New ballet novel for girls 9-12 portrays a heroine who struggles with social anxiety.
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
Kingston, Ontario September 21, 2011. How do you become a ballerina if you are too shy to participate in dance classes? That's the problem facing Jenny Spark in Dancing on the Inside, a new middle-grade novel by Glen C. Strathy.
Of course, Jenny is no ordinary 12-year-old. Despite being sidelined by terrible social anxiety that makes her too self-conscious to dance in front of others, Jenny is smart, creative, and resourceful. Moreover, as her ballet teacher discovers in the course of the novel, she has a remarkable talent for inventing choreography. With the help of her new friend, a dance student who is as spontaneous and outgoing as Jenny is shy and thoughtful, Jenny creates an original ballet that's destined for the stage. But can she find the courage to tread the boards herself?
Though author Glen C. Strathy previously co-wrote two successful business books, this is his first foray into children's fiction. He says, I never imagined myself writing a novel about dance for girls 9-12, and I don't think anyone who knows me would have expected it either, but this was an idea that took hold of me and demanded to be written.
The idea for Dancing on the Inside came from an experience Glen's daughter had when she was four years old and taking dance lessons for the first time. Extrapolating from that event, Glen created a heroine just old enough to do serious ballet while so young that her talent would be extraordinary a girl who finds bravery in the midst of fear and whose passion for ballet overcomes an array of obstacles.
Glen hopes the book will inspire young readers to fulfil their own aspirations. He says, Lots of kids abandon their dreams as they get older because of anxiety, doubts, or distractions. I wanted to create a character who succeeds despite such problems.
Excepts of Reader Reviews
...a story that is enchanting, fast paced and definitely inspiring. -- Fran Lewis at BookPleasures.com
This will be not only one of my favourite stories to re-read, but one that I will read to my daughters, too, because it is just the type of story to motivate them and get their own dreams flying. -- The Shibby at Amazon.com
A must read for all aspiring ballerinas everywhere! -- margaretsings at LibraryThing
I loved this book and wished it could have lasted longer. I grew up taking ballet lessons as a child, and ... I immediately identified with the main character, Jenny. -- SaritaD at LibraryThing
...honestly I couldn't put it down. ... I think this is a must read for any teen/pre-teen who is shy and has a dream. -- Tillie Nutter (Houston TX) at Amazon.com
...a nice story of friendship and the importance of finding a way to overcome your fears and finding a way to do what you love. -- Rebecca at Amazon.com
...would appeal to anyone who has dreams and wanted them so badly, even if there are times it seems so out of reach. -- Avry15 at LibraryThing
Dancing on the Inside is available at amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Chapters Indigo, and other retailers. For review copies, interviews, or more information about Dancing on the Inside, please contact the author directly at 613-542-0182, or visit www.glen-c-strathy.com.
About the Author
Glen C. Strathy is best known as co-author of the New York Times Bestselling Business Book, The Coming Economic Collapse (Warner Business Books, 2006). His website, www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com offers advice and tips to budding authors.
Glen is a graduate of Queen's University's Faculty of Education (Artist in Community Education Program) and holds an M.A. in English from the University of Western Ontario. Glen resides in Kingston, Ontario.
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