The Graceful Ghost

Amberwood Hall Ballet School #1

by Eleanor Dixon

Grace has haunted her ancestral home, Amberwood Hall, for 200 years. However, it wasn’t until it became a girls’ ballet school that she discovered her passion for the art. Now she has a burning desire to visit live ballet performances and experience the thrill of thunderous applause. But she can’t leave Amberwood!
Her fellow ghost, former stable boy Rodney (who can go anywhere he wants) has discovered that if Grace can help someone achieve their dream, she will be free of the spell that binds her.
So when twelve-year-old Lauren Mason auditions for a place at the school, Grace decides she’s the one. It seems though that Lauren is so wrapped up in problems she can’t dance, and she won’t let Grace help. Is another year to go by without Grace achieving her own dreams? Or can she break down Lauren’s defences?
A timeless, fast paced story combines humour and emotional conflict with the world of ballet boarding school.

147 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 25, 2020

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 ½ Stars

“Grace smoothed her petticoats and tossed back her ringlets. At last, she would be able to tell Lauren what she'd done, and then, finally she would be free to flit around the world like Rodney and visit Amberwood only when she felt like it. She clasped her hands in front of her blue over-frock and set her most welcoming smile on her face. Bursting with a mixture of nerves and excitement, Grace became visible and waited for Lauren to turn round.”

The Graceful Ghost is a sweet and whimsical Children’s story by Eleanor Dixon. The story has some paranormal details, ghosts, spells, magic, ballet school/dancing, music, historical details, self-discovery, following your dreams, being true to yourself, friendship, drama, mean girls, teenage angst, and plenty of fun.
Grace is a ghost whose home for the past 200 years has been converted into a boarding school focused on ballet training. The dance school ignites Grace’s love of dancing, leaving her yearning to see ballet dancing come to life on stage- witness a grand production for herself. That should be simple, right- after all her friend Rodney, who is also a ghost, can come and go as he pleases. But as things turn out, there is a spell that ties Grace to the house. So, if she has any chance of ever fulfilling her wish- then she will need to find a way to break the spell. Let the fun and adventure begin.
A great little story for all ages!

Thank you, Eleanor Dixon!

[Heather Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read from this author and she now has a new fan. I love a good paranormal story but she exceeded all my expectations. This could be read by Jr High students as well as adults. The characters will draw you in and you will not stop until you are finished with this book. There are a lot of good lessons in the storyline that most teenagers should learn. I can’t wait to see what this author will write next.

Grace has been bound to the ballet house for almost two hundred years. She has to figure out how to break her spell and she was told by one of her friends that she has to make a girl’s dream come true. When Grace sees a twelve year old Lauren she knows right away she is the one that will help her out. The problem is Grace doesn’t know how to make Lauren see her. Will Grace find her freedom or will she still be cursed to the Amberwood Hall for longer?

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book! The author did an excellent job portraying all the characters and finding just the right hook for the readers. Its almost the perfect read for teens as well. Serious issues are discussed in a way that isn't too heavy, there's a tad bit of drama and there's some paranormal to make sure the story doesn't get too serious! I look forward to reading more from this author!

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Grace, the ghost of a little girl who is bound to Amberwood Hall, the place she was born and died in, she wants to be able to leave, but can’t and Lauren, a young girl who wants to dance but cannot let herself do it with the addition of fun loving Rodney, a fellow ghost of a stable boy and friend of Grace’s. It starts with Grace and Rodney sat in a tree watching the new arrivals to the school pull up in their fancy cars ready for the days auditions, they are talking about who Grace might be able to help to realise their dream so she can realise hers, but none of the girls are standing out as yet, Grace is getting a little frustrated but can still laugh at Rodney when he tries to do ballet as he leaps out of the tree and straight into the path of a car, this is where Grace has a feeling she may have found her girl. Next she goes into the changing rooms to see if she was right, as she listens to the conversations, she hears the same old things and moves further in, then she finds her, Lauren, as she gets her number, her mum suggests she warms up, Grace notices how flexible and soft she is and begins to think that she might be mistaken, that is until the actual audition starts and Lauren transforms into someone completely different, she is stiff, has no balance and is surrounded by a wall of negative energy, but Grace needed Lauren at the school so she could help her, so she made the decision to sing into her ear and help her to release the negativity and dance to her full potential and she ends up doing just that and winning the scholarship, so believing she had done her bit, Grace tries to leave, but is unable to, much to her disappointment and unfortunately Lauren had already left by then.

When the new term arrived and all the girls came back to the boarding school, so did Lauren, but she didn’t seem as happy as Grace thought she should be, but when she tried to speak to her, Lauren just could not see or hear her, this was extremely frustrating for Grace, but she was determined to get to the bottom of Lauren’s issue with dancing and so decided to be patient after talking it over with Rodney. As Lauren settles in to her new dormitory, she feels really cold and all of a sudden a picture falls off the wall and smashes, this startles her from feeling so annoyed at herself for passing the audition, it was her mum’s dream and not hers and she was determined not to enjoy it after everything that had happened, she was also disappointed in herself for passing the audition and getting the scholarship, while also realising how different she was to the other girls and when two walk into the dormitory, one seems nice, but the other one is snarky and acted as though they might catch something off her, so when they leave to go and get supper. As Lauren goes to report the broken picture to Matron, she is waylaid by the sound of her favourite opera music coming from the top of some stairs, when she goes to investigate she finds that it is an old rehearsal studio and feeling the sudden need to dance, she does, until the supper bell sounds and she rushes so she isn’t late.

At supper, all the new girls are asked to stand up when their names are called so that nobody feels like they don’t know anyone, the nice girl from earlier sits with Lauren and starts talking with her, Grace follows her the whole time to try and get to know her a bit better, but when classes start and Lauren goes back to how she danced during the start of her audition, Grace tries even harder to get her attention. The term progresses and Lauren becomes more friendly with one girl, but the others aren’t nice to her at all, but talking to her mum helps her realise that maybe her being there is a good thing after all, she sounds better than she did a couple of months ago, but Lauren still feels the negativity whenever she goes to dance. Can Lauren, Grace work together, or will they both be trapped by their pasts and unable to move on and where does Rodney fit into all of this? This is a heartwarming tale with some fun, competition and a lot of ballet, a great novel for children and adults to escape into alike.

[Terri (BooklyMatters) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute delight! Or should I say - Phantastic!

Meet Gracie and Rodney - two ghostly spirits (who also happen to be children of about twelve years old). This spectral duo have haunted the Amberwood Ballet School for Girls for approximately two centuries, where they (mostly) keep their mischief-making to a minimum (Rodney, who has been described as reminiscent of a “boisterous puppy”, being a bit of a wild card here!).

Making things go bump in the night; whooshing cold drafts on the backs of exposed necks and kneecaps; oozing through the rafters to make the “creepiest of sounds” ; and of course, making books or other objects float off their shelves, or hooks, or cupboards - it appears that “life” for our ghostly duo is pretty darn good.

All of this is about to change, however, as Gracie meets Lauren, a twelve year-old ballet dancer auditioning for a coveted spot in Amberwood, the “most sought after ballet school in the country”.

Lauren, with her chestnut hair and hazel eyes, is desperately unhappy, her behavior an unusual mass of contradictions and Grace (for reasons you will need to read more about in the book) is unable to resist the need to help Lauren achieve her dream - a goal that turns out to be remarkably difficult to achieve.

Lauren is a wonderfully drawn character - serious, thoughtful, compassionate, talented and troubled - and watching Gracie, with spirited (!) but well-intentioned help from Rodney, team up to do their best to “help” her is a wonderful treat. The author writes with great skill and seamless authenticity, which comes though in particular in the details drawn about ballet, and ballet schools, as well as the kindness, meanness and cliquiness of pre-teen girls competing in the hyper-competitive classical dance arena.

Along the way we learn that things are not always what they seem; that one persons dream is not necessarily that of another; that the voices in our head can be our biggest motivators (or detractors); and finally, that we all make our own choices, and are not responsible for anyone else’s chosen path but our own.

Most of all, the story highlights the importance of owning our dreams completely, and how these dreams become even more magical if they are shared, and supported by the others we care about. (Including perhaps, others who may have a less “tactile” form...)

Pre-teens, teens, young adults, adults: anyone who loves a good book will love this book, as will anyone with a sense of humor or mischief (this book is chuckle-worthy throughout!) as well as ballet lovers, and ghost lovers ( you get my drift. This is a wonderful book!)

A great big thank you to the author, Eleanor Dixon, for a review copy of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts presented are my own.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: The Graceful Ghost
Author: Eleanor Dixon

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 19
Stats
Editing: 9/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 9/10
Cover: 3/5

Of the 19 readers:
19 would read another book by this author.
11 thought the cover was good or excellent.
19 felt it was easy to follow.
19 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
18 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
19 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
“I think this novel would be fab for anybody who enjoys dancing. I loved the story and the ghostly characters.” Girl, aged 10
“I liked the characters the most in this book. Lauren is the best. She´s a bit messed up, but that´s why she´s interesting. The story is fun, and I did laugh here and there. This is a good book for 10 – 14 year olds.” Girl, aged 12
“This is a story about fulfilling a wish and trying to be the best you can be. There are lots of lessons in it for older children, probably 12 or 13 years old. I think girls will like this book best as there´s a dancing theme to it and the hero is a girl. The ending was good.” Girl, aged 13
“I felt sorry for the ghost who couldn´t get out. The story has lots of twists in it, but it´s very easy to follow with not too many big words. The author seems to know what kids like reading, so I would read another book by her.” Girl, aged 10

To Sum It Up:
‘A fun, accessible story, perfect for 10 – 14 year olds. A FINALIST and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[Chrissy Spulak · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars.

The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon is a charming, imaginative story for children, age 9 and above, who may be interested in ballet or the paranormal, though it is certainly not limited to those interests.
The story follows the narratives of two girls: Lauren, a fledgling, yet reluctant, ballerina who wins a scholarship to attend Amberwood, a prestigious dancing school, and Grace, the resident ghost, bound to the school grounds until she can help someone achieve their dreams. Despite having some tough competition amongst her classmates, Lauren’s biggest obstacle lies within. Will she, with the help of the Graceful Ghost, hold on to her spot at the school, or will she end up being sent home? Furthermore, will Grace’s plan to help Lauren along the way enable her to finally leave Amberwood?
This is a refreshing story for children and adults alike. At 141 pages in length, the story is evenly fast-paced, catches the reader’s attention, and holds on tight. It goes beyond being a typical ghost story and examines a variety of emotions and circumstances that any growing child will encounter. An excellent book to share with your child, and a book that a parent can trust their child with for independent reading. This reviewer highly recommends The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon.

[The Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

With page-turning quality, this book is the perfect little read for 10-14 year olds with a love for dance, rivalry and the supernatural.

Following Lauren, our unwilling heroine, and Grace, our ghost with a dream of her own, The Graceful Ghost tells the tale of how we can sometimes be the barrier to our own dreams, how there are hurdles on every corner and how sometimes we just need a little help to get to where we’re going.

Although the writing starts off a little simplistic, the story itself grips you by the end of chapter three with intrigue at the end of every page. Each segment leaves you wondering, why or what next and it’s the sort of tale that has you reading just one more page when you really should be turning off the light. The characters themselves are consistent in their personalities with the main protagonists having depth to their motives and actions, a depth that will hopefully be expanded upon as the series progresses. Set in a boarding school for teens, the dialogue is reflective of the real world and easy to buy into, having an easy flow that hooks you and drives the story forwards.

The Book Dragon reviewed this book on behalf of the author and finds it an ideal read for those learning about their place in the world, or worried about achieving their dreams. Arabesquing into a 5 star rating, you’ll enjoy this book until its final curtain call.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It would be great for middle schoolers and I think they would find it entertaining. This is a well written story about a ghost named Grace. She has been haunting a house. Grace realizes her own passion when the house becomes a girl’s ballet school. Her fellow ghost friend Rodney and a girl who enrolls at the school are just the ones to help her achieve her passion. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens with this little group. This is an engaging story that is fast paced and has some humor to it. It also takes on some emotional issues as well. I really enjoyed the characters and what they bring to the story. This was fun and entertaining to read.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon. This is a fun young adult paranormal story. This is the story of Grace, a little girl who haunts the house/now ballet studio Amberwood Hall. She was born and raised there so its all she knows. When the house turns into a ballet hall she finds she is truly passionate about dancing. There she meets a young girl named Lauren who wants to dance but won't let herself because she feels she doesn't deserve it. Grace wants to leave Amberwood Hall but is bound to it by a spell. With the help of her ghost friend Rodney who was a stable hand at Amberwood and Lauren, Grace may be able to release the spells powers. She finds out if she helps Lauren overcome her fear she will break the spell. Such a fun paranormal mystery for young adults.

[Erica Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost is a fun story. This would be age-appropriate for girls 9 or 10 years old. I think that they would love to learn about Grace. The plotline is cute and held my attention. It is a fast-paced story that can be read in one day. The characters make this story. Grace is a ghost who has been haunting a house for 200 years. The house has become a ballet school and Grace finds what she was longing to do. She wants to be a ballerina. She cannot leave the school because she is bound to the house. She wants to help someone with their dream so she can move freely like her friend Rodney. She finds a young girl to help but she really doesn’t want Grace’s help. Will Grace get through to her? Will Rodney be able to assist? I highly recommend this story to see how this bookends

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dixon's story of a ghost haunting a ballet school is a wonderful read for adults to share with either their students or child. Dixon places a ghost named Grace at the center of the story. Grace discovers she has a love of ballet when her ancestral home becomes a dance school. Grace has a ghost friend named Rodney who used to be a stable boy in the home. While Rodney can leave the school, Grace is bound to it by a spell. The spell can be broken by Grace helping Lauren, a 12-year-old student. The true fun of the story begins when the three characters become intertwined. A fun and whimsical read for everyone!

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost: A story for girls rich with authentic ballet school detail and sparkling with ghostly mischief by Eleanor Dixon is a truly delightful story that is suitable for a wide range of audiences. I thought this book was sweet and heart warming - a story of one girl trying to navigate her problems and help in the form of an unlikely source. The running theme throughout the book is that of overwhelming strength and the confidence to turn things around. Although this book is probably aimed more at a younger audience this really is suitable for all to read - and is interesting and well written enough for all to enjoy. I would highly recommend getting this book today!

[Karen Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully written for young adult girls, especially ones that are interested in or already taking dance classes. The author has put so much into this story that I didn’t want to put it down. It does include some paranormal activity and characters which make the book even more interesting. When considering this book, think Hogwarts School of Magic but a school of dance. This contained a lot of laughs, tears, bullies, and close-knit friendships. Most of all it contains a wonder life lesson that all females need to learn. Especially our young females. We need more books like this. I highly recommend that you get this book for your kids. They will enjoy it.

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GRACEFUL GHOST: A story for girls rich with authentic ballet school detail and sparkling with ghostly mischief by Eleanor Dixon is a delightful story for all ages. I am always on the lookout for stories to share with my niece and this fits the bill perfectly. The story gives a good example of strength and courage through the actions of the characters. Also, the main character being a ghost in a building that has become a ballet school. I really enjoyed the story and the message and will keep an eye out for more books from this author.

[Jonell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon is a wonderful story for a Young person to read. Its about wanting something more than anything and finding out that sometimes there are more important things than what you want. Its about finding happiness in the happiness of others and turning loose of the things that hold you back. You find all of this wrapped up in a sweet little story about friendships and encouragement. If your looking for a great book for a book minded young girl who loves all things ballet, this one will do the trick, and you will enjoy it too.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon

What a wonderfully written story that can be enjoyed by all ages. It’s a fast paced story I absolutely devoured. I’ve already told my twelve year old niece about it she’s excited about reading it. This is about a Ghost named Grace who has been haunting a house but when it gets turned into a girls ballet school she discovers her true passion . Follow along with Grace and her friends as she takes on her new passion and find out what happens next. I look forward to reading more from this Author.

[Meg Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Eleanor Dixon. This isn’t the type of book I normally read and at first I wasn’t really sure about the whole book itself. Now after finishing the book I have decided that Eleanor Dixon can write anything and I’ll read it. This story was about a young girl who wanted to be a ballerina and had some personal issues to get over in order to make that happen and a little ghost that helped her. I definitely can’t wait to see if she writes another one. I love Lauren and I love Grace and this is such a great book I definitely recommend it.

[Felicia Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost 
Eleanor Dixon
4 out of 5 stars
 
Eleanor Dixon is a new author to me but I was really intrigued when I stumbled across The Graceful Ghost. If you know anything about me personally, I love paranormal themes, especially those coupled with magic, hope etc. I really thought this was a great read, not just for younger audiences but adults alike. It was sweet, fun, fast paced and it was unique. The characters, especially Grace, were wholesome and enjoyable. I look forward to reading more from this author for sure. 

[Shybit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the protagonist isn't what you would typically think of as a main character.
A ghost as the main is just brilliant! Without getting into spoilers, I love that she started out with a selfish (albeit worthwhile) mission. But she ends up understanding the real reason to complete it and doesn't really care about the outcome for herself. The secondary main is such a sad character at the start, but she really grows as a character. I'm excited to see how the author continues this series with a ghost as the main.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE GRACEFUL GHOST: A story for girls rich with authentic ballet school detail and sparkling with ghostly mischief by Eleanor Dixon is a delightful children’s fantasy story. This sweet little tale is about a young girl who loves dance and ballet and longs to see one herself. The only problem is she is a ghost. With heart-warming characters, it is an engaging story that any little girl will fall in love with.

[Cindy Rushin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story. It was a light hearted look into the life of a ghost who was on a mission to leave the school she was haunting and see the world. The journey Grace went on so that she could accomplish this was difficult and had some twists and turns. I had not really read a book that was told from the point of view of a ghost, so I found this book a refreshing change. Eleanor Dixon is a good author and I look forward to reading more from her.

[Rachel Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost by Eleanor Dixon was a really good read! It started off a little slow in my opinion, as an adult, but got better as it progressed. This was a very sweet story, and definitely a hit for all ages. I loved the sweet characteristic of Grace the ghost, and how Lauren overcomes the fears and guilt that bothers her. The character development was great for every character. This was the first book I've read from Dixon, and I can't wait to read more in the future!

[Raylene Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story seems more like a children's book. The working reminds you of older time---historic perhaps. It's a very whimsical story about Grace, who is a ghost who inhabits Amberwood Hall, and Lauren, the little girl who Grace thinks could end up helping her achieve her goal. An exuberant story for all ages! A fun read for anyone!

[Lucy Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a cute story! I definitely would have loved it when I was younger, and probably have been obsessed with it. While I feel it’s a book meant a little more for younger people, I still really enjoyed it. It’s a cute little story and an excellent read. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I really enjoyed it!

[Leanne Pert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great young adult read

What a heartwarming story. Not just about ballet but overcoming guilt over things that aren't your fault. Well written and a very easy read. Highly recommended

[Jamie Truex · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cute story! It combines real life problems with some paranormal. Lauren's character is troubled, thoughtful, and seems older than she is. Grace is a very lively spirit! She wants to help Lauren so bad. You dont have to be a fan of ballet to enjoy this book.

[Emmye Marihugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Graceful Ghost
I can’t lie this isn’t my usual genre. I really liked the concept and it is written really well but I just couldn’t get into it. That being said I really liked the setting and learning about ballet and ballet school.

[sara thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely ballet school story with a twist

This is a lovely story, set in a ballet school but with an unusual twist. The writing is charming, and kept me, (an adult reader,) engrossed.

[Jodena Pysher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a fun read for all ages. It took me away from reality for the night. Will reread and reccomend to all readers.