Ice Dancer

By Author / Illustrator

Alex Cotter

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow

ISBN

9781805133025

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-10-2025

Synopsis

A gripping adventure, with the power of friendship at its heart, Ice Dancer is the thrilling new story from Alex Cotter, author of The House on the Edge, WH Smith Travel Book of the Month

Angry and frustrated at having to stay with her miserable aunt in Sheffield, Dina is determined to pursue her lifelong passion for skating - even if it has to be in secret. But being a stranger in an unfamiliar city, far from the remote countryside of her home, is hard to handle. Shy and lacking in confidence, Dina must overcome her misgivings and find a way to be accepted.

Desperate to escape the oppressive atmosphere of her aunt's house, and feeling the weight of responsibility for her younger brothers, Dina makes her way to the Ice Arena. There, captivated by the skills of the young skaters she sees, she is filled with the overwhelming desire to compete. But it's only when all the odds are against her, that she finds the courage to follow her dream.

However, dreams can unravel, and when the family's past starts to catch up with Dina, a chance encounter at the ice rink sets off a series of events that lead to an unexpected discovery. Perfect for fans of Emma Caroll and Fleur Hitchcock.

Also by the author: The House on the Edge; The Mermaid Call

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Reviews

Sue

Dina and her brothers are leaving the hills of Wales behind and are heading to Sheffield to stay with their aunt, JJ. However, hurt and frustrated by the frosty reception JJ gives them, Dina takes her great-grandmother's skates and heads for the local rink. Although she is passionate about skating, Dina finds mixing with others really hard. Shocked by how hostile some of the skaters are, Dina manages to make friends with talented skater, Rosie. With the odds stacked against her and secrets from her family's past coming to light, Dina must find the courage to follow her dreams.

Ice Dancer is just the sort of story I would have loved as a child! Completely absorbing, it celebrates the power of family and friendship as well as the joy a hobby can bring. Family - with all its flaws and foibles - is at the heart of the story. Dina is struggling with the loss of her older sister and the break up of her parents' marriage. The aunt who she remembers as being kind and fun has become cold and distant and she is feeling increasingly isolated. No one is really talking about how they feel, leading to misunderstandings, misinterpretation and mistrust, but this is a loving family, who through sharing personal stories, listening and talking, eventually come through even stronger than before.

Forced into the role of 'older sister', Dina craves the freedom she feels on the ice. Her passion for skating is brilliantly captured and there is plenty of detail to intrigue and interest readers, inspiring them to discover more. The story shows how competitive sport might not be for everyone, with the pressures and rivalry it can bring, but it also shows the joys of expressing yourself creatively!

Dina is a lovely character, unsure of herself and reluctant to be the centre of attention, but desperate to find friendship and readers will empathise with her feelings of loss and insecurity as she tries to navigate new situations. There is also a strong theme of challenging the status quo in skating, encouraging readers to consider some of the rules around the traditional roles taken in the sport and whether these should be continued. This would make an excellent starting point for looking at those who have chosen to do what they think is right, rather than that which will win them prizes! Children might enjoy investigating figures like Surya Bonaly and discussing the choices that people sometimes have to make.

Ice Dancer is an excellent read, offering plenty of mystery and adventure, thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking! So much to recommend this one!

256 pages

Louisa

Ice Dancer, as the title and the jacket suggest, is all about skating - at least on the surface. It is more than that, though. Packaged with pink writing and silver stars, the book looks to be targeted as Christmas reading for girls. It would be a shame to limit it to this, although it ticks those boxes nicely. The engaging narrative explores themes of family and friendship, grief and loss, guilt and ambition. Is it true that what's broken cannot be mended? Or can being broken show you another way to mend?

Dina and her younger brothers are staying with their aunt in Sheffield. It's very different from their usual life being home-schooled in the middle of nowhere in Wales. The atmosphere is edgy. Family relationships have never been the same since the loss of her beloved sister, Sasha.

To escape the tension, Dina slips away to the ice rink. Skating is in her blood - her great grandmother had been a champion - and the exhilaration of the ice gives her a sense of freedom. At the rink, she makes friends with Rosie and dancing with her new friend brings her courage she has always lacked - the courage to compete. But it appears that someone is determined to stop them.

Fighting to solve the mystery, Dina uncovers layers of secrets old and new. Can she keep her new friends and her chance to shine - or will she lose everything? Can she find a way to reunite a family splintered by bereavement?

The story is pacy and Dina is a headstrong mixture of good intentions and angry impulses, of under-confidence and boldness, that is typical of young teenagers. The supporting characters are also flawed but the book illustrates how many of their failings are forged by experience. This makes it a good title for helping readers both to accept their own weaknesses and to develop empathy for others.

256 pages / Reviewed by Louisa Farrow, teacher