Dancing Through the Shadows - Hardcover

Tomlinson, Theresa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 185681713X ISBN 13: 9781856817134

Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1997

Synopsis

When Ellie comes home from dance practice and finds the house cold and empty, she has a horrible feeling that something is wrong. How wrong she cannot possibly guess - her mother is found to have breast cancer.

About this title

Review:

Life is wonderful! Ellen prepares for a family vacation and has just been picked to dance in a special performance at school. All of the glitter and hope in her life comes crashing down, though, when Ellen learns that her mother has breast cancer. In a rare yet necessary novel, Theresa Tomlinson waxes frankly about what it is like for young people when a parent is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Readers will witness Ellen's selfishness, worry and--ultimately--her courage, as she begins to come to terms with her mother's condition.

Poignantly woven into the tale is the story of the uncovering of an ancient healing spring on Ellen's school grounds. At first Ellen and her chums think the spring is just a muddy, foetid, trash-strewn bog. It takes courage to trust their teacher and believe that with some earnest muscle power they could reclaim the spring. In Dancing Through the Shadows metaphors run strong and wild, just like a healing brook. Through uncovering the muddy bog, Ellen gathers the strength necessary to be of real support to her mother. Lovely, refreshing and just what the doctor ordered in great literature for teens.

Book Description:

The engaging story of a family facing the crisis of breast cancer, told against the lively background of school events and ancient legend

About this edition

• Publisher: Jonathan Cape Ltd
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 185681713X
• ISBN 13: 9781856817134
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 112