Starring Prima!: The Mouse of the Ballet Jolie

by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Book Overview

From the day she was born in the piano backstage at the Ballet Jolie, it was obvious that Prima was destined for greatness. Her family fully expected her to become the lead dancer with the American Ballet Rodente. Such an honor should be enough for any mouselet, but Prima had even bigger plans. She wouldn't be satisfied until she could share her talent with all creatures -- even humans. But as any mouse with half a brain knows, the last thing you...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060573562
• ISBN13: 9780060573560
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 152 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

GOTTA' DANCE!

Jacquelyn Mitchard (The Deep End of the Ocean, The Most Wanted) joins the roster of bestselling authors who have turned their golden pens to children's literature. Ms. Mitchard also reads her first venture into young readers books with charm and wit. Prima, we learn with her first words is destined for greatness. "I as born to dance," she exults. Now, there aren't too many four legged ballerinas around, but that doesn't daunt this wee mouse. She's bent on becoming the lead dancer with the American Ballet Rodente. While Prima envisions applause, tutus, and accomplished glissades, Meowsky, an alert kitten, envisions Prima as prime rib. Will this little ball of fur thwart Prima's ambitions? Listen and see. "Starring Prima!" will be a sure hit with all elementary age girls who share the little mouse's desire to dance. - Gail Cooke

Charming, But NOT E.B. White

While this has none of the depth of Charlotte's Web or Stuart Little,this is fun. Cutesy at times, but fun. Balletomanes will particularly enjoy this story. Readers who enjoy this tale should discover the "Miss Bianca" stories of Marjorie Sharp--they were dumbed down by Disney, but the real "Rescuers" is a delight, and I'm sure Miss Bianca would have had season tickets for the Ballet Rodente!

A ballet of friendship and love

Jacquelyn Mitchard's wit and wordsmith shine through in this charming young adult novel about a precocious mouse named Prima who lives with her extended mouse family in the Ballet Jolie in New York City. She is the granddaughter of a world renown ballerina and yearns to perform on the stage herself. But she also is a rascal and imp and accomplishes the forbidden: she befriends a human, a young girl named Kristen. Mouse and girl share adventures filled with friendship and love, as well as that mixture of joy and sorrow known to all humans and to mice. Starring Prima is a delightful tale that will leave you applauding and just possibly dabbing the corner of your eyes.

A truly magical world

Mitchard nails it here: this is a fun, funny, magical trip into a special little world that all of us, way back in the recesses of our imaginations, feel really DOES exist. One sparkling peek into the little world-within-a-world behind the scenes and scenery of a ballet company, and you'll never doubt again. What you knew as a kid (and what your kid knows yet) is true: Mice do talk, and love, and care. And oh, how they dance. Share this delightful, thoughtful book with your kids--and thus allow them to share a bit of their world with you, too. In the exchange, you'll win.

Starring Prima is simply primo

Starring Prima is a tender tale that is sure to touch the heart of young readers, mature readers, and is a wonderful read aloud story for not-yet-readers. Prima shows imagination in following her dream with determination that far exceeds her miniature mouse size. Her adventure is a joy for all ages.