Ice Dancing

by Nicholas Walker

Determined to win the gold medal in ice dancing, Samantha must overcome several obstacles--a partner who is a total wiseguy, parents who do not want her to skate, and some talented competition.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Sports, Childrens, Contemporary

134 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the memories of enjoyment that I had getting this from a book fair in elementary school (yay book fairs!), and reading it more than once.

The author has reissued this book, its sequel, and four newer stories for Kindle, but they are under different titles now (this one is called "Crackling Ice"), and they contain more Britishisms and mild swearing than the original Scholastic brand books. So that made for an interesting reading experience... since I did remember some of the dialogue fairly well I had to do a double-take and question whether I was completely misremembering Scholastic's squeaky clean standards 😂 I certainly would have been alarmed had I read this version of the text as a grade-schooler! The page scans from the Scholastic edition can be read through OpenLibrary.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultimately, I really wanted to give this book a 4 stars, but I put 3 stars instead. This book is good for a very young adult, children to teens age range. This book is very superficial and did not go into depth of explanations of the situation (like the novel of twilight saga). For example, when this character, Samantha, kissed Alex, I don't even know where did she give him a kiss, on a cheek or on a lips. There are two different point of view from Alex's and Samantha's in this book. I prefer that it stick to only one point of view from the beginning to the end, not switching back and forth without any warning. (For example, on the Breaking Dawn book, it noted a chapter of Jacob's point of view and another chapter of Bella's point of view as a chapter title) I was a little bit confused about whose point of view is this and whose point of view is that. The back of the book made a brief synopsis and ask if they will fall in love and will they win the gold. This book is good from the beginning, but I was very disappointed in the ending. They won the event! It didn't say that they won the gold, it is a silver something competition. They didn't really fell in love romantically at the end. All I'm saying that this ending could have been better. There are a few that was left unsaid and has not been tied up. I may make a lot of criticism that should put a rating of 1 or 2 stars, but it is understandable that I am an adult that is reading a children book. Children deserves to read a book that is basic like this book. It is a good beginner to start reading more literature. This book is good for children to read. If I was to read this book to my children, I would quiz them and teach them off this book for a fun English lesson.

[Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I use to love Apple Paperbacks as a child. This one brought back memories. I read it because the Winter Olympics is coming up and thought it was would a nice correlation. An ex dancer starts ice dancing when she is no longer allowed to dance. Her partner is ambivalent about it at first and doesn’t take it as seriously. Can they pull off a win at the ice facing competition? C

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This continues to me one of my very favorite books from childhood (along with its sequel, 'Ice Princess') and I still revisit the charm of both books on a semi-annual basis. I adore the characters (particularly Alex and Samantha, and of course the sweet and hilarious-Toby) as well as the conflict they're facing, the lengths to which the two leads will go to in order to fulfill their goals, and the delightful chemistry between them. Nicholas Walker writes with a very clear voice and personality for each character and his descriptions of the routines during the competitions always make me feel like I'm really there watching. I truly can't say enough about how much I enjoy these books!

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was about 10, I think, and for several years to come it was always one of my favorite books to go back and read again.

I loved the determination in Samantha to follow her dreams to such an extreme level, as well as the creativity in the pair of Sam and Alex to still participate in the competitions.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was still in elementary school. I randomly found it in a box in my room today and read through it again and found it enjoyable simply for sentimentality's sake, though it is still cute.

[Laurie D'ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it; couldn't put it down. Lost a star for swearing.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book when I was younger, and still own a copy. I thought it was a nice read for pre-teens and/or teens who are trying to find their way.

[Srk001 · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was fun. Mostly about the FMC getting back to ice skating (despite doctor's orders). There's a second book featuring these characters, but I haven't read that one.