The Deadly Dance

by Cora Taylor

Her parents hope that a Greek vacation is just what the doctor ordered for Penny. She's not getting along at all with her older brother, and she's so unhappy that she dreads going home - she mopes around and, more importantly, doesn't eat.

Penny's finally learning to relax and enjoy herself her a bit when her parents take her on a tour of the ancient Minoan Palace at Knossos - home of the fabled labyrinth of the Minotaur. But something strange happens - Penny inexplicably finds herself imitating a gymnastic vault as a huge bull charges toward her....

What follows is a first-rate adventure by Cora Taylor, one of Canada's most popular writers for young people. Set in the beauty of Greece and drawing on the mythology the country is so famous for, Taylor spins a story centred on "the deadly dance," the ancient tradition that sees young people defying death to dance with furious bulls - all for the amusement of others.

As Penny is thrown into this world, she finds herself not just learning how to stay alive, but learning things that will help her once she gets home - if she ever does.

Cora Taylor is one of Canada's best-known children's authors. She has published more than a dozen juvenile novels. Cora's Coteau titles include the very successful "Ghost Voyages" series and the "Spy Who Wasn't There" series, which includes Adventures in Istanbul and Murder in Mexico as well as her latest book, Chaos in China.

Genres: Time Travel

145 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2003

About the author

Cora Taylor is a famous author. She has written over fourteen books published in many languages including Japanese and Dutch. Her books are sold in many countries and have won lots of awards.

Cora was born on January 14, 1936 in the TB Sanatorium at Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan. Her mother had tuberculosis (aka TB) and wasn’t allowed to hold her until she was five months old, when she finally left the sanatorium. Cora grew up on her grandmother's farm in Saskatchewan.

Now Cora is a newlywed. She has 8 children and 17 grandchildren.

Her writing studio in Ontario is filled with Coca Cola memorabilia and she loves to watch the
red Cardinal birds out of her window.

Cora has three homes and travels all over the world,
but she bases herself in Edmonton, Alberta.

from
http://www.corataylor.com/About%20Cor...

Reviews

[CanadianReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

An unusual time-travel for older kids, Taylor's book slips between the present and the Minoan past. It's quite informative about the ancient civilization, but my overall sense was that Taylor was trying too hard to liven up the rather esoteric material for a younger age group.

[Abi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read it when im bored so meh.