Alexandra Johnson despises ballet. She wants to be a speed ice skater, like her hero Phoebe Fitz. But it is her mother's dream that she take ballet classes and become a little ballerina. So she goes to class.
When Alexandra and her mother move from her home in Georgia to Harlem in NYC, she isn't thrilled. New home, new city, and a new ballet school...one her mother has always dreamed she could attend.
Alexandra quickly makes friends in the class, and as they prepare for their upcoming recital (where Alexandra was chosen to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in a solo dance), her new friends help her overcome obstacles to dance her best!
What I Thought:
This is a new series we got at the library and I couldn't wait to give it a try. I am a fan of Whoopi Goldberg, which further peaked my interest. I found the books to be quite good and I am sure that they will have a good reception with lots of ballet loving little girls! The books include a glossary at the end with "Al's Guide to Ballet Terms" helping those of us who are not so educated in the terminology.
I found Alexandra to be a lovely character. At first she hated her new life and begged to return to her home in Apple Creek, GA; but once she found some friends, began to enjoy her new ballet school, and became accustomed to her new life she doesn't want to ever leave.
This is a great book for the elementary crowd! I can't wait to read further installments of the Sugar Plum Ballerinas!
Recommended.
Want to see more? Check it out on Amazon: Whoopi Goldberg with Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Maryn Roos.
Reviewed from a library copy.
