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hereisenough's review against another edition
2.0
the cover is the best part- i really love the cover.
but otherwise, it's a shallow story, very tell-y. not much happens, it's a predictable book. not bad but not amazing.
A good book on bullying. Will make a younger girl realize that even things that seem little and petty can actually end up being really harmful.
Would recommend to a younger girl, 9-12?
but otherwise, it's a shallow story, very tell-y. not much happens, it's a predictable book. not bad but not amazing.
A good book on bullying. Will make a younger girl realize that even things that seem little and petty can actually end up being really harmful.
Would recommend to a younger girl, 9-12?
beau82's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
Cassie is attending a new ballet school far from home and the atmosphere is more competitive than she's ever experienced. A popular clique of girls is intent on winning at any cost. Cassandra must use every ounce of grace and poise to handle the pressure. This is book discusses the different types of bullying, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.
liralen's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet but short on substance. Cassie's fourteen, an aspiring ballerina, spending the summer in Canada for an intensive ballet programme. She'd love to be accepted into the year-round programme, but so would everyone else—and some of the other girls want it badly enough to outweigh ethical considerations.
The [b:last book|673509|Crush |Carrie Mac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1177009440s/673509.jpg|659523] I read from this publisher was similar in terms of length and style: aimed at YA more than middle grade, but written for struggling readers. I think this one's aimed at slightly younger readers than Crush—there is, amazingly, no romance—but I wished it had been, oh, double the length to give the plot a bit more room to breathe. The characters don't have much space for development, and there's never a question of who's causing trouble. I did like that the ending is rather ambiguous, and of course the aforementioned lack of romance (they have other things to think about!). It was younger/shorter/lighter than I'd been hoping for, but that isn't the fault of the book.
The [b:last book|673509|Crush |Carrie Mac|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1177009440s/673509.jpg|659523] I read from this publisher was similar in terms of length and style: aimed at YA more than middle grade, but written for struggling readers. I think this one's aimed at slightly younger readers than Crush—there is, amazingly, no romance—but I wished it had been, oh, double the length to give the plot a bit more room to breathe. The characters don't have much space for development, and there's never a question of who's causing trouble. I did like that the ending is rather ambiguous, and of course the aforementioned lack of romance (they have other things to think about!). It was younger/shorter/lighter than I'd been hoping for, but that isn't the fault of the book.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
3.0
If you've ever wanted to be a ballerina, or just wanted to read about what is required to become a ballerina, then this book is for you. It follows 14 year old Cassandra, an Australian girl who gets the chance to attend an intensive four-week ballet camp in Canada. She has to deal with homesickness, although she is staying with a nice host family whose daughter Edie is her age and also in the same camp; the intense nature of the long hours of practice and many classes in jazz and modern dance as well as ballet; and also, bullying and snubbing from the Queen Bee ballet student, Melissa, an older girl who is a veteran of the camp and feels she is the best student by far. All of the girls are competing to be chosen as Clara in an upcoming Nutcracker performance, but Melissa leads the pack of veteran girls in snubbing the newbies, even stooping so far as to cyberbully Cassandra. Cassandra maintains her morals throughout, despite the strain in her friendship with Edie, who can't say no to Melissa. When the bullying becomes physical, things come to a head and Cassandra's future as a ballerina is at stake.
This book is short, part of the Orca Limelights series of performing arts novels. The characters are drawn well enough to move the story forward, but because it is a short book you learn the most about Cassandra and not much else about the side characters. It is full of realistic details about life as a ballet student, showing the hard work and competitive pressures involved, and that physical strength as well as strength of character is needed to succeed. Good middle school book or reluctant reader book. I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for a review.
This book is short, part of the Orca Limelights series of performing arts novels. The characters are drawn well enough to move the story forward, but because it is a short book you learn the most about Cassandra and not much else about the side characters. It is full of realistic details about life as a ballet student, showing the hard work and competitive pressures involved, and that physical strength as well as strength of character is needed to succeed. Good middle school book or reluctant reader book. I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program in exchange for a review.
afro75's review against another edition
4.0
Cassie is attending a new ballet school far from home and the atmosphere is more competitive than she's ever experienced. A popular clique of girls is intent on winning at any cost. Cassandra must use every ounce of grace and poise to handle the pressure. This is book discusses the different types of bullying, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.
addielala2015's review against another edition
2.0
A quick read. wish there was a little more to the ending. but overall I enjoyed it.
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Cassie has been selected to participate in a summer dance intensive in Vancouver, BC. Although 4 weeks away from her home and family in Australia will be difficult, she is really excited about the new opportunities to learn and perform with this program. The camaraderie and competition between the "old" girls and the "new" girls force Cassie to make some tough decisions.
From what I know of the dance world, this is an accurate glimpse into what happens in these types of programs. The voices are authentic although the plot is predictable.
From what I know of the dance world, this is an accurate glimpse into what happens in these types of programs. The voices are authentic although the plot is predictable.
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