Bibliographic Information:
Title: Instructions for Dancing
Author: Nicola Yoon
ISBN: 9781524718961
Publisher: Delacorte
Copyright Date: 2021
Genre: Romance, Magical realism
Format: Print book
Reading Level/Interest Level: 13+
Plot Summary: Evie used to love romance novels. Loved anything swoony and romantic, like her parents’ marriage. But when her dad left her mom for someone else, she gave them all away and has declared romance one big scam. One day, something strange happens, though: a mysterious woman urges her to take a book from a Little Free Library: Instructions for Dancing. Evie takes it to be polite; then suddenly whenever she sees a couple kiss, their entire relationship—from beginning to end—flashes before her eyes. She takes the book to the La Brea Dance Studio, which is written inside the cover, hoping to stop the visions, and her entire life is changed forever.
Author Background: Nicola Yoon is the bestselling, award-winning author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star. She was the first Black woman to hold the top spot on the New York Times YA Bestseller list. She loves love (and is the co-publisher of Joy Publishing, a Young Adult imprint of Random house for romance books starring people of color), handwrites her first drafts, and considers herself a late bloomer (Yoon, n.d.). She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn, and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
Critical Evaluation: This book is funny, romantic, and thought-provoking (and ugh, a bit sad). Yoon’s writing grabs you right away, and the touches of magical realism add a little bit of sparkle to a classic love story. Evie’s developing relationship with her dad also makes this story more complex than the average romance. The dialogue is witty and clever, and the pacing skips along like a dance.
Creative Use for a Library Program: Have a local ballroom dancing instructor come and give literal “instructions for dancing” in a fun, energy-filled program. Teens can learn to waltz, foxtrot, and samba just like Evie and Xavier!
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer: Evie hates love, but she has the ability to see what will happen to a couple as soon as they kiss in front of her. Will this romance hater change her tune while she learns to dance?
Reason for Inclusion: This is a lovely book that celebrates Black romance and families. We need more!
Want more? Watch this cute interview with Nicola Yoon and her husband, author David Yoon:
References
Kirkus. (June 1, 2021). Instructions for dancing [review]. Retrieved from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/nicola-yoon/instructions-for-dancing/
Weinberger, A. (June 1, 2021). Nicola Yoon’s new book is a romance about a teenager who doesn’t believe in love. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/01/books/review/instructions-for-dancing-nicola-yoon.html
Yoon, Nicola (n.d.). Bio. Retrieved from https://www.nicolayoon.com/bio-3
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