Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This book started off a bit slow, so it took me awhile to get into it. The story eventually picked up and I ended up really enjoying it. I especially loved Sofia's family and how it was compared to an accordion. The family dynamic, the warmth and love, was easy to imagine from the author's descriptions. One of the main focuses of the book was ballet, but it eventually landed on some other topics, such as immigration, changing friendship dynamics, racism, and standing up for oneself. As others have stated, there were many story-lines in the book. However, I think they worked quite well together and felt realistic. While not everything was tied up with a bow at the end, I also feel like that made sense. The topics discussed in the book are ongoing and not likely to be resolved so quickly. While there was definitely a beginning and an end to the story, it felt very much like a slice of life. I can imagine these characters and their stories continuing on well after I've finished reading. This was the first book that I read that was written by this author (aside from a title that was co-written by her) and I very much look forward to reading more.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House Kids for the gifted book that I read along with the library audio.

Sofia has grown up in a ballet centric home just outside of New York. Her Cuban American family lives and breathes ballet. Both her parents were professional dancers, her sister is a ballet prodigy, and her brother shows immense promise. However, Sofia is a bit of a ballet disaster. She would rather be dreaming up beautiful costumes than drilling 8 counts to perfection. But when one of her parent's friends from Cuba comes to visit with her talented son who is going to be a featured ballerina at the American Ballet Theatre, Sofia has to face what it means to be an Acosta and what it means to be a Cuban American.

I really enjoyed this book and this deep dive into a sub culture of America that I only know tangentially. I grew up dancing, but as someone who is height challenged I never had aspirations to be a professional ballerina. I didn't know the strong Cuban connection to ballet and I loved this exploration of how to fit into your family, how to harness your dreams, how to reconcile your ties to two countries and more. I was entertained throughout and thought this would make a great book for children and parents to discuss.

We don't get a lot of kids books that address Cuba in the modern era. Cuban-Americans, sure, but not so much Cuban nationals. Otheguy has presented us with an interesting dilemma between devotion to home and culture and the promise of opportunities, the desire to create opportunities for future generations. As complex as that is, it's largely a side plot. The main story is takes on familial expectations and casual racism.It's a bit blunt, lacking in nuance, but still a compelling read.

Loved Sofia, her voice, her family.
Sofia could easily be Merci Suarez’s BFF.
Who wouldn’t want to hang out in Sofia’s accordion house?

Loved this book!

I really enjoyed how Sofia came to embrace her background and solidify her identity. I loved the ballet aspect and think many of my readers will like this, as it's not a topic found in many middle grade books.

I was only halfway through the book when I immediately added it to my list to order for my elementary libraries.

This was a very sweet coming-of-age story that I really enjoyed!

Thanks to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene is a sweet, thought-provoking middle grade book about finding one’s path, recognizing inequality, and handling prejudice when it comes from unexpected places. This book is suffused with Cuban history and culture, ballet, family love, and a sense of community. While the protagonist is in her last year of elementary school, this book is sure to be loved by younger and older middle grade readers alike.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book! Emma Otheguy explores immigration and how hard it can be to find your voice when you are only 10 years old. Sofia and her family are Cuban and lucky enough to be excellent ballerinas, well, everyone but Sofia. Sofia is on a journey of self-discovery throughout the book. She loves sewing, not dance. She loves being Cuban but not arguing with her best friend about it. How can she be a proud Acosta without dance? How can she be a proud Cuban without offending her friend? Sofia discovers the answers to these questions throughout the book.
There is a lot of important information. It's well written and hits on some hard topics in a way that kids can understand and learn from. There were times I was lost in too much detail of the chaotic Acosta house, but that would be my only critic. Otherwise this book was great.

Sofia Acosta may only be in fifth grade, but she knows what it’s like to struggle to fit in. Her parents teach dance at the local high school for the performing arts. As former professional members of a professional ballet troupe, they have a lot to offer their students. Born in Cuba, they found their way to America through ballet, and it’s a huge part of the family. Sofia’s older sister Regina is already dancing on pointe and wants to join the American Ballet Theatre one day. Her younger brother Manuel is also a dancer with a lot of natural talent.

Sofia goes to dance class every week, and she’s excited to audition for The Nutcracker, but she’s even more mesmerized by the costumes that ballerinas wear. Truth be told, as much as she’s hoping to be in the Party Scene of the ballet, she’s just as excited to add some new lace and decorations to the Party Scene costumes that are looking a little worn.

At school. her teacher Mr. Fallon has just become a citizen of the United States, and the class is planning a party to celebrate that with the help of the school secretary. Sofia was hoping to be on the Decoration Committee with her best friend Tricia, but instead she gets put on the History and Contexts Committee with Laura, who is known as the Bad News Machine for her views on social issues.

And then she finds out that The Ballet Nacional de Cuba is putting on a show with the American Ballet Theatre, and her mother’s best friend when they were younger, Yolanda, is coming with her son Alvano is coming to dance. Sofia is excited, and she can’t wait for them to come to America. They’ll be living with the Acostas for three months, and Sofia is really looking forward to spending time with them and getting to know them better.

But the more time Sofia spends with Yolanda and Alvano, hearing about the Cuba of today, and the more she spends time with Laura, researching the way immigrants have been treated in America since the days of Ellis Island, the more Sofia notices the small moments of racism that she and her family face. But what will she decide to do about it?

Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene is a charming middle grade book with engaging characters and lots of interesting information for kids who are interested in ballet or in social justice issues. There is a lot going on in the story, and in the Acosta house, but that energy keeps the story moving forward. Sofia is a sweetheart, wanting to do her best for everyone and trying to find her own place as well, which I think kids will relate to.

Personally, I love Sofia’s spirit and her generosity, her honesty and her loyalty. I like how she develops her voice and thinks through the things that are bothering her before she takes action. She is her own person, and she makes her own way through life. Even though not everyone around her recognizes her gifts, she tries to share them anyway, grateful for all the good things that have happened for her family. And then the awareness of racism in their neighborhood, growing as Sofia pays more attention to her friends and family, is a poignant reminder of the reality of daily life for some immigrants, building empathy and compassion in readers. This is a good story with a good message, and a lot of fun as well.

Egalleys for Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene were provided by Random House Children’s (Knopf Books for Young Readers) through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Middle Grade novel that speaks about how friendships and interests change as you approach teen years 🩰🪡🧵
❤️Cuban immigrant family
❤️ Real & lovable lead
❤️ BALLET!
❤️ Finding your own niche in family

Sofia Acosta is great for:
- Fans of Encanto! There’s music, there’s family, there’s secrets and there’s ✨character growth✨
- Young readers heading into middle school soon
- A family who want something fun to read together that can also lead to impactful discussion

Perfect for fans of dance and family stories. This book also provides quite a bit of insight into immigration issues. The information provided about the history of Cuban ballet was interesting as well. Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.

I love reading a story that teaches me about current social issues and their historical roots without feeling like a school lesson. This ballet-infused story set in New York City does just that as it addresses family, community, belonging and immigration from a Cuban perspective.

Sofia’s parents were ballet dancers who moved to New York City from Cuba before she was born. Both of her siblings are talented dancers, but Sofia would rather spend time working on costumes for her dolls than practicing dance steps. Sofia thinks she has to be a ballet dancer to be part of her family, but what if it’s not her thing? She needs to find the courage to speak up at home and with her best friend, who doesn’t appreciate why her Cuban heritage is important. She also wants to find a voice to support other immigrants who deserve the opportunity to be part of their community. As she faces challenges with her role in The Nutcracker, a school project about a proposed neighbourhood housing development for immigrants, and a secret involving family friends from Cuba who’ve come to New York for a performance, she learns being an Acosta is more about love than ballet.

I liked the importance of a community that runs throughout this book. Sofia’s family is affectionately called the “Acosta Accordion” by a neighbour as it expands to include so many people around them. They have a genuinely welcoming home that brings together a mix of characters and cultures, and I wished that I would be invited for dinner and to hang out for an evening. I learned more about the complicated relationship between the United States and Cuba and the difficulties faced by separated families. It’s a timely novel with important themes that middle-grade readers will enjoy.

You will love Sofía Acosta Makes A Scene,
Especially if
-you like sewing, costumes, designing and creating,
-you like dance and ballet
-you know what it feels like to think your siblings hold all the talent
-you feel the call of activism/believe it’s important to stand up for what you believe in

This was a very touching middle grade story focusing on important issues. It also has a gorgeous cover with such pretty art! Sofia Acosta does not fit in amongst her amazing ballet family. Her parents danced under prima ballerina Alicia Alonso before they immigrated to the New York suburbs. Where they host dancer friends from Cuba for a performance with the American Ballet Theatre, Sofia learns wonderful things about her family and their connections. However, the dancers’ secret plans to defect to the US bring new complications, like the place of immigrant families like hers in the eyes of the tight-knit suburban town.
I haven’t read that much middle-grade recently, so it was nice to read something a bit different. This book felt very real. Sofia was so relatable! She was just trying to figure out her place and her family’s place. She was dealing with big issues of loyalty, privilege, family, and belonging. As she figures it out, there is conflict with her friends, amidst her family, and in her community.. Of course, Sofia is still only in 5th grade and is still processing and learning. I think it was shown realistically, but I did wish she was able to have a conversation with her family at some point. There were definitely some points where I was a little bit embarrassed for her as she tried to figure out her ever-shifting world.
It was nice to see how she began to see different perspectives and that though it changed some of her relationships, it did not break any of them. It was really sweet to see her family, the “Acosta accordion”, it reminds me of some of the stories I have heard about my own family. I also appreciated how they did their best to support Sofia, even if they did not quite do it perfectly.
Overall, this was a sweet middle-grade novel dealing with some deep issues. I am not completely sure if I agree with all that is chosen to be done and different characters have different views throughout the book. However, it is a great way for young people to start learning a bit more through a story and to start thinking about these topics. It is also cool for readers to see themselves and their families in stories like these!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

Sofia Acosta Makes a Scene is a MG book about a Cuban girl from a ballet family that doesn't feel like she fits in. Even though she works really hard, she can't seem to get the steps down for her part in the Nutcracker. Sofia has always thought she had to be a ballet dancer to fit in. After she helps with the costumes, she finds she can contribute without having to dance. She also learns the best part about her family is not the ballet, but that they welcome everyone. In the end, Sofia learns to pursue her own passions, speak up for herself, and not just try and make everyone else happy. A good message for all who want to fit in at Middle School.

The story of Sofia Acosta and her family is a story of finding your place in your family, figuring out who you are, and learning to speak up for what is important. This novel skillfully weaves themes of immigration, discrimination, and friendship into the story of Sofia’s Fall as she dances the Nutcracker and prepares for a big celebration at her school. I highly recommend for the upper elementary school reader, as well as anyone who has loved tales like Efren Divided.

Ten-year-old Sofía Acosta comes from a family of ballerinas. Her parents were famous dancers in Cuba before they came to the United States, while her thirteen-year-old sister is fated to become a star. Even her little brother is an amazing dancer. Only Sofía has two left feet, but has been dancing since kindergarten where she met her best friend Tricia. Together they plan to be cast as Party Scene dancers in the upcoming Nutcracker production.

Sofía has been dancing since she was in kindergarten but, since the Acosta family are all ballerinas, she believes she needs to become one too even though her joy lies in costume design. Burying what she really wants and not making scenes comes naturally to Sofía, especially if it makes Tricia uncomfortable. When an affordable housing unit is proposed for their part of town Sofía is surprised at Tricia’s objections. She’s gotten so used to putting Tricia first that she starts to believe what she says about leaving American jobs for Americans and about not wanting change to come to their neighborhood. As Sofía learns about the difficulties faced by Latinos and others who come to this country, she begins to understand the importance of standing up for what she believes. It is only then that Sofía learns she and her family stand for more than ballet.

“Sofía Acosta makes a scene” has many similarities to Meg Medina’s 2019 Newbery winning title “Merci Suárez changes gears” with its themes of family, love and tough decisions that need to be made. Pairing Sofía with Merci would create interesting discussions with young readers.

Recommended for ages 10-14.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Sofía lives with her family in a well-to-do fictional suburb of Pine Hill near New York City. Her parents, both ballet dancers, defected to the US from Cuba and teach dance at the local high school. Sofía and her siblings, Regina and Manuel, all take dance lessons and are involved in the local production of The Nutcracker. Manuel has the role of Fritz for the second year, even though he is only 8, and Regina is Dewdrop, a role that is usually hired from a professional company. Sofía would rather work on costumes than practice, but hopes to be in the party scene since her friend Tricia will most likely be there. She's already spending time away from Tricia since she was assigned to a different committee to plan a party for a teacher from Ireland who has just gotten his US citizenship; Tricia is on the decorating committee and Sofía has to work with the outspoken activist in her class, Laurita, on the history of immigration. Laurita is very passionate about a lot of things, including the new low income Acorn Apartments that are supposed to be built where there is currently a super market parking lot where a lot of children skateboard. The household is often filled with visitors, and Sofía's mother prides herself in allowing anyone to visit and stay if they need, and makes sure to stock the pantry with everyone's favorite snacks, even if they aren't that healthy. When the mother's best friend from Cuba, Yolanda, comes to spend time while her son, Alvero, is working with the American Ballet Theater, things get a little hectic. Sofía is having difficulties with Tricia, whose grandparents were immigrants but who now lives in a big house and belongs to the country club, and who doesn't have a good opinion of new immigrants or the new low income housing. Practices for the Nutcracker are hard, and she's not doing well. When she finds out that Alvero is thinking about defecting, she makes the mistake of confiding in Tricia. Will Sofía be able to be true to herself and also maintain her pride in her busy, Cuban family?
Strengths: Sofía is a typical middle school student who wants to please her family but is also at odds with them at times. I love that even though the parents are very busy, the household manages to expand and welcome guests, and their house is near the schools and shops. The sibling relationships are also well drawn, and Regina is both helpful towards and frustrated by her sister. It's understandable that Sofía wants to do ballet even though she doesn't like it-- who IS she if she is an Acosta who doesn't do ballet? It's the whole reason her family is in the US. Middle school is where having friends with different backgrounds can become complicated, and many relationships realign because of this, so seeing Tricia taking etiquette classes at the country club is a definite sign that things are about to change. I loved that Sofía was interested in sewing, and would have liked a lot more information about how her interest started and what she planned to do with it.
Weaknesses: The writing definitely reflected the chaotic quality of the Acosta household, and I would have liked the story better if it had been more organized and streamlined. For example, more information about the apartment buildings and the need for them would have made this important issue clearer, and we could have done without Manuel's constant playdates and Sofía's emotional hoarding of stuffed animals. I wonder if my students, who seem to find it hard to concentrate on anything these days, will have trouble following everything that goes on.
What I really think: There is a lot of interesting information about the production of The Nutcracker, and I always have a few students who are involved in that, and no books except for Adrian's Nutcracked. I also really appreciated the information about Cuban immigration, especially regarding dancers, and the short overview of US immigration policies in general. I will definitely purchase a copy.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

Sofia comes from a family of dancers. As a Cuban and as an Acosta she feels that the only way to be accepted is to be a good ballerina...but she struggles. A lot. And she is really passionate about costume design but feels like she needs to keep this interest hidden. During the story Sofia learns a lot about what it means to speak up, both for yourself and others. There were some points where I felt the point of the book was made more directly than I like, I usually prefer the point to be made through storytelling, but I thought this was a good book and will be particularly appealing to MG readers passionate about ballet.