3.5* Fabulous history and premise with a likable main character...Just got to be a bit much near the end. A lot of depressing stuff happens at once, and I'm not a huge fan of having the narrator basically tell you everything else that happens in their life. I feel like the story really didn't need it, and it would have allowed closure without being so...finalized. There's also the feeling of the drunk mother being flat (she's drunk and she's not around, so what more do we ever learn about her?) More...

This two star review definitely falls under subjective rating. I really liked the writing style of the book and there was nothing wrong with the structure. My problem was with the story. The author states that not much is known about Marie von Goethem so she had to build a story around the few facts she did have. I understand some of the facts are sad, but the author didn't have to make the story depressing. Meyer sets up a few positive aspects of Marie's life only to destroy them to make way fo More...

This is a fictionalized account of what might have been the story of the young ballerina who inspired Degas' sculpture "Little Dancer, Age 14", apparently based on the few facts that are actually known about the real girl. Young Marie lives with her mother and two sisters in Paris. She agrees to model for Degas in order to earn extra money to support her family since her father is dead and her mother is an alcoholic. The description of what life must have been like in Paris in the late 1800s is More...

I really loved this book. The world captured me and I raced through this book in an afternoon. I had never heard of Marie or the statue before, but now I really want to see the original in person. :D :D
A sad story, heartwarming at the same time.
I find it mind boggling at how dedicated they are to their dance!!! Honestly I don't think I could do it!!
Mostly what I loved about this book was Marie herself. Despite all the crappy stuff that happens to her, and her crappy life in general, she stays More...

The beauty and sparkle of dance, music, and art are juxtaposed in this delightful novel against the squalid, seemingly hopeless circumstances of Marie's homelife. Her lucky encounter with Monsieur Degas is the big break that seems may turn her life around.

Meyer beautifully imagines the relationship that develops between this unlikely pair--the "little dancer" and the eccentric, middle-aged artist, a tale inspired by Degas's famous sculpture--"Little Dancer Aged Fourteen." What a treat for the im More...

One of my favorite things about school is, surprisingly, French class. My school's French program is kind of awesome, and it's probably because of my French teacher. Madame is probably the craziest person I've ever met, but she LOVES French. Her whole life is French and teaching it. She doesn't just make you memorize phrases. You speak the language, learn the culture, and enjoy the food. Because of her, I'm in the French club and French Honor Society. It is also because of her that I am familia More...

When Degas’ statue Little Dancer Aged Fourteen was revealed it caused quite a stir, controversially portraying the true struggle of a dancers’ life rather than being content with the beautiful facade of production. Yet ironically, its model, Marie, has never been given such a voice as she was in this novel before. Although Meyer does not have a great deal of fact to work from, she manages to craft an exquisite story, so poignant, and so moving.

I really love this book. I love its unpretentiousne More...

Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

I can't count the times that I've seen a truly inspiring painting or sculpture and wondered what the inspiration behind it was. With MARIE, DANCING, the story behind Edgar Degas's well known sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, is brought to vivid life in this fictionalized account.

At fourteen, Marie van Goethem still holds out hope that one day her life will be, if not grand, then better than it is now. Her drunken mother is unable to hold down a job, and More...

Definitely an interesting read. I chose this one as part of my book challenge in which I was to "Read a book about a subject you wish you could have studied in school." My heart still aches when I see talented dancers perform--something I will never be able to do. And while I can't dismiss the sweetness of my girlhood dreams to be a ballerina, I'm grateful in the long run that I didn't become one. This book was a bit of a reassurance of that "choice." Besides, I think music was more my calling i More...

Man, I really hate books that have endings where the lovers can't be together! This is the only thing that stopping me from adding it to my all-time favorites list. this is a wonderfully awful book about the model for Degas's statuette 'Little Dancer, aged fourteen' Marie and her fight to keep her family together in the servival of the fittest world of France, 19th century. The True life of dancers then, just how Degas was trying to show it with his gorgeous little statue. I'm excited to read mo More...

Marie, Dancing is truly a fantastic book. I picked it up at random while perusing my local library's shelves, and decided to give it a try. I finished it over the snowy weekend, and kept thinking about it for days. Marie's heartbreaking expulsion from the opera was extremely touching. I used to dance ballet, and this book sure did bring back memories! I remembered all of my good, and not-so good times dancing. I highly recommend this book, please give it try!

I loved this book. Carolyn Meyer was my favorite author around middle school and I'm so glad I've rediscovered a new book by her. The story was captivating, and I loved how it didn't really focus on the statuette and instead focused on Marie's life. I must admit, though, that I was incredibly surprised and scandalized by (view spoiler)[who Marie winds up marrying (hide spoiler)]. I am not going to lie; not in my WILDEST dreams did I see that coming! I was unsure of it when I bought it, but now I'm so glad I picked it up!! More...

This was a little bittersweet for me. Although it was beautifully written, I like sugar-coated fairy tale endings and this had none of that. Instead this book told the sad story of a girl who gave up her money, her dreams of being a ballerina, the love of her life, and everything else she could possibly give for her family and in the end settled for contentment but not the happy life she'd always dreamed about.

This story follows Marie, a 14 year old French girl who is also a dancer in the Paris Opera. Her family lives in poverty while her and her two sisters dance full-time. They are uneducated and their mother dreams of them becoming stars, but life gets in the way. When Marie's sister makes some mistakes, Marie has to suffer the consequences and take on the burden of her family. She continually sacrifices her own dreams for those of her family. This is the story of the girl who was the model and mus More...

Really liked this book, up until the last part. The author kind of gets to a point in the character's life and then sums up the rest. All of a sudden we get the last 30 years of her life, which seemed kind of sudden. Loved the author's style , the setting (based on the true story of a model of Degas') and the main character's morality in contrast to the people around her.

Marie, a poor 14 year old girl who lives with her two sisters and drunk mother has a sad life. But the one thing that does bring joy and light in her is dancing.
Sadly she didn't get to be a performing ballerina as she hoped, that made me sad! :(
It was a heart warming book, sweet dramatic and well written! :)

I absolutely loved this book. It was very inspiring the way Marie gave up her hopes,dream,and love of her life to keep her promise to her dead father, and look after her family. I truley believe there are very little people who would sacrifice so much for people who cared so little.

Oh, God, this was such a gorgeous book. I am a dancer myself, and I feel that Carolyn Meyer really quenched my thirst for a little ballet. It is especially wonderful if you enjoy the book with a little light, classical music in the back round. Gorgeous, gorgeous book. MUST READ!

Really well-writted - I guess the only reason I only "liked" it was because of the darkness - which is only to be expected, based on Marie's horrible living conditions throughout most of the book. It reminded me a lot of The Girl With the Pearl Earrings.

I don't write real reviews of many books on here, but I will say that this was one of the most moving books I have ever read. I sobbed reading this, especially after she loses her place at the Paris Opéra Ballet. I shouldn't have told you that!

I read this book in one night, it was amazing. If you are currently taking ballet this is an amazing choice. It's about a girl in the Paris Opera in the 1890's. Even if you aren't taking dance this is still a book to read.

Awesome story! It was a true story about the dancer that posed for Edward Degas's statue "little dancer" It was crazy to hear how poor she was and everything. Very educational and interesting!

I LOVE this book. It is on one of the subjects that I LOVE reading about... BALLET!!! I have probably read it more than 10 times since I got it.

I really really loved this book! Carolyn Meyer is a historical fiction master! Her books are thoroughly researched and very interesting. She makes the characters so real I feel like I know them. I will be reading many more books by her in the future. A great, light read.

i dont do ballet but i was a really good book peeking into the past and seeing what happened

I finished this book. While it was an okay and sometimes interesting story, it was too "wordy" the writer used too many ballet terms a non ballet person wouldn't understand. It distracted from the story a lot.

I found the end far too rushed.

a beautiful story of the model for one of degas' most famous sculptures

Marie never gets to be ballerina. I never thought that would affect me so much.

a very sad yet very good book not going to spoil it