Fiona Finkelstein, Big-Time Ballerina!

Gr 2-4 Overall, this novel is light and fun, with just enough wit and sass to keep young readers entertained. It also includes some serious issues, such as Fiona's absent soap-star mother and her parents' strained marriage, but Stout never really develops those elements. Most of the book follows Fiona, a bright and good-natured nine-year-old who wants to be a ballerina. However, she has terrible stage fright, and during the last show, she threw up on her arch nemesis, Benevolence, in front of everyone. This year Fiona has a chance to be a prima angel in "The Nutcracker" (and yes, it is well noted that there aren't any angels in "The Nutcracker"), but she first has to get over her nerves. She finds inspiration from her father, a local weatherman, and in the end she proves how talented she really is. The story maintains a fast pace throughout, and the illustrations give Fiona and company a sweet look that is simple and charming."Kate Neff, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL" Copyright 2010 Media Source Inc.