Gwen lives for dancing. When she has the chance to take an intensive - and expensive - course far from home, she knows her parents will object. She also knows that she can usually convince her father to support her. She raises the subject when they're together skiing, but the discussion turns into an angry confrontation that is cut short by a sudden dreadful avalanche that almost kills her dad.
The avalanche leaves terrible damage in its wake. Gwen is left wracked with guilt and injuries that may end her career as a dancer. Her life is complicated by her best friend, Molly. Molly has her own demons, and may either be a danger to Gwen or part of her salvation. Gwen must find a way to make peace with Molly, with her family, and with her own conscience if she is ever again going to experience the freedom that dancing brought her.
What makes "Avalanche Dance" this good is that readers can relate to it, regardless of whether or not they have gone through a similar experience themselves. There are two main issues which propel the plot forward: (1) the avalanche that Gwen encountered with her dad and left her guilt-stricken over her dad's injuries, (2) the rift between Gwen and her former best friend Molly. Told from alternating perspectives between Gwen and Molly, allowed for both characters to develop. Even though Gwen seemed to be the central focus at first, Molly's own problems were brought to the surface as well which gave the multiple perspectives credence. Some readers may be put off by Gwen's attitude after the avalanche but I think it's important to remember that she is all but fourteen years old and tragic accidents affect people differently.
Reading the book brought me to tears a couple of times. Not full out sobs, but tears enough to reflect the tugging of my heart strings. Although in retrospect, maybe a little more could've been written to address Molly's alcohol and drug problems. After all, the book wasn't all that long. Still, a worthwhile read, especially for the not so patient reader.
