Born to Dance

LoveReading4Kids Says

Jean Ure understands exactly what makes ballet such an all-consuming passion for young dancers and conveys that excitement perfectly in Born to Dance, the first in a new series. Maddy is born into ballet royalty – her mother was a famous ballerina, her father’s a top choreographer, even her brother and sister are rising stars.

Though she’s occasionally frustrated by her family’s single-minded dedication, she loves to dance too. At school she picks out new girl Caitlyn as a fellow ballerina, and is surprised when Caitlyn doesn’t want to be friends, then mystified when she sees her dancing – whoever is teaching her is getting some things very wrong.

The two do become friends though, and when Maddy discovers how Caitlyn is learning to dance, she’s determined to help.  Maddy is a warm, thoroughly engaging central character, with just a touch of the Emma Woodhouse about her, and the ballet scenes will leave readers itching to stand at the barre.

One to recommend to fans of Noel Streatfeild’s Ballet Shoes. Jonathan’s Leap by Celia Purcell is another strong contemporary ballet story with a boy in the ballet shoes.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Born to Dance

When new girl Caitlyn arrives at Coombe House School Maddy is sure she must be a fellow ballet dancer; she certainly has all the grace and poise of a ballerina. So when Caitlyn denies it, Maddy isn't convinced. But it isn't until she comes across Caitlyn practising ballet in the gym that she realises there must be more to her story...Just what can it be?

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