My Favorite Fictional School Dances

My first official school dance was the 5th grade Square Dance. (Yes, you read that right. No, I'm not from a farming community.) For weeks in advance, we learned some two-steps during gym class and shyly practiced do-si-do-ing during recess. On the big night, clad in denim skirts, my friends and I French-braided our hair and reapplied our lip gloss in the girls’ bathroom before we braved the dance floor. Despite our nerves, the dance turned out to be pretty awesome. There were specific steps to follow and partners to choose, so everyone felt the same level of moderate humiliation and immense relief. We were in it together.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, school dances are part of life. And whether you’re Team Yay or Team Nay (or Team I’m-Way-Too-Busy-With-Homework-and-Sports-To-Care-About-School-Dances-Anyway), lots of books feature them, and it’s fun to compare the reality versus what authors dream up!

For instance, my Square Dance simply cannot compare to the awesomely magical Yule Ball that Harry Potter and friends get to attend in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (Come to think of it, not even my fancy senior prom could compare to the show that Hogwarts puts on!) But there are less elaborate, though equally exciting, school dances found in other books, like the Halloween dance that the Baby-sitter’s Club members get to dress up for in Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls, or the annual winter dance Addie and friends attend in Wish Upon a Star (How I Survived Middle School #11).

So what do you all think about school dances — love 'em or hate 'em? And have you ever read about a fictional school dance you wish you could attend?

— Morgan, Scholastic staffer

Comments

[Comment #26]

Well, last year my school had this like "All school Dance thing". It was like with Kindergartners and everything! We wore our Halloween costumes (Some dude stole my hat and I hate to chase him around the gym). Nobody really "danced" with each other. The boys were trying to jump up and touch the net of the basket ball hoop, and the girls were all clumped together in little groups. The only time people danced was when "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus came on (It was like the unofficial school anthem, we danced to it so much!) and all of the fourth grade, including me, went up on stage and "Put our hands up" and sang along. It was fun.

This year I'm not wearing a hat.

[Comment #27]

i like school dances because there fun. you dont have to go with a boy you can always go with friends

[Comment #28]

graet to read i am middle schoo myself

[Comment #29]

i am going to 7th grade and have not beeen to a dance, im not sure id like to. school dances create some drama.

[Comment #30]

i have been to 2 6th grade dances, and im planning on going to all the 7th grade ones this year, only for the music though

[Comment #31]

lol i agree with yhu troi u funny love this book!!!!!!:)

[Comment #32]

Hey im reading How i survived middle school: madame president it good so far.

[Comment #33]

OMG!HI!!!

[Comment #34]

how many how i survived midde school books r there

[Comment #35]

all the how i survive middle school books are fanstastic hey i wonder if the author can make more

[Comment #36]

Hey im looking 4 someone to chat with

[Comment #37]

YOU ROCK the blue review! I totally agree with you.
I'm glad that Percy and Annabeth got to finish their dance in Olympus, it was so romantic (even though I don't usually care for that stuff).
I'm also glad that Annabeth didn't become a Hunter, because Percy would be DEVESTATED!

Long live Percy Jackson!

-percyj99

[Comment #38]

Oops, i forgot to add:

SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read all of The Titan's Curse, DONT READ THIS!!!

sorry :-D

-percyj99

[Comment #39]

@Cal-Bal12321

It must have felt absolutely abhorrent, atrocious, awful, bad, base, beastly, contemptible, despicable, horrible, horrid, loathsome, lousy, obnoxious, odious, offensive, repellent, reprehensible, repugnant, terrible, and wretched!
(breathing heavily)
That pretty much said it all, didn't it?

-percyj99

[Comment #40]

When I read wish upon a star i thought it was so cool that they got Kody Tucker to come to their dance. It would have been cool to be there.

[Comment #41]

so i like this guy and we have been friends for two years,abd he is like a brother to me. And this year i really like him. so i made the mistake and told him i like him. Then yesterday in the hall he told me he wantes to go ot with me too. but he dosent want to end up breaking my heart and making me hate him. Then he said well i would go out with u but i would really hate to kake that risk. But for now we r just friends. What should i do?!?!?!?!?!?????

[Comment #42]

Well, they're awesome unless it's lady's choice and you ask a guy you like to dance and they say no. :(

[Comment #43]

I want it and i hope it is really good.
I wonder if it cost cheap not a whole bunch of money.
I wish that i can get some of these candy apple books for christmas

[Comment #44]

GO jacob! Go jacob!

[Comment #45]

TEAM BELLWARD (Bella/Edward)!!! WHHHHOOOOOOOOOOHOOOO!! K)

[Comment #46]

I say good

[Comment #47]

go girl

[Comment #48]

jacob is a cutie. my dream boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Comment #49]

NO TO EDWARD.NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Comment #50]

A school dance in 5th grade! Cool!!!