Ice Dancer

Dina is thirteen and, along with her two younger brothers, who are eleven and six, is grieving the loss of their older sister, Sasha who died four years ago. Dina and Sasha were particularly close and initially Dina feels she can no longer ice skate, which was her passion.

The three remaining children are going on holiday to stay with their aunt, JJ, in Sheffield. Dina is not looking forward to this because JJ used to be fun, but since Sasha’s death, she has become withdrawn and serious. Can aunt and niece rekindle their relationship and will Dina find her love for skating again?

In this heartfelt and layered story, Dina eventually finds friends at the local ice skating rink after being coached by the mysterious and masked adult skater known as Silver Blades.

The narrative is set in Sheffield and there is some discussion of the miners’ strike as part of the family’s history. This was expertly woven into a complex fictional plot. Any young person who has lost someone close to them and who yearns for their support, will be comforted by this story.

Cotter also shows the effort someone must undertake to chase their dream and the sacrifices this can entail.