Dancing in the Dark by Robyn Bavati

Synopsis: North American debut of the Australian award-winning drama Ditty Cohen is passionate about ballet--she loves how it feels to stand en pointe, to rise and spin across the room. But her Orthodox Jewish parents want Ditty to focus on the teachings of the Torah and to marry at a young age according to their religious tradition. Although her parents forbid her to take dance lessons, Ditty secretly signs up for ballet and becomes entangled in a web of deceit. As one lie leads to another and another, Ditty knows she must stop dancing, but she can't abandon the one thing that gives her freedom. She begins to question her faith and everything her parents have taught her, realizing just how much is at stake as her two worlds collide

Review: Dancing in the Dark is a wonderful short book. The character of Ditty and her haredi Jewish family is colorful and adds great insight on to her decision to dance.. This book is so much more than a dance book it’s about a way of life  that Ditty must give up to be able to continue her quest to be a professional ballet dancer. She must go outside her comfort zone to find true happiness in something that she has been taught is wrong by Jewish law. You can feel Ditty anguish in the book as she decides if it’s right to do something she loves but is not allowed by her faith. It’s a true gem of a book-and the author as a delicate hand balancing faith and Ditty’s love for ballet. This is a must read for any dancer or for anyone needing a short poignant read.

Rating: 4/5 DIAMONDS

Reviewed by: Lisa