Publication
Jane Nissen Books, c1937
Collection
Series
Status
Available
Description
Tennis Shoes is one of the wonderful 'Shoes' collection of adventures for children by Noel Streatfeild. There is no doubt about it - the Heath children have tennis in their blood. Their grandfather and father before them had been top players, and the twins are champion material. Then Nicky - cheeky, rebellious Nicky - starts to practise in secret, but talented at tennis as she is, the ambitious Nicky first has battles to win with herself - on and off the tennis court. Reissued in 'A Puffin Book' series of Puffin modern classics, this is a sharp and funny story that follows in the footsteps of Ballet Shoes, Theatre Shoes and Circus Shoes by the popular children's author Noel Streatfeild.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Sorrel
I was surprised to be disappointed in this story. Noel Streatfeild has written some of my absolutely favourite children’s books, and although she has also written a number of weaker books that I disliked, she considered this one to be her best. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it very much at all.
The story is about the Heath family children, and the push from their older family members for them to be ‘first class’ at tennis. I did not enjoy reading about the way this family treated Nicky, and I did not think that the way in which she ultimately triumphed - not only in her own right, but also over her family - was convincing.
Having read the first part of Streatfeild’s autobiography (A Vicarage Family) I can see a lot of the author in Nicky and her family situation. This makes Streatfeild's personal satisfaction with Nicky’s success understandable, but does not make it any more apt in the context of this book. I much preferred the biography itself for believability and readability, even though the disconcerting family dynamics were much the same.
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The story is about the Heath family children, and the push from their older family members for them to be ‘first class’ at tennis. I did not enjoy reading about the way this family treated Nicky, and I did not think that the way in which she ultimately triumphed - not only in her own right, but also over her family - was convincing.
Having read the first part of Streatfeild’s autobiography (A Vicarage Family) I can see a lot of the author in Nicky and her family situation. This makes Streatfeild's personal satisfaction with Nicky’s success understandable, but does not make it any more apt in the context of this book. I much preferred the biography itself for believability and readability, even though the disconcerting family dynamics were much the same.
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LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
Actually, I do understand why Streatfeild was so pleased with this one. I'm not saying I agree. It gets very preachy at times.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781903252086
Original publication date
1937