The Maddie Diaries: My Story

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The Dear Maddie section seemed a little fake. Were those actual teens asking for advice and was that actually Maddie writing the advice? Either way, I thought the answers were level headed and helpful. Thanks to a chance conversation, Harper joins the school musical. Not only is this an opportunity to polish up her stage presence, but as the newbie at school, Harper is excited to make some more friends. I did think it was funny that the mean girl trio (or at least Megan is the meanie) were of the standard trope. We had the mean bossy girl (Megan), the jealous third wheel (Riley), and the sweet ditz (Trina). I just think it is hilarious that so many mean girl trios are made up out of this. Meet Harper, a sweet girl who has had to move from her wonderful town and wonderful squad and friends to a new town. We see that she immediately is trying out for a new dance studio because this girl needs dancing in her life and her mom is totally supportive of her. I was immediately a fan of Harper, she was such a sweet and wonderful girl and I loved how hard she worked and seeing how much she loves dancing (a whole lot).

Harper, don’t put too much pressure on yourself,” Mom said. “If this studio isn’t a fit, we can try another one. I just thought since DanceStarz is a newer studio that has only been open a few years, it might be easier for you to acclimate. Be a big fish in a smaller pond.”I mean, I've been so swept up in this adult life, it's suddenly so bizarre to remember what it felt like to get into dumb fights with my siblings or to feel like my looks matter. This book made me nostalgic but also just grateful cause wow, I'm so glad I'm not at this point in my life anymore.

Okay, maybe that sounded overly dramatic. But dancing was my life. The dance studio had been my second home since I was two years old. My mom always said that when I was really little, I would dress up like a fairy princess or a butterfly and jump and twirl around and break things, so she signed me up for a little-kid ballet class to get rid of all that energy. I’d been at that studio ever since. I just LOVE dancing. Nothing too fancy, not professionally. Just on my own, with my own music and the quiet of my garden or my house. So I just couldn’t resist this book when I spotted it for a very lovely price at a book store (and in English even, gasp). It turns out that the closest dance studio to her new home, was DanceStarz. A very competitive dance studio that accepted her as a dancer, but not so much as a friend. It was difficult for Harper to make friends at DanceStarz because everyone was so competitive. But she did make a new friend who also on her dance team...Lily. And it is Lilly she who supports Harper the most, throughout this difficult time, along with her parents. I read the book in one day. Is it the greatest literary tome of our time? No. But I love Dance Moms, so it was fun to read a book by one of the dancers.

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The main character in the book is Harper. She is set and settled in her small town in Connecticut. A place where she was born and raised. She was happy there. When her father decides to take a job in Florida. At first, Harper has a hard time with the idea. Even once in Florida she has a hard time. Why? Because her favorite thing to do was dance. She had been with the same dance studio in Connecticut, since she was a little girl, and was considered the best of the best! I’m standing just offstage, waiting for my big moment.I know my mom and dance teacher are in the audience, holding their breath in anticipation. This will be the most challenging dance I’ve ever performed—not only that but the most challenging dance anyone at DanceStarz Academy has ever performed. There’s a lot of pressure on me. I'm not flunking English," I said, slimming my yogurt down on the table. "And I'm not giving up my spot."

A fun and sparkly book about a girl who moves to a new place and finds a new dance studio, new friends, and new dance moves~

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It's got some good morals when it comes to teamwork and the book values friendship considerably, it's short and a bit predictable and I'm not in the middle-grade target age (just a little bit out of it) and could still overlook this and enjoy. If parents worry about kids reading inappropriate books or smutty books, they can be rest assured that this book is appropriate. Although I am a dancer and have taken dance (Ballet, Tap, and Hip-Hop), I could not relate. I found myself relating more to my cheerleading. It never did become possible to fit in. But it didn’t only remind me of cheer. The book is more than about dance. It’s so deep and unexpected. I enjoyed every second of it and was not able to put it down. I finished it in 3 days.

From Dance Moms star and So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation judge Maddie Ziegler comes the first novel in a brand-new middle grade trilogy about friendship, dance, and going after your dreams.Estaba aburrido, eran casi las 12 de la noche y no sabía que leer, así que fui al cuarto de mi hermana, tomé este libro en un aventón y decidí leerlo para ver que me parecía. Sorpresa, lo terminé disfrutando demasiado. I enjoyed that the other girls from the show are mentioned, especially Kenzie which you would expect since she is Maddie's sister. I liked learning a little more about her. But, there really is not much at all about Dance Mom's in itself in this book which was a little disappointing. There was not even a mention of Abby (the ALDC was mentioned), and I feel a chapter should have focused on Abby and Maddie's relationship. It did include information about Maddie and her past accomplishments: a little about Dance Moms and the dances from the show; Sia; her fashion line; SYTYCD and upcoming projects. With honesty, charm and humour, Maddie offers her unique perspective on making her way in the world as a young teenager, reflecting on the lessons she's learned - and preparing for the exciting road ahead. I walk onto the stage, my toes pointed, my head held high. I get into my opening pose and the music begins. Five . . . six . . . seven . . . eight!