A. K. Small was born in Paris, France. At five years old, she began studying classical dance with the legendary Max Bozzoni, then later with Daniel Franck and Monique Arabian at the famous Académie Chaptal. At thirteen, she moved to the United States, where she danced with the Pacific Northwest Ballet for one summer and with the Richmond Ballet Student Company for several years. She’s a graduate of the College of William and Mary and has an MFA in fiction from Vermont College of Fine Arts. When she’s not writing, she spends time with her husband, her puppy, and her three daughters, and practices yoga. Bright Burning Stars is her first novel.
Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small is a book that tells the story of a fierce competition at a school for ballet, and it does not shy away from any details. The novel is pretty dark, but I was intrigued by the characters’ dilemmas and determination to win. This is a realistic story with developed characters and eloquent writing. Continue reading