"Sparks Fly High: The Legend of Dancing Point" is an intricate tale of how 'Dancing Point' in Williamsburg, Virginina came to be, but it ALSO teaches a valuable life lesson. In "Sparks Fly High", Colonel Lightfoot always bragged about how great he was at dancing. One day he came across the devil in the rough, muddy patch of soil on his land. The devil challenged the Colonel to a dancing contest, whoever won would have the land to themselves. Sure enough, the Colonel outsmarted the devil into flying too high and leaping too far that the devil went back to where he came from and granted the Colonel back his land. The spot in the soil where the two had their five hour long dancing contest is still worn and barren. It is called Dancing Point and is located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Some even say they see two shadows dancing the night away. I think that this story was very unique and creative, although it could be a little frightening to some children. It teaches the lesson to be modest and praise others instead of just yourself. It also relates to geographical explanation which I found very interesting. ( )

This colonial American tale is based on a Virginia legend. Colonel Lightfoot was born a great dancer, and boy does he know it. He boasts about how "divine" his dancing is and always compliments himself instead of others. He also owns a great deal of land he is proud of and has workers that keep the land nice and plowed. Everything was perfect about the colonel's land, except one rough patch of soil. The rough patch couldn't be plowed or sowed because it's where the devil lived. The colonel finally got fed up of the devil making his land a marsh and challenged him to a dance contest where the winner takes the land. In the end, it was a surprise to see the colonel win the contest. While the contest was taking place, the devil would say comments and words that were boastful and arrogant, just like the colonel would say. When the colonel heard what the devil was saying he realized what an arrogant person he was and he didn't want to be like that anymore. At the next dance, he was a new man. The colonel was modest, he praised other people and their dancing and never applauded his own. I think the theme of this book would be not to be boastful. I think young readers can learn from this story that you can compliment yourself, but don't be too cocky and arrogant. The illustrations went perfectly with the story and Leonid Gore did a great job adding the different colors and details and capturing the story being told by Mary Quattlebaum. ( )

An excellant piece of folklore that was entirely readable and fun to boot. The illustrations conveyed as much about the period of the story as the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it. ( )

This book is about the legend of a man who brags so much about his dancing that the devil makes him a deal to compete against him. This story was entertaining. Legend has it that one should never make a bet with the devil. The illustrations are absolutely marvelous. ( )

It shows the delightful legend that Dancing point has-a dancing competition with a devil!.