No Ballet Shoes in Syria
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- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-06-19 06:54:01
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Catherine Bruton
- ISBN：1788004507
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Summary
Aya is eleven years old and has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother， seeking asylum from war in Syria。
When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class， the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship。
But at the same time， Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country， to make a home for themselves， and to find Aya’s father – separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria。
With beautiful， captivating writing， wonderfully authentic ballet detail， and an important message championing the rights of refugees， this is classic storytelling – filled with warmth， hope and humanity。
“A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph” – Natasha Farrant， author of The Children of Castle Rock
When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class， the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship。
But at the same time， Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country， to make a home for themselves， and to find Aya’s father – separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria。
With beautiful， captivating writing， wonderfully authentic ballet detail， and an important message championing the rights of refugees， this is classic storytelling – filled with warmth， hope and humanity。
“A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph” – Natasha Farrant， author of The Children of Castle Rock
Reviews
miss e c uden
，
This book is absolutely fantastic！ The story will stay with me a long time after reading it。
Julie Responsibly
，
I feel like I'm slowly making my way through all the Syrian refugee in the UK MG/YA books - so far this one is my favo（u）rite， in part because it really draws a picture of what life was like for Aya in Syria。 The mixing of present day with flashbacks was really well done。 As the refugee crisis around the world grows， this is a must-read for kids。 I feel like I'm slowly making my way through all the Syrian refugee in the UK MG/YA books - so far this one is my favo（u）rite， in part because it really draws a picture of what life was like for Aya in Syria。 The mixing of present day with flashbacks was really well done。 As the refugee crisis around the world grows， this is a must-read for kids。 。。。more
Noddles
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Amazing book I highly recommend this is stunningly beautiful and makes you realise how amazing life is
Meghan
，
I absolutely love this book Aya’s story is so fascinating 。When miss Helena is so nice to her I knew something similar happened to her too Worth a read for sure 😊
Amear
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 A great and well documented experience of migrants and refugees who are seeking asylum escaping war torn countries。 The book Conflated fiction and non-fiction really well， using a fictional story with real world elements to create a beautiful mix of enticing the reading with moments of intense emotion contrasted to the "flashback sections" were migrant experiences that are very much true to the real world experience of asylum seekers， such as myself who once had to experience this first hand。 Th A great and well documented experience of migrants and refugees who are seeking asylum escaping war torn countries。 The book Conflated fiction and non-fiction really well， using a fictional story with real world elements to create a beautiful mix of enticing the reading with moments of intense emotion contrasted to the "flashback sections" were migrant experiences that are very much true to the real world experience of asylum seekers， such as myself who once had to experience this first hand。 The story remains thematically consistence all throughout， trying to convey the message of neglect and misunderstanding， showing the character of Ciara as the antithesis of the character of miss Helena， who both sympathises and empathesise。 However， the book feels rushed and the character development of Ciara seems to he swapped for a lackluster "going through a hard time" situation to explain how she has been behaving and thus， her character had any shred of depth developed。beforehand completely eradicated in 1 sentence。 The perspective of the story remains consistently from ayas point of view including the flashbacks to her migration journey。 It therefore stands that most interpretation of situation are purely from a child's point of view。While the book as a whole did well in conveying its message of acceptance and empathy， the construction of certain scenarios seems so cliche it pulls you out of the experience and reminds you this is purely fiction。 The children calling Aya a refugee girl or miss Helena giving a lecture to Ciara all seemed like situation crafted by the author in a forced manner to force the story she wants to tell without adding any natural element。 Coupled with the rushed ending and slow pacing of the film， with characters that lacked any emotional or believable integrity pulls away from the message the author attempts to portray 。。。more
Charlotte Calcutt
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I couldn't put this book down， read it in a day。 Emotional and inspiring。 I hope it is widely read and people can recognise their thoughts and feelings in the characters and learn from them。 I couldn't put this book down， read it in a day。 Emotional and inspiring。 I hope it is widely read and people can recognise their thoughts and feelings in the characters and learn from them。 。。。more
Daisy
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This was such a heart wrenching book and really made you realise that we need to look past the label’s of “refugee” and “asylum seeker”。 I have never read a book like it and being about ballet （something that I’ve never done or been interested in） I wasn’t sure it was for me。 But I was proved very VERY wrong。 The main protagonist ，Aya， her story of how she came to be in Manchester is displayed in little snippets throughout the book alongside the main one。 I have heard the story’s of people dying This was such a heart wrenching book and really made you realise that we need to look past the label’s of “refugee” and “asylum seeker”。 I have never read a book like it and being about ballet （something that I’ve never done or been interested in） I wasn’t sure it was for me。 But I was proved very VERY wrong。 The main protagonist ，Aya， her story of how she came to be in Manchester is displayed in little snippets throughout the book alongside the main one。 I have heard the story’s of people dying in the back of containers and this book doesn’t hide or sugar-coat any of the horrible things that refugees are put through， although it does show them in a way that is appropriate for children。I would recommend for 10-13yr olds 。。。more
scott hindle
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Having waited for a long time to read this book I was not disappointed。 Friendship， Kindness， Hopes and Dreams。。。 War and Heartache dance their way through Aya’s story。A beautifully written book by Catherine Bruton。 No Ballet Shoes in Syria tells the story of Aya and her family fleeing the war-torn city of Aleppo， Syria and their hopes and dreams of seeking asylum in Britain。 Aya has a passion for ballet and misses her classes and friends back at home that is until she stumbles across Miss Helen Having waited for a long time to read this book I was not disappointed。 Friendship， Kindness， Hopes and Dreams。。。 War and Heartache dance their way through Aya’s story。A beautifully written book by Catherine Bruton。 No Ballet Shoes in Syria tells the story of Aya and her family fleeing the war-torn city of Aleppo， Syria and their hopes and dreams of seeking asylum in Britain。 Aya has a passion for ballet and misses her classes and friends back at home that is until she stumbles across Miss Helena’s dance class above the refuge centre。 。 。 The story follows their ups and downs to remain in the country， to make a safe home for themselves and find Aya’s father。 Aya will need the kindness of strangers to help her achieve the hopes and dreams hidden in her heart ☺️Star Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 📚Recommended Reading Age - Year 5+ I absolutely loved reading this book and honestly couldn’t put it down。 An honest insight for younger readers of the life of an asylum seeker and the difficulties and trauma they face on their journey。 It made me smile， laugh and cry and I will definitely be recommending this as one of our class readers。 。。。more
Amy
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Aya is just eleven when she arrives in England with her non English speaking mother and baby brother。 They have fled war torn Syria and along the way lost Aya’s father。 Aya promised her father that it there get separated she would look after her mother and brother and head to England。 Here in England， she tries to secure asylum， but the system is fought with problems。 She discovers a dance school above the community centre and her passion for dance in reunited。 Will her dancing skills be enough Aya is just eleven when she arrives in England with her non English speaking mother and baby brother。 They have fled war torn Syria and along the way lost Aya’s father。 Aya promised her father that it there get separated she would look after her mother and brother and head to England。 Here in England， she tries to secure asylum， but the system is fought with problems。 She discovers a dance school above the community centre and her passion for dance in reunited。 Will her dancing skills be enough to land her a scholarship and help her and her family stay in England？This middle grade fiction had me in full of emotion and often tears would trickle down my cheek。 It brings a new understanding to the trauma that refugees and asylum seekers often experience。 It brings to light the child behind the labels of asylum seeker and the plight they have had to even made it to our country in hope of a better life， without war。 A fantastic read！ 。。。more
Ellie
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Amazing book - easy to read， makes you feel so much empathy
Julie Burns
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An engaging yet melancholy story which all children should read。 I even learned the difference between 'refugee' and 'asylum seeker' which I am sorry to say I did not know beforehand。 An engaging yet melancholy story which all children should read。 I even learned the difference between 'refugee' and 'asylum seeker' which I am sorry to say I did not know beforehand。 。。。more
Esmae
，
I thought this was a wonderful， eye-opening book for young readers to learn about the current situations in countries such as Syria。 I enjoyed this book although it was a bit slow at the start but towards the end I couldn't put it down！ Definitely recommend！！ I thought this was a wonderful， eye-opening book for young readers to learn about the current situations in countries such as Syria。 I enjoyed this book although it was a bit slow at the start but towards the end I couldn't put it down！ Definitely recommend！！ 。。。more
Ciara Enright
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Very good book。 Uplifting， wholesome and beautiful。
Ariannna J。S。
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Outstanding and touching book！！！
Wallowing Hippo
，
How has this book not won all the awards possible？？？I rarely give 5 stars but this book deserves them all。 And more。What The Silver Sword and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit once were for older generations （including mine）， this wonderfully touching and heart-breaking/warming story is for today's。 With an element of Billy Elliot mixed in for good measure。There is much that all its readers - young and old - should absorb about the tragedy， and need for humanity， kindness， hope， generosity of spirit How has this book not won all the awards possible？？？I rarely give 5 stars but this book deserves them all。 And more。What The Silver Sword and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit once were for older generations （including mine）， this wonderfully touching and heart-breaking/warming story is for today's。 With an element of Billy Elliot mixed in for good measure。There is much that all its readers - young and old - should absorb about the tragedy， and need for humanity， kindness， hope， generosity of spirit and friendship， in our world today。 After they've finished wiping away the tears。I say again 。。。 why has this not won all the awards possible？？It should have。 。。。more
Emily
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I really don’t know where to start with this book， it is so beautifully written and I absolutely loved it from the first page！ The story follows Aya on her new life in England with extracts written following her journey from Syria to England。 The minute you start this book you have so much sympathy for Aya and want nothing but good things to happen to her but life isn’t that easy， which Aya soon realises。 This is a must read for everyone！
Anna Wigley
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A lovely book。 It's a powerful story and definitely worth a read。 The book is well written and sometimes I felt I was there in the story。 The book is tied nicely between life as a refugee and a ballet dancer and it really shows the kindness of other people and how we should help refugees。 A lovely book。 It's a powerful story and definitely worth a read。 The book is well written and sometimes I felt I was there in the story。 The book is tied nicely between life as a refugee and a ballet dancer and it really shows the kindness of other people and how we should help refugees。 。。。more
F。R。I。E。N。D。S Lover ❤️
，
This book was heartbreaking but with a slightly happy twist woven in。 You watch Aya make her way from Syria all the way to Bedford， England。 It can be sad as you realise that Aya’s dad died in the ocean and as Aya realises too。 She slowly starts to learn that there will be pain， but the best way to deal with it is to dance。
Rose
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So I read this in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down。 It was so Eye opening and it was such an amazing story！
Stephanie Matthews
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Read in a day
jacqueline
，
😭😭😭 god， this was just so， so beautiful。。。 i fell in love with the characters and the writing style within just a few pages and i couldn't put it down in the end 😭😭😭 god， this was just so， so beautiful。。。 i fell in love with the characters and the writing style within just a few pages and i couldn't put it down in the end 。。。more
Sarah
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I love this book。 I am going to be telling people to read this book for years to come， I just know it。 Possible idea for improvement？ A GLOSSARY。 I am a huge fan of helpful glossaries， and I would really have liked an illustrated glossery explaining the ballet terms。 Also， the Syrian words。 And the terms used to describe refugees throughout the book （asylum seekers， I can't remember now but I know there was other interesting lingo too）。 Okay， maybe this book needs 3 separate glossaries。 I just t I love this book。 I am going to be telling people to read this book for years to come， I just know it。 Possible idea for improvement？ A GLOSSARY。 I am a huge fan of helpful glossaries， and I would really have liked an illustrated glossery explaining the ballet terms。 Also， the Syrian words。 And the terms used to describe refugees throughout the book （asylum seekers， I can't remember now but I know there was other interesting lingo too）。 Okay， maybe this book needs 3 separate glossaries。 I just think it would add that extra informative layer。 Let's get into all the wonderful things about this novel， shall we？This is a beautiful， simple children's book about the Syrian refugee crisis。 Also， ballerinas。Aya is new to England - she's only been in Manchester for 3 weeks with her Mumma and her little brother， Moosa。 She's come because her homeland， Syria， is currently torn apart by war and it's not safe for her family to live there anymore。This book is beautiful。 It tells this incredibly delicate story with such sensitivity， such gentleness。 Yet it never diminishes the importance of the story being told。 It's a blend of Aya's ongoing present story， with flashbacks to things she has already experienced expertly woven in。 The story it follows is very current。 The Syrian refugee crisis is happening RIGHT NOW。 But also， this book takes the opportunity to delve into the not-so-distant past to find other examples of refugees - things which the reader may or may not already be familiar with。 I feel thoroughly educated after reading this book。 I had never realised quite what went on - what is STILL going on - in Syria。 Yes， the contents of this book are shocking。 But also， portrayed in such a way that children will be able to comprehend and cope with the information。 Catherine Bruton has managed to make this a hopeful story focused on the future， even though it encompasses so much pain of the past and the present。I really enjoyed reading the Afterword at the end。 The author explained there how she grew up addicted to books that made you focus on your dreams， etc， but as she got older she realised the value of books that broaden your mindset。 The type of books that encourage empathy towards those who have experienced trials you personally know nothing of。 So when she wrote this book， she intended to blend those two themes together。 I think she has done the most wonderful job。 。。。more
Esther
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Very touching and compelling book which ended with me having a lump in my throat。。。I think that the swaps between time zones was very effective because I could really understand Aya's story。 Totally agreed with the praise on the back which said "A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph"。 I recommend this for anyone who is interested in refugees， dance or the Syrian War。 （10+） Very touching and compelling book which ended with me having a lump in my throat。。。I think that the swaps between time zones was very effective because I could really understand Aya's story。 Totally agreed with the praise on the back which said "A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph"。 I recommend this for anyone who is interested in refugees， dance or the Syrian War。 （10+） 。。。more
Laura
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Beautifully written book。 I enjoyed the book and it is accessibly written for younger kids to get to grips with what asylum seekers and refugees can endure to seek a safe place。 I enjoyed the way the writer woven the current story worth Aya's recent past。 Beautifully written book。 I enjoyed the book and it is accessibly written for younger kids to get to grips with what asylum seekers and refugees can endure to seek a safe place。 I enjoyed the way the writer woven the current story worth Aya's recent past。 。。。more
Skye
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Great contemporary update on the MG ballet genre。
Barbara Rudge
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Excellent book。 Good ballet story balanced by refugee/asylum seeker issues all explained through the eyes of Aya。
Charlotte Cockburn
，
Wow such an emotional book that I couldn’t put down。 It really showed the thoughts and feelings through a child’s eyes and also portrayed Syria before the war which I think is important to understand and I learned a lot too。 I loved the character development as Aya begins to look to the future and grieve her past through dance。 A book I will definitely use in classrooms in the future！
Andreia
，
I am very obviously not the target demographic for this book but I read the synopsis on my library app and thought it sounded interesting， and it was short enough for me to get through in a single sitting so 🤷🏾♀️ why not！Despite me not being the target audience for this story， I thought it was a worthwhile read anyways。 Sure， the writing wasn't anything spectacular and the plot a bit simplistic despite the serious subject matter， the message behind the words was very important and something chi I am very obviously not the target demographic for this book but I read the synopsis on my library app and thought it sounded interesting， and it was short enough for me to get through in a single sitting so 🤷🏾♀️ why not！Despite me not being the target audience for this story， I thought it was a worthwhile read anyways。 Sure， the writing wasn't anything spectacular and the plot a bit simplistic despite the serious subject matter， the message behind the words was very important and something children should definitely be exposed to。My main critique of this book is that due to the author being white and British， the story lacks certain nuances that I feel would have elevated the story and garnered a stronger emotional response。 I am aware that the author did her research and consulted with British-Syrian people and refugees; that is clear to see in the text through specific vocabulary， cultural foods written about， and region specific names also used for some characters。 However， due to the story being written through a white， western lens it lacks the rawness and emotional connection from someone who has had a lived or adjacent experience to Aya's story。 At times it felt like I was reading a cut and dry "idea" of what a refugees story should look like， though I am sure that is partly due to the story being targeted towards children and I am very obviously not a child。In terms of the plot and characters， nothing to write home about。 It was a fairly generic and simple plot and the ending was a little too neat for my liking， but again， this is likely due to this book being for a middle grade audience。 The characters were also not massively fleshed out and many of them （particularly Dotty） sometimes felt like caricatures。 Overall 2。5-3*。 Not for me， for obvious reasons， but I can see the importance of a story like this for younger audiences。 。。。more
Bleta
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This is a very nice book about a refugee girl although it is a bit sad ☹️
Francesca Pashby
，
What a wonderful little book！Aya is a middle class Syrian girl who is forced to become an asylum seeker/refugee 。。。 and this story tells of her struggle to be allowed to be a child again。 She is only 11， but she acts as interpreter for her mother， caregiver for her toddler brother， and ballet dancer for herself。Very accessible writing （although some of the dialogue was possibly unlikely for 11 year old girls， especially one with limited English）， but the story was heartfelt， there was insight in What a wonderful little book！Aya is a middle class Syrian girl who is forced to become an asylum seeker/refugee 。。。 and this story tells of her struggle to be allowed to be a child again。 She is only 11， but she acts as interpreter for her mother， caregiver for her toddler brother， and ballet dancer for herself。Very accessible writing （although some of the dialogue was possibly unlikely for 11 year old girls， especially one with limited English）， but the story was heartfelt， there was insight into the relentless bureaucracy which puts head before heart， and Aya was such a sweet yet strong character。Highly recommended。 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=No Ballet Shoes in Syria
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=No Ballet Shoes in Syria&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft