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A heartfelt story about a small-town ballet dancer, Gracie, determined to compete against the best dancer in class, Sariah —only to discover that what her rival really needs is…friendship.



Gracie is ready to take on the ballet world -- starting with the Young Dancer Summer Workshop in New York! It's a two week summer course, and while she misses her family in Ohio, she is ready to show this ballet school that she has what it takes.

Too bad none of the other students got the memo and now Gracie feels like she's already being left in the dust! Luckily, she knows the best way to get herself motivated is with a good rival and who better to pick than the star of the class, Sariah!

Except Sariah doesn’t seem interested in a fun competition with Gracie. In fact, she's so serious that it seems like she barely enjoys dancing at all? Can Gracie break through to Sariah and find the exciting rival she wants? Or is this rivalry, and Gracie's future in ballet, both doomed before it can even start?



UPCOMING SHOW APPEARANCES:


Small Press Expo: September 13-14th, Bethesda, MD
Brooklyn Book Fair Cildren’s Day: September 26th, Brooklyn, NY
New York Comic Con: October 8th-11th, New York, NY
Brooklyn Expo of Comics: November 14-15th, Brooklyn, NY
Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, December 5th-6th, Boston MA



PRAISE FOR DARE YOU TO DANCE


"Fluid linework and a pastel palette evoke the strength and grace of the dancers, resulting in an eloquent and movement-filled portrait of ambition and self-discovery."  
—Publishers Weekly


"A beautifully illustrated story full of angst, humor, and heart."
—Kirkus Reviews


"This fast-paced graphic novel touches on a less-explored demographic of ballerinas and dancers....readers are immersed in an intense story of competition, proving oneself, rivalry, and secrets."
 —School Library Journal


"...A love letter to friendships and the difficult yet necessary road to self-discovery. "
Taylor Belgrade, RHCB Teachers & Librarians