* "This age is difficult to capture, and Méndez portrays it beautifully; Florencia has very grown-up feelings and actions interspersed with childlike observances. Seeing a fellow tween navigate a difficult time will inspire not just dancers but any young person finding their way back to themselves." -- Booklist , starred review * "A beautifully realized book that reminds readers that there's more than one rhythm to dance to." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review * "Méndez examines the toll that participating in elite dance has on one child's friendships and mental health in this emotionally raw and honest offering." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review * "An impactful and nuanced look at childhood mental health and the pressures children sometimes face when pursuing their passions at an early age." -- Shelf Awareness , starred review "Méndez offers readers a fully dimensional protagonist in Flor, an ambitious girl who balances her people-pleasing tendencies with her own desires. Her grief, anxiety, and anger are all conveyed in a voice ringing with authenticity." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Best Books of 2025 Best Books of the Year 2025 - Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Finalist 2026 - Read Your World.
The Reel Wish