The Cranes Dance is about two sisters who entered into the ballet world. Kate, being a year older than Gwen, entered the ballet company. Her sister Gwen has to wait a year because of her age. Kate has to look after Gwen even though she wanted to venture on her own. After Gwen has a breakdown, her mother kept implying that Kate should have taken better care of Gwen. Yet at the same time, Gwen wanted to do things on her own without having Kate around. It is a lack of communication between sisters and each is assuming the worst of each other damaged their relationship with each other.

Another thing about The Cranes Dance is that the story take the readers into the ballet world. No one outside of this group would know the seasons and work that each of the ballet dancers put in. I love the insight that the author Meg Howrey provides. I wouldn't know how much work is put into a production. As one reader's review mentioned that you don't need to love ballet to love this book.