We have updated our Privacy Policy Please take a moment to review it. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the terms of our updated Privacy Policy.

Description

For fans of Sarah Dessen and Mary H.K. Choi, this lyrical and emotionally driven novel follows Alina, a young aspiring dancer who suffers a devastating injury and must face a world without ballet—as well as the darker side of her former dream.

Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but then a terrifying fall shatters her leg—and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it.

After a summer healing (translation: eating vast amounts of Cool Ranch Doritos and binging ballet videos on YouTube), she is forced to trade her pre-professional dance classes for normal high school, where she reluctantly joins the school musical. However, rehearsals offer more than she expected—namely Jude, her annoyingly attractive castmate she just might be falling for.

But to move forward, Alina must make peace with her past and face the racism she experienced in the dance industry. She wonders what it means to yearn for ballet—something so beautiful, yet so broken. And as broken as she feels, can she ever open her heart to someone else?

Touching, romantic, and peppered with humor, this debut novel explores the tenuousness of perfectionism, the possibilities of change, and the importance of raising your voice.

About the Author

NOVL - Author Mariko Turk

Mariko Turk teaches writing and rhetoric classes and works as a writing tutor at the University of Colorado Boulder. She received her PhD in English from the University of Florida, with a concentration in children’s literature. The Other Side of Perfect is her debut novel. 

Peek the Audiobook

From NOVL Nation

The Other Side of Perfect is the right side of perfect 😉 I absolutely loved this book! It was one of those where you want to focus all your time and energy and just read and enjoy it, so when I was busy with something else, I kept wanting to come back to it.”

– Shelby, 123sccshelby 

The Other Side of Perfect  by Mariko Turk is, well, perfect. Cliché to say that, I know, but it truly is. I did not know I needed this book in my life until I started reading it.”

– Katie, @niftyreads

#TheOtherSideOfPerfect

Meet The Author: Mariko Turk

Mariko Turk received her PhD in English from the University of Florida, with a concentration in children's literature. She lives in Colorado with her husband and daughter. She is the author of The Other Side of Perfect and I'll Be Waiting for You.

Discover More

Praise

Praise for The Other Side of Perfect:

– YALSA's 2022 Best Fiction For Young Adults


"Debut novelist Turk writes with a great deal of nuance…. A well-choreographed story of hope, resilience, and personal growth." —Booklist
"The writing is engaging, sentimental moments will please romance lovers, and the hopeful, yet realistic, ending is satisfying. A love story with a refreshing focus on confronting systemic racism." —Kirkus
"A strong portrayal of musical theater, ballet, the arts, and culture all merged into a coming-of-age story that will resonate."  —SLJ
Read More Read Less