Marisol

My daughter does NOT like to read. However, she does LOVE to dance! We bought the book with the doll. She didn't pick up the book until she had to do a report for school. I had already read the book one day, and encouraged her to read it for her report. She gave in, because she really had to choice but to read something for her report. Well, once she picked it up, she did not want to put it down!!! It was a book she could relate to, since she and the main character both love to dance. It even prompted her to look up Ballet Folklorico on the computer, since that is Marisol's favorite kind of dance. I only wish this was a series, like the other books from American Girl.

I am an adult who bought the new American Girl doll, Marisol. Since the book comes with the doll, I thought I'd read it just for fun. I thought it was a pleasant, well-written book. I think it would especially appeal to girls ages 8-12 who like to dance. But I think this is also a good book for any child who is forced to move from the home and neighborhood they love and is having a hard time adjusting. Marisol is a good kid (possibly unrealistically so) who handles her family's move without much whining or complaining to her parents. She soon learns that the move may not be all bad. The new neighborhood is definitely quieter, and right next door is a girl in her exact grade who also likes to dance. The only real worry is that there is no dance studio in her new town, Des Plaines, IL, and Marisol lives to dance. When Marisol meets her soon-to-be ex-upstairs neighbor's daughter, a dance teacher, she tries to convince her to move to Des Plaines to open a dance studio. Marisol is a very persistent girl who doesn't take 'no' for an answer. I like the fact that the book has many Spanish words sprinkled throughout, and there's a small glossary in the back so readers can look up those words. The book has a slightly educational feel to it, but kids won't even notice it. They'll just enjoy the story.