Praise for Swallow's Dance
2018 School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Books selection
2019 USBBY Outstanding International Books List – Grades 6-8 selection
2019 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection
2018 CBC Books "13 Canadian middle-grade books to watch for this fall" selection
★ STARRED REVIEW "[Orr's] mixture of prose and free verse to tell Leira's story is lyrical and magnetic—and devastating. Not for readers searching for a simple or happy journey, this is a beautiful song of a book that shows that life isn't always fair, but change is always constant."—Kirkus Reviews Starred Review
★ STARRED REVIEW "Leira's lyrical first-person narrative advances the story along beautifully with a fitting sense of urgency, and free-verse songs clue readers in to her emotional development. Immersive historical fiction."—Booklist Starred Review
★ STARRED REVIEW "Some chapters written in verse make the more emotional plot lines sing. An eye-opening look at how difficult it is when one's status changes in life, and how attitude can shape outcome. VERDICT Beautiful writing and a fast-moving plot will give young historical fiction fans much to love."—School Library Journal Starred Review
"Leira's protracted fall from grace is effectively punctuated by seamless narrative shifts among prose, verse, and song, which fans of Orr's Dragonfly Song will recognize. What she endures—the uncertainty of her family's fate and becoming a servant herself—makes for a gripping exploration of privilege during her journey toward womanhood."—Bulletin for the Center for Children's Books
"Swallow's Dance is a sweeping tale of courage, fortitude, hardship and perseverance against all odds. It is also a coming of age story, an intimate glimpse into the life of a young girl adjusting to puberty at a time when her family, friendships and her understanding of her place in the world are brutally torn apart. Wendy Orr has crafted a sympathetic, memorable heroine whose struggles and challenges transcend time from the Bronze Age to modern day....While suitable for middle grade students and a wonderful introduction to mythology and discussions surrounding puberty, spirituality, class, mental health, death and disaster, Swallow's Dance is one of those rare books that is also just a great story, an epic tale for all ages. Highly Recommended."—CM Magazine
“This stunning middle-grade novel is poetic, lyrical, and interspersed with elegant free-verse through which readers walk in Leira’s footsteps and share her many heartaches....Fascinating author’s notes entice readers to seek further information about the Santorini archeological dig. Captivating throughout, this story reverberates long past the turning of its last page.”—Historical Novels Review
"Top notch historical fiction for those who like it ancient!... The scenes of devastation – earthquake in Santorini, tsunami in Crete – are riveting to experience through the lens of a survivor."—Youth Services Book Review
"Orr's attention to character development is extremely well done....Swallow's Dance could be used in conjunction with the grades-five-to-eight Language Arts or Social Studies curriculum and would be great to teach students how to incorporate symbolism and imagery through free verse and poetry. In addition, Swallow's Dance could also be used to teach students about family, culture, history and the importance of the role of women in society. A fantastic novel to use as a read-aloud or novel study!"—Canadian Children's Book News
"Rating: G...The story is related in a combination of prose and free verse, in keeping with the historic saga style."—Resource Links
"Both a fascinating account of a real but forgotten society, and an exploration of a young woman's resilience and courage in the face of adversity, this is a highly recommended novel for nine- to 12-year-old readers."—Winnipeg Free Press
"Rating: Outstanding...Orr brings to life an imaginative story from the Bronze Age through prose and free verse. This creative novel would appeal to fans of Shannon Hale....This original story weaves a tale of strength, loyalty, and resilience."—Brigham Young University, Children's Book & Media Review
"This book is written in a very interesting way–the story is told both in prose and in verse. The poems seem to be Leira's direct thoughts on what is happening around her, which made it feel like the reader was a part of the story."—Julia, Age 8, Kids' Book Buzz
"[A] wonderful mix of survival and a coming of age story."—Log Cabin Library
"The sections in verse are particularly descriptive and lyrical. This reinforces the Greek atmosphere...a beautiful and powerful story. I loved it!"—Jill Jemmett
"Each month we post an annotated bibliography of books that were rated 'Outstanding'...An unusual historical novel set in Minoan Greece, Swallow's Dance used descriptive language and sections of blank verse to create the voice of its young heroine, Leira..."—ACL BayViews
★ 10/01/2018Gr 5–8— Leira's sheltered life of privilege is all she has ever known. Her biggest concern is becoming a woman so she can start her priestess rites. Her people believe the earth goddess will protect them if the proper rituals and sacrifices are carried out, but an earthquake rocks their existence. Leira's mother is crushed inside their home and suffers severe brain damage, and eventually her family chooses to take their chances by boarding a boat to Crete. As tragedy upon tragedy befalls the sweet but naive Leira in this Bronze Age–set tale, readers will cheer for her to succeed, grow, and to find her way in this new world. Some chapters written in verse make the more emotional plot lines sing. An eye-opening look at how difficult it is when one's status changes in life, and how attitude can shape outcome. VERDICT Beautiful writing and a fast-moving plot will give young historical fiction fans much to love.—Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX
Turning the prose and poetry of Orr’s historical tale into an audiobook works well in telling the story of Leira, a well-born girl of Bronze Age Crete. On her first day of instruction in becoming a priestess, an earthquake changes the lives of everyone on her island forever. Rosalyn Oades’s dramatic narration portrays the characters’ increasingly dangerous situation, Mama’s debilitated mental state, and Leira’s growing awareness of her family’s social situation. As the story depicts the hardships the islanders are facing, Oades’s narration portrays both the adults’ and Leira’s difficulties, along with her resolve to do what is necessary to save her family. E.J.F. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile
★ 2018-08-01
Spiritual and cultural beliefs blossom into a celebration of life—at least until the darkness of fear and ruthlessness of the earthmother rip apart a homeland and a cherished way of life.
This mesmerizing, aching tale explores ancient beliefs in gods and nature and their impact on an Aegean island society in the Bronze Age. Told through the viewpoint of highborn maiden Leira as she prepares for the Learning—a rite of passage in which girls become women—Orr's prose paints delicate brush strokes to illustrate the beauty and brutality of coming-of-age and of losing yourself to find out who you really are. The Swallow Clan lives on a volcanic island in the Mediterranean, where they make offerings, even sacrifices, to gods and goddesses to show gratitude for life and bounty. But when the earth "belches" and the ground begins to shake, all the plans and anticipation Leira has for her future fracture, crumbling like the land beneath her feet. Orr nimbly shows Leira's imperiousness and her humanity alike as the girl witnesses the jarring shift in order when once-exalted priests and priestesses find themselves cast adrift. Her mixture of prose and free verse to tell Leira's story is lyrical and magnetic—and devastating.
Not for readers searching for a simple or happy journey, this is a beautiful song of a book that shows that life isn't always fair, but change is always constant. (Historical fiction. 10-14)
