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jengennari's review
5.0
An entertaining read about Ailey who loves to dance and rap, yet freezes with stage fright. This story twists when he discovers Grampa had a dream to tap dance but fear stopped him from trying. In his Gramps' tap dancing shoes, Ailey time-travels back to Harlem in 1939 and changes his grandfather's destiny. Henderson had fun re-purposing the names of famous Blacks throughout the book, and it was fun recognizing them.
kristinakg's review
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
backonthealex's review
3.0
I've always been a fan of Leah Henderson, but this book just didn't work for me. After messing up an audition to play the Scarecrow in The Wiz, his school’s annual play, Ailey, 11, is ready to give up. His grandfather, in the hospital, tells him how he had also give up his dream and lived to regret. He gives Ailey custody of a pair of tap shoes that belonged to Bojangles Robinson, which sends him back to 1939 Harlem, where he tries to change his grandfather’s fate, but learns a lesson about not giving up. This felt like a dated first draft that needing some editing. Ailey’s time is 2010 and he listens to a Nano - will anyone know what those are nowadays? The story is interesting, the execution not so much. A little more editing and this would be a 4 star book.
gulshanbatra's review
5.0
An endearing story written with a lot of adoration!
The story is told from the perspective of a little boy who has to change his Grandfather’s and his Family’s stars.
There’s just one catch - he has no idea how.
And that’s the story.
Along the way, he makes friends, finds his courage, learns to make decisions and and comes up with a brand new version of a coming-of-age story that’s bound to bring a broad smile to your face by the time you’re done wit it.
The story is full of nods to famous historical Black personalities, all of whom are mentioned in the afterword. Loved those references!
Lots here for all curious readers, with simple storytelling and (yet) lucid prose!
Delightful!!
The story is told from the perspective of a little boy who has to change his Grandfather’s and his Family’s stars.
There’s just one catch - he has no idea how.
And that’s the story.
Along the way, he makes friends, finds his courage, learns to make decisions and and comes up with a brand new version of a coming-of-age story that’s bound to bring a broad smile to your face by the time you’re done wit it.
The story is full of nods to famous historical Black personalities, all of whom are mentioned in the afterword. Loved those references!
Lots here for all curious readers, with simple storytelling and (yet) lucid prose!
Delightful!!
kianareads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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