Turning Pointes

by Emma Freedman

April Franklin is 13 years of age and has just started high school. April has also been dancing half her life and while she loves ballet, she's not sure if classical is right for her, particularly since she doesn't have the perfect ballet body - and of course all of the mean girls at her ballet school do ...

There are, however, many ways to dance, and when April has the opportunity to explore them she leaps at the chance, even though she is very aware that her mother has high hopes for her as a classical dancer.

New school, mean girls, stage mothers, big dreams ... sometimes finding your feet can be hard.

238 pages, Paperback

First published March 21, 2016

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

April is a content, but confused 12 yr old. Her attempts to figure out how to do what makes her happy, and keep everyone else around her happy too, is a fun read.

[Bridget · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was quite boring, however I could relate to it a lot and I think that's why I kept on reading it. I read it in only 2 hours witch was quite fast for me. However I also was not a fan of the long chapters they were really quite annoying and I think there were quite a few Parts that were not needed. Over all I was not a fan of the book but it was not terrible. 2/5 stars ✨

[faye :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book once when I was quite young, but I hated it because I hated ballet. Thought I'd read it again for fun, and it's actually SO GOOD!

[katherine styles · Rating 3 out of 5]

i forgot this book existed

[Belinda Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teenage girl who has loved Ballet her whole life, and has just recently discovered she doesn't like it as much as she used to. Her dance studio closes down and merges with another, with more popular dance styles available. She soon discovers her new dance style preference and falls in love with dance all over again.

[Melina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good dance book from a debut author. Lost its way a little at times, but generally tightly written and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to a second book (especially in the same universe!)

[Bookishbabe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is perfect for readers starting high school. I really liked the story. Whilst focusing on dance, there is a section of the story that discusses growing up and transitioning from child to teenager and this aspect is done well. However I think the written word let the story down just a tad.

[Jade]

*Read for the West Australian Young Reader's Book Awards in the Young Readers Shortlist for 2018.

[Tamsyn Grumetza · Rating 3 out of 5]

such a good book