Instructions for Dancing
on Goodreads (54,595)
What’s inside...
In this romantic novel, Evie Thomas, who has the power to see other people's romantic fates, struggles with her own beliefs about love after witnessing a couple's entire relationship through a vision. As she tries to understand why this happened, she meets X at La Brea Dance Studio and they enter a dance competition together. Despite her visions of heartbreak, Evie finds herself falling for X and questioning everything she thought she knew about love and its worth. The novel explores themes of love, destiny, and the risks we take for the ones we care about. It's a touching love story that challenges the conventional notions of romance and heartbreak.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-17
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did Evie learn about love and relationships throughout her journey in the book?
How do you think the different dances mentioned in the story symbolize different aspects of life?
What did you think about Evie's relationship with her family and friends? How did these relationships change?
Why do you think Evie was given the ability to see the future of other people’s relationships? How did this affect her own views on love?
What part of the story resonated with you the most and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to explore the connection between dance and emotions by asking them how certain dances might represent different feelings or moments in their own life.
Discuss the importance of relationships and communication, drawing parallels between the book and real-life scenarios that your child might encounter.
Facilitate a conversation about how foreseeing the future could impact one’s choices, prompting your child to contemplate how they would handle similar situations as Evie.
Highlight the growth of Evie as a character, asking your child to reflect on how they have grown or changed over recent times.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: In 'Instructions for Dancing,' the protagonist learns to accept and embrace changes in her life, including complex family dynamics and personal relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cope with changes such as moving to a new school or adjustments in family structure by understanding that change is a part of life and can lead to personal growth.
Example Lesson: The Power of Vulnerability
Explanation: The story showcases the courage it takes to be vulnerable and open-hearted, even when past experiences might make it difficult to do so.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to express their feelings and build trust in relationships, teaching them that vulnerability can deepen connections with others.
Example Lesson: Importance of Communication
Explanation: Characters in the book learn valuable lessons about the role of open and honest communication in maintaining healthy relationships.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of discussing their thoughts and feelings, fostering better communication skills in their own interactions.
Example Lesson: Learning from Loss
Explanation: The protagonist deals with loss and learns important life lessons about grief and moving forward.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that grief is a natural response to loss and that it's okay to seek support, helping them handle their emotions during difficult times.
Example Lesson: Following Your Passion
Explanation: The central character's journey in discovering and pursuing her passion for dancing demonstrates the value of following one's interests.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to explore and engage deeply with their own interests, whatever they may be, promoting a sense of fulfillment and self-discovery.