Dazzling Danny

Description

Danny loves dancing, but not the funky, popular variety that would have his friends green with envy; no, Danny loves Ballet. A 'Billy Elliot' for younger readers by this renowned ballet-loving author. Danny loves ballet, but he daren't admit it to his mates. But one of his teacher's knows, and she casts Danny in the starring ballet role in the end of term show at school. But Danny is also in the school football team and the rehearsals for the show clash with team nights. How can be maintain his cool with his peers and still star in the performance. Mixups and mayhen ensue as several fibs are told to parents, friends and siblings. But at the end of the day, is Danny sick as a parrot or over the moon? On performance night, Danny is simply DAZZLING!

Jean Ure had her first book published when she was sixteen and has been writing ever since. Her passions in life are ballet and animal rights and many of her books encompass one or other of these topics -- including her classic boy dancer title, A Proper Little Nooryeff. Jean lives in a three-hundred-year old cottage in Croydon with her husband, Leonard, and several cats and dogs.

Daisy May is told in such a way that the reader will readily identify and empathise with Daisy and her life in late Victorian England. Skilfully told, with Donnelly's illustrations making the characters seem more real, I found the book difficult to put down. Books for Keeps (January 03)