Book review #5 Emily Goldberg

Women's History

Emily Goldberg learns to Dance: A novel by Micol Ostow,2006,200pp.

$16.99 Puerto Ricans, Jews, Family, History ISBN:978-1-595-14081-4

Emily is forced to stay with her mother in Puerto Rico due to her grandmother's death. Half Jewish Emily just graduated from high school in New York. She does not find it easy to connect with her Puerto Rican family or heritage. These relatives she has never met. Emily can not relate to her Big Puerto Rican family. They are loud, noisy, a bit to filled with drama for Emily.

Emily thought her mother chose to distance herself from her large Puerto Rican family. But after her grandmother's death she learns the truth. Emily must loose her summer plans and stay with her mother in Puerto Rico. Emily has difficulty fitting in and her cousin's attitudes toward her are negative.

She is not prepared for the cultural differences and turns to her mother for help. Some of the cultural differences can be understood through the reading of What the Moon Saw by Laura Resau. Clara is spending the summer in Oaxaca, Mexico, she is not unlike Emily spending the summer in Puerto Rico. These different cultures and traditions are a mystery to the two girls.

Emily's quick, witted thoughts and humorous narrative describes the countries food, music, clothing and social graces. It is through the dance of Salsa that opens Emily's heart and mind to new experiences. While reading this story it is nice to have background music of Sergio Mendes-Oceano: a blend of different dance styles and musical instruments, or Los Mocosos - American us: musical styles of rock, Latin, funk and Jamaican ska mixed in a melting pot of guitars, horns and Latin rock rhythms. One can't help but fall into the story. Later when hearing a piece of Sergio Mendes' work on the radio, I fell back into the story of Emily and her new culture.

When Emily's cousin Lucy becomes pregnant, only Emily and her mother can help Lucy with their New York ways. This improves the family relationship and teaches the girls there are options in other countries.

This story is a fast paced, humorous piece of literature for YA girls. "It opens up issues of tradition, Feminism, friendship and loyalty-Hazel Rochman copyright 2006 Booklist. This book would make a great discussion session for girls and help answer questions they may be afraid to talk over with their parents.