A Time to Dance

"A Time to Dance" invites young readers into the personal world of Virginia Dickens through her diary entries. The story unfolds as Virginia's family moves to bustling New York City in the wake of the Civil War, a period of significant change and rebuilding. As she adjusts to her new surroundings, Virginia grapples with the past while looking forward, nurturing a secret dream of becoming a theater performer. This chapter book gently explores themes of resilience, family bonds, and the courage to pursue one's passions amidst historical upheaval. It's suitable for early to late elementary readers, offering a window into a specific historical era through a relatable personal narrative.

Virginia records the events of her life as her family moves to New York City in the aftermath of the Civil War, and she begins to dream of a life in the theater.