Tiny Pretty Things

In one word... Wow! This is a real page turner, you won't be able to put it down...

Tiny Pretty Things is set in the cut throat world of ballet dancing, and how cut throat it is!! This book is full of deceit, betrayal, eating disorders, bullying, stress and jealousy - all in order to be the best dancer and to get the best roles. I just hope that it's not this bad in real life studios!!

The plot centres around three main characters; Gigi, who is new to the school, Bette and June who have been there since young girls. They all want the same thing; to be prima ballerina, and some of them will do anything to get to the top.

The story is told in alternating chapters between these three girls, enabling the reader to connect with the characters and giving us different perspectives to show us what makes them the way they are.

Due to the issues I mentioned above and the scenes of drug/alcohol abuse and sexual content, the story is only suitable for the older 14+ reader. This leads to the book being great for book clubs as there are many avenues to explore. My only negative is that there should be a trigger warning at the beginning of the book or advice at the end for readers who may be affected by the issues raised between its pages.

Tiny Pretty things is due to be a very popular book as it's a tie-in to the Netflix tv series; read the book first, then you can compare how it's been adapted for tv. Think this one will be a must read for 2020 and 2021 as it's a powerful, punchy read.

448 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 14+

This is a brilliant page-turner set in the high pressure and cutthroat world of a ballet school in New York. The story follows the lives of three ballet dancers; Gigi, Bette and June as they all try to make it to the top of the class and win the coveted lead dance roles.

The multiple narratives of this story draw you deep into their world as we watch the girls suffer from their anxieties, stress, jealousy and the enormous pressure to always be perfect.

This book is hard to put down and is likely to be a huge hit with teenagers who may be familiar with the Netflix series. It covers some hard-hitting issues such as eating disorders and bullying as well as containing some sexual references so it is probably more appropriate for the older age ranges.

The book finishes on a neat cliff-hanger with the story continuing in the sequel, Shiny Broken Pieces, which looks set to be just as gripping as this book.

448 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Jess Locke, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+

In one word... Wow! This is a real page turner, you won't be able to put it down...

Tiny Pretty Things is set in the cut throat world of ballet dancing, and how cut throat it is!! This book is full of deceit, betrayal, eating disorders, bullying, stress and jealousy - all in order to be the best dancer and to get the best roles. I just hope that it's not this bad in real life studios!!

The plot centres around three main characters; Gigi, who is new to the school, Bette and June who have been there since young girls. They all want the same thing; to be prima ballerina, and some of them will do anything to get to the top.

The story is told in alternating chapters between these three girls, enabling the reader to connect with the characters and giving us different perspectives to show us what makes them the way they are.

Due to the issues I mentioned above and the scenes of drug/alcohol abuse and sexual content, the story is only suitable for the older 14+ reader. This leads to the book being great for book clubs as there are many avenues to explore. My only negative is that there should be a trigger warning at the beginning of the book or advice at the end for readers who may be affected by the issues raised between its pages.

Tiny Pretty things is due to be a very popular book as it's a tie-in to the Netflix tv series; read the book first, then you can compare how it's been adapted for tv. Think this one will be a must read for 2020 and 2021 as it's a powerful, punchy read.

448 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+