Ballet Magic

Ballerina Dreams #1-3

by Ann Bryant

Presents three stories about Poppy, Jasmine, and Rose, as they each deal with the challenges to their relationships and their other interests that ballet presents.

Genres: Childrens

322 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2006

About the author

An author of series fiction for young readers, Ann Bryant was educated at the Royal College of Music, and worked for a number of years as a music teacher. She has also written for various BBC Schools Radio programmes, and composed the theme and incidental music for BBC TV's Tales of Aesop series.

Reviews

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't going to give this 3 stars. Granted the book is written for a very low reading level, but I've read other books aimed at the younger readers that I felt was more engaging and more interesting than this book. Which is how I felt up until I read the last story about Rose.

Rose is in a quandary - she's good at gymnastics and ballet both, but they interfere with each other. The story her grandmother tells her about the river makes everything come clear (read and you'll see what I mean). To me this is such a deep thought, and came so unexpectedly that that book alone I wish I could give four stars and a hearty cheer I was so delighted with it. Sadly my happiness was tempered, as the story about Jazz was irritating and repetitive, hence the 3 star rating.

This isn't a bad series, my worry is that kids reading it might lose interest somewhere along the way. But if they're nuts for ballet, they'll stick it out, and grow to love these characters. So I'll cautiously recommend this as a precursor to books like "Ballet Shoes" which will be that much more meaningful to them.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

True rating: 3.5 stars.

Poppy and Rose's stories are more enjoyable and of greater interest than Jasmine's. The latter's constant worry about her father gets old quickly.

[Aubrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was okay. It was definitely written for a much younger audience. It was a really quick read and I finished it in one night.

[Makayleeabels · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT