Reviews

A Time to Dance by Padma Venkatraman

elegyforthedream's review against another edition

5.0

it was amazing to see my culture represented through this book. it carried the grace of dance along veda's journey, and though I'm not a dancer, I felt deeply invigorated by veda's pain and inner peace. now I wish I hadn't given up my carnatic music class on my sixth year. this book spoke to my heart.. now what are you still doing here? read it!

evajgrossi's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

rossakamcfreakyd's review

4.0

When I picked up "A Time to Dance" I wasn't sure if I would enjoy it. Novels in verse, for whatever reason, usually distract me from the story. In this case, however, it just worked. The verse gave the story this lyrical quality that paired really well with a story steeped in traditional Indian dance and culture. I even went to Youtube to google different people performing Bharatanatyam dance in order to get a good image of what the characters were doing. The dance form, and this novel, were both beautiful!

maria_hossain's review

5.0

*Lady Gaga voice*

"Heartwarming. Soft. Wholesome. Pure. Radiant. Healing.

shksprsis's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

chilotte's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

eelsmac's review

4.5

This was a wonderful book. I bought a few copies on a whim for my classroom, and I'm definitely going to order more copies and use it for my multicultural studies class. I enjoyed all of the interplay between Veda's physical struggles and spiritual struggles. Not only does it give a really excellent look into Indian culture, it also addresses issues of physical ability.

hayley_henderson22's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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? It's complicated

2.75

the_harlequin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Medical trauma, Ableism, Body horror, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, Classism, and Death

Minor: Car accident

hazelalaska's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced