Ever since her grandparents gave her a DVD of Swan Lake, twelve-year old Jenny Spark has wanted to be a dancer. But on her first day of ballet class, she suffers a panic attack and makes a horrifying discovery. She's terrified of dancing in front of the other kids, and as for actually performing for an audience? Forget it. Yet Jenny refuses to give up her dream. With determination and a little ingenuity, she finds ways to observe ballet classes without actually participating. She trains in the safety of her room, while hiding the truth from her parents. Then Jenny meets her exact opposite: Ara Reyes, an outgoing, spontaneous, and accident-prone girl who loves dancing but has always been overlooked. The girls' friendship blossoms as they help each other uncover their real talents. Ara's dancing takes a leap forward and Jenny discovers she has an amazing gift for choreography. With the support of the school's newest teacher, Jenny's original ballet might just make it on stage . . . but will she?
Dancing on the Inside by Glen Strathy is one of the most endearing books I have read in a while.
Jenny has such an overwhelming passion for dance, but is unable to act on her passion because she suffers from a crippling shyness. I know what that sort of shyness feels like. Ara and Jenny are such good friends because they bring out the best in each other.
Strathy has done a wonderful job portraying the friendship between the girls. Sometimes men have a hard time grasping the deep relationships women tend to have. The characters are both very believable and well rounded. It was a quick read but worth every second. My daughter is currently reading it now.
Rita's Recommendation:
This book is perfect for adults, teens, and tweens alike.
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