Mama, Let's Dance

by Patricia Hermes

Book Overview

Abandoned by their mother after the death of their father, three youngsters are determined to keep their situation a secret so that the authorities will not split them up and send them to foster... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 059046633X
• ISBN13: 9780590466332
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Scholastic
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Excellent Reading For All.

I read this book when I was in Middle School, quite a few years ago now, and I found that I related well to the main characters attitudes and feelings. Besides that, I never forgot the story even though I wasn't able to find it again until years later. I never gave up searching for the book that left such an impression on me. It is a shame it is out of print and is so hard to find. The characters become real as you read about them and their circumstances. The book is read through Mary Belle's point of view and Patricia Hermes makes it real and believable because although Mary Belle, along with her brother Ariel, are incredibly mature and responsible for their ages, they don't know more than someone their ages should. Plenty of authors have written through children who are way more advanced for their age than they should be. It's not a bad thing if there is a reason for it, as in the case of Artemis Fowl, for example. Reason: Genius. No more explanation needed because that is part of the story. Having a younger main character completely knowledgeable about things outside of their world and experience doesn't make sense without a reason. Anyway, I digress. We feel for Mary Belle and Ariel because we can see that they are learning as they go and are forsaking normal kid things to to help keep house so they can stay together. I would encourage everyone to read this book, as it is a very good story. Especially children 8 years and older. It has very good lessons about what being a family means. The three siblings do not always get along, but they always work in the best interest of one another. They're also responsible children who make good choices, or who always try to. Ariel is a good role model for young men. He takes care of his siblings by earning money and still studies hard to achieve good grades. He shows kindness to his sisters even when he is under stress. Mary Belle works hard to support her working brother by carefully managing the money he earns. She figures out their priorities and none of the children complain about not having new clothes or toys. She also looks after the youngest child Callie and works to shield her from their tough times. Callie, at seven years old, has a lot to handle for her age and isn't really sure she understands the situation. She continues to hope for their mothers' return and gets annoyed by Mary Belle's insistance that she keep it quiet, but she tries to be helpful as well. Perhaps this story isn't written in the style of many other children's books, but the writing is effective, the characters believable, and the story is good.

one of my favorite books...

I loved reading this book; it was so filled with emotion that I never wanted to put it down. It is rare that I find a book that interests me, especially as much as this book did.

sad story

This book is about a girl named MaryBelle who takes care of her younger sister Callie after her mom runs away, leaving her, her brother and callie to take care of them selves. The people in the town start to get suspicous asking were her mom is and why she dosnt come out side and she tells them that she sick , I thought that this book was sad but yet heart warming i recomend it for everybody.

Very Moving Book

I have read this book a number of times, and it makes me cry every time. As the reader, you can only feel compassion for these deserted children. It is beautifully compiled and has become one of my favorites.

Wow, very creepy family book

I was deeply surprised at how much emotion I had expressed after reading this book. A mother who runsaway one day, leaving a teenaged sister, uninterested in clothes and boys, to take care of her siblings, with the help of an old neighbor. The hardest part is pretending that your mother is still home, and all is well. Death and family problems are hidden in this book. This book just shows why marriage should happen before kids, especially if your a teenager, you won't beable to live a life if you have so many kids, as this mother did, and was psychologically disterbed because of her early childbirths.