I’ll admit it... I saw this book at the bookstore-finally back in print years after being mentioned by Kathleen Kelley on the wonderful movie “You’ve Got Mail”; and bought it.
I had high expectations. I love that movie and trusted the recommendation (even though that character isn’t real and I don’t know her).
I was a little disappointed. While it’s a decent kids book that I’m sure a lot will like, I also didn’t think it was amazing.
Not much deep character development, problems are resolved pretty quickly and painlessly.
So, will I seek out the other book referenced: “Ballet Shoes”? I’m not sure... maybe.

This is a really cute children's that is centered on what it means to be a good friend. This book also shows that to be good at something you have to put in hard work. I think this would be a fun one to read out loud with kids, especially littles girls.

Rereading this as I needed something nostalgic and comforting.
Harriet is prescribed Ice skating to help build her strength up after a long illness. There she meets child protege Lalla and the two form a friendship. I found the character studies interesting, with Harriet having a real passion and love for skating and Lalla doing it because she is expected too and because her father was a champion skater. It studies friendship, family and identity.

I love these books. The author has such a way of describing children, and I enjoyed having the family dynamic of the brothers in this book. Lalla drives me crazy throughout much of the book, but I liked watching Harriet's mother recognize that the child was suffering and in need of something she had been missing her whole life. The stress that children carry can be so real. It's a comforting, engaging read from start to finish!