Dancing Through the Shadows - Hardcover

Tomlinson, Theresa

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0789424592 ISBN 13: 9780789424594

Publisher: Dk Ink, 1997

Synopsis

While her mother battles the ravages of breast cancer and painful suffering of chemotherapy, Ellen reluctantly joins a local archaeological dig, where she discovers a new way to deal with the upheaval in her life.

About this title

Review:

Life is wonderful! Ellen prepares for a family vacation and has just been picked to dance in a special performance at school. All of the glitter and hope in her life comes crashing down, though, when Ellen learns that her mother has breast cancer. In a rare yet necessary novel, Theresa Tomlinson waxes frankly about what it is like for young people when a parent is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Readers will witness Ellen's selfishness, worry, and--ultimately--her courage, as she begins to process her mother's condition.

Poignantly woven into the tale is the story of the uncovering of an ancient healing spring on Ellen's school grounds. At first Ellen and her chums think the spring is just a muddy, fetid, trash-strewn bog. It takes courage to trust their teacher and believe that with some earnest muscle power they could reclaim the spring. In Dancing Through the Shadows metaphors run strong and wild, just like a healing brook. Through uncovering the muddy bog, Ellen gathers the strength necessary to be of real support to her mother. Lovely, refreshing, and just what the doctor ordered in great literature for teens.

About the Author:

Theresa Tomlinson was born in Sussex. The daughter of a vicar, she spent her early childhood in various places in the north of England. As a child she had no interest in writing, but she loved reading. Her main interest was drawing and painting. She attended Hull College of Art, and later trained as a teacher at Hull College of Education. She taught as an infant teacher for five years Theresa and her husband live in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where Theresa spent her childhood. Over the years she has acquired an outstanding reputation for her historical novels, particularly those, like Wolf Girl, set on the north-east coast of England. Shortlisted twice for the Carnegie Medal and for the Sheffield Children's Book Award, Theresa takes a keen interest in the area where she lives. Recent visits to Turkey have fuelled her enthusiasm for the ancient mythology of that part of the world. Her scrupulous research has resulted in two epic stories, The Moon Riders and Voyage of the Snake Lady.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dk Ink
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0789424592
• ISBN 13: 9780789424594
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 128