Ballet Bug - Hardcover

Christine McDonnell, a childrens librarian and the author of many books for children, lives in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Gr 3-5-After she attends a slumber party for ballet-crazy Rebecca and watches the ballet Cinderella on a video, hockey-playing Bea gets the bug. She begins to take lessons and really enjoys them except for a pair of mean-spirited twins who try to spoil things for everyone. Maintaining a commitment to hockey and ballet becomes challenging when Bea has an opportunity to perform in The Nutcracker and discovers how much hard work is involved in a successful performance. She also manages to thwart a plot by the twins to ruin the debut of her new friend Margaret in the role of Clara when the child selected to play the part becomes ill. Through Bea, the excitement and challenge of the ballet world are appealingly captured. The twins are convincing villains-spoiled, whining, and vindictive-and definitely deserve a boo or two for their performance. This is a fast, fun read with a feisty main character and some interesting subplots, such as the reluctance of the ballet group to cast Margaret, a talented young black dancer, in the role of Clara even though she did the best audition. As Margaret and Bea both triumph, readers will applaud their successes.

Carol Schene, Taunton Public Schools, MA

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