The Little Gymnast

by Sheila Haigh

Book Overview

With a lot of work and determination, Anda becomes the best gymnast in her class but family money is tight and she must win the regional championship and the accompanying scholarship or give up gymnastics completely.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590430157
• ISBN13: 9780590430159
• Release Date: January 1962
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 135 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.3" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Mixes the details of gymnastics with a beautiful story

Anda is an energetic British girl who drives her parents crazy with her insistence on climbing things, jumping on things, and crashing into things. For her tenth birthday her grandmother enrolls her in a gymnastics club, where she discovers that she's both talented and dedicated. But her training puts her parents in debt, and she vows to win a scholarship that will cover the costs of her classes.This is a beautifully written story that mixes both the technical details of gymnastics moves and routines with the very human feelings of a ten-year-old. Gymnasts will enjoy reading about things that they do on the floor, the beam, the bars, and the vault; others will simply enjoy Anda's strength, determination, and competitive spirit. Just be aware that the book was written by a British author and as a result, some of the terminology/moves is a little different from what most American readers are used to.

A good book for gymnasts

I read this book when I was younger (though already a gymnast) and enjoyed the rather realistic portrayl of the sacrifices and dedication that being a serious gymnast requires. I recommend to young gymnasts.

The book that turned me into an author...

My dad picked this book up for me at a book fair in second grade, saying it was "Time I started reading books a little more dificult". I was apprehensive (it was a huge book in my 8 year old hands...) but after I started it...I couldn't put it down. It was written at about a 6th grader's level and I read that battered book from 2nd grade to 7th grade until I lent it to a friend and it was lost. I hope to be able to find it somewhere! Please print a second edition!!

This is a wonderful book.

I have this book. I got it from a book club in the 80s and it's still my favorite book. It's perfect for any gymnast.