About This Book
This engaging chapter book follows thirteen-year-old Ellie Lane as she grapples with the pressures of competitive ballet. While she loves to dance, the rigorous schedule, intense competition, and her mother's high expectations make her question if she's truly cut out to be a 'bunhead.' The story explores themes of self-esteem, friendship, and the journey of finding one's own identity and making personal choices. Sally Warner handles these real-life issues with a blend of frankness and humor, making it relatable for middle-grade readers.
Thirteen-year-old Ellie explores the ups and downs of becoming a teenager and a serious ballet dancer.
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Discussion Prompts
1
How does Ellie's passion for dance change throughout the story? What causes these changes?
2
What kind of pressure does Ellie face from her mother and her friends? How does she deal with it?
3
Have you ever felt pressured to do something you weren't sure about? How did you handle it?
4
What does it mean to 'take your life and its decisions into your own hands'? How does Ellie do this?
5
How important is friendship to Ellie in this story? How do her friends influence her choices?
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