Leap is a graphic novel about two teenage contemporary dancers in a private performing arts school. Ana has found herself falling out of love with dance while struggling with a hidden relationship with her girlfriend, who is very focused on her own career. Sara struggles with her own dance talent, her sexuality, and a crush on a teacher she is inspired by.
Leap was a really well done queer coming of age novel. Sara and Ana's friendship is very realistic, all things considered, they give each other support and tough advice when needed. Ana's secret relationship with her girlfriend all but ripped my heart out, but life's first love can do that to a person. Each relationship is something learned. This graphic deals with everything from, body issues within the school, being queer and still quiet about it, setting boundaries, and finding your way with the help of a friend who gets it. Really well done, it made me cry a little, and I was so blown away by the artwork. As a former dancer and a lover of movement, the art really was fabulous.

A great title for any dancer. Leap explores the tensions between life and dance, as well as the ongoing reckoning in the dance world with gender. A beautiful title with characters facing very real challenges.

This was such a good read. I really enjoyed both the illustrations and the storyline. I would definitely recommend to others!

Leap, is a graphic novel, queer, coming of age story set at a dance school.
I have a soft spot for books set around dancing or dance schools. Overall I found this one to be a fine story. There are some things I didn't like but I thought the opening and ending were the strongest part. I also thought there were good lessons on relationships and teacher student relationships. I love the art style. The emotions and vibes were done so well. Overall this one was fine worth the read if you like queer characters at a performing arts school.

Really excellent queer storytelling, and I had fun with the dance school setting. Spoiler alert: I actually kind of expected the two main characters to end up with each other, and I was pleasantly surprised when that didn't happen, and they instead got to bond as friends.

This graphic novel follows two dancers, Ana and Sara, as they become friends. If you are a fan of graphic novels that cover growing up, changing, friendship and similar topics then you will enjoy this book. I really liked the characters, even the ones that I didn't like. Everyone seemed to be a well rounded character and not just a cardboard cut out of what you would assume a dancer to be like. I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

two teenage dancers explore their sexuality upon their crushes and partners at a romanian competitive performing arts school. do not expect a romance between the two main characters, and it's heartwarming to see love stories without the MCs being pushed into a romance. leap conveys so well on feeling burnout on something you enjoy, the competitive nature of dance, and the open and honest conversations of ana and sara around their relationships and queerness. a wholesome YA version of the sex lives of college girls, this is a lighthearted, graphic novel i would definitely recommend.

Part parallel queer love stories, part story about two different approaches to art and work, this is an engaging and sometimes heartbreaking graphic novel where the answers aren't immediately obvious. Two dance students in modern Bucharest become roommates: One is sacrificing her own education to support the ballerina she's in love with, while the other is questioning her own skills, while falling for a supportive teacher who may have a romantic interest in her. Living in a society where coming out of the closet could be a career-killer, both young women question what they want from their futures, and whether their possible partners could provide it.

The art in this book is beautiful and compelling, but what really hooked me was the sensation of not knowing what I wanted for either protagonist, because both of them are in complicated enough situations that there wasn't an obvious path forward. The author doesn't lean into the specter of institutional bigotry in a way that would make this a miserablist story about suffering, but it is a story about reckoning with the potential consequences of being out, and the difficulty of pursuing a demanding, difficult-to-achieve craft while dealing with prejudice and othering. I loved the nuance of the storytelling, and the window into a culture familiar enough to understand, but with enough distinctiveness and specificity to feel like I was getting a window into another country's subcultures.

Do you ever read something that feels like the author really opened their eyes and Saw You without ever meeting you?

Background - I took dance lessons for 12 years growing up. From Kindergarten all the way through my Senior year of high school, with a brief break in second grade. Dance was one of the very few hobbies, sports, arts, etc (however you want to classify it) that stuck. It was the one thing I could find that engaged me physically, mentally, and emotionally. Now looking back at it with my adult ADHD diagnosis in hand that kind of makes sense. My love for it was dampened though two very important characteristics about myself that felt deeply ostracizing at the time. I am fat and a lesbian. I love that about myself NOW, but damn did it do a number on my self-image when I was younger, especially since those are two characteristics that the world of dance despises - and this author does not flinch away from.

This graphic novel takes place in a dance school in Romania - halfway across the world from where I grew up and currently live, but much of it still resonates, even though I was a young girl going to a dance studio in suburban America in the early 2000s while these characters attend an academy in eastern Europe. The author talks about the research she did for this novel, and her found passion for dance along the way which so wonderful.

Dance is something that connects you so deeply to your body and those around you - but when you fear those social ramifications of your true self, it causes a painful dissidence.

With all of that in mind, this graphic novel tackles a lot in a short span of time beautifully. Our main character is in a restrictive and hidden queer relationship with a another dancer at the school who puts her dance before all else and does not want to come out. While this is happening, she makes a new friend - her roommate - who shifts her perspective on everything.

I know this review didn't give many details, but just trust me. Read this graphic novel and you'll understand.

Thank you so much to Macmillan's Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always realize at the end of the year all the fantasy books or other formats I’ve missed reading throughout out the year. And this one is no different. No it doesn’t matter that it came out in November lol I still count it as missed. Anyway, this one graphic novel made me check out all the graphic novels to read over the break I have because I missed them so much.

Ok so the writing in this was ok, but it was so repetitive. And it was unfortunate because I wanted to love this enough to use it for one of our work things. But it really felt like the same thing over and over. She didn’t learn from the 30 times people told her, but then magically she just got it? And I didn’t even understand what made her change her mind then? It was just out of nowhere. It could have been the other times that they were telling her. I can say tho when she finally “broke” I was excited. Because I was yelling “STAND UP!” at her the whole time. That chick did not deserve her. And as far as Sara, I was shocked at her. I get that she had a crush, but like, she was really reaching. I was so scared that she was going to get that lady in trouble lol But I was glad they found each other. They needed each other to act as mirrors to show how foolish both of them were. I also wish they spent less time showing that girl being a less than girlfriend, and more time talking about Ana and the fatphobia she faced. But that wasn’t even touched.

The art in this one was actually my favorite part. I loved the way Popescu showed them dancing. The way she made their bodies “move” was so cool. I even looked up contemporary dance to make sure I was seeing the right thing from her illustration. I also liked the color scheme. It’s the same as it is on the cover, purple, lavender, and pink being the one that comes out the most. The other colors are there, but they’re like accents if that makes sense. But it was so good. Besides the way she danced, I think my favorite part was the last image. Them on the dock and both of them being all smiles was what my heart needed. I was very proud of them both.

In short, (lol) this could have done with some edits, but for the most part i thought it was entertaining. Still, it’s one to remember. I hope to see more from this author/artist later.

You should read this book because...
... of its pastel color palette, newspaper-ish art style. It translated beautifully on my e-reader of choice (Kobo, which meant it was black and white)
... the visuals elevate the story clearly and beautifully.
... the story, at its core, is about friendship. It was refreshing to see female friendship be the center of a story that’s about so many things like sexuality, attraction, passion, ballet and teen angst. Not to mention, Sara and Carina’s bond which develops organically and sweetly.

Ana and Carina have been together for three years, but their conservative dance school isn’t affirming and Carina won’t make their relationship public, keeping Ana in the closet.
As Ana is losing interest in Contemporary Dance, Sara is blossoming under the mentorship of her teacher Marlena.
This is a lovely Queer coming-of-age story in artistry that is notoriously binary.

I related to the demands of high pressure sports and the struggles with coming of age as a queer teenager in this graphic novel about teenage sapphic dancers. It felt pretty realistic and I liked that you got to see what was going on with both Ana and Sara. However, I just never felt super hooked. The art was interesting with some being in full color for emphasis while most of it was muted. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Leap by Simina Popescu follows two young adolescent girls as they navigate life, love, and friendship at their dance school in Bucharest, Romania. Ana is a contemporary dancer, but remains tied to the classical track by her very career-driven girlfriend of three years, Carina, who wants their relationship to remain a secret. Sara began in classical but has switched to contemporary in order to seek her passion for dancing, as well as to remain near the teacher she has a not-so-discreet crush on. As the meme goes, "And then they were roommates." Thrown together by chance, Sara and Ana quickly find solace in each other in this coming-of-age tale. Readers will laugh, cry, and cheer for these girls as they seek direction, support, and love while they dance their hearts out.

Popescu (they/she), a dancer themself in Bucharest, renders this story in fluid, energetic lines that capture both dance movements and the characters' tumultuous emotions with equal ease. They are also adept with color, using a mix of warm and cool tones to set the mood of a scene or to denote a flashback, but know when to use a pop of full color to emphasize a poignant moment. Script-wise, the story flows easily, and will keep the reader engaged from start to finish. A personal favorite element is (spoiler) that this story does not fall into the roommates-to-lovers trope--Sara and Ana have enough on their plates! While it is lovely that the prevalence of LGBTQIA+ romance has increased in recent years, the positive impact of LGBTQIA+ friendships should also not be overlooked, especially in works for YA and adult audiences. Thank you, Simina Popescu!

Readers who like Leap may also enjoy Even Though We're Adults by Takako Shimura, I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine, Sunhead by Alex Assan, and Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame.

I really enjoyed this. The color palette was beautiful but I especially loved the full color pages at the beginning of each section. The story did a great job exploring the societal expectations of the dance world, the impact that has on interpersonal relationships, and the challenges of being out when it’s not necessarily safe to be. I loved the friendship that formed between Sara and Ana, and I think that was the true highlight of the book for me.

This graphic novel was a great visual representation of the coming-of-age story about a LGBTQ+ female who is studying dance in Romania. It features many of the aspects that young dancers face, such as eating disorders, strict instructors, and jealous classmates.

While I am not a big dance fanatic, I hope this graphic novel can serve as a mirror for any girls interested in dance and as a window for anyone in their life that may not know what they face.

Thanks to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A graphic novel perfect for those teens grappling with sexuality, relationships, and decisions about the future set in a fine arts high school, focusing on dance programs. Ana loves Carina. Carina loves Ana. But Carina is too afraid of what coming out might mean for her future career, and constantly puts dance before their relationship. The story focuses on Ana as she tries to grapple with what dance means to her & whether what she feels Carina is worth all the heartbreak. I think this is an excellent new title for older teens.

It was interesting to see both point of views of these characters and interesting to see where their stories led. Readers will learn the importance of communication within relationships and the importance of following one’s heart when it comes to love and professional aspirations. It is definitely character driven and would be great for readers who love a little messiness and awkwardness in their characters.

4 stars

Ana and Sara are young dancers who have devoted their lives to their craft. They spend all day in class and practice, and they spend the rest of their time as new friends and new roommates navigating the complexities of their experiences.

Readers who enjoy a great graphic novel and solid queer representation will appreciate the way that Popescu weaves elements of coming of age, identity, sexuality, friendships, romantic relationships, and more nuanced connections, such as those with clear (and potentially concerning) power dynamics.

This work is more a snapshot of a particular time in these characters' developments and experiences versus a climactic, dramatic tale, and that is one of the many elements I enjoyed throughout this read. I'll be recommending this one to students and reading more from this author.

I enjoyed this book and thought the illustrations were particularly well done, especially the scenes in which the characters were dancing. I also felt that the relationships were portrayed realistically and that anyone who has ever had a crush on a teacher or been in a relationship in which they feel they are giving more than their partner, will be able to relate to the characters, regardless of sexual orientation. I also appreciated that there were not necessarily happy endings in that things worked out perfectly for each character, but that they came to terms with their situations and were able to find happiness in their friendship and mutual support.