostalgic for her childhood at fourteen.
Kids are obsessed with Grey’s Anatomy and I don’t understand why. Aren’t there any good teen shows out there?!
The biggest disappointment was the lack of Abby. Maybe Abby declined being in the book, but it reads as a snub. Her company, teaching, and choreography are replaced by blanket statements of “dance studios, producers, and Gianna.” As a teacher, I can’t imagine the pain of having someone you invested so much in give you absolutely no credit. Hopefully, once Maddie gets out of Melissa’s helicopter parenting, she’ll write a real tell-all for us with actual insider information.
Also, I don’t believe that Maddie has never seen an episode of Dance Moms!