Olivia's First Term: Stage School by Lyn Gardner (Nosy Crow)
PB RRP $16.95
Reviewed by Dianne Bates
There are other books in this series
about Olivia, daughter of Jack and sister to Eel, whose family has a circus
background. Olivia is skilled in tightrope walking, which is her passion. Thus
she is sorely disappointed when Jack takes her and Eel to enrol in a stage
school. The school is run by the girls' maternal grandmother, Alicia Swan, who
has previously cut all ties from her daughter and son-in-law. Now Olivia's
mother is dead and Jack is desperate for his girls to have a home. Alicia
accepts the girls into the school and Jack departs. The story then
proceeds, telling of life for Olivia and Alice in Swan's Stage
School.
This is an odd book insofar as the
narrative viewpoint shifts constantly throughout the story. It's almost as
much poor, talented Georgia's story, spoilt, rich, bitchy Katie's story
and enthusiastic, gifted dancer Eel's story. Their stories, and the stories of
other students such as the school captain Aeysha and Olivia's friend Tom are
played out throughout the book.
As I read Olivia's First Term, I
had a sense of reading a book by Enid Blyton. The story's characters are all
'types' with jealousies, infighting and occasional kindnesses depicted from the
numerous students of the school. Olivia struggles to fit in as she has no stage
talents: instead she rigs up a tightrope and finds joy from walking on it in
secret. Meanwhile, Eel flourishes and is chosen to dance in front of the Queen,
and Jack attempts to renew a relationship with the girls' grandmother.
An average read, the book is easy to
read and would most likely maintain the interest of a reader aged from eight to
twelve years.
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