Dancing in the Storm

Gr 3-7–Morris, with almost 400 credits, repeats her remarkably youthful rapport with tween characters in her second Hitchcock title, this time becoming talented 12-year-old gymnast Kate of Baton Rouge—and, just as deftly, Kate’s family and friends. When Kate’s worsening shoulder pain is diagnosed as Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), a rare genetic disorder causing bones to gradually replace muscles and tissues, she understandably feels deprived of everything she most loves—from gymnastics to Girl Scouts. Adapting to a new normal will be the toughest ongoing challenge of Kate’s young life. Facebook enables a serendipitous connection with an adult with FOP—a clever insertion of coauthor Specht—who’s exactly the supportive, experienced friend Kate needs. Specht and Hitchcock reveal their collaborative connection in their authors’ notes. Real-life FOP expert Dr. Fred (Kaplan) appears as both character and resource.