Toeshoe Trouble (Sugar Plum Ballerinas, Book 2) [Paperback]

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

Book Description

Age Level: 1 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

A ballet slipper-ey slope 

Brenda Black prides herself on her logical and orderly mind. She studies anatomy books to get a twelve-year head start on medical school, and she idolizes Leonardo da Vinci. But things go haywire when her spoiled cousin Tiffany comes to visit. At first Brenda tries to ignore Tiffany's constant bragging. But when Tiffany implies that Brenda is not cultured enough to know who Miss Camilla Freeman is--Miss Camilla Freeman, the very famous prima ballerina--Brenda snaps. She tells Tiffany that not only does she know who Camilla Freeman is, but she happens to own an autographed pair of her toeshoes. So of course, Tiffany wants to see the shoes. 
 
The only problem? The shoes actually belong to Ms. Debbé, the headmistress of the Nutcracker School! Brenda's anatomy books might get her into medical school, but they can't get her out of this mess--for that, she'll need the help of her Sugar Plum Sisters!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—Nine-year-old Brenda Black is a budding ballet dancer and wannabe doctor. She eagerly reads anatomy textbooks, and her hero is Leonardo da Vinci. Though she and her mother have little money, they love each other and enjoy a strong bond. When Brenda's rich cousin comes to stay, she feels an urge to find something to hang over Tiffany's head (even though Tiffany seems to have everything a girl could want). Brenda and her friends hatch a plan to "borrow" their ballet teacher's prized ballet shoes, autographed by a famous prima ballerina, to show them off to Tiffany. The plan goes awry when Tiffany's pooch chews them to shreds, and the Sugar Plum Sisters must fix the unfixable. Fast paced and entertaining, with unique, multicultural characters and positive messages about friendship, honesty, materialism, and forgiveness, this book is sure to take center stage on young readers' lists.—Amanda Moss Struckmeyer, Middleton Public Library, WI END --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Whoopi Goldberg is the premier comedic actress of our day. For her work in film and television, she has won a Tony, and Emmy, an Oscar, and a Grammy, as well as two Golden Globes. In 2001, she was awarded the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Whoopi Goldberg has appeared in scores of films, and has had a recurring role on Star Trek: The Next Generation as Guinan. She was most recently seen on Broadway in her one-woman show, Whoopi. Whoopi Goldberg lives in New York and Vermont. You will never see her with her finger in her nose.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 1 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH (May 5, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786852615
• ISBN-13: 978-0786852611
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #124,575 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > African-American

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sugar Plum Ballerinas Part 2: Toeshoe Trouble, July 7, 2009

By 

Mayra Y. Rivera (San Juan, PR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sugar Plum Ballerinas #2: Toeshoe Trouble (Hardcover)

My 10 year old grandniece read it in one day because she was so interested. the same thing happened with sugar Plum Ballerinas #1. In my opinion, these books provide, not only good entertainment for kids, particularly girls, but also a good example. Honesty and a strong self-esteem permeates the two books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sugar Plum Ballerinas strike again!, May 30, 2009

By 

E.A. Poe "mystery fan" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Toeshoe Trouble (Sugar Plum Ballerinas, Book 2) (Paperback)

This second book in the Sugar Plum Ballerina series lives up to the charm of its predecessor. Twelve-year-old Brenda Black, admirer of Da Vinci, diligent student of anatomy, and a budding ballet student, gets a visit from a spoiled rich cousin, who goads her into claiming that she owns an autographed pair of Miss Camilla Freeman's toeshoes. The shoes do exist, but they belong to Brenda's teacher. When her cousin demands to see them, Brenda launches a desperate plot to steal them, aided by her Sugar Plum Ballerina friends. After some bumps along the way, all ends well, and Brenda learns valuable lessons about herself and her cousin. My wife, a pediatrician, snatched my copy for her waiting room, where it is as big a hit with her patients as the first book in the series. Hope the series continues!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We love these books!, June 5, 2009

By 

Ms Mc - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Toeshoe Trouble (Sugar Plum Ballerinas, Book 2) (Paperback)

This is the second book in the Sugar Plum Ballerinas series. We loved both books. We found the books entertaining. Whoopi injects a little of her sense of humor with a lesson for young girls. My daughter loves the characters and I love the story lines.