I have always loved Noel Streatfeild's books and as a child I got my library to ILL them for me or hunted through second hand book stores to find all of them. She tells the perfect "girls stories". I was always able to find one character in each book that was my favorite. They definitely stand up to re-reads. ( )

I remember enjoying Tennis Shoes when I was about 8years old, along with The Party Frock, but this reread left me cold – it’s all recount and clichéd backstory, and the plot doesn’t really get moving till 2/3 of the way through. If you’ve read other Noel Streatfeild books, you’ll recognise the formula of a large poor-but-gentile family with an awkward middle child who tends to the belligerent until she discovers her unexpected talent. You may also recognise the firm but fair servents who support her and the very random
I thought it would appeal to sporty girls who need a classic for their reading challenge, but there’s not actually all that much about Tennis till quite late in the book. It’s really just a family story and she did that way better in Apple Bough or The Vicarage Family.
Now I wonder why I wasted library money on it! ( )

A likeable story for children, about a family of redheads who learn to play tennis. Set in the 1930s, when it was first written, it features the Heath family: the twins Susan and Jim, their sister Nicky and their younger brother David.

Good characterisation, family values (if a little old-fashioned), and well-written. No dancers in this book, and though David has a particularly nice voice, it's not the focus of the story. While some of the people remind me strongly of other Streatfeild characters, it doesn't much matter as the storylines and interactions are different.

Enjoyed on re-reading twelve years after I first read it. Recommended to anyone over the age of about seven or eight, or to adults who like indulging a bit of nostalgia. ( )

Let's be the very best at something for the honour of Britain. Work hard and you will succeed in the end. ( )

Read during Fall 2001

My, the well seems to have run dry on this one. I think perhaps 30 years after Ballet Shoes? None of the charm and joy of earlier books, just rather wooden and workman like. Although I suppose it was fine not to have the children be orphans or always destitute for money.