REENI’S TURN is the story of a skilled young dancer who struggles with lifelong shyness and performance anxiety, but still dreams of being in the spotlight. On top of those worries, her newly-developing body doesn’t match the ballerina posters on her bedroom wall that now seem to mock her—"You'll never be like us!"
Can Reeni find the courage she needs to dance in front of an audience just as she is?

RACHEL KAMIN—Chicago Jewish History (Book Issue)
"The story addresses universal themes of emotional resilience, body acceptance, and the search for courage, identity, and voice.

JILLIAN BIETZ—Jewish Book Council: "There is significant Jewish content in the book; Reeni’s family celebrates Shabbat and other holidays, and Reeni even expresses how dancing evokes emotion that parallels what she experiences at Yom Kippur services....
Carol Coven Grannick’s [poetry] is elegant and impactful. Not one word is wasted in this heartfelt story."

Prior to REENI'S TURN publication, the manuscript (and I) won these honors:

Finalist 2016 Katherine Paterson Award at Hunger Mountain

Honorable Mention 2018 Sydney Taylor Manuscript Award

Two Illinois Arts Council Grants

Ragdale Foundation Writer's Residency,

Highlights Foundation Scholarship, Novel in Verse