Engaging from the very beginning, with plenty of light-heated banter, home-spun philosophies, and phrases that many young readers will recognise from older generations of their own families. All the characters are precisely realised, and no matter how small their part, are wholly believable. Kate is an uplifting and enjoyable read for girls between 9 and 11, no matter their interest or not in dancing. (Books Ireland)
I highly recommend Kate . . . the charming and evocative tale of a girl who loves Irish Dancing' (Sarah Webb Irish Independent)
'A warm and earthy tale of ambition in the face of poverty' (Irish Examiner)
'A lovely book to share with grandparents who will find much to discuss about life in an era when choices for women were extremely limited.' (Bookfest Ireland - Recommended Reading Guide)
'This is an authentic, engaging story....with a very definite sense of time and place.' (INIS)
When Kate goes to her very first Irish dancing lesson she is smitten: It's like flying, she decides. It’s the best thing she's ever done. But, coming from a poor family in Dublin's Liberties in the 1930s, how can Kate continue with her dancing? How could she ever manage to buy a fancy dancing costume?
Still, Kate has her dreams - and sometimes dreams come true, even if not in the way we imagine!