Dancing Through the Snow

by Jean Little

Min has nothing. No mother. No birth certificate. Not even a real birthday. Now, after four different foster families, Min's not surprised when she's dumped back with Children's Aid the week before Christmas. Still, a small part of her can't help aching for a miracle... and now she has an injured dog that needs a miracle too.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Christmas, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Childrens

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Jean Little is a Canadian author, born in Taiwan. Her work has mainly consisted of children's literature, but she has also written two autobiographies: Little by Little and Stars Come Out Within. Little has been partially blind since birth as a result of scars on her cornea and is frequently accompanied by a guide dog.

Reviews

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites books ever!!!!!!!!!! So amazing (loved it).About girl who gets adopt.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

ahh this was such a nice christmassy book written by my childhood favorite author!! 4 stars!

[Benita · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful , touching story. I loved the characters . This book will definitely be one I read out loud to my grandchildren.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a few days before Christmas, and Sixth-grader, Min, is being evicted from yet another foster home, not for anything she did, but because she and her foster mother Enid never hit it off--not that Min planned to try to hit it off with anyone anymore. Abandoned as a toddler by a woman who insisted she wasn't Min's mother (though how Min remembers this is unrealistic), Min has no idea who she is. All she knows is that she doesn't belong anywhere, has no family, and no friends, other than Mrs. Willis from the Children's Aid, who has always been kind and gentle with her. But even Mrs. Willis isn't party to Min's confidences, feelings, or tears--not that she indulges in the latter.

When Min and Enid arrive at Children's Aid, Enid shuts herself in with Mrs. Willis, and begins to defend her decision to bring Min back. The discussion between the two becomes heated, the door swings open part way, and Min hears almost everything. Part way through this scene Dr. Jess Hart, who has been a Children's Aid physician, and whom Min recognizes when she had pneumonia, arrives, and sits down next to Min. When Enid finally resorts to blaming Min for somehow failing to make it in her previous placements, Dr. Hart leaps up and bursts into the room, and begins bellowing at Enid, telling her that if Min were an adult she could sue her for slander. She then goes on to announce that she is taking Min home with her immediately--for as long as Min cares to stay with her. Mrs. Willis puts up a feeble protest, after all, who can she find to take Min at the last minute and right before the holidays.

Min is in shock, but remembering Dr Hart as a kind presence from when she was hospitalized, she is ready to go along with her. She realizes she feels safe for the first time.

A subplots about puppy mills plays a role in the narrative, and the 2006 tsunami in Indonesia plays an even smaller one despite the fact that the father of one of the characters is in Indonesia at the time.

With some minor ups and downs, Min and Jess (Dr. Hart) adjust to each other, and Min begins to open up (all too quickly to be realistic). Starting at a new school after the holidays, for the first time Min makes friends. When Jess asks her if she can adopt her, Min is, of course, delighted, and the book ends on this happy note.

Unfortunately this book suffers from two problems. Firstly, character development is minimal, and Min's changed character is thus not credible, and secondly the story is a foster child's dream come true, and bears little resemblance to the experiences of real children in foster care.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as good as "Willow and Twig" - that's my favourite Jean Little book by far - but still excellent. The only part I didn't quite understand was how the two main characters "found" each other - it seemed too easy. But other than that, very enjoyable!

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4.5

[Mama · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. As a mom to three adopted kids I was so wanting it to be special and share it with them.
Sigh. The characters were very superficial and undeveloped. Min supposedly went through an enormous transformation, but we don't connect with her deep enough to really feel the extent of the change. And unfortunately the "happily ever after" adoption by the perfect mom seems fake. It's just too good to be true. Why can't do everyone be adopted by perfect Jess's? And every kid's trauma be healed in a couple months with a loving caregiver?

As a side note, there were two other things that disappointed me.
1) there is a large piece of the storyline about the big bad puppy mills. But the Jess calls someone and buys a purebred dog, sight unseen, to pick up the next day. This not how people who are truly concerned about puppy mills acquire pets.
2) this one might seem picky, but there are several Christian related comments: they went to Christmas services, Min mentions praying, they discuss a Bible account of Solomon and the two mothers. But in contrast Min receives a book for Christmas that tells her fortune for every day of the upcoming year and they read Circle of Magic together, neither fortunetelling or magic is Biblically accepted.

[Audrey Ettinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of Little's books that I am discovering as an adult. I know from my own reading that her niece had a troubled adulthood that resulted in young kids being left to be raised by their grandmother (Little's sister, whom she helped). This book is another glance at the foster care system in Canada, which seems MUCH more positive than the one in the US but is still clearly flawed. The only leap of faith in this book is that Jess chooses to take in Min, and Min warms to her very quickly with minimal issues despite her extended, painful past. There are small dogs (another of Little's favorite tools), new friends, and a small mystery to solve, as well as the joy of helping others through a concert fundraiser and by returning a dog to her original owner. Oh, and a bully who gets a non-violent punishment.

A delightful read, and an un-scary way to make some important points to kids about how badly some kids have it.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short and heartfelt, a good story for the holidays, and good enough for all ages to read. It also sheds light on the struggles foster children face in the system. I believe Min's struggles felt very realistic. Even when she acted out a bit, I still liked her as a character because I could understood why she would react that way.

A lot of the characters in the book are likable, especially Toby and Jess. Though at times Jess seemed almost psychic in the way she always understood how Min was feeling.

All in all, I'm very glad I finally read this book. I bought it 10 years ago from a Scholastic flier in Grade 8, and only just got around to reading it for the time. Proof that no matter how many books readers buy, we'll get around to them... eventually.

[Rhiannon's Reading Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Min, a child in the foster care system, has learned not to trust anyone. Now she is being moved to a new home for the fifth time, right before Christmas. Will this place turn out different - should she dare to hope?

Interest Level: ages 9+
Reading Level: ages 9+

Dancing Through the Snow tells an important story, and I think it is an extremely valuable book to have in childrens' collections. Through this heartwarming story you see Min learn to hope, and eventually to trust. I did find the writing a little clunky, at times changing the subject awkwardly or repeating things that had already been said, which made it harder to feel immersed in the book. Despite this, I would recommend Dancing Through the Snow, because it tells a valuable story.

[Cathy Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Min, a lifelong foster child, looks at families wistfully. She protects herself from hurt by keeping distance. Just before Christmas, as Min's most recent foster mother is in the process of dumping her, Dr. Jess Hart swoops in to take Min home. Jean Little describes a child's pain so eloquently, and creates strong characters who find comfort, strength and beauty in a world of trouble.

[Cait · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Jean Little’s books when I was a kid, and I still have them sitting on my bookshelf.

I didn’t like this one as much as the ones I read when I was a kid - and maybe that’s simply because I’m not a kid anymore.

Overall though this was a very cute little story. And Jean Little is a writer that you shouldn’t miss out on.

[Rylan]

Dancing through the snow was a very good book. It's about a girl named Min who is in foster care and this women named Jessica basically stole her from the foster center. Min spends her first Christmas with Jess and goes to cut down a Christmas tree when Min finds a dog. I recommend this book it made me want to keep reading it and never put it down.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, thought about it every time I had to put it down.
A little unrealistic in places, and left a lot unsaid. More developments were expected but shut down.
A feel-good story that hopefully explains a bit about how adopted children and children in the foster system feel.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I thought this was YA at first, but soon realized that it’s actually Middle Grade. It was a cute read, but I found Min to be somewhat flat as a character. The story didn’t seem to be a terribly realistic portrayal of the foster system either.

[Mina M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this when I was younger. Must've read it at least five times throughout primary school!

[April Suter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story about a child in the foster system but reveals a secret that may trouble a young reader believing in the magic of Christmas.

[R. Jetleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet story told from the viewpoint of a little girl looking for her forever home.

[Shannie Joy Kosman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely delightful read. A message of hope and trust woven through rich characters.

[Sydney Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have been trying to remember the title of this book for a few days now. I remember it being one of my absolute favorites growing up. Want to reread it now. Nostalgic

[Emma Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic YA one of my favs from 4th grade!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and touching story

[Emma]

Läste svenska översättningen

[Kim StClair · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5. Middle school book about adoptive kids and a puppy and I’m not sure what else. Meh.

[Anna Aspetsberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was my first roman (10 years ago) and i still remember it! it was my favourite book for so long.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

"So far, Min reminded herself, you have loved nobody and nobody has loved you. You weren't even given up for adoption, you were just thrown away."

This is the story of Min, a girl who was abandoned as a child. She has been in the Foster Care program ever since, bouncing around to different families. Min has nothing. No real family, no birth certificate, few memories or anything else to give clues of where she actually came from. Through her life, Min has had to put up with bullies who make fun of her and her story, calling her things like "Litter-Bin-Min" and always making sure everyone knew that she was thrown away because nobody wanted her. It is now a week before Christmas, and Min is back at the Children's Aid center after another foster care placement that didn't work. Min tries to keep herself from loving anyone, because she knows that it is safer that way rather than be hurt when things don't work out. She never lets anyone get close to her or know what she's thinking.
Doctor Jess Hart, who had met Min before, and can see the person Min is behind her hard shell, decides to take her home for the holidays. With Christmas cheer, a rescued dog, and fun days together that bond Min and Dr. Jess, we start to see the hard shell Min put up around herself melt as she lets herself start to hope that the miracle she wished for might be coming true.

This book is a wonderful read. I loved every minute of it. You start to love Min and feel sorry for her and what she has gone through from the first couple pages. This is truly a a wonderful book.

[Ri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Min was abandoned at the CNE at the age of 3. After being found and taken into child care, she had several foster families but in the end she was taken into the care of Jessica Hart some time before Christmas. While living there she spends time with Toby a 12 year old boy, Cassie her new dog and Emily, a lost dog Min had found. Min later takes on a new name, Jessamyn Randall which replaced her old name Minerva, which had caused her to be bullied plenty. Everything works out in the end, with an almost perfect ending.

I picked up this book because of its summary, "Children's Aid" caught my eye. One of my closest friends have family problems and Children's Aid got involved. So I decided to read this book, and it was only because of those two words that captured my attention...

I ended up really liking this book, and I'm pleased with the ending because it's not a sad one, although it is a cliche one. After reading just the first chapter I could tell how it would end, Min being adopted by Jess. Of course I wouldn't have known everything in between because the dogs and Toby came as a surprise to me, mostly Cassie. I enjoyed reading and although I did like it, I wouldn't exactly say it's a favorite.

I would probably recommend this book to someone who likes dogs, or someone who likes reading about family issues and problems. I am the latter, or so I consider myself.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book quite a while ago, but my impressions of it remain the same all this time later. The book has earned its 3 star rating because the almost the entire story felt like either a really extended beginning followed by a sudden end. The reason for this is the lack of conflict and character development.

Min's life goes on a constant uphill. She's sent back to a foster home in the beginning but then immediately after is taken in by Jess, a nice, loving doctor. And that's really all there is to it.

Min and Jess get used to each other very quickly. They get along, there is no real tragedy.

The most Min has to deal with is slight insecurity about being adopted, which serves as no issue for her NICE newfound friends, which makes the entire thing redundant. I didn't feel as if Min or Jess really learned anything.

Overall, it was an uplifting story but just TOO uplifting. I believe it was written to inspire hope in children who read it and it captures childlike simplicity quite well. However, this is not a fair or honest depiction of how the foster care system works as it only captures the good.

[Laina SpareTime]

Cross-posted from my blog where there's more information on where I got my copy and stuff.

Okay, this is probably a little too perfect, but Jean Little's writing is so wonderful that it carries the book, and I'm just like, "Give me all the good things." It helps that it's set right around Christmas, too. While I'm reading this in May, and I have no idea when this will post, but I let a few things slide when it comes to Christmas stories.

It used some language that I wish would stop being put in children's books, but it is like a decade old so mostly I just sigh, and it at least doesn't come up more than once, at least, so mostly I just sighed. I adored Min and how prickly she was, I loved that Dr. Jess was an amazing First Nations woman, I loved how the book didn't gloss over some more serious things like the 2004 tsunami, and I absolutely adored how many references to real books there was.

I know it's probably too perfect, but Jean Little's writing is that it felt emotionally right and satisfying. I'm keeping this one. It made me go aw.

[6kaylin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read dancing through the snow by jean little I didn't really like this book that much it didn't have me hooked onto it that well. It's about a little girl named min who was adopted she didn't have a birth certificate. One day they were looking for a tree and they found a lost injured dog. They took it to the vet and it became better and they got to keep it after it became better. One of Jess friends mins mother is friends with someone who's dog they found so they had in give it back. The birth certificate didnt have to do with the story like it said it would the book was not good who I would recommended this book to is middle schoolers.