Ballet Shoes was probably my favorite book as a child. I used to read it whenever I was bored or needed comforting. Now, I probably can't review it entirely objectively, but it is a wonderfully sweet story of the love among three adopted sisters and their guardian. The girls perform in ballets and plays to earn money for their struggling family, and I have always found the portrayal of the children's lives in the theatre to be fascinating. ( )

Sweet story about three orphans who are adopted and sent to a performing arts school to help raise money for their family. The three Fossils -as they are called- Pauline, Petrova and Posy are sweet, resourceful girls with dreams and goals. This heartwarming story about family, sacrifice and love is wonderful. The new movie is also enjoyable as well even though they had to Americanize it with a love story... ( )

Charming story about three talented girls raised as sisters. One of them lets success go to her head, gets her comeuppance, and actually learns her lesson! ( )

I was horribly disappointed in this book. First, personally I've been on a hunt for a good dance/ballet related book (adult or children's) and yet again I fail. Second, this is a classic children's story I've heard about for years and it just didn't live up to the hype or my expectations. The story was really pretty boring. No idea how a child would get through it. Not a great deal happens, and the story spent way too much time and detail discussing money. I didn't need to know how much money the children earned and where it all went down to the pence. I didn't really connect with any character. I didn't like how Posy was a stereotypical ballerina. I really didn't like the ending. It was very deus ex machina; and all their problems were solved. Finally, my biggest complaint of the book is where is the part about ballet and ballet shoes?! The book is called "Ballet Shoes" and the talk of ballet or ballet shoes covers about a tenth of the book, and that's being generous. Why would you title a book Ballet Shoes and it not be the focus of the story. I really have no desire to read the other two books in the series, though I'm curious to read theater shoes just to see if it is about ballet since ballet shoes was all about acting. ( )

A charming tale of three girls adopted by an eccentric explorer who mostly collected fossils, but occasionally brought home an orphan instead. When he goes missing, the girls and their guardian must think of ways to make money, and so begins the tale of three different girls finding their passion at a school of stage and dance. The characters are realistic and their adventures captivating. ( )