Ballet Besties #1: Yara's Chance to Dance
September 9, 2025 by Candlewick
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Yara Madani's father is an eco-engineer who travels to different countries to help set up factories. She's always loved dance, and has taken some private lessons, but is very excited to be settled in one town and enrolled in a ballet academy with other students. Her mother, who is from Belgium, has set up a new patisseries called Cake Stop. Miss Diamond has opened the Shimmer and Shine studio not far from her new home, and Yara is all set with new shoes and leotards. Some of the other students include Momoka, who also likes to play the violin, Charlie, who is into baking and drawing, Dante, who plays soccer, and Indu, who prefers science to dancing. When the group overheard Dame Clougston-Wilmott ("Mrs. C." ) threatening to close down the studio, Yara is so upset that she goes to visit the older woman, whose son rented the space to Miss Diamond when Mrs. C. was abroad. Yara finds out that Mrs. C.'s own dancing career was cut short by an accident after her brilliant performance in Sleeping Beauty. Yara works with Miss Diamond and her fellow students to stage a performance of the same ballet in hopes that Mrs. C. will change her mind. Will they be able to keep the school open?
This book includes lots of good descriptions of dance, as well as a glossary of ballet terms and even diagrams on how to perform some of the positions and moves. There are many middle grade readers who are involved in dance, but very few books on the topic. There is even a recipe from Yara's mother's bakery!
I loved Yara's passion for dance, but even more than that I loved that her parents would only let her participate if she paid attention to her school work. Yara does not turn in all of her assignments, and her parents do impose some strictures, which brings home the message that school is important even if one does harbor not-so-secret desires to be a prima ballerina, for which, of course, school is not necessary.
There are occasional illustrations throughout this shorter novel, which will make it very appealing to upper elementary age readers.
Hand this one to a young ballerina who is interested in all things dance related, along with Ziegler's The Audition (ballet), Mendez's The Reel Wish (Irish step dancing), and Sutton and Hannuniemi'sThe Song of the Swan (retelling of Swan Lake as a fantasy novel).
Ballet Besties #2: Indu's Time to Shine
September 9, 2025 by Candlewick
Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central
Indu would much rather study science for her future career as a doctor, but her mother wants her to have a variety of activities. She attends Miss Diamond's Shimmer and Shine Academy. She does enjoy hanging out with fellow dancers Yara, who wants to be a prima ballerina, as well as Momoka, Charlie, and Dante. The group frequently hangs out at Yara's mother's patisserie, where they are treated to free baked goods, which is a relief for Indu, since her single mother struggles with bills. When Miss Diamond plans a trip to the professional ballet to see a production of Cinderella, Indu is slow to turn in her permission slip, since she doesn't want to ask her mother for money. Eventually, since she wants to go so badly, she forges her mother's signature and doesn't pay, although she goes to the performance. Eventually, she confesses to Miss Diamond, who tells her that they could have worked something out. While all of the other dancers want the role of Cinderella in the production, Indu really does not, although she claims to since all of her friends are trying out. She's happier with a smaller role, and throws herself into a fund raiser to benefit other students who might have trouble paying for lessons.
While many children are keen to take lessons or participate in sports, there are always children who are doing these activities for other reasons, and may be more reluctant to take the spotlight, even though the enjoy the camraderie of the activity. Indu's interest in science, and her preference for studying, will speak to many young readers, but it's good to see that she is eventually able to enjoy ballet.
Many activities are expensive, so it is nice to see a realistic story about the concerns children have over the cost. Indu is torn between wanting to be with her friends and the reality of her mother's financial situation. Her desire to help others out is admirable, and a great example.
The illustrations scattered throughout the book will make this even more appealing to upper elementary students, and I enjoyed the glossary of ballet terms and diagrams of positions.
Streatfield's Ballet Shoes is a classic, and there are a few other ballet books that readers interested in this sport can turn to, including Bound's And All That Jazz, Peck and Harris' Katarina Ballerina, and Siwa's Jojo & Bow Bow.
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