Top Heavy

This heart-stopping debut novel in verse about a talented dancer struggling to give herself grace in the wake of an assault is a gut-wrenching masterpiece.

Fifteen-year-old Esme lives and breathes dance. She and her best friend, Mia, are happiest when they’re in the studio… sweating, stretching, soaring. And after a summer of nonstop practice, Esme and Mia earn coveted spots on the Elite dance team. Now that they’ve proven themselves to Miss Regina and the senior girls, it should be smooth sailing.

Except that Esme and Mia took the spots of two popular, well-liked dancers.
Except that Esme’s dad hasn’t been able to work for months, and her recital costume bill is overdue.
Except that a stranger touches Esme on the dance floor, touches the breasts that have always felt like giant targets.

After years of being oversexualized for her large chest, this is the violation that pushes Esme over the edge. Was it her fault? Could she have stopped it? Why can’t she just be different? Esme stumbles, off kilter and adrift from her loved ones, whose well-meaning positivity can’t possibly cut through her own vicious, critical self-image.

This dazzling, tour-de-force debut tackles friendship, first love, and sexual assault, along with the full emotional range of life as a teenage girl. Esme musters strength she didn’t know she had—and learns to lean on others after finding the right support. An unforgettable read, perfect for fans of Starfish and Speak.