The BA Children’s Bookselling Group has announced No Ballet Shoes in Syria by Catherine Bruton as its Independent Booksellers’ Children’s Book of the Month for December, following its win in the Children’s Fiction category at the Books Are My Bag Readers Awards last month.

From the author of We Can Be Heroes and Pop!, No Ballet Shoes in Syria is the story of Aya, a refugee from Syria who arrives in Britain with her mum and baby brother. As Aya discovers a love for ballet, her family must fight to remain in Britain and try to find her father, who was separated from them during their journey. No Ballet Shoes in Syria is published by Nosy Crow and is available in bookshops now. 

On the book’s selection, author Catherine Bruton said, “Indie Bookshops are some of my favourite places on earth! Stepping across the threshold  is like entering a treasure house, manned by friendly bibliophile superheroes whose mission is to match people to their story soul-mates: to help you find the books you’ve been searching for  - and the ones you never even knew existed; the stories you need to hear, and the ones you’ll love reading to someone else; tales that will open portals to new worlds, adventures that will take you on a journey, fantasy that can transform you with the wave of a wand, cast magic spells like fireworks in your head; books that will open your eyes, enrich your soul, expand your horizons – rock your world! So thank you to these lovely book palaces across the land for all the many, many innumerable ways you make the world a better place - one book at a time!” 

Emma Bradshaw, Head of Campaigns at the BA, commented: 
“No Ballet Shoes in Syria is a poignant and touching story, tackling complex subjects with care and hope. Having won the Children’s Fiction Award at the Books are My Bag Readers Awards 2019, we know this is a favourite of booksellers across the country, and we are so glad to have it as our Children’s Book of the Month for December.”  

Independent bookshops around the UK and Ireland will be promoting No Ballet Shoes in Syria throughout December, both instore and on social media. The BA will be supporting the promotion of the Children’s Book of the Month through social media and promotional materials. 

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