Lara's Leap of Faith

Royal Ballet School Diaries #2

by Alexandra Moss

It's Ellie's first day at the Royal Ballet School and she's feeling nervous and homesick. What if the other students don't like her? What if she's not as good as everyone else? But eventually Ellie begins to settle in at her new school, making new friends and learning the routines in her dance classes. Before long, Ellie befriends Lara. But Lara, who comes from a big family in Scotland, is struggling with a huge case of homesickness. Will Ellie be able to convince Lara to take a leap of faith and remain at the Royal Ballet School?

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Contemporary, Boarding School

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

I seriously love the focus on hard work. I also appreciate that these girls are realistic in how they bicker and react to each other. they make mistakes and learn through them.

[Hollie Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read YA but this grabbed me with the Diary aspect. It was more a story than a diary but it was fine.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

ME ENCANTOOOO es un grade level book pero ey loved it ósea en parte porque como q me siento identificada con ella y ey cuando se le aguaron los ojos fue la mejor escena lo amooo

[Joeytay11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is FOr only BALLET fans!!(haha... maybe GIRLS only) This book is mainly talking about the happenings while Ellie Brown did during her first week in the Royal Ballet Lower School.. She made it into the the Royal Ballet School. Something actually happened while she was auditioning(in the #1st book), she accidentally fell and caused Lara, another girl to fall. Lara was her bunkmate and she is struggling since she got here. Ellie wants to talk to her BUT Ellie feels that Lara doesn't wants her support as she is very rude to her.later, there was a show, NUTCRACKEr. Ellie and Lara were both chosen to be party children but they were in different casts. As Ellie made a typing error, Ellie's mother made a mistake and bought the tickets for a different date! The worst it that Ellie's mother has booked a room for her wedding on her opening night! Read on to find out what happens..

[Mackenzie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fun tale about life in the Royal Ballet School. The book is a diary of a young girl named Ellie during her first semester as a student in the 7th grade class at the school. She enjoys the classes and most of her classmates but she has some issues with a girl named Lara. Lara picks on Ellie quite often even after Ellie's numerous attempts to work things out. The story concludes with the pair managing to smooth things out and becoming friends.

This book is a fun tale for any girl who likes ballet or one who has experienced friend trouble. The book is set in the present day, and has most of the current technology and jargon (except for facebook and smartphones). Girls can definitely relate to the pressures of moving to a new school and adjusting to a new set of friends and expectations. This is an entertaining read, and I'd recommend it for any middle school aged girl.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat mis-titled (the story is more about Ellie than Lara), this is the 2nd book in the Royal Ballet School Diaries series. Ellie, Lara, and the others are 1st year students at the Royal Ballet School. All 11 first year girls live in the same dorm room. The conflict in the plot is mainly between Ellie and Lara. Ellie accidentally knocked Lara over in their auditions in the spring and Lara still hasn’t forgiven her. Both Ellie and Lara are cast as party children in the Nutcracker. Ellie learns Lara is homesick and that’s why Lara has been acting so rude. They make up and Lara helps out when Ellie can’t dance one of her scheduled performances due to her mom’s wedding. A sub-plot involves how the distance that has grown between Ellie and her former-best-friend, Phoebe.
This is a fun book and a quick read.

[Cathy Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

BalletDaughter and I have read this whole series and loved it! She is now dreaming of attending the Royal Ballet School and frankly, we're trying to figure out how we'd move there! Great books about not only ballet training but the relationships of young girls (around 9-12) and their growth as people with a passion.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been looking for something light and fun to read. Something that wasn't over the top, but had detailed characters. I ran across this series and being a dance fan, fell in love with it.

I found this the perfect book for my needs. The characters are fun, the drama is age-appropriate, and it really gives people a good insight into the dance world. I absolutely LOVED IT.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is the best! I have all the books so if anyone is interested they can borrow them. I love the use of words to describe their surroundings. I really feel like I am in the story.

[Marley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was better than the first one, but it was still really easy to read.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good bridge from home life to boarding school

[Ishani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just great, especially because it is about ballet. Ballet Rocks!!!!

[Anna]

Read!!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series! I like how the girls give one another second chances and that home sickness and changing circumstances are talked about in a real way.

[Motunrayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was reeeeeeeeeeally awesome

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the 1st one!!!!!! Really liked it!

[Alicia Herret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I liked it very much.

[Millenia Battle]

its a great book