Skating Shoes

As a mother who screens and usually enjoys everything her 11-year-old daughter gets to read, I had been hoping for more children's fiction on ice-skating (like Michelle Kwan's "Skating Dreams" and Melissa Lowell's "Silver Blades" series) then there are currently in print. So I was pretty happily surprised to see "Skating Shoes" by Noel Streatfeild of the "Shoes" series fame on the list for Amazon's New Releases. As another reviewer pointed out, this is a somewhat "old-fashioned" series - but that's, of course, part of its charm. Streatfeild didn't see a need to ignore the parent figures in her characters - in fact, they are what make her characters the way they are. One of my issues with kids' books now is how adults are either absent or made to look stupid - I appreciate the concept of child empowerment, but, ultimately, kids need to know how to deal with everyone, not just kids their age, and certainly not with the conviction that they can do everything in an adultless vacuum, or with the view that adults don't know anything.My one issue with this book is also, like the other reviewer, with the typos in the book, and it's not just this book, sadly. Publishers and copy editors need to realise that it's embarrassing when an 11-year-old can proof-read better than they can. ... Hmmm, maybe kids *are* smarter than adults!! What do I know? I'm only one more "big-person"!But let me get off this high horse: here's said daughter's take on the book (the five-stars rating is hers - I had to take one star off mine for the copy-editors' reliance on Spell-Check!):"The book, 'Skating Shoes' by Noel Streatfeild was wonderful."When Harriet Johnson's doctor prescribes skating after an illness that has left her looking like a daddy long-legs, it is a brilliant stroke of luck when she meets orphaned Lalla Moore, future skating champion. The girls form a fast friendship as Lala's instructors give Harriet and Lalla Moore lessons together. However, just as Lalla's interest in skating fades, Harriet's natural talent begins to emerge after several years. Luckily, in the end, the girls continue to be friends and everything is giggerty-geggerty."My favorite part in the book was when Harriet and Lalla look into the soup Harriet's mom is making and Lalla says, 'Giggerty-geggerty, I can't wait. Imagine if that soup could show the future. Don't you all want to know what happens to Harriet and me? Because I do.' It was so satisfying!"I would recommend this five-star book to anyone interested in skating and friendships. Plus, if you really like the book like I did, you can read 'Ballet Shoes', 'Dancing Shoes' and 'Theater Shoes', all by Noel Streatfeild. Trust me, they are all awesome."

I read this as a little girl (along with all the "shoes" books) and it was one of my faves. I had to buy it to relive those fond memories and was not disappointed. Its a sweet, wholesome book that hopefully will find new readers despite its old-fashioned-ness and lack of technology.

Streatfield was one of those rarities, a natural writer. Some of the same plots and characters under new names are repeated in her fast-moving stories of talented kids; yet, you still swallow these books as happily as a cat does cream. Having dreamed of being a skating star (I almost learned to skate backwards!) I especially liked the story of the shy, poor kid Harriet being ordered to skate to improve her health, becoming friends with the rich would-be world champion Lalla Moore (great name!) The more I look at Streatfield with an adult's eye, the more impressed I am with her ability to make even major characters colorful, and the major ones feel like they'd be your friends if only they could jump out of the pages. The trick ending on this one threw me as a kid though now I can see it coming.Bookseller's daughter

Not a review of the content but printing of the book. I don’t care for the font/printing. Book is a little more advanced in the reading level than I expected. Just a typical chapter book. Not an easy/beginner level at all. No illustrations at all.

This book is very sweet and is a great read for young girls. It stresses hard work, determination and kindness.

Nice light paper - easy to hold and read

I read the shoes books 50 years ago as a child. Saw Skating Shoes (my favorite), and decided to re-read it as an adult. I still really loved it. Maybe because it was so nostalgic, but I highly recommend it.

My daughter is a figure skater and blew through this book. Great find!!

The setting of this book is clearly very outdated, but the stories of growing friendship, the difficulties and joys faced by the young heroes (and their parents/guardians) are universal indeed!Good reading for the long winter evenings.I would recommend the book both to read aloud to younger children, as well as independent reading for their elder siblings.

A very nice story, and with a good teaching for the young reader about ambition and the value of hard work.

This is a lovely book suitable for anyone including young children, looking for a charming story. Kathleen Kelly was right! I've bought a second copy as a gift.

This book will please my 10 year old daughter who loves to skate.

As good as I remembered from my childhood. Still a good read as an adult. Highly recommend