CHENÉE MARRAPODI’s book Breaking Pointe is set in the elite world of dance and is the sequel to her debut novel, One Wrong Turn.
Good Reading for Kids asked Chenée about dance and what her characters are up to in this latest instalment.
What’s new for Amelia and Valentina in your latest book, Breaking Pointe?
So much! There’s a new teacher, new dance style, a touch of romance and a whole lot of drama off the dance floor. Both girls are pushed to their limits in Breaking Pointe, but thankfully this time around, they’re friends and have each other to lean on.
There’s also some new things in store for Khalila, who proved to be a favourite character for readers of One Wrong Turn. She always brings a lot of fun to the story and this time, she gets a turn in the spotlight.
What are some of the main differences between contemporary and classical dance?
Classical dance has been around for a very long time and as a result, it’s built on tradition. There’s a lot of rules surrounding body placement and technique. Think graceful movements, long lines and perfectly pointed toes.
Contemporary dance is the opposite. There are no rules! Sometimes the movements are abstract and quirky. Feet can be pointed or flexed depending on the dance, and movements can be graceful or sharp and jolty.
Classical ballet always tells a story, that’s not always the case in contemporary. A lot of contemporary dances are performed barefoot as well for that extra element of freedom.
What kind of challenges do the girls face in this novel?
I won’t give away any spoilers, but there’s a reason this book is called Breaking Pointe. The challenges these girls face both on and off the dance floor push them to their limits. The focus on contemporary dance really tests their abilities and shakes up the usual class dynamics – the underdogs get a chance to shine! Someone also receives a shock diagnosis that has them questioning their future as a dancer.
On top of all of that, there are the common challenges that come with being a teenager. Friendships, fitting in and first crushes … with families that perhaps don’t really understand what it’s like to be a young person in 2024!
Is there any scene that holds particular importance to you?
Friendship and dance have always gone hand-in-hand for me, so it was really nice watching Amelia, Valentina and Khalila’s friendship grow throughout the story. Dance is so much more fun when you can enjoy it with the people around you, but the competitive environment doesn’t always make it easy. It can be really hard to cheer on a friend’s successes, when you’re missing out.
One scene in particular sees one of the characters triumph and it’s impossible not to get swept up in their excitement. I wanted readers to be jumping out of their seats, pumping their fists in their air because they’re so happy with the outcome … only to realise that there’s a best friend on the sidelines who’s pretending to be happy, but really wants to cry. The battle between being a good friend and overcoming jealousy is hard. I think a lot of kids can relate. We’re all human!
What was your favourite part of writing this book?
I didn’t just get to be an author, but also a choreographer and a journalist. Writing dance scenes is a lot of fun, but also incredibly tricky. I choreograph full dance routines in my mind so that they make sense on the page. Sometimes I even have to step back from my computer to physically do a dance step, so I can figure out the correct way of describing the movement.
Part of my research for Breaking Pointe also included interviewing dancers and health professionals about type 1 diabetes. As well as being an author, I’m a television journalist and interviewing is one of my favourite parts of the job. I loved being able to use journalism to strengthen my creative writing. Chatting to people about real life experiences really helped shape my narrative and in the end, brought the story to life.
Describe this book in three words.
Inspiring, heartfelt and fun!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chenée Marrapodi is an Australian writer and podcaster. She has worked in media for many years, currently for Channel Nine News, and formerly as a reporter for Channel Seven’s Today Tonight, as well as online news and radio. Chenée’s love of words is rivalled only by her love of dance. Combining the two, One Wrong Turn is her first novel.
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