The Other Side of Perfect

'Beautifully written, funny, and heartfelt, The Other Side of Perfect is a must-read debut. Alina is a character to cheer for and cherish.' Emma Mills, author of First & Then and Lucky Caller 'A strong portrayal of musical theater, ballet, the arts, and culture all merged into a coming-of-age story that will resonate with teens.' School Library Journal 'Debut novelist Mariko Turk writes with a great deal of nuance as she teases out the emotional knots behind her main character Alina's moody exterior. Cast as The Vamp, originally played by dancer Cyd Charisse, Alina gets initiated into the weird world of musical theater, while still grappling with the grief and pain left by her injury. Turk also draws attention to the racism embedded in classical ballet culture, forcing Japanese American Alina to reckon with the ugly side of her beloved art form. A well-choreographed story of hope, resilience, and personal growth.' Booklist 'An injured teenage ballerina falls in love while re-examining the cultural and racial context of her beloved art ... Rom-com elements create a familiar framework for a fresh story exploring the tension between racist traditions and culturally authentic representation in the arts. Half Japanese and half White, Alina works through her complex feelings about being gaslit into dancing the problematic Chinese Tea solo in The Nutcracker for so many years while her best friend, Colleen, who is Black, was repeatedly given the Arabian Coffee role - and less talented White dancers got better parts. Alina's compelling, realistic journey focuses on strategies to manage trauma and mental health with the goal of moving forward even when there are setbacks. The writing is compelling, 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 Reviews 'A heartfelt and realistic portrayal of a teenager at a crossroads. This book made me laugh, cry, wince, and smile so big. Alina's journey to acceptance after her dreams are shattered was so carefully plotted and written. I could not put this book down because I was cheering so hard for Alina. The author manages to work so much into this book - complicated family dynamics, first loves, sexism, and learning to start over. Alina, a Japanese American girl, also confronts racism in the ballet world and throughout the novel she learns how to question what she's always been told is unchangeable. I loved seeing Alina find her voice and her passion again. This is a must read.' The Almeda Free Library