Dancing in the Dark

by P.R. Prendergast

Things haven't been easy for Jessie since her brother James - sports star and popular kid - died. Her mum and dad are lost in grief and she's feeling isolated at school; when the popular girls on her dance team give her a hard time, she just can't seem to remember the routines...
...and Jessie can still see James. Talk to him, or quarrel with him, more like! They always bickered when James was alive, so why change now?
But James might turn out to be her unlikely saviour. Along with Alan, the dorky new boy, can he give Jessie the confidence to show the rest of the dance team what she's got … and help her and her parents on the road towards healing?
Funny, sharp and poignant, a story about living with a ghost, and the pain of letting go.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published September 6, 2010

About the author

P.R. Prendergast lives in Dublin, where he has worked as a school teacher for twenty-five years. In 2009 his first children’s book The Romanian Builder was published by The O’Brien Press. Dancing in the Dark, published by The O'Brien Press in 2010, was nominated for the 2011 Bisto Children's Book of the Year Award and was awarded the White Raven Label by the International Youth Library at Bologna Book Fair 2011. He has three children of his own.

Reviews

[Miss Book · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.5*

[Domnica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a nice story for children’s fiction, even though I think it would be more of a young adult fantasy book rather than children’s fiction as it says on the back.

The story follows Jessie as she deals with the loss of her brother and school drama. This plot explores the concept of living with grief and to represent the feeling of presence, James comes back as a ghost. He is there to support his sister and comfort her when she needs.

I liked how motivational was James’ speech while helping Jessie practice her dance routine and how the entire story played out in the best way for the ones who worked hard for their accomplishments, instead of bullying and creating unnecessary drama for others.

[Linnea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a beautiful story about loss. I even missed James myself. I wished the whole book that he'd still be alive. The book had me crying for several times. There's just nothing as interesting as the love between siblings.

[Maria Salve · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I have read a children's book. This is quite a breath of fresh air. 👍

[Frida Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lest flere ganger nå!

[Marija *Why you mad, why you sad* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't get me wrong - I liked this book. But it was only because of James. His sister on the other hand... I couldn't stand her! She was very immature and selfish if you ask me. I mean, your brother dies and you see him month after his death and you act like you hate him and he annoys you but you are the only person he can talk to! For god's sake! I understand that he's annoying when he talks about how awesome he was but he died and he's lonely, give him a break! And the way she treated Alan...! Kid had so many bad things going on in his life he didn't need you to reject him too! OK, I'm done. I can't keep expresing my fury on this poor keyboard. I'm just so pissed off with her

[Louise Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

i read this very quickly it was so easy to read and was in fact abit disjointed at times and not sure what the point it was making maybe the bullying and how to get on with each other but bullying been going on for ever and always will it was a bit strange the relationship with her brother were they really close umm

[Pisinat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, short, sincere and strong... A great reading!

[Priya Bhakta · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice quick read. I feel like there could have been more background and build up in the first half of the book but overall a nice story about grief and self belief.