I read this in the late 1980’s, early 1990’s, in my public library back when books still had that distinctive library hardcover binding. It was green or blue and rather thick, probably 200 pages or so. I feel like it was probably written sometime between the 1950’s to 70’s, although I can’t remember the time frame of the story.The plot centered around a young American (I think) dancer, tall but talented, who goes to Paris to study ballet. She’s discouraged when her teacher tells her she has no “heart” in her dancing because she’s never fallen in love, and the girl eventually becomes an assistant or something to a properly tiny ballerina who loves that she’s so tall…I remember there’s a scene where she’s intentionally being goofy as she practices and someone comes in and is thrilled at her talent for comedic dance. Maybe she falls in love at the end? I’ve exhausted my skills at searching for this book. I’m curious if it was as good as I think it was.
Help appreciated!
Stump the Bookseller
New format, same book stumper solving.
Possibly No Castanets at the Wells (Sadler’s Wells #3) , by Lorna Hill? The ballet is at the London school, Sadler’s Wells, and the heroine discovers that though nature didn’t quite intend her for classical ballet, she is well suited to Spanish dancing.
You might try STARS IN HER EYES by Betty Cavanna. The storyline is about a girl named Magda Page. Her father is a tv show personality. When Magda goes on stage with her dad she froze in front of the cameras. Magda goes to Paris to ballet school and acquires poise and charm. Most of the things you mentioned are in the book, the comedic dancing when her instructor comes in, falling in love in Paris and other things seemed to fit this book. I hope this is the one.
Author Lee Wyndham wrote a number of ballet books, both for young and young adult readers. Her book Golden Slippers has several of your plot points, although the setting is NYC, not Paris. This book, (originally published in 1953) is about a young woman who longs to dance professionally in the traditional, classic roles. Instead, to her initial dismay and chagrin, she has been selected to dance in a comedic role in a dance film…Will Maggie Jones (aka “Magda Jonescu”) find her heart’s dream?