Turning Point (So Done #3)

This book had everything I crave – friendship and family drama, first crushes, plus a fascinating plot on ballet and trying to fit in. Paula Chase does an outstanding job telling this story fr dual POV, capturing the personalities of Mo and Sheeda in a way that made me feel like I knew them. Chase also deftly addresses body image, race, religion, and navigating shifting family and friendship relationships. I didn’t want to put this book down, and now that it’s over, I already miss these girls. Highly recommended!

I think this was my favorite So Done book yet. In some ways I could relate to Sheeda’s struggle to try to follow her Aunt’s deeply religious set of rules and expectations of always being in church. I too grew up in church, and I connected with the love of Vacation Bible School and singing (or dancing) while also wanting a life outside of the church and struggling to separate rules from faith. Sheeda’s dangerous flirtation with an older boy brought me back to my early high school days. This is a story for teens, and I really appreciate that about the author. She writes for teens in a way they will connect better too as they enter middle school and high school bridging the gap between middle grade and YA.

In other ways, being white and coming from a culture much different than Mo and Sheeda’s, their stories are an important window into experiences outside of my own. I was not a ballerina (ballroom dancer here) but found Mo’s passion for dancing inspiring. I found I wanted to learn more about the ballet world. I also really appreciated seeing Mo’s perspective attending a summer intensive where everyone was white and struggling with the challenges and microaggressions that come with pursuing the dance that she loves. I found myself wondering how I would handle Mo’s anger and tendency to “snap back” and whether I would do a better job than her suitemates. I don’t think I would have as a teen, but this book really made me wonder and think and explore my own tendencies to avoid confrontation and not recognize my own privilege.

I count any book I want to read that holds my attention in 2020 as a great book. It is challenging for me to engage, but I did with this book! #LitReviewCrew

I adored this book. Turning Point by Paula Chase is a compulsively readable upper middle-grade book (more mature than the average but not quite YA) that explores a horde of important themes. This book handles everything from female friendships, body image, sexual harassment, religion, racial prejudice, to ballet, If youre looking for a middle-grade book about ballet, Id highly recommend this one. As at the time of this review, its the best Ive read. Claire Swinarskis What Happens Next features a ballerina, but shes not the protagonist and there isnt much about ballet in the book.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

So, in summary? Buy Turning Point.

I would like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing company for the opportunity to view an ARC of “Turning Point” in exchange for my honest review.

“Turning Point” is written by author Paula Chase. This book was a delightful read that hit on so many valid topics and issues but in a manner that made them go down easy.

We are introduced to our main characters Rasheeda and Monique. They are best friends that have such polar personalities. “Sheeda” is laid back. She does not welcome conflict and simply lives by what makes lives easier for everyone else. She is a people pleaser who treads lightly around everyone, especially her aunt D. Events occur that challenge her comfort zone and we see her pushed beyond what she is accustomed to. On the other hand, “Mo”, is the take no mess and speak my mind type. Mo is strong-willed and does not mind putting anyone in line if she feels that they have stepped out. This causes problems for her in her new environment and she struggles to deal with the results of what is “normal” for her.
We watch both of these young ladies and their extended family and friend groups evolve and some dissolve throughout this story. I love the manner in which so many experiences valid to teen years, insecurities, new experiences, friends, and family. This book will definitely be recommended to my teens and preteens. I would even go on to say that many adults could take away much from this read as well. It was definitely a great experience.

Paula Chase has done a remarkable job in creating characters that are so real you feel you know them. Mo and Sheeda may be best friends and from the same neighborhood but Chase captures their unique voices so masterfully. The text messages between all the characters is realistic and poppin’. I loved seeing Black ballerinas and showing the difficulty Black people have when they occupy traditionally white spaces. Mo and Sheeda were so different but I never doubted their friendship and I loved them both. Chase shows what it looks like to be the “tough” girl, and showing just how tough that can be, and also what it looks like to be the frustrated “good” girl who has wants and desires she has to check. I know a book is fantastic when it gets me crying because I care so darn much about the characters. I just loved Turning Point. If you like stories with real characters who are trying to do right, but sometimes do wrong (like real life!) and are trying to figure out just who they are, then you’re going to love this one.

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