How It Feels to Fly

A struggle with body dysmorphia forces one girl to decide if letting go of her insecurity also means turning her back on her dreams.

Sam has always known she’d be a professional dancer—but that was before her body betrayed her, developing unmanageable curves in all the wrong places. Lately, the girl staring back at Sam in the mirror is unrecognizable. Dieting doesn’t work, ignoring the whispers is pointless, and her overbearing mother just makes it worse.

Following a series of crippling anxiety attacks, Sam is sent to a treatment camp for teens struggling with mental and emotional obstacles. Forced to open up to complete strangers, Sam must get through the program if she wants to attend a crucial ballet intensive later in the summer. It seems hopeless until she starts confiding in a camp counselor who sparks a confidence she was sure she’d never feel again. But when she’s faced with disappointing setbacks, will Sam succumb to the insecurity that imprisons her?

This compelling story from Kathryn Holmes examines one girl’s efforts to overcome her worst enemy: herself.

• A Ballerina's Breaking Point: Sam’s dream of becoming a professional dancer is shattered when her body develops curves and her mind becomes her own worst enemy.
• Summer Camp Story: Sent to a treatment facility for elite teens, Sam is forced to confront her deepest insecurities alongside a figure skater, a tennis player, and other kids who understand the pressure to be perfect.
• Complicated Mother-Daughter Story: With a former ballerina for a mother, the pressure is relentless, blurring the line between support and control.
• An Emotional & Honest Read: A powerful and empathetic look at the struggle for self-acceptance, perfect for readers who love heartfelt stories about overcoming insecurity.

“Very well written. A realistic and interesting read that teenagers can relate to and enjoy.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

“An empowering story for middle and high school readers searching for acceptance from themselves as well as others. ” - School Library Journal

“Should resonate with driven readers and those with their own body issues.” - Kirkus Reviews

“A heartfelt, hard-won story about following your dreams and confronting your inner demons...HOW IT FEELS TO FLY is for everyone who’s ever fallen and faced the difficult task of becoming whole again.” - Kelly Loy Gilbert, Morris Award Finalist for CONVICTION

“Holmes’ look at anxiety feels wonderfully authentic, and readers will recognize, and sympathize with, the pressure Sam feels.” - Booklist Online