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To Dance
"A few days ago, I was walking home from school. The sun had left, the rain had come, and my Spider-Man backpack was getting soaked. But I danced in the puddles and sang to the sky because that's what you do when the clouds grow dark." Royce is a ten-year-old boy trying to make sense of the world around him. Why are people afraid? What makes people cry? Why does hatred exist? How should you love others? Through a series of journal entries, Royce chronicles his school year of pain, racial injustice, and what it is like to see the world through the eyes of a child. Laurie is a grieving mother who cannot let go of her past. All she has is bitterness and rage--questions with no answers. In order to find true healing, she must embark on a journey that unveils the root of her pain and forces her to face the demons she has spent her life trying to forget. As their fates collide, Royce and Laurie will venture into an alternate reality to explore the truth behind some of life's most difficult questions and unleash the power that lies in new beginnings. TO DANCE will inspire you to find peace amidst your pain, to find significance within your pain, and to find freedom despite your pain. The journey to redemption starts now . . . THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE IN YOUR SUFFERING
228 pages, Paperback
Published December 3, 2024
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Stephen McClellan
4 books25 followersStephen McClellan is a multi-genre author who explores themes of faith, hope, loss, and love. He is passionate about instilling value into people and pursues those opportunities through helping others heal from pain and live with purpose. Wanting his influence to stretch beyond the page, his vision also includes taking a portion of the royalties he earns and reinvesting them into humanitarian organizations to support them financially and help raise awareness for their causes. If he’s not reading or writing, then he’s most likely pursuing life together with his wife, Megan, their son, Carson Bo, or their incredible community of friends. His family is Southern born and bred and currently lives in Tennessee.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 2, 2020
Phew, boy, this one was a real tearjerker. Author Stephen McClellan has a gift for seeing through to the root of a problem for so many people... the problem of pain. And how do we heal pain? Most of don't deal with it. But we must examine it, and then we must do the hardest part which so many of us shy away from: we must confront it. TO DANCE gives us one such journey through the eyes of a young boy named Royce, and and his mother Laurie. Royce's story is told through journal entries while Laurie's is in the present, the latter being not too dissimilar from Scrooge's story in A Christmas Carol. The story takes an unexpected (and beautiful) turn when Laurie finds herself in a sort of heavenly purgatorial place, guided by her own son's spirit in an effort to help her battle her own personal demons and bury the ghosts of her past. I urge you to the take journey along with Royce and Laurie... and maybe, just maybe, you'll find healing in examining your own heart.
"I pray I may, I pray I might..."
"I pray I may, I pray I might..."
June 11, 2019
I loved this book! I touched my soul on so many levels! So, I am reading along and without realizing the depth of impact, I feel tears pouring from my eyes!
I unreservedly recommend to anyone who wants more than just a feel good or entertaining story. It is those things but oh so much more!!!!
I unreservedly recommend to anyone who wants more than just a feel good or entertaining story. It is those things but oh so much more!!!!
February 7, 2020
A beautiful, moving, heartfelt story of forgiveness and redemption. The author’s theology edified me, and I appreciated the discussion of God’s grace and sovereignty.
Also, you get two stories in one—that of Royce, the beautiful, faith-filled child and his mother, Laurie, his sad and broken mother. Though it takes an unexpected, supernatural turn, it is a story that ends with a message of hope.
Also, you get two stories in one—that of Royce, the beautiful, faith-filled child and his mother, Laurie, his sad and broken mother. Though it takes an unexpected, supernatural turn, it is a story that ends with a message of hope.
January 18, 2020
Such a heartwarming and uplifting read. The author does a great job of sending a positive message about love and peace and forgiveness. Full of life lessons that, if applied, would result in personal growth. It's a great book for any age!
June 3, 2020
i call it a fantastic break, a shattering to mending and healing. stephen has such a talent for prose, a gift at describing both the human innocence and brokenness. To Dance is call to look at our own humanity in need of a Savior, a healer, a lover who loves each of us more desperately, more intimately, unconditionally, no matter how bad the scars may seem. my heart is still mending. my tears are still drying. this is healing that every person on the face of the earth needs. thank you, stephen, for sharing your gift, your heart with so many. may God continue to bless you and use you to reach many more.
February 27, 2020
Inspiring from beginning to end!
Not my typical read, but I was immediately intrigued after reading the author's book interview on Instagram.
Touching while painful (at times), the author takes you through the mind of two characters: a young boy, Royce and his mother, Laurie. What I loved most about the story was the innocence and love that Royce showed the world. Although, I would have loved more from his perspective as I found his journal entries to be the reason why I loved the book so much.
This book really showcases the strength of faith and that sometimes we don't need to know all the answers on why things happen. McClellan writes with very beautiful prose and although messages can often times come out too preachy, he was able to deliver the key messages of the book in such an inspiring way that any walk of faith would feel touched.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for perspective or is battling an addiction or loss.
Not my typical read, but I was immediately intrigued after reading the author's book interview on Instagram.
Touching while painful (at times), the author takes you through the mind of two characters: a young boy, Royce and his mother, Laurie. What I loved most about the story was the innocence and love that Royce showed the world. Although, I would have loved more from his perspective as I found his journal entries to be the reason why I loved the book so much.
This book really showcases the strength of faith and that sometimes we don't need to know all the answers on why things happen. McClellan writes with very beautiful prose and although messages can often times come out too preachy, he was able to deliver the key messages of the book in such an inspiring way that any walk of faith would feel touched.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for perspective or is battling an addiction or loss.
July 25, 2020
McClellan’s writing style is beautifully descriptive and seamless, which resultantly creates a memorable story that connected with my emotions!
The story begins with Royce, a character I especially enjoyed. In the first half of the book, Royce is an endearing, wholesome ten-year-old who represents God’s love on earth. In the second half, the playful and keenly aware school boy has transformed into a messenger of God who spiritually connects with his grieving and broken mother.
With messages on forgiveness, finding peace, and our significance during and after life, To Dance is a heartfelt story with faith-based life lessons for adolescents and adults alike.
The story begins with Royce, a character I especially enjoyed. In the first half of the book, Royce is an endearing, wholesome ten-year-old who represents God’s love on earth. In the second half, the playful and keenly aware school boy has transformed into a messenger of God who spiritually connects with his grieving and broken mother.
With messages on forgiveness, finding peace, and our significance during and after life, To Dance is a heartfelt story with faith-based life lessons for adolescents and adults alike.
May 6, 2022
Not my typical read, but I was immediately intrigued after reading the author's book interview on Instagram.
Touching while painful (at times), the author takes you through the mind of two characters: a young boy, Royce, and his mother, Laurie. What I loved most about the story was the innocence and love that Royce showed the world. Although, I would have loved more from his perspective as I found his journal entries to be the reason why I loved the book so much.
This book really showcases the strength of faith and that sometimes we don't need to know all the answers on why things happen. McClellan writes with very beautiful prose and although messages can oftentimes come out too preachy, he was able to deliver the key messages of the book in such an inspiring way that any walk of faith would feel touched.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for perspective or is battling an addiction or loss.
Touching while painful (at times), the author takes you through the mind of two characters: a young boy, Royce, and his mother, Laurie. What I loved most about the story was the innocence and love that Royce showed the world. Although, I would have loved more from his perspective as I found his journal entries to be the reason why I loved the book so much.
This book really showcases the strength of faith and that sometimes we don't need to know all the answers on why things happen. McClellan writes with very beautiful prose and although messages can oftentimes come out too preachy, he was able to deliver the key messages of the book in such an inspiring way that any walk of faith would feel touched.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for perspective or is battling an addiction or loss.
August 24, 2021
A beautiful look into the endless, positives side effects one act of kindness can have. An emotional look at why it feels like sometimes God doesn’t see us.
February 17, 2022
What a wonderfully moving book. A book that stays with you long after you've finished reading it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews