By Jean Ure (author) Part of the Dance Trilogy series
"In a nutshell: the perfect story for keen young ballerinas "
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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.
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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Maddy is determined to find out!
Jean Ure's books are funny, funky, feisty - and fantastic reads! Jacqueline Wilson
Praise for Hunky Dory
More infectious humour from Jean Ure. Waterstone's Books Quarterly
Praise for Gone Missing
Fans of Jean Ure and new readers alike will love this fast-paced, action driven new novel. INIS
Heartwarming stuff. CY Magazine
Jean Ure does that girl thing like no one else. Graham Marks, Publishing News
Praise for Passion Flower:
'A funny and realistic read - we loved it.' Mizz
Praise for Pumpkin Pie:
'The heroine I've been waiting for.' Times
Praise for Shrinking Violet:
'Grown-ups love Bridget Jones' Diary, but youngsters will adore Violet Alexander's.' Liverpool Echo
'Excellent for any nine-up and will almost certainly lead to an addiction to Ure.' Observer
Praise for Becky Bananas:
'The writing transcends any trace of heaviness.' Guardian
Jean Ure was born in Surrey, and when growing up, knew that she was going to be a writer but she also wanted to be a ballet dancer.
She wrote her first novel when she was six years old which was about a little girl called Carol. Jean spent her teenage years writing and had her first book published when she was just sixteen – an event that prompted her to leave school the following year to continue writing. However she spent the next several years ‘scrubbing floors, waiting at tables, selling groceries’. Jean also worked as a nurse and at the BBC before enrolling at the Webber-Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she met her husband. She worked for several years in Paris as a translator for DATO and UNESCO and wrote romantic novels. Jean Ure is a well-known, respected and high-profile author whose numerous other titles, which include Love And Kisses , Star Crazy Me and, most recently, Jelly Baby , have received critical acclaim.
Jean is a vegan and animal lover. She lives with her husband, seven dogs and two cats in a 300 year old house in Croydon.
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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.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Born to Dance and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Born to Dance features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, School Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £6.29, down from the £6.99 cover price. In Stock.
Born to Dance was written by Jean Ure and published by HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Born to Dance has 215 pages
Yes it is part of Dance Trilogy series
£6.29, reduced from £6.99. In Stock.
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