Magnolia has a chance to dance her way out of her small, coastal Oregon town and into stardom on a reality TV show called Live to Dance.Magnolia, an 18-year-old with "perfectly pecan color" skin, needs to get away from the shaming she and her white half sister, Rose, face because of their absent mother's actions. Many of Summerland's residents steer clear of them, even while they're digging clams to make ends meet. Magnolia's audition takes her to LA, where she's plunged into a diverse cast of hopeful teens, all under the scrutiny of judges who pick them off one by one. Like Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games, the contestants are prepped by stylists to reveal their individual back stories: "You look perfect," Magnolia's assures her. "Raw. Wearing your own sores." TV and internet viewers watch clips of the dancers' reactions to being on the show and the interactions among them, along with weekly dance performances. The fast-paced story moves away from the theme of Magnolia's love of dance and into a soap opera laced with betrayal, breakups and hookups, friendships lost and gained. Life lessons abound, as Magnolia's dance instructor's encouragement to "dig deeper" is reflected in Magnolia's clam digging as a metaphor for escaping the psychological distress that holds her back from her dreams. A lively and absorbing story with all the drama of teen life. (Fiction. 12-15)

Magnolia -Mags- Woodson, 18, has always turned to dance when things got bad. After Mags-s mother, a sometimes prostitute and constant drug addict, causes the death of the mayor-s daughter in a drug overdose, the reputations of Mags and her older sister, Rose, are tarnished, making life in Summerland, Ore., almost unbearable. But Mags has a plan: she is going to try out for a reality dance competition, Live to Dance, where she hopes to win over her town, in addition to the cash prize. Debut author MacKenzie, a former dancer, believably captures Mags-s overburdened and self-defeating voice, as well as her confusion over her crush on her (probably gay) best friend George and her petty jealousies involving others vying for George-s attentions. However, as realistic as Mags-s voice is, and as on-point MacKenzie-s descriptions of dance are, the narrative is slow and meandering. The story picks up once the competition begins, but Mags-s development as a character doesn-t really start until after her inevitable injury. Ages 12-up. Agent: Victoria Marini, Gelfman Schneider (Nov.)

Gr 8 Up-In her debut young adult novel, the author draws on her background in dance to create a first-person narrative about a young woman striving to "dance herself free" of obstacles. Life in a small Oregon coastal town, Summerland, is fraught with taunts and accusations for Magnolia after her addict mother commits a crime. The only time she feels accepted is when she is practicing at the dance studio. After her popular, handsome best friend, George, discovers that tryouts for a television dance contest will be held in a nearby city, he convinces her to compete. Despite her strong sense that George "plays for the other team," Magnolia is infatuated with him, until he betrays her on national television. Magnolia is able to befriend other competitors, though, all of whom have their own issues. Snobby, beautiful Olivia has a mother who belittles her and calls her a loser. Loudmouthed Jack has trouble expressing himself and is perceived as a bully. Magnolia slowly realizes that the widening of her social circle empowers her with empathy. Though the themes of this title are not new, MacKenzie deftly explores the idea that each person experiences pain, often deeply hidden from the world, as well as the maturity that comes from that understanding. Teens questioning the status quo and thinking about an independent future, regardless of their family situations, will find interest in Magnolia's journey. VERDICT Recommended for mature high school readers who prefer fiction that speaks to real-life situations. Denise Kim, Bronx High School of Science, NY

Magnolia is desperate to get herself and older sister Rose out of Summerland. The tiny Oregon coastal town has rejected them ever since their addict mother sold the mayor's daughter the drugs that killed her. Hope arises when Mags's best friend, George, a talented dancer like her, persuades her to try out for the popular "American Idol"-style TV show, "Live to Dance." If she wins, the prize money will give the sisters a new start. She is shocked when George, to cover up a mistake during his audition, spills her entire story on national TV, painting himself as her champion. She will do it alone, Mags decidesshe will show everyone. Doing it alone proves a lonely business, until she begins to see that everyone on the show, George included, has a story and a struggle. When a devastating injury forces Mags from the competition, she must, at last, confront the real hindrance to her successherself.Fans of dance, reality TV, and family drama will snap this up. Though Mags's self-pity gets tedious as times, her love for her wayward mother and her hurt and confusion about George's apparent betrayal are real and touching. George's refusal to narrowly define his sexual preference is handled adroitly. The other dancers, though lightly sketched, will engage readers' interest, as will the behind-the-scenes look at talent competitions. MacKenzie uses well the timeless themes of finding yourself and recognizing true friends. Spin the Sky will prove popular in both school and public library collections.Kathleen Beck.