Last Dance

An ominous monochromatic dark-blue and gray palette sets the mood for this exploration of ambition set in the world of ballet, where single-minded principal dancer Miriam is determined to preserve her stature at any price. After an ankle fracture costs Miriam her role, she’s pushed back into the corps—the “back-up dancers,” in her view. But when she encounters a mysterious spirit shadow, she makes a deal, that, unsurprisingly, she comes to regret. In her graphic novel debut, Schroy highlights emotions and reactions in pointed, wordless renderings of facial expressions, while equally close, detailed views of Miriam’s injured foot and crutches emphasize her injury and continuing pain. Unfortunately, ethnically diverse secondary characters fall flat, serving primarily to propel Miriam’s downward trajectory and eventual transformation. Echoing classic, more complex ballet stories depicted in films, such as The Red Shoes and Black Swan, Schroy’s graphic novel layers a psychological study into a cautionary tale with mixed results. Ages 8–12. [em](Nov.) [/em]