I Wanna Be Where You Are

by Kristina Forest

Overview

A debut young adult rom-com about an African American ballerina who finds love on the road to an audition.

"In a world where it's easy to lose faith in love, I Wanna Be Where You Are is a brilliant burst of light. A dazzling debut." — Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out

When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat.

Filled with roadside hijinks, heart-stirring romance, and a few broken rules, Kristina Forest's I Wanna Be Where You Are is a YA debut perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250294883
Publisher:	Roaring Brook Press
Publication date:	06/04/2019
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	1,093,679
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 1.10(d)
Lexile:	HL680L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kristina Forest is the author of the Young Adult romance novels, I Wanna Be Where You Are, which The New York Times called, “a big hearted story about being brave enough to go for what you want,” and Now That I’ve Found You, a Book Riot Best Book of 2020. Her next YA romance, Zyla & Kai, will publish in Summer 2022 with Kokila/Penguin Young Readers. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing at The New School, and she can often be found rearranging the books on her huge bookshelf.

Editorial Reviews

…Forest's novel offers more than romance. This is a bighearted story about being brave enough to go for what you want, even when the rules tell you something different.

The New York Times Book Review - Jen Doll

"A brilliant burst of light. A dazzling debut." —Nic Stone, New York Times-bestselling author of Dear Martin

"A novel bursting with humor and struggle and heart—and the call to do what we love, even when it isn't easy." —Nina LaCour, author of the Printz Award-winning We Are Okay

"A bighearted story about being brave enough to go for what you want, even when the rules tell you something different. —The New York Times

"This is an engaging, romantic story that explores dealing with relationships, loss, and having the courage to follow your heart, romantically and otherwise." —Horn Book

"A strong debut, recommended for dancers and wallflowers alike." —School Library Journal

"Chloe's arc allows readers to follow her from insecure nightmares to coming one step closer to realizing big and small dreams." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

From the Publisher

06/01/2019

Gr 7 Up—Dance is the thing that brings joy to Chloe's life. That's why she's determined to audition for Avery Johnson's conservatory, a place where she will be among dancers of all colors and shapes and where she will fit in more than she does now. Her dark skin doesn't match the lighter tones of the girls in her studio. But her mother will not let her audition, so Chloe schemes to drive from her New Jersey home to Washington, DC, to audition while her mother is on vacation. Chloe's neighbor and former crush, Eli, figures out her plan and invites himself and his dog along for the ride. Chloe's history with Eli is full of ups and downs, and this journey follows the same path. But in sorting out her feelings about Eli, Chloe figures out some important truths about herself as well. Chloe and Eli are both interesting and layered characters, and the plot has enough twists and turns to keep even the most prescient readers guessing. Readers can't help but root for Chloe and Eli to overcome their past and move toward a future together. VERDICT A strong debut, recommended for dancers and wallflowers alike.—Kelly Jo Lasher, Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, NJ

School Library Journal

Chloe's determination to be a professional ballerina is palpable in Jeanette Illidge’s narration of this realistic YA romance. Against her mother’s wishes, Chloe drives from New Jersey to Washington, DC, so she can audition for a dance company that welcomes dark-skinned dancers like her. When her former crush, Eli, joins the road trip, Chloe decides to admit her true feelings for him. Illidge imbues both Eli and Chloe with relatable teenage emotions—from nervous excitement to anger to anguished embarrassment. Her correct pronunciation of French ballet terms lends authenticity to the ballet plotline. Dancers and non-dancers alike will enjoy this romance and root for Chloe and Eli to get together. S.C. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

SEPTEMBER 2019 - AudioFile