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Description
Best friends CeCe Jones and Rocky Blue have always loved dancing together, so when they get the chance to audition for the hit television show Shake It Up, Chicago, it feels like a dream come true. But when CeCe freezes during her tryout, their future on the show becomes uncertain, and they wonder if they'll still get to perform together. This first book in the series follows the two friends through the excitement and challenges of auditioning for a TV show while dealing with the normal stresses of being teenagers.
Quick Summary
If you know a kid who dreams of dancing on TV or just loves stories about best friends going after something together, this is a great pick. CeCe and Rocky are that classic duo one's a big personality who sometimes trips over her own nerves, and the other's the steady friend who keeps her grounded and their friendship feels real and warm without being preachy. The story is fast-moving and funny, especially when CeCe's big audition moment goes sideways, but it also shows kids that messing up doesn't have to mean the end of your story. At around 14,000 words, it's short enough for even reluctant readers to power through, and the TV show setting (it was based on the real Disney Channel series) gives it a fun, modern vibe that middle graders will recognize. Parents will appreciate that there's nothing iffy here it's just clean, upbeat fun with a positive message about perseverance and friendship. If a reader has ever wished they could start over and try again after something embarrassing, they'll really connect with CeCe's journey.