Turning

(Paperback, Reprint)

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Description

In this raw, searingly honest debut young adult novel, a former aspiring ballerina must confront her past in order to move forward from a devastating fall that leaves her without the use of her legs.

Genie used to fouett across the stage. Now the only thing shes turning are the wheels to her wheelchair. Genie was the star pupil at her exclusive New York dance school, with a bright future and endless possibilities before her. Now that the future shes spent years building toward has been snatched away, she cant stand to be reminded of iteven if it means isolating herself from her best friends and her mother. The only wish this Genie has is to be left alone.

But then she meets Kyle, who also has a used to be. Kyle used to tumble and flip on a gymnastics mat, but a traumatic brain injury has sent him to the same physical therapist that Genie sees. With Kyles support, along with her best friends insistence that Genies time at the barre isnt over yet, Genie starts to see a new pathone where she doesnt have to be alone and she finally has the strength to heal from the past.

But healing also means confronting. Confronting the booze her mother, a recovering alcoholic, has been hiding under the kitchen sink; the ex-boyfriend who was there the night of the fall and wont leave her alone; and Genies biggest, most terrifying secret: the fact that the accident may not have been so accidental after all.

Reviews

"A nuanced portrayal of disability, dance, and starting over." -- -Kirkus Reviews * 1/1/2022 *
"Genie's first-person narrative rings true as she works through her frustration and disappointment, gradually finding a new direction when she's ready to more forward." -- -Booklist * 3/15/2022 *
"Smith deftly handles complex topics such as accessibility, race, abortion, domestic violence, and sobriety/recovery through Genies perspective and slowly reveals more of Genies secrets, including what really happened the night of the accident. VERDICT Fans of realistic fiction will find this a compelling and emotional story." -- -School Library Journal * 5/1/2022 *

Author Bio

Joy L. Smith is a childcare professional and lives in Queens, New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, she has a bachelors degree in human development and differences, with a specialization in communication disorders. Shes been writing since she was a teenager and has been mentored by Ibi Zoboi, Radha Blank, and Emma Straub through the Girls Write Now program.Turningis her debut novel.