Kate's Turn

by Jeanne Betancourt

Thirteen-year-old Kate leaves her home in Oregon to study with a national ballet company in New York City, where she experiences joy, fear, pain, and a sense of dedication

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult

133 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

When I was growing up I never thought of being an author. I was a terrible speller and didn't want to write any more than I had to. I wanted to be a tap dancer when I grew up. After a few years of teaching junior high and high school, I wrote my first novel. It was a surprise to discover that I liked making up stories and writing them down. I liked it so much that eventually I stopped teaching and became a fulltime writer.

Besides novels for children and young adults, I've also told stories by writing scripts for television and the movies.

I live on the top floor of a sixteen-story building near the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. From my apartment I have a view of Manhattan that includes the Empire State Building and the Plaza Hotel. In my free time I draw, paint, and read. I still love to dance.

Some people think that a writer's life is lonely. But when I'm writing a story I don't feel lonely because I am actively involved with lots of interesting people – the characters in my books. I love knowing that some day readers will get to know these characters, too. If you are one of my readers I hope you have as much enjoyment in reading my stories as I have writing them.

Reviews

[cassiopeia · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a kid, I went through a phase of reading ballet books, from Whoopi Goldberg's Sugar Plum Ballerinas series to The Royal Ballet School Diaries. This book, though, was different. It's a thoughtful take on the harsh world of ballet, the good and the ugly, and it examines the difference between passion and talent. Instead of preaching the tired theme of determination conquering all, it said, look. There's no shame in figuring yourself out first.

Betancourt brings up issues in the ballet world in a way that children can digest without detracting from its severity, but this book also emphasizes that these are just kids, sneaking out for pizza and giggling over stupid jokes, and the balance is crucial. The characters are lively and realized, the emotional beats hit, and the humor was charming. Kate is a fictional character but her maturity and poise are stunning and I just wish the best for her. This is just a banger of a book and I spent a full afternoon searching for it without knowing its title, author, or characters -- just with a wispy recollection of the plotline. I'm very glad I found it again.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books from my childhood. I still pull out the well-worn copy every year or so and read it in one sitting.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate's Turn I read and liked this book as a kid, but forgot about it until recently. I tracked down a copy and it's basically what I remembered: a solid if short book about a girl who leaves home to attend a ballet school. A nice nostalgic read. 

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite childhood book. There is a refreshing message that draws a distinction between talent and enjoyment when it comes to your career/path. I also loved learning about the ins and outs of professional ballerinas.

[Jasmin Gentry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I managed to find this at the same time as Dancer and loved having the two different experiences in the dancing world.

[Renee Gagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite book as a young girl. My sister was into dance at the time. I read it so many times I lost count. Having difficulty procuring a copy now.

[Rachel Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a kid, I absolutely loved this book.

[Allie]

I read this book in grade 3 and totally loved it. I vividly remember reading it, but I somewhere along the line I forgot the title. It was particularly frustrating because I could see the cover in my head! Then BOOM! Out of nowhere I remembered the title. I wonder if I could track down a copy to read because I'm reasonably certain it would not hold up. Most kid books don't.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always felt so bad for Kate because her entire world revolved around Ballet (which I know she loved) and then really proud of her for knowing that she didn’t have the heart to dance professionally and choosing to go home.

[Beth J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the first novels that I read multiple times as a young adult. I actually wouldn't mind reading it now, as I feel it would take me back to those times. Deals with a theme of an eating disorder, makes you question "no pain, no gain."

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kate foes to New York to ba a student in the New York Ballet Company. She meets and developes friendships with fellow dancers. Each student makes all types of sacrafices to be the next "dancer."

[Samantha Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got this book when I was younger from my then stepsister. It was instant my favorite and since then I have managed to read off both covers!! I would buy this book in a heartbeat.