Rita Williams-Garcia's 'Blue Tights' introduces readers to Joyce, a fifteen-year-old African American girl grappling with the universal challenges of adolescence: self-consciousness, body image, and the search for identity. Set in a vibrant city neighborhood, the story follows Joyce as she tries to find her place and express herself, ultimately discovering a profound sense of belonging and confidence through the art of dance. This chapter book is ideal for middle-grade readers (ages 10-14) who are navigating similar feelings of self-doubt and seeking their own unique path.
Growing up in a city neighborhood, fifteen-year-old Joyce, unsure of herself and not quite comfortable with her maturing body, tries to find a place to belong and a way to express herself through dance.