Dancing on the Edge

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Summary: Han Nolan is Brilliant!
Review: Dancing On The Edge is a spectacular book! Han nolan takes you on a journey through Miracles life, wether its the dissaperance of her father or "setting herself on fire" Miracle somes to life Han Nolan is the best author out there and hopefully pepole will reconize his talent so go read the book today!

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!
Review: Dancing on the edge is one of the best books I've ever read! Miracle is one of the truest, realest characters I've ever come across. She was raised by her superstitious grandmother to see the world differently and as she struggles to find out why she set herself on fire, she also finds the strength to accept the truth about her mother's death and why her father left her. This is a brilliant story about a girl who tries to escape the truth about her family and searches for proof that her life is normal. She goes through a lot of realization in the porcess and finds out the true meaning of love and family. This is a very captivating story that you will want to read and reread over and over again.

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Summary: Reader from Texas*
Review: Dancing on the Edge is such a wonderful book it only took me one day to finish it. Usually you wouldnt find me reading a book but who could resist this amazing one. I am a dancer and that is what attracted me to to this paperback novel. I now Lve to read books written by the author of this book and trust me there great.*

Rating:
Summary: Entirely, totally average.
Review: Dancing on the Edge is told through the style-less eyes and voice of a 12 year old (a style in itself?), and things often happen without much emotion. I suppose that this goes with the overall tone of the story, and it doesn't slow down the pace at all... but it leaves you feeling kind of flat. It begins in a world of fantasy and occult-type magic, and ends up in a far more real, disturbing place, which I think the author is more comfortable with than the magickal origins. Nolan makes her disdain for Paganism-based religions (all religion?) clear, and her support for institutional, observational homes for kids clear as well. Somehow, the only way the main character, Miracle, can get better, is through the help of a psychologist and medication, and sometimes dancing. Seeing as how the author is also a dancer, I think that she may be speaking more of herself than she would like us to know, almost preaching the values of 'mind-repairing' drugs. There is a positive message though, in the final few pages, of independence and freedom found within yourself.... it could have been done more artfully, and the cliche of a mental home could have been left out, (god, haven't we had enough of those in literature? A thousand people talking about 'meds' and 'the day room' and 'points'.... it's all the same, and we know already). Not terrible..... but of course, I picked it up for the excellent Paul Lee cover, and you know what they say....

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Summary: Dancing On The Edge-one of the best books I have ever read!
Review: Dancing On The Edge was a great book. This book had all different things in it like family problems, meeting new people and other things. Also, there were elemrnts like magic and contacting spirits of the deceased in it. Miracle was dancing on the edge of real life and the world her grandmother told her about. Their world. I would recommened this book to any person whether they like to read or not. I really do not like to read, but this book just grabbed my attention and kept it. I liked how the author told the story and described the different things that happened. Also, when something really exciting happened, he streched it out and made it so you wanted to keep reading. This book was one of the best that I have ever read and I would suggest it to anyone who hates reading!

Rating:
Summary: Character driven
Review: Han Nolan is a master of characterization. As you read DANCING ON THE EDGE, you find yourself inside the mind of a girl tetering on the edge of insanity. Through Nolan's genius you identify with Miracle McCloy and the insane seems logical. Children learn the ditty, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." This book lays bare that lie. Words are important in the life of a child. Identity is largely based on what a child is told about themselves at a young age. I highly recommend DANCING ON THE EDGE to young adults and adults as well.

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Summary: Miracle is a miracle
Review: Han Nolen has created a beautiful yet somehow chilling story of a girl, Miracle, who lives in a world where every number, every color has a meaning and where you can speak to the dead through seances and predict the future. She is starting to wake up and realize that not many other people are like her. She is baffled and offended to find out that the world she lives in is not real, but a fraud built to please. This book really changed me and the way I look at things. It is truly beautiful, but I would not reccomend it to those who are either confused by or just don't appretiate some deepness. This book makes you think. It makes you delve into the depths of your mind and discover some things not just about Miracle, but about yourself too. This is a very uplifting novel. The only reason there is a missing star is because this book temporarily shatters any love you may possess for fantasy. (notice temporarily) I would suggest this book to anyone who think they're ready for it.

Rating:
Summary: Dancing on the Edge
Review: I am an 8th grade teacher and was given this book (along with many others) as a possible read for a graduate class on young adult literature. Some of my students were looking through the titles and when they came to "Dancing on the Edge" they said that I "must read this book". I took their word for it and have to admit, I enjoyed it. It is not a book I would have normally picked to read. Since it dealt with mental illness and disfunctional families, I was surprised at the number of students that had read and liked the book. I would recommend this book to others, but would warn them about the subject matter beforehand.

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Summary: })ï({
Review: I chose "Dancing on the Edge" as a summer reading assignment before my senior year in high school and, even though I'm not one who normally enjoys reading assigned books, I greatly enjoyed this one. The characters are very vibrant, and the metaphors are very thought-provoking. A story as unpredictable and unique as this one makes me wonder what truly goes on inside the head of a gifted writer. I would definitely recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: needed more dance!!!!
Review: I felt that this book was average compared to han nolan's other works. Miracle i feel was the best part---obviously! But otherwise I felt that the story was lacking somehting. Left Questions Unanswered! I think Nolan should have followed through on certain themes in the book. Overall OK.