Title: Tiny Pretty Things
Author: Sona Charaipotra & Dhonielle Clayton
Published: 2015
Pages: 438
When I think of ballet the things that come to mind are beauty, strength, patience, and gracefulness. But this book gives you a front row seat to the inner workings of top notch ballet schools (according to Charaipotra and Clayton). After just a few chapters in you begin to see eating disorders, extremely long hours, fierce competition, and betrayal.
The story is told through the eyes of Bette, Gigi, and June who each have short chapters. I like the way the book is set up and I found myself getting into the frame of mind for each character. Oh! There is also an introductory chapter from Cassie...but poor girl, you don't hear much from her after that.
The main question right at the beginning of the story is who will be cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the winter performance of The Nutcracker? I won't give too much away, but let me just say that the decision shocked everyone. What then ensues is a lot of harassment by the other girls.
Although this isn't really a let's gather 'round the hearth and read a bedtime story kind of tale, it was intriguing and mysterious. I loved cuddling up to the book every day for a week just to find out what would happen! I hope you are able to check it out.
xoxo,
Kelly
I love stories about ballet dancers in particular.
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