About the Author
Joanne Leppard is the author of the novel The Brightest Star. She grew up in Toronto. As a child, she spent many hours creating stories. She went to York University, where she obtained a master’s degree in cognitive and developmental processes. She also has a degree in education from Western University. She works as an elementary school teacher in Toronto and lives with her husband and two children. Throughout her experiences, she observed how rewarding and challenging the competitive dance world could be. She wanted to highlight the resilience and confidence that boys who dance gain in her first novel The Brightest Star.
Novel
The Brightest Star
The story, The Brightest Star, focuses on Quentin and Juliet, 12-year-old twins, who move from a big city to a small town for their final year of elementary school. While at Jackson Public School, Juliet witnesses bullying among her friends. She is faced with a decision to either stand up to the most popular girl at school, or look the other way. Quentin and his sister are competitive dancers. And Quentin knows that many of his classmates think that boys who do anything in the arts are outsiders. He also knows that he needs to find the courage to start over and make new friends. Will he ever feel comfortable in his own skin? When Juliet’s best friend Jamie goes missing, she must find the strength to remain hopeful. Will they find him? Their lives soon become more complicated when they learn the truth about their father. He didn’t die when they were very young. He is very much alive. Quentin and Juliet compete in the dance competition The Stand Out, and not only gain several awards, but a new family.
Available now on Amazon
https://www.amazon.ca/Brightest-Star-Joanne-Leppard/dp/1838757821/ref=sr_1_1?crid=35FJRB0PRFDRP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.VeqTMPY5LS3zmViMJ3Saxi-SkoaV6k2gcAKieuH8VcLGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.0-dDCS15HmMG_SDB7aCUuQ-kgc30jisyhSl9-A9CakQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=joanna+leppard+the+brightest+star&qid=1757297475&sprefix=%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1
The Brightest Star
THEMES: bullying, family, friends, boys who dance, and developing a strong sense of self
I hope that my novel will encourage children and teenagers just to be themselves and to celebrate the differences among people. Find your voice, wear what you want to, and dance till you drop!
The Brightest Star by Joanne Leppard is available on:
amazon
barnesandnoble.com
waterstones.com
brownsbfs.co.uk
foyles.co.uk
walmart.com
It can also be purchased on other websites.
Read on and be a shining star!
