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When her pretty, talented, but willful younger sister becomes her rival for a role in a local show, eleven-year-old Nicola reluctantly steps aside but finds that her own special talents have not gone unnoticed.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1984
15 people want to read
About the author
Jean Ure
266 books121 followersProlific English children and young adult author.
Had her first book published while still in high school, then studied theater at Webber-Douglas in London. Her most well-known work is the Point Crime novel Dance with Death. Others include Plague 99, After the Plague (previously "Come Lucky April"), Big Tom, Family Fan Club and Shrinking Violet, as well as the fantasy The Wizard In the Woods.
Today, Ure is very popular with British female teenage readers with novels such as Shrinking Violet, Family Fan Club and Passion Flower.
Ure has also translated Danish writer Sven Hassel's WWII novels to English.
Had her first book published while still in high school, then studied theater at Webber-Douglas in London. Her most well-known work is the Point Crime novel Dance with Death. Others include Plague 99, After the Plague (previously "Come Lucky April"), Big Tom, Family Fan Club and Shrinking Violet, as well as the fantasy The Wizard In the Woods.
Today, Ure is very popular with British female teenage readers with novels such as Shrinking Violet, Family Fan Club and Passion Flower.
Ure has also translated Danish writer Sven Hassel's WWII novels to English.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 7, 2010
Nicola is the lanky tomboy older sister of Rose, who is beautiful and talented . . . and a total brat. Nicola kicks around with her friends, trying not to care when their mother takes Rose to auditions and lavishes her with attention. But then their neighbor, a dance teacher, sees Nicola goofing around and wants her to take dance. Nicola has a natural gift for "movement", both acting and dancing, while Rose is mostly pretty. Will their mother start treating them equally? Is this really what Nicola wants? And how will Rose react?
I loved this book, because for awkward little girls everywhere, it was inspiring. Nor was it a total Cinderella story: Nicola goes to an audition with her sister, and is turned down because she can't sing although they consider her carefully because of her natural dancing ability. She gives up a role in a Christmas tableau to appease Rose's jealousy, as well. I thought it was very interesting, and very realistic, without being sappy or too heartbreaking. I can still remember vividly the descriptions of the two sisters, and some of the scenes, like Nicola's first audition, and them calling her "a real little mover," which just charmed me for some reason. I wanted someone to call me that!
I loved this book, because for awkward little girls everywhere, it was inspiring. Nor was it a total Cinderella story: Nicola goes to an audition with her sister, and is turned down because she can't sing although they consider her carefully because of her natural dancing ability. She gives up a role in a Christmas tableau to appease Rose's jealousy, as well. I thought it was very interesting, and very realistic, without being sappy or too heartbreaking. I can still remember vividly the descriptions of the two sisters, and some of the scenes, like Nicola's first audition, and them calling her "a real little mover," which just charmed me for some reason. I wanted someone to call me that!
December 24, 2024
Nicola is outshined by her younger sister Rose, who gets all her mother's attention. One feels immediate sympathy for her, even if she is a bit whiny at first, being so close in age to her sister and yet constantly getting the short end of the stick from her mother. Everyone thinks Rose is pretty and talented and thinks that Nicola is a gangly tomboy. But when a neighbor sees Nicola dancing by herself, she thinks Nicola is natural-born dancer. But convincing her mother that she has any talent at all is not an easy task for Nicola or her neighbor.
Ure is to be commended for avoiding pat and easy answers in this book. Although things improve for Nicola, everything does not wind up easily for her. Nicola herself grows a great deal in starting to realize her own potential, as do her parents. The only character who shows no growth is Rose. But even that is believably written. This is a wonderfully written book that any child will be able to relate to.
Ure is to be commended for avoiding pat and easy answers in this book. Although things improve for Nicola, everything does not wind up easily for her. Nicola herself grows a great deal in starting to realize her own potential, as do her parents. The only character who shows no growth is Rose. But even that is believably written. This is a wonderfully written book that any child will be able to relate to.
April 18, 2024
I needed something easy to read as I felt achey and tired after a long day and the last book I read was quite grim in places.
Nicola Bruce is a Tomboy and is always getting in to trouble compared to her sainted sister Rose who is only a year younger but is always in her mum's good books and is doing well at dancing. But one day Nicola meets a lady when she is walking the dog and this changes everything.
I really enjoyed this and didn't expect it to end when it did. Ure could definitely have extended it more if she had chosen but clearly this is book is for younger children due to the length. I loved the characters of Nicola and Mrs French.
A classic tale of sibling rivalry but with 2 very different characters. A positive message about discovering what brings you enjoyment and what you are good at.
Nicola Bruce is a Tomboy and is always getting in to trouble compared to her sainted sister Rose who is only a year younger but is always in her mum's good books and is doing well at dancing. But one day Nicola meets a lady when she is walking the dog and this changes everything.
I really enjoyed this and didn't expect it to end when it did. Ure could definitely have extended it more if she had chosen but clearly this is book is for younger children due to the length. I loved the characters of Nicola and Mrs French.
A classic tale of sibling rivalry but with 2 very different characters. A positive message about discovering what brings you enjoyment and what you are good at.
November 8, 2019
Liked it, however Rose was Sooo horrid as to be unbelievable for me, so wasn't completely won over.
December 14, 2008
Nicola is outshined by her younger sister Rose, who gets all her mother's attention. One feels immediate sympathy for her, even if she is a bit whiny at first, being so close in age to her sister and yet constantly getting the short end of the stick from her mother. Everyone thinks Rose is pretty and talented and thinks that Nicola is a gangly tomboy. But when a neighbor sees Nicola dancing by herself, she thinks Nicola is natural-born dancer. But convincing her mother that she has any talent at all is not an easy task for Nicola or her neighbor.
Ure is to be commended for avoiding pat and easy answers in this book. Although things improve for Nicola, everything does not wind up easily for her. Nicola herself grows a great deal in starting to realize her own potential, as do her parents. The only character who shows no growth is Rose. But even that is believably written. This is a wonderfully written book that any child will be able to relate to.
Ure is to be commended for avoiding pat and easy answers in this book. Although things improve for Nicola, everything does not wind up easily for her. Nicola herself grows a great deal in starting to realize her own potential, as do her parents. The only character who shows no growth is Rose. But even that is believably written. This is a wonderfully written book that any child will be able to relate to.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews