book

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING

Name: INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING
Author: Nicola Yoon

Nicola Yoon

Giving up on love, Evie Thomas joins the La Brea Dance studio and meets Xavier. (Ages 12 to 17)

Ages 14+Source checked

Why this age? The book contains mild sexual content, references to grief, marital infidelity, and emotional maturity themes typical of young adult contemporary romance. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age14+

Strongest cautions

Death of a character4/5
Romance4/5
Sexual content & nudity2/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience4/5
Kindness & empathy4/5
Positive messages4/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character4/5

Why this rating?

Death and mortality, including the possibility of losing someone close, are important emotional themes. The treatment is reflective rather than graphic.

Strong language2/5

Why this rating?

Occasional mild profanity consistent with contemporary teen dialogue.

LGBTQIA characters1/5

Why this rating?

Features minor LGBTQIA representation among the supporting cast.

Religious themes1/5

Why this rating?

Religion is not a focus of the narrative.

Romance4/5

Why this rating?

Romance is the central plot and theme of the book, involving kissing and developing relationships.

Frightening scenes1/5

Why this rating?

Visions of relationships ending and mortality may feel unsettling, but there is no horror, graphic danger, or sustained frightening action.

Sexual content & nudity2/5

Why this rating?

Contains some light suggestive content and discussion of intimacy, but no explicit scenes.

Alcohol or drugs1/5

Why this rating?

Alcohol consumption is occasionally mentioned in social contexts.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5

Why this rating?

The characters must confront fear of loss and uncertainty, with courage framed as openness and living fully rather than recklessness.

Creativity & curiosity3/5

Why this rating?

Encourages creativity through dance and metaphorical explorations of human connection.

Diverse representation3/5

Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast of well-rounded characters in a contemporary urban setting.

Educational value1/5

Why this rating?

Provides insights into the art of ballroom dancing and emotional intelligence.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Friendship, empathy, family care, and support during difficult emotional circumstances are recurring elements.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

It emphasizes accepting uncertainty, valuing present relationships, facing grief, and choosing meaningful connection despite impermanence.

Good role models3/5

Why this rating?

Characters are generally depicted as growing and learning from their mistakes.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
Which choice in INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING, and what caused that change?

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