Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn

by April Lurie

Book Overview

For thirteen-year-old Judy Strand, summers in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, bustle with games of stickball played in the street, fun-filled outings to neighboring Coney Island, and her family's yearly trip to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385729421
• ISBN13: 9780385729420
• Release Date: October 2002
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.7"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

one of my favorites

i have read this book 3 times in one day. u my think thats crazy but it just shows u how good this book is. a twist of reality, romance, and confilcts is what makes the recipe complete and this book has got it all.

I Couldn't Put This Book Down!!

Dancing in the streets of Brooklyn by April Lurie is based on some true events. A little piece of information I thought was interesting is that April Lurie grew up in Brooklyn, New York along with her character Judy. Fourteen-year-old Judy Strand is the main character in this book. When Judy was younger, her father abandoned her and her mother. Judy's mom, knowing she would be the sole provider for her family, she set out for America for more opportunity. Before they started their journey, Mrs. Strand had two children, one of which died of pneumonia on their way to America. Judy had no idea that she had a younger sister until, nosing around in her mom's closet.There, she found a photo of a little girl and a birth certificate for an anonymous person. When Judy finally got the guts to ask her mom who this girl was, her mom started to weep uncontrollably. I'm not going to let out the secret of why she was crying..... You'll need to read this book and figure out for yourself the "Big Secret". Lurie has a great talent for word choice. She is so descriptive; I had a visual of what was going on in the story at all times. Here is a great example; "I awoke to loud voices mixed with aroma of fish balls and creamed cabbage. Ma was fretting like she did when she burned something." You're probably wondering why she was fretting, but I can't give away the whole thing!! I think this is a great book for ages 9 to 12 both boys and girls as it has many concurrent story lines. This is a very dramatic book for active readers. Why don't you read it and see for yourself. Have a great time reading!

I Couldn't Put this Book Down!

Wow this is the best new author I have read in a long time. I read the entire book in one sitting because I could not put it down. The characters were so realistic and I felt like I could relate to each of them in one way or another. I recommend Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn to anyone looking for an exciting novel to read over the holidays.

Beautiful!

"Dancing in the Streets of Brooklyn" is a warm, beautiful story with authentic characters that have remained in my memory. Lurie avoids melodrama to tell Judy's story with sincerity and compassion. The author's roots in Bay Ridge give the book an authenticity that's refreshing. Not your typical wartime book, "Dancing" shows that while the years were difficult, they were innocent as well. Readers easily feel Judy's joys and sorrows as she comes to terms with the secrets of her past.

A book that brings you there.

A wonderful story for all ages to read. This is one of those that you don't want to put down. It brings you into the life of the characters. The writer has the capability to bring the reader to a place that you have never been. Written during the close of WWII the story shares the economical and emotional crisis that families endured. It also shares quite a bit about the Norwegian traditions. Fantastic! Thanks for the experience that it brought me.