The Story
Eleven year old Aya is an asylum seeker who has escaped from the war in Syria to seek refuge in England. The story starts in a community centre in a deprived area of Manchester where, with her mother, Mumma, and baby brother, Moosa, Aya is waiting to see a case worker in the hope of finding a home. One day Aya hears music coming from the first floor which reminds her of her ballet classes in Aleppo. Aya is lucky enough to be invited to join the class once the ballet teacher, Miss Helena, realises how talented she is. At the class Aya becomes great friends with Dotty, the daughter of a famous ballerina, Bronte Buchanan. Dotty loves musical theatre and dreams of being in the West End, although her mother has different ideas for her future. However not all of Aya’s classmates are so welcoming.
Can Aya secure a place at the Royal Northern Ballet School and stay in England? Will Mumma and Moosa win their appeal to be able to stay with her? Will Aya ever find her beloved father who was separated from the family on their traumatic journey to Europe?
My Thoughts
I love the way this book weaves the story of Aya’s experiences in England with tales and memories of her home in Syria and flashbacks to her family’s dangerous flight. Also the way that Aya’s hopes and talent triumph against all the challenges she faces. I would wholeheartedly recommend this book not just to anybody who has a passion for dance but who wants to find out what is happening in the world today.
My rating:
