All Kendra wants to do is audition for the Manhattan Dance Company. But when a debilitating illness threatens to overwhelm her, she must decide which dreams are worth fighting for.
My Review
The Strength of Ballerinas was remarkable and amazing. I loved every minute, and it is probably one of my top YA reads of the year so far! The writing was beautiful with a lot of scenic descriptions, imagery, similes, and metaphors. There were many parts throughout the book that I just wanted to highlight certain places, but it took me a while to figure out that you can still highlight on a PDF file, then my nook was giving me problems and wouldn't let me highlight so I'll just have to read it again later!
I really enjoyed reading about Kendra and her dedication and love for ballet. The story and Kendra's reactions and actions to all of the obstacles she met seemed very realistic. Ballet with the Manhattan Dance Company was her life. Then she moved to sunny, grape, and wine country California. She felt like her life was ruined - she couldn't find a new dance academy, school wasn't going well, etc. Then, she finally made friends, discovered the perfect dance academy and teacher, and everything was looking up. The disease struck. Would Kendra have the strength to dance through it all? Finding her own Ballerina strength?
But there was so much more to The Strength of Ballerinas than ballet and overcoming the disease. There was Petey, Kendra's autistic brother who was really sweet and brought out how caring and patient Kendra was. She did everything she could for her brother, especially since it was just her and her dad. Bullying, and finding out who your true friends are and what true strength and being mature takes. Hope and rediscovering faith. Figuring out what is important in life, and what's really worth fighting for. Deciding what makes you you, and what you truly want to do in life. There is more to a person than what a first impression may tell and Kendra begins to realize that in more ways than one.
This book makes me think of the song Overcomer by Mandisa, because of all of the obstacles Kendra had to face throughout the book and the strength she finds. The Strength of Ballerinas was very inspiring, encouraging us to overcome all the obstacles that may stand in our way. You may fall, but get back up again! I recommend this book to everyone, and I mean everyone - yes, that means you! Go read it!
Favorite Quotes!
"'Endure! Resist! Achieve!'" - The Strength of Ballerinas by Nancy Lorenz (multiple times)
"'People are like diamonds,' she continued.'They have many facets that can shine" - The Strength of Ballerinas by Nancy Lorenz (page 226 pdf file)
I received a free copy of this book in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
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