On Pointe
Encyclopedia
On Pointe is a children's
novel
written by Lorie Ann Grover, published in 2004.
It was nominated for the 2006 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
.
named Clare who dance
s. Her best friend is Rosella. Her family's dream is for Clare to be in City Ballet
, a program for very skilled dancers. There are only 16 positions in City Ballet. Things take a turn for the worse when her instructor
tells her she's too tall, not only to be in City Ballet (although if she weren't as tall, she would have named it in), but to be in her own dance school! She is very upset at this. She is invited to dance with the adult
class, where the adults dance, just to dance, but thinks the adult class is stupid. When her grandfather has a stroke
, he loses the ability to talk and move his right side. When Clare finally steps up to take the adult class, everything changes.
said that the novel was "finely written", and commented of the main character that "the teen's voice rings true". Publishers Weekly
described it as "well-wrought" with "an air of authenticity". Booklist
was less positive, feeling that the grandfather's stroke was "perhaps overly convenient" and that the "shift in focus from ballet-studio pressures to family dynamics feels a bit jarring". Kirkus Reviews
said that the protagonist was "almost too good to be true, but she'll appeal to teens interested in dance".
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
written by Lorie Ann Grover, published in 2004.
It was nominated for the 2006 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
The Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award is an annual award for new American children's books, given in Vermont and named after Vermont author Dorothy Canfield Fisher. The winning book is chosen by the vote of Vermont schoolchildren....
.
Plot summary
The story involves a girlGirl
A girl is any female human from birth through childhood and adolescence to attainment of adulthood. The term may also be used to mean a young woman.-Etymology:...
named Clare who dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
s. Her best friend is Rosella. Her family's dream is for Clare to be in City Ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, a program for very skilled dancers. There are only 16 positions in City Ballet. Things take a turn for the worse when her instructor
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
tells her she's too tall, not only to be in City Ballet (although if she weren't as tall, she would have named it in), but to be in her own dance school! She is very upset at this. She is invited to dance with the adult
Adult
An adult is a human being or living organism that is of relatively mature age, typically associated with sexual maturity and the attainment of reproductive age....
class, where the adults dance, just to dance, but thinks the adult class is stupid. When her grandfather has a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, he loses the ability to talk and move his right side. When Clare finally steps up to take the adult class, everything changes.
Reception
School Library JournalSchool Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
said that the novel was "finely written", and commented of the main character that "the teen's voice rings true". Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
described it as "well-wrought" with "an air of authenticity". Booklist
Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. It is geared toward libraries and booksellers and is available in print or online...
was less positive, feeling that the grandfather's stroke was "perhaps overly convenient" and that the "shift in focus from ballet-studio pressures to family dynamics feels a bit jarring". Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
said that the protagonist was "almost too good to be true, but she'll appeal to teens interested in dance".