School Dance

Gr 5-8–The third book in Sax’s series tells Milo’s story. Milo can’t dance, and after showing up to a beach-themed bar mitzvah in a jacket and tie, he becomes convinced that the curse causing him to ruin social gatherings has struck again. Determined to avoid dancing at all costs, Milo keeps a low profile, until the Snowball Soiree is announced at school. Suddenly, dancing becomes inescapable as Milo’s friends and family encourage him to let loose and embrace the joy of cutting a rug. While the dancing debacle drives the main story, another plot unfolds as Milo’s abuela moves in with his family and starts bending the rules about driving her beloved vintage car alone. It’s all semantics with Abuela, and Milo gets caught up in the fibbing, adding more pressure to his already stressed-out psyche. Sax captures the middle school experience with sharp accuracy, from Vivi’s intense crush to Al’s passionate indignation about climate change, both of which contribute to an authentically chaotic and relatable environment. The book wonderfully portrays Milo’s loving family, who occasionally use Spanish words; they are shown with brown skin while Milo’s group of friends is also diverse. They all seem likely to appear in future series installments. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and sure to appeal to middle grade graphic novel fans.