Star Turn

Dancing Dreams #1

by Jean Ure

Jessamy has been brought up to eat, drink and sleep ballet, let alone dance it, but has never quite managed to capture that special something in her dancing. When she spots Karen, a shy new girl at school, she sees in her that star quality lacking in herself, and vows to help her at all costs.

Genres: Childrens

142 pages, Paperback

First published November 4, 1993

About the author

Prolific 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.

Reviews

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those typical but still lovely ballet stories where the girl, whose parents can't afford for her to learn, nonetheless ends up somehow being able to take lessons.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent ballet book by Ure which I flew through. Again I must track down the sequel for this one.

Jessamy has always loved ballet and has been doing it for a while as she is from a family of professional ballet dancers but she has never had anyone her age who understands her dedication until Karen starts at her school.

I loved this one too. Jessamy and Karen are from very different backgrounds and Jessamy starts to realise how lucky she is. I loved the way she gained a new perspective and helped Karen. Karen's secret was brilliant too.

A great read and just what I needed as I am suffering with a virus.