Reviews

I love how each of the sisters vows to become the very best at whatever their unique talent is. Of course, there is the usual sibling rivalry, but the sisters really respect their differences!

juliannef's review against another edition

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3.0

A childhood favourite that I didn't enjoy as much as when I was 10.

Unless you have knowledge of old-fashioned money some of this won't make sense.

Pauline, Petronas and Posy aren't as nice girls as I remembered but that is just my opinion.

All in all I wish I'd relied on my memory regarding this.

mrswelborn's review

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I read this aloud to my 8 and 10 yr olds, and we thought it was fine. I wanted there to be more action, and more introspection or character growth? It really felt like one long theater rehearsal after another. But the relationships between the sisters was sweet, and we enjoyed the way things wrapped up in the end.

theghostintheattic's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

danaetkiss's review against another edition

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4.0

ballet shoes is a book from one of my favourite genres - poor british orphans from the 1800s- early 1900s. as someone who was read a lot of these kind of books throughout their life, ballet shoes truly has stuck with me. i believe that if you write a childrens book that is forgettable, it’s a failure. ballet shoes was not that and something absolutely perfect for anyone hoping for a fast paced novel that will cheer them up and will be easy to read. whilst the protagonists struggle and endure the hardships of poverty during the depression, there is always a undertone of hope. i burst into tears at the end of it simply because i didn’t want it to end. one of the books that will stick with me forever

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p.s. pauline is my favourite

poachedeggs's review against another edition

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4.0

A really cute book about three orphan girls who were adopted by a fossil collector, 'Gum', and who are sent to a ballet/acting school to start earning their keep and help their guardian (Gum's niece, 'Garnie') make ends meet.

I would really have enjoyed this as a child - there is a bit of a Mary Poppins feel to it somehow. As an adult, I find myself enjoying the parts where Pauline lets fame and popularity get to her head, and where Petrova keeps running off to fix cars. Posy's single-minded passion for ballet is also fascinating - very much 'a portrait of the artist(e) as a young woman'.

zusy's review

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5.0

Review by 5yo (I completely agree with the star rating--wholesome, lovely, mentoring, sibling relationships, growing up, following your mission)

I liked the part where she changed her mind because she really actually didn't wanted to be the prince of Wales. (Actually her specific words were "the prince of all whales". Great time for a discussion on Wales vs Whales.) The funniest part was "And I! And I! And I!" It makes me giggle and laugh. (Truth! It made her laugh and laugh and laugh.)

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