Sugar Plum Ballerinas #1: Plum Fantastic [Paperback]

Whoopi Goldberg (Author), Deborah Underwood (Author), Maryn Roos (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: October 21, 2008 | Age Range: 1 and up | Series: Sugar Plum Ballerinas (Book 1) | Lexile Measure: 650L (What's this?)

Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson does not want to be a beautiful ballerina, and she does not want to leave her friends in Apple Creek.  Unfortunately, that doesn't stop her ballet-crazy mother from moving them to Harlem, or from enrolling Al at the Nutcracker School of Ballet.

 
Life is hard when you’re the new ballerina on the block, and it’s even harder when you’re chosen to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in the school recital!  Not only is Al a terrible dancer, but she's also got a rotten case of stage fright!  Al's  ballet classmates are going to have to use all the plum power they’ve got to coach this scary fairy!

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Alexandrea has just moved from small-town Georgia to New York City's Harlem where her mother hopes to launch a costume-making business. The nine-year-old feels like she's in another world, except that Mama is still forcing her to take ballet, even though Alex dreams of becoming a speed skater like her idol Phoebe Fitz. The first day of class is made even worse, since her mother forces her to wear a wild creation—a tutu resembling a "pink puff pastry." When Alex is randomly assigned the coveted role of Sugar Plum Fairy in the school's summer performance, she is terrified and shunned by the other dancers. Practice doesn't help, and she seriously considers giving up the part. However, after seeing Phoebe Fitz on television talking about the importance of ballet, Alex determines to try her best. She enlists the help of other students, and as the girls progress with the dance moves, so do their friendships. Alex's voice is full of wit and determination. This fun easy chapter book develops at a good pace and creates a bit of tension and anticipation as readers follow Alex's efforts. Themes of self-confidence and the potential to achieve whatever you set your mind to are neatly woven into the story. Occasional spot art shows Alex and her new friends.—Bethany A. Lafferty, Las Vegas-Clark County Library, NV
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Moving is never easy, but for Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson, the move from a small southern town to Harlem is unbearable. Al’s mother wants to try her hand at costume designs for New York City theaters, and she wants Al to become a ballet dancer—not, as Al wishes, a speed skater. Soon Al finds herself in the classroom at the Nutcracker School of Ballet, reluctantly wearing one of her mother’s embarrassing creations. Al’s winning personality leads her to make a few friends, but just as things seem to be getting better she courts jealousy by being cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the annual performance of The Nutcracker. Eventually, friendship, lots of practice, and ingenuity help Al overcome serious stage fright and clumsiness to give an unforgettable performance. Those looking for Goldberg’s trademark sass and attitude will not find it here: this first book in a planned series earnestly addresses the effects of moving, making friends, and settling into a new routine. Grades 3-5. --Bina Williams

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Product Details

• Age Range: 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (October 21, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786852607
• ISBN-13: 978-0786852604
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 7.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,730 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #51 in Books > Children's Books > Arts, Crafts & Music > Performing Arts > Dance

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids - and grownups too! November 2, 2008

By Bookfan

Format:Paperback

This is a wonderful book. The story is engaging and believable, the characters are fully fleshed out, and the illustrations are terrific. Kids will relate to Alexandrea's struggles to adapt to her new life in Harlem, and her efforts to deal with her well-meaning stage mother. Funny and heartwarming, I really cared what happened to Alexandrea and her mother, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. Kudos to Goldberg and her coauthor Deborah Underwood for creating a world kids will want to come back to over and over again!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great to read aloud... November 10, 2008

By P. Stout

Format:Paperback

We got this book as a gift and I have been reading it aloud to my 10 year old boy and 6 year old girl. They love it and can't wait for the next installment to come out next spring! A wonderful, innovative story that is very "real" with a main character that tinged with just the right amount of scarcasm. Tempo is good and the imagery is descriptive enough for those getting used to hearing chapter books aloud.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Book review of "Sugar Plums and Ballerinas" December 16, 2008

By Michael K. Colgan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I learned about this book, authored by Whoopie Goldberg, while the
watching the "View" and decided to give it a try.
This is a wonderful story that my granddaughter just loves. She is now four, knows the characters by name and though she can read some, asks me to read from the book all the time.
Mike Colgan