Synopsis

Twelve-year-old Lindsey McKay’s biggest dream is to be a famous ballerina. But after moving to New York, she ends up at the Community Center with a teacher who’s a burly bear in tights.

When she meets Madame Destinée, the teacher of a top dance school who offers her classes for free, Lindsey can’t believe her luck. In exchange, she must perform in the school’s exclusive midnight shows, ones sure to make her a star. But something’s not right…

One by one, the other dancers disappear. Each time they do, a music box with a figurine just like the missing ballerina joins Madame Destinée’s growing collection. If Lindsey doesn’t discover the truth about the dance school, she might end up a tiny figurine herself.

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Review

While this book may seem harmless, it actually will bend the mind of anyone that reads this book with the fantasy aspects, the mystery of the dance studio, and normal sibling rivalry.

Lindsey has given up a lot to follow her family to New York so her younger sister can attend Julliard.  Everyone has given up something since living in New York is not cheap, so fancy dance schools are not in the cards for Lindsey and she has to continue her ballet at the community center.  This would be a hard adjustment for any preteen, but Lindsey takes it well until she stumbles across a dance studio around the corner and a teacher that recognizes her talent and is willing to teach her for free.  But nothing in life is free as Lindsey slowly learns.  In fact, Lindsey notices the danger sooner than those around her and it is a fight to stay alive and keep those around her safe as well.

The relationship between Lindsey and her sister mirrors what many might see in their own lives.  Yes, there is sibling rivalry, but they truly care about one another and realize that they have to watch out for one another in this big city.  Lindsey also learns that you can’t judge a book by its cover and those you think you should avoid you should actually embrace and learn from them.

The story has its ups and downs but it kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what the next twist or turn would be and how could the story potentially end.

We give it 5 paws up and think it will be perfect for any middle-grade reader that wants to be challenged and entertained at the same time.

About the Author

Tonja Drecker is a writer, blogger, children’s book reviewer, and freelance translator. After spending years in Germany exploring forgotten castles, she currently resides in the Ozarks with her family of six. When she’s not tending her chickens and cows, she’s discovering new adventures, nibbling chocolate and sipping a cup of tea.

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