"Girl in Motion" by Miriam Landis: A Story of Dreams, Ballet, and Self-Discovery
Overview of the Story
"Girl in Motion" by Miriam Landis is a coming-of-age story set in the high-stakes world of ballet. It follows 16-year-old Anna Forester, who leaves her small-town ballet school in Illinois to chase her dreams at the ultra-competitive School of Ballet New York. Think intense training, fierce competition, and all the drama that comes with being a teenager in a high-pressure environment. Anna has to navigate new friendships, rivalries, self-doubt, and her desire to land a professional ballet contract.
What Makes This Book Stand Out?
What makes this book stand out is how real it feels. That’s probably because the author, Miriam Landis, was a professional ballerina herself with the Miami City Ballet, and is now a faculty member with the Pacific Northwest Ballet School. Her firsthand experience really brings Anna’s world to life—whether it’s the grueling schedule or the emotional rollercoaster of trying to stand out in a crowd of insanely talented dancers. The book captures the beauty and brutality of ballet, showing readers both the beauty of the art form and the intense pressure behind the scenes.
Critical Acclaim
The book’s gotten a lot of praise for how it captures the ballet world. Reviewers say it’s perfect for anyone curious about what it’s really like to train at a top-tier ballet school. Fans of dance stories will love the insider details, and it’s also a great pick if you’re into stories about personal growth and chasing your dreams, even when things get tough.
"I couldn’t put down this novel about the ups and downs of life in a ballet boarding school." – Amanda Brice, author of Codename: Dancer
"If you want to know what it feels like to be a dancer in vocational training (from a fictional perspective), give this one a whirl!" – Ballet News
GoodReads Reactions
The reception on GoodReads has been generally positive, with an average rating of around 3.8 stars. Here are a few highlights from readers:
"This book made me feel like I was right there with Anna in New York. The ballet scenes are so well described, and the emotions feel raw and real." – GoodReads user
"As someone who has danced ballet for years, I appreciated the realistic portrayal of what it’s like to train professionally. It’s not all pretty tutus and recitals—it’s hard work!" – GoodReads user
"I loved how the author captured the pressures of being a teenager trying to figure out who she is while also chasing a dream. It’s not just a dance story; it’s a life story." – GoodReads user
Why You Should Read This Book
Overall, "Girl in Motion" is an inspiring, heartfelt read that feels honest and relatable. It’s a great choice if you love dance or are in the mood for a character-driven story about ambition and perseverance. The book captures the emotional highs and lows of pursuing a passion, while also keeping the ballet world front and center.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes of a top ballet school, this book offers a fascinating peek into that world—without having to put on pointe shoes yourself!
