84 Ribbons: A Dancer's Journey
Page 31
Although she never became a professional dancer, she is an avid supporter of dance and the arts. 84 Ribbons explores how one young dancer handles such stresses as overwork, eating disorders, depression, and competition. In the 1950s setting of the book, some of these health issues were nameless, but they did exist.
The world of ballet is a wonderful, graceful place peopled by extraordinary dancers, musicians, directors, and choreographers. Through her creative imagination, Paddy constructs a controversial ballet company where the director has little respect for new dancers. Fortunately, most directors value their dancers.
Paddy’s love of story, coupled with her years as an educator, encourage her to write for young readers, giving them glimpses of reality through a fictional world.
General Reader’s Guide
All of us lead complex and multi-faceted lives.
What are Marta’s strengths? Her deficits?
What factors contribute to Marta’s reluctance to begin a personal life?
What advice would you have given her during her recovery?
Marta is seventeen when the story begins and eighteen when its end.
What growth do you see in her over the ten months she dances with the Intermountain Dance Company?
What do you imagine happens over the next ten months?
The world of ballet and American society have made major changes since the late 1950s.
What changes have you noticed or heard mentioned?
How have those changes affected your life?
Check out additional information on paddyeger.com/84 Ribbons. You will find articles, information on ballets, Marta’s blog, contests to name future characters, and much more as this ballet trilogy continues.
School Reader’s Guide
For an extensive guide that follows the Common Core State Standards for ELA 6-12, download the guide file from paddyeger.com/84Ribbons
The guide covers:
Key Discussion Questions
Post Reading
Creative Writing Prompt
Internet Resources
Related Readings
Select Interdisciplinary Activities
Coming Soon from Paddy Eger
When the Music Stops
Marta’s life: Part Two. Marta struggles to regain her ability to dance. As she finds a job to support herself, her dance and her personal life take several unexpected and harrowing turns. Will she be able to find a deeper well of strength to meet these new challenges head-on?
Letters to Follow
Marta’s best friend Lynne begins a grand adventure when she travels to Paris on a dancer exchange. Her move to a wacky boarding house is not a good fit for an outspoken American dancer but it creates humorous encounters with the tenants. At the end of the exchange, Lynne becomes the travel companion for her harebrained Uncle Leo. She sends postcards and letters to Marta to retell her madcap adventures.
Tasman
In 1850, sixteen year-old Irish lad, Ean McCloud, steps off the boat, his legs in iron shackles, and steps into serving a three-year sentence at the Port Arthur Penal Colony in Tasmania. Falsely convicted, he must now survive the brutal conditions, the backbreaking labor, and time in the silent prison—a place that breaks men’s souls. Follow Ean’s adventures as he seeks not only to survive but to escape!
Chat, Comment, and
Connect with the Author
Book clubs and schools are invited to participate in FREE virtual discussions with Paddy Eger.
Chat:
Invite Paddy to chat with your group via the web or phone.
Comment:
Ask thought-provoking questions or give Paddy feedback.
Connect:
Find Paddy at a local book talk or meet and greet. Visit her blog and website for dates, times, and locations or to set up your group’s virtual discussion. For more excerpts, backstory chapters not found in the book, author interviews, free books, news on latest releases and more visit PaddyEger.com/84Ribbons
General Reader’s Guide
All of us lead complex and multi-faceted lives.
What are Marta’s strengths? Her deficits?
What factors contribute to Marta’s reluctance to begin a personal life?
What advice would you have given her during her recovery?
Marta is seventeen when the story begins and eighteen when its end.
What growth do you see in her over the ten months she dances with the Intermountain Dance Company?
What do you imagine happens over the next ten months?
The world of ballet and American society have made major changes since the late 1950s.
What changes have you noticed or heard mentioned?
How have those changes affected your life?
Check out additional information on paddyeger.com/84 Ribbons. You will find articles, information on ballets, Marta’s blog, contests to name future characters, and much more as this ballet trilogy continues.
School Reader’s Guide
For an extensive guide that follows the Common Core State Standards for ELA 6-12, download the guide file from paddyeger.com/84Ribbons
The guide covers:
Key Discussion Questions
Post Reading
Creative Writing Prompt
Internet Resources
Related Readings
Select Interdisciplinary Activities
Coming Soon from Paddy Eger
When the Music Stops
Marta’s life: Part Two. Marta struggles to regain her ability to dance. As she finds a job to support herself, her dance and her personal life take several unexpected and harrowing turns. Will she be able to find a deeper well of strength to meet these new challenges head-on?
Letters to Follow
Marta’s best friend Lynne begins a grand adventure when she travels to Paris on a dancer exchange. Her move to a wacky boarding house is not a good fit for an outspoken American dancer but it creates humorous encounters with the tenants. At the end of the exchange, Lynne becomes the travel companion for her harebrained Uncle Leo. She sends postcards and letters to Marta to retell her madcap adventures.
Tasman
In 1850, sixteen year-old Irish lad, Ean McCloud, steps off the boat, his legs in iron shackles, and steps into serving a three-year sentence at the Port Arthur Penal Colony in Tasmania. Falsely convicted, he must now survive the brutal conditions, the backbreaking labor, and time in the silent prison—a place that breaks men’s souls. Follow Ean’s adventures as he seeks not only to survive but to escape!