Dancing in the Dark - Softcover

Prendergast; Prendergast, Peter

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847171850 ISBN 13: 9781847171856

Publisher: O'Brien Press, 2010

Synopsis

Part of a dance team who have turned from friends to enemies. Dealing with her dead brother's ghost - things sure aren't easy for Jessie! Her brother James has died in an accident, leaving Jessie to cope with her parents, classmates and stagefright.

About this title

About the Author

P.R. Prendergast lives in Dublin, where he has worked as a school teacher for twenty-five years. In 2009 his first children's book The Romanian Builder was published by The O'Brien Press. Dancing in the Dark, published by The O'Brien Press in 2010, was nominated for the 2011 Bisto Children's Book of the Year Award and was awarded the White Raven Label by the International Youth Library at Bologna Book Fair 2011. He has three children of his own.

Review

'sensitive, funny and poignant novel of a teenage girl, Jess, coming to terms with the death of her older brother ... the bickering, squabbling, insult-laden but loving relationship that exists between teenage siblings is depicted with humour and affectio -- National Literary Association's Guide 'Prendergast masterfully captures Jessie's sibling relationship with James, from the petty jibing to the subtle emotional dialogue ... would make an excellent classroom novel for fifth and sixth' -- Inis Magazine 'possibly one of the most beautiful and engaging books I've read in a long time ... 'Prendergast writes Jessie's tale with a dreamlike, yet very grounded style.' -- Inis Magazine 'Engaging ... Tracing the pain of letting go, Prendergast's unsentimental writing and authentic dialogue were particularly evocative.' -- Inis Magazine 'a sensitive, poignant look at grief as well as a readable story with a sympathetic heroine' -- The Irish Times Weekend Review 'Dancing in the Dark is the story of Jesse's attempt to adjust to life after the untimely death of her sibling James. In language that is both compelling and affecting, and without recourse to philosophizing, this work of fiction sensitively conveys the d -- Children's Book's Ireland 'The success for Prendergast marks yet another rights win for O'Brien Press who have been at the forefront of rights sales by Irish publishers in the last few years securing record rights sales for their author Celine Kiernan and her Moorehawk Trilogy.' -- Irish Publishing News 'I loved this book!' -- Chicklish Blog 'While 'coping with loss' has served as theme for numerous children's and young adult novels, it is given considerable freshness here' -- booksforkeeps.co.uk 'Prendergast's first person prose is linguistically simple but emotionally powerful, his insights into the many facets of family grieving are perceptive and sympathetic and there are some nicely observed social nuances in his Irish school setting' -- booksforkeeps.co.uk 'This is Prendergast's first full-length novel and represents an impressive achievement' 4 stars -- booksforkeeps.co.uk 'Dancing in the Dark covers many themes, including dealing with grief, sibling rivalry, family relationships, friendships, and coping with bullying. I chose to review it ... because of the fantastic way it deals with this last topic, although I found this -- Chicklish 'Jessie's relationship with her dead brother is fabulously portrayed and is as comical as it is moving' -- Chicklish 'a sentimental and succinctly written novel which would be suitable for 5th and 6th class boys and girls' -- InTouch Magazine 'instantly accessible ... could definitely be used as a class novel' -- InTouch Magazine 'the book's themes cover clique mentality, bullying, family life and loss, things a teenage girl might go through' -- InTouch Magazine 'the dialogue touched me as the main characters are strong enough to have a lasting impression on you' -- InTouch Magazine 'well done to the author of this book' -- InTouch Magazine 'a very imaginative story with authentic teen dialogue ... suitable for age 10 and upwards' -- Irish Examiner 'Prendergast's refreshingly original take on family grief and teenage relationships in contemporary Dublin tackles these sensitive subjects with an openness and honesty that should be applauded' -- Bookfest 'a compelling, deeply affecting read. Prendergast has captured such an authentic teenage girl's voice ... Certainly one of the best Irish teen novels I've read this year and bang on the zeitgeist.' -- Sarah Webb, Author of the Amy Green books 'Ireland's answer to the Sky is Everywhere and Evermore. Holding a mirror up to the Irish school yard was never going to be easy and Prendergast has collected nuggets of fast and accurate scenes ... something new and interesting from O'Brien Press' -- davidmaybury.ie

Edition details

• Publisher: O'Brien Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1847171850
• ISBN 13: 9781847171856
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 183