Thursday, March 31, 2022

Drina Ballet Series #6 Drina Dances in New York

Drina and her grandparents go on a trip to New York.  They sail to New York via a luxury liner.  During Drina's time on the trip, she becomes friends with Yolande, a young dancer who has extreme fear of dancing in front of an audience.  She also meets Grant Rossiter and falls in love with him on first sight.  

While in New York City, Drina continues her friendship with Yolande and tries to help the girl overcome her fear.  Drina enjoys spending time with Grant, while dreading her upcoming departure.  Drina knows that she is too young for Grant and is unlikely ever to see him again after she returns to London.

Drina is beginning to grow up.  She is frustrated that people still think she is very young because of her small size.  

On page 29 of the Collins edition, Drina frets about her appearance.

Drina glanced at herself in the looking-glass.  She still looked no more than twelve and it was beginning to be a slight grief to her.  To be nearly fifteen and to look like a child was really very annoying.

On page 112 of the Collins edition, Drina is thinking about her visit with Grant that night.

Driving back to Eighth Avenue in a taxi, with all the windows open and the hot wind blowing her hair about, she looked forward to the evening with that disturbing mixture of pleasure and pain.

Growing up, she thought, as the taxi stopped outside the hotel and she hastily counted out quarters and dollars, was really a most disturbing experience.

This book is as good as the first few titles in the series.  I did skip a small amount of travelogue information and at least one lengthy letter to a friend.  Other than that, I found all of the story to be quite engaging.  I loved the part on the ship, and I enjoyed Drina's interactions with Yolande.

This is an excellent book.

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