Award-Winning YA Novelist Speaks to Young Dancers’ Hearts

May 6, 2014 - PRLog -- Missoula, MT - May 6, 2014 -- Paddy Eger, author of the award-winning young adult novel, 84 Ribbons, will speak to the heart of  young dancers everywhere as she shares insights into the exciting and challenging world of professional dance..Meet Eger at Fact & Fiction Bookstore, 5 Campus Drive, Friday, May 16th between 2:00 and 3:30 PM and discover the tenacity of a seventeen-year-old aspiring ballerina, dancing her way into womanhood—or does she?

Eger takes us into the world of dancer, Marta Selbryth, a small town girl from Bremerton, Washington with a life long desire to perform as a professional ballerina. Eger’s passion for the subject, captures this deep desire found in many young dancers but does not overstate the character’s sacrifices and successes. What does it take to succeed when you are a teen, about to graduate, with your life spread before you, waiting for you to claim it?  “Tenacity”, says Eger. Readers & reviewers agree. DanceSpirit magazine selected 84 Ribbons as April “Pick of the Month” and Foreword Reviews magazine calls it “a riveting ballet story.” Reviewer, Leia Menlove, says, “Eger, a former dancer herself, brilliantly details the day-to-day life of this world. ...A pure coming-of-age novel with moments of quiet drama, 84 Ribbons is about thriving despite the imperfections of life.”

“Like these young dancers, new adults often face challenges and disappointments and are pushed to their limits as they strive for physical, mental and emotional tenacity,” says Eger. “84 Ribbons strikes a balance between the world of ballet and the everyday world that waits just beyond the stagelights.”

During her May Big Sky book tour, Eger travels to Montana following Marta’s 1957 bus ride from her home town of Bremerton, Washington, with her first stop in Missoula, then Bozeman, and on to Billings, the setting for "84 Ribbons". Sharing with young readers and dancers her ideas and encouragement for tenacity and how Marta’s story approaches resiliency come easy for this former dancer and retired school teacher. Eger says, “Across the decades the skills needed for growing up remain unchanged. Each of us handles our obstacles in unique ways, bringing our own form of tenacity into play. I look forward to sharing my stories with young people across Montana and especially those who enjoy dance.”

Paddy Eger "84 Ribbons" Meet & Greet Book Signing
Friday, May 16th from 2:00-3:30 PM
Fact & Fiction Bookstore, 5 Campus Drive, Missoula
http://www.factandfictionbooks.com/

Media
The Media may request a review copy and printed press kit from the author or download a digital kit, including sample interviews, from http://paddyeger.com/index.php/press  All Media are invited to meet with Eger before the book signing for questions or short interviews. Please call her at 425.420.5161 to schedule your time.


General Public
Dancers and lovers of dance get a glimpse into one young dancer’s struggle to perform as a professional ballerina and meet the author of this award-winning novel. Bring a young dancer or come with friends or even alone. Enter drawings for door prizes and receive a special free gift just for coming. Eger will personally autograph your book and answer your questions.


Marta’s story in 84 Ribbons ($16.95, 360-page trade paper, ISBN 978-0-9858933-2-3, Tendril Press) is available at Fact & Fiction and wherever fine books are sold.  For more information visit http://paddyeger.com or contact Paddy Eger at 425.420.5161 She invites you to subscribe to her blog and receive updates on future events and happenings.