Dancing on the Inside

2013 IndieFab Awards - Honorable Mention

Gold Medal, 2012 Independent Publisher Book Awards

2011 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award

"This story written for 'Tweens' is so good that it will transcend that age group. The story plot seems deceptively simple, but it unfurls with complexity. And Jenny is a character you can take into your heart. One that is vulnerable and shackled by her shyness, but who struggles to stay close to the thing she loves most...any way she can. Overcoming pride, guilt, and inadequacy, she moves painstakingly toward her goal. This is my first read by author Glen C. Strathy and I highly recommend his style and voice. His ability to get inside the head and heart of his young subject, Jenny, is a spark of pure talent, with just a sprinkle of magical insight. BE SURE TO PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR CHILD'S READING SHELF." - Lynda Coker, Review from Here

Summary: Sidelined by a paralyzing anxiety, a twelve-year-old girl uses determination and friendship to pursue her dream of becoming a ballet dancer in this uplifting middle-grade novel.

"An excellent story for the young girl reader. The story is about ballet and what it means to love to dance, friendship, rivalry - a big part in any dance class - and doing what you love..."-- awolfe at LibraryThing

"Wow what an amazing book ! I love anything to do with Ballet but this book went beyond that. I loved Jenny and could really relate to her but her friend Ara was the amazing one in this book too who supported her friend and helped her to overcome obstacles. Can't give to much info here or it will spoil it for others. All I can say is this is a book that most people should read!"
- Jane(Janelba) on Goodreads

"Dancing on the Inside is a fine and very much recommended read for younger readers who may be facing stage fright themselves."

Yet Jenny refuses to give up her dream.With determination and a little ingenuity, she finds ways to observe ballet classes without actually participating. She trains in the safety of her room, while hiding the truth from her parents. Then Jenny meets her exact opposite: Ara Reyes, an outgoing, spontaneous, and accident-prone girl who loves dancing but has always been overlooked.

The girls' friendship blossoms as they help each other uncover their real talents. Ara's dancing takes a leap forward and Jenny discovers she has an amazing gift for choreography. With the support of the school's newest teacher, Jenny's original ballet might just make it on stage... but will she?

Charming and inspiring, Dancing on the Inside shows how pursuing our passions can often lead to wonderful and unexpected results.

The Story Behind This Book

The novel was inspired by an experience I had with my daughter when she was just four years old. She wanted to take dance lessons, but was too shy to participate in the classes. Nonetheless, she wanted to keep going week after week. I found that an intriguing idea: a girl who was too shy to dance but wanted it so badly that she couldn’t give it up. I made Jenny Spark, the heroine of my book, 12 years old because I wanted her to be able to do some amazing things that a four-year-old couldn’t. It also made it obvious that Jenny suffers from a real phobia that stops her from doing many of the things girls her age can do easily.

Media Mentions

• Writing for Children courtesy of Motherhoot
• Writing for Middle-Grade, courtesy of Pitching Pencils
• Review on Mad Moose Mama
• Anatomy of a Character
• Bluerose's Heart (review)
• Blogcritics
• CM Magazine
• Winner: 2011 Reader Views Reviewers Choice Award

Praise and Reviews

"This story written for 'Tweens' is so good that it will transcend that age group. The story plot seems deceptively simple, but it unfurls with complexity. And Jenny is a character you can take into your heart. One that is vulnerable and shackled by her shyness, but who struggles to stay close to the thing she loves most...any way she can. Overcoming pride, guilt, and inadequacy, she moves painstakingly toward her goal. This is my first read by author Glen C. Strathy and I highly recommend his style and voice. His ability to get inside the head and heart of his young subject, Jenny, is a spark of pure talent, with just a sprinkle of magical insight. BE SURE TO PUT THIS ONE ON YOUR CHILD'S READING SHELF." -- Lynda Coker, Between the Pages

“...perfect for any little girl who dreams of learning to dance, especially if she is too shy to do it.” lostinalibrary at Librarything

“... a story that is enchanting, fast paced and definitely inspiring." - Fran Lewis, BookPleasures.com

“...easily captures your heart. A must read for all aspiring ballerinas everywhere!” - margaretsings at Librarything.com

“...sends an encouraging message to anyone aspiring in the arts. In spite of Jenny's ongoing fear of being seen dancing, she manages to find a creative solution to do what she really loves.” - Kelsey Paige at Goodreads.com

"... one of the most endearing books I have read in a while." - RitaReviews.blogspot.com

"An excellent story for the young girl reader." - awolfe at LibraryThing.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 www.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

“I loved this book and wished it could have lasted longer. I grew up taking ballet lessons as a child, and from the very beginning of the book, I immediately identified with the main character, Jenny.” - SaritaD at Librarything.com

“[Dancing on the Inside] ... makes us value ourselves more, treasure friendships, to see the shimmer in ourselves instead of our flaws, to be brave enough to pursue our dreams, instead of being afraid to try and fail” - Avry15 at Librarything.com

“Jenny is such a beautiful, lovable character. Great book!” - coffeenut1992 at Librarything,com

“...a must read for any teen/pre-teen who is shy and has a dream.” - Tillie Nutter at www.anuttierlife.com

Related Links

• Winner of 2013 IndieFab Award
• Gold Medal Winner Independent Publisher Book Awards