House of Dance

by Beth Kephart

Book Overview

Rosie and her mother coexist in the same house as near strangers. Since Rosie's father abandoned them years ago, her mother has accomplished her own disappearing act, spending more time with her boss... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061429287
• ISBN13: 9780061429286
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Harper Teen
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

A great book.

This is one of those books that is worth heading over to the bookstore to get instead of waiting for the library to get it. It will grab you with the first chapter and have you reading until the end. Rosie's emotions are real in this story. They don't seem fake at all. Also, the descriptions are really nice. I felt like I was there with Rosie as she traveled, as she cleaned out her grandfather's house, and when she was with Nick. One thing that I liked a lot about this book was that it didn't focus solely on romance. Don't get me wrong, I love reading romance books, but it was nice to read a book where you don't hear about the guy sucking off the girl's face all the time. The romance in this book was really subtle - the author didn't mention it much, but it was inferred, so that you knew it was happening. The book has really good meaning to it. It is definitely something that I will read again in my future.

Another WONDERFUL Kephart book!

After reading Undercover by Beth Kephart, I couldn't wait to read her latest book, House of Dance. I was not disappointed. She has the ability to create magical moments and stories out of everyday life. House of Dance is the simple story of Rosie, who takes care of her dying grandfather for the summer. It also delves into the complicated relationships between parents and children. The words are so lyrical that I felt what Rosie felt, saw what she saw, smelled what she smelled. Kephart's books are always very visual and symbolic. It makes the story that much more rewarding. As long as she keeps writing books, I will keep reading!

For the dancer in everyone

I've been taking ballroom dancing lessons the past few years and so I read HOUSE OF DANCE with interest. I was surprised by how well this novel captures the world of dance, and I was moved by Rosie's story. I highly recommend this book.

House of Dance Takes Readers for A Poignant Spin

Beth Kephart, author of YA novel "Undercover" and now the latest "House of Dance" has gifted us all with yet another beautiful, poignant and engaging work of fiction. These YA books from Kephart are such a fresh and much-needed change from the Queen bees, mean girls and paint-by-number YA novels that one sees everywhere on shelves in brick and mortar stores today. The "House of Dance" is meant to sweep your off your feet and dance you effortlessly across the floor of love, devotion, memory and music.

The Compulsive Reader's Reviews

Rosie Keith is in for a long summer. Her friends are all scattered for the three months at various jobs and camps, and her mother is hardly ever home, preferring to spend time with her business partner, who is also the man she is having an affair with. So Rosie turns to her grandfather, who is dying of cancer. During those long summer days, she helps Granddad clean through his multitudes of possessions, placing things to keep In Trust. It is on one of those day she discovers The House of Dance, and begins taking lessons there, hoping to put In Trust again a few of Granddad's long-ago memories before he is gone for good. House of Dance is a distinct and intense look at Rosie's life, her losses, and how her family reacts. Kephart's words are lyrical and her incisive style propels the reader easily through the book. Her in-depth look at illness and foreshadowing of death are very realistic and heartfelt. You will find yourself relating easily to Rosie, and admiring her strength in this wonderfully crafted novel.