Theater Shoes

Written by: Noel Streatfeild

First line: It is very difficult to look as if you minded the death of a grandfather who, though you may have spent your holidays in his house, certainly seldom remembered that you did.

Why you should read this book: Written in part as a response to the legions of young readers interested in the fate of the Fossil Sisters from the author's first children's novel, Ballet Shoes, this book follows the fates of a different set of orphans, Sorrel, Mark, and Holly, whose mother is dead and whose father is MIA in WWII. Packed off to live with the grandmother they've never known, they are surprised to learn that their mother is the scion of an established and respected theater family, estranged since her marriage to their father, and that their grandmother, a grand and unrealistic lady, expects them all to follow the family tradition and go on stage. Sorrel and Holly don't mind too much for themselves, but Mark is supposed to take after his father and become a sailor, and it doesn't seem like anyone cares what they want; between their intensive training at Madame Fidiola's and the tedious torment of their talented cousin Miranda, the Forbes children might end up molded into Warrens whether they like it or not.

Why you shouldn't read this book: You already have your infant children's entire life course mapped out for them.