Emma Freedman, Turning Pointes, HarperCollins, 4 Jan 2016, 240pp., $14.99, (pbk), ISBN: 9781460751633
This is a ripper of a yarn about the highs and lows of the world of ballet, centering around the Beaumont Academy, and the trials and tribulations of the first person narrator April Franklin. Her journey through the rigours of classical ballet classes, family and friends, relationships and the search for identity, make for an engrossing read for the young ballet aficionado. The pull between traditional performance and April’s natural fit with jazz and hip hop make for a great read.
Recommended for young readers.
Note: Emma Freedman was the winner of reality TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2015 and has a background of childhood dance classes herself.
Reviewed by Chris Dayman