Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

In The Lost Ballerina by Deanna Lynn Sletten, seventeen-year-old Maddie Carlson needs to earn money fast. Her boyfriend, Caden, crashed her car, and her father insists she pay for the repairs herself. Maddie takes a job mowing and weeding the lawn at a big, mysterious house that local kids think is haunted. Rather than seeing witches, she was greeted by two elderly cousins named Ginny, who was grumpy, and Eva, who was kind and graceful. While Maddie works all summer, Eva tells tales about her life as a renowned ballerina who trained in New York City under the guidance of the legendary George Balanchine. She shares stories about her life on stage and a difficult past that forced her to leave the dance world behind. Maddie also discovers that her mother, Sandy, was one of Eva’s best students years ago. Inspired by their reunion, Sandy decides to follow her dream and opens a new ballet school right in Eva’s home.

The Lost Ballerina is a dual-timeline mystery. The pacing is steady as it alternates between Maddie’s summer job and Eva’s past life as a professional dancer. Deanna Lynn Sletten’s vivid descriptions, details, and metaphors bring the settings to life. Straightforward, clear language focuses on emotional connection and authenticity, bridging the gap between a teen’s modern-day pressures and the demands and extreme competition of mid-century professional ballet. The character development follows an inspiring parallel journey of growth and healing. Themes cover emancipation, resilience, emotional healing, intergenerational friendship, and how older people can transform the lives of the younger generation as they find their way or focus on a better future. Recommended to readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories and redemptive women's fiction.