This little book is absolutely enchanting. Yet at the same time, there is a quiet weight to it different than that of Ballet Shoes. While it's a children's book as that it was written for the delight of children, in truth it has many elements in which a child would not catch, yet older readers will understand. The fear and yet innocence of the knowledge of war that the main characters face undoubtedly is very profound, and excellently written ~ A book for all ages!

Three children are forced to live with their grandmother during the war while their father is away in the Navy. They are sent to the Children's Academy for Dancing and Stage Training. Their grandmother and grandfather and all their aunts and uncles and cousins are actors and actresses, so their grandmother expects them to inherit this family talent. Sorrel, the eldest girl, is given a scholarship for dramatic acting, but she doesn't know if she really deserves it, or is it just her family fame that makes everyone expect great things from her. Mark, the only boy in the family, has a good singing voice, but he wants to be in the Navy like his father when he grows up. He hates the Academy, and wishes he could go to a proper boarding school. The youngest girl, Holly, is happy with her dancing classes, but she feels out of place because they are poor. All the other children have nicer clothes and fancy cases for their tap shoes. But these three siblings will have to find their own place in the theater despite their difficulties.

I love the characters in this book! They are all so imaginative and they have really cute games of pretend. Mark is especially imaginative, and if you can get him imagining something fun, then he enjoys even dance class. Sorrel feels like she is responsible for everyone, like a typical eldest child, and especially because there is a war on, she works really hard to protect her siblings.

The writing has such a sweet charm! The story is interesting and funny. I love this series of books!

Confession: As a child (and young teen) I read Theater Shoes more often than I read Ballet Shoes. I would even say I loved Theater Shoes a tiny bit more, though I really am not sure why.
For some reason I feel strange admitting this, perhaps because Ballet Shoes is undeniably of a higher calibre. But there you have it!

I'm so glad I was finally able to read this "Shoe" book and happy to say that I loved it. Ballet Shoes has been a favorite of mine for many years, and it was very special to return to that world. (Pauline, Petrova and Posy have all moved on from the Academy, but they are mentioned several times and become long-distance patrons to the stars of this book.) Streatfeild is so insightful about the minds and hearts of children --and respectful about it, too. (I can't stand those wink-and-nod type narrators who look down at children from their oh-so-knowing heights of adulthood.) She is also so totally spot-on about the world of theater. I found myself transported to many of my own theater experiences (both as a performer and an audience member) -- I think this book would resonate both for those with a theater background or those who just want to vicariously experience the highs and lows of a life on stage. Reading this book today, it's also a bit of a time capsule of London near the end of World War II. I appreciate that it doesn't get too heavy, but the children do have many challenging experiences of wartime -- from the very significant (their father is MIA) to the small-but-still-painful (such as not having the money for a briefcase, like all the other students at the Academy). Every character is three-dimensional such that you can feel moments of sympathy even though they might not always act in admirable ways. (I prefer this to the full-on villains as it's more true to life.) Sorrel, Mark and Holly are wonderful protagonists, and felt very real to me with their strengths and weaknesses, fears and dreams. Though not a Christmas book, a few scenes do take place at Christmas so this might be a nice choice to read near the holidays. I finished it a few months ago and still think of it fondly.

This should really be read after Ballet Shoes no matter what you do. It's not a sequel per se but we do follow up on the Fossil girls and I just don't think the book stands on its own quite.

I enjoyed this. I love Noel Streatfeild so much. This is about three siblings whose father is missing in action during the war and who are sent to the same school as the Fossil girls, even being granted the Fossil scholarships to get by. I loved the intricacies of everyday life at the academy - how much everything costs, how parcels are such treats, how sweets are described, frocks, ribbons, auditions and Shakespeare lines. I also absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED the update on Posy, Pauline and Petrova, Winifred and Madame, who are quite my favourites and the reason why I'm giving it five stars - Sorrel, Holly and Mark are fine but they don't hold a candle to the girls. This has gorgeous, insightful writing about fame and careers and what it means to grow up. Noel Streatfeild is so unique.

I love reading at our family's 94-year-old cabin in Mukwonago, Wisconsin - filled with four generations of books. This one is a children's book from 1943, set in and written during wartime in London. It's part of a series written by an actress and author who brings absolute realism as the children see bombed-out buildings, need to use blackout curtains and have ration coupons - yet are much more caught up with auditions, BBC radio plays, and West End first nights. Literally behind the scenes of a theatre family and its dynamics. We only have one in the series at the lake, so I cheated and read the synopsis of the remaining "Shoes" books - this may be the best!!

Not half as good as 'Ballet Shoes' but still a delightful romp. I'm happy to have finally read another Streatfeild, after reading (and loving) Ballet Shoes well over 10 years ago.

I read this book because Kathleen Kelly from “You’ve Got Mail” seemed attached the these books. While I am definitely older than the targeted audience, I enjoyed the story and it will forever be in my library to hand down to the next generation.
I am a theatrical person so I started with this selection even though Kathleen Kelly advised starting with “Ballet Shoes”. It was a cute read and could’ve easily been a favorite when I was younger. I’m disappointed that I’m just now reading them. I loved stepping into the world of WWII London at a children’s academy for the performance arts. I liked ready about the 3 Forbes siblings as they each make mistakes but eventually find where their passions and strengths are.
Any little performer around the ages of 8-12 should enjoy this book. You might have to explain the articles of clothing but that’s the easiest part.

Delightful!

It is a good read, however, it is a harder read for my littles as I had a bunch of explaining to do due to the time period in which it was written. I gave it four stars for a good story overall…just harder to understand for my specific audience.

This was so wholesome wow :,)

My edition reprints the original text along with author's note. Do they all contain the author's note in the beginning? This reprint edition also uses some of the dated language to describe people, especially Asians. I would add a warning before the book gets cancelled. I can also hear cries of "fat shaming" Hannah. (I don't agree with those who cancel old books but I would be OK with an educational note explaining the time period and context in which racial slurs were considered normal descriptions.)

I liked the children and their journey but was appalled that not one of the adults in the family or even Alice had one ounce of empathy for these poor children. Their mother died long ago, their father is missing and presumed dead, their grandfather was distant and unloving and is now dead, they were removed from their schools where they were thriving and thrust into this unfamiliar environment where everyone presumed they'll be talented and pushes them into the world of the theater.

I relate to Sorrel, being the oldest. I would probably feel many of the same things and worry about my siblings' futures too if I were her. Mark's imagination makes him a fabulous actor but he tends to get lost in his own imagination and it makes him a little wacky. Holly doesn't have much of a storyline until near the end. Hers is so sad and like Mark, her imagination comforts her and makes her lose track of reality.

Grandmother is awful. She's selfish and a narcissist. Even her children walk on eggshells around her and flatter her vanity. Is Alice even getting paid or is she content to have a roof over her head, food to eat and to bask in the glow of the famous actress? Hannah is little better, being more rigid and inflexible in her morals and standards. Aunt Lindsey is OK but Uncle Mose is the best of the adults. He's caring, wise and empathetic. His name implies he has Jewish heritage and perhaps he understands how it feels to be a fish out of water and to worry about loved ones safety.

Cousin Miranda is a total chip off the old block. She's Grandmother 2.0. She'll be a diva when she's older and no one will hire her. Miriam is cute and funny. She's the only friendly and open child in the Academy. Madame is kind and sympathetic but can't imagine a world where someone doesn't want to dance or perform on stage.

The WWII Britain setting is used as a backdrop but the hardships of wartime are felt keenly and mentioned often. I like how the author just assumes kids will figure it out or know what she means by coupons and you can't get ... without talking down to the kids and explaining it all in narrative. The historical details are just woven right into the story.