SO, YOU THINK YOU CAN HIP-HOP?

Ballet, three BFFs, one frenemy and a handsome hip-hop teacher share the stage in this inviting graphic novel.

The girls, along with one boy, take ballet class, try their hands, hips and heads at hip-hop and prepare for a student production of The Sleeping Beauty. Humor abounds as two of the friends try to prevent the third of their trio from feeding her sweet tooth. Even the frenemy’s efforts to sabotage casting backfire with amusing results. Family issues find their way into the story when the girls tell white lies to their parents in order to attend a party, but it’s handled gently and ably. Béka (a pseudonym for a writing duo) keeps the action flying while Crip’s cartoon illustrations provide comical details and distinctive personalities for all the characters. Especially appealing is the inventive manner in which ballet movements find their way into school, home and boy-girl relationships. The grand performance of Beauty is a resounding success, albeit with its share of mishaps and more than one case of the jitters. And the girl who loves to nosh? She happily dances the role of Little Red Riding Hood, from the Act III variations, complete with a basket of goodies.

An entertaining and enjoyable read for dance fans and graphic-novel devotees.