Winner of the Angels and Urchins Book Award for Older Readers
Nominated for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal
The Times Children's Book of the Week
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.
“Bruton has done her research and used her imagination, as good fiction writers are wont to do, to come up with a moving, textured story[…] a Ballet Shoes for the 21st century.” — Alex O'Connell, The Times
“A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph” — Natasha Farrant, author of The Children of Castle Rock
“A gem of a book.” — Natasha Harding, Children's Book of the Week, The Sun
“Wise and kind and unputdownable.” — Hilary McKay, author of The Skylarks War
