HIGHLAND FLING

Cricket Books

"Perceptive and witty. You don't have to be Scottish to understand and enjoy this book."
— Mary Harris Russell, Chicago Tribune

"Even readers without Scottish ancestors will be fascinated by the history and lore Ernst deftly inserts into the story."
— American Library Association Booklist

Highland Fling is the eleventh of Kathleen's published books, and her only Young Adult (YA) novel. It is written for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction without sex, gore, or explicit violence.

Story Description

A year ago, Tanya Zeshonski was living in Wisconsin, interning at the public television station, and eating Polish food on the holidays. Then her mother divorced her father, reclaimed her maiden name of MacDonald, and moved to North Carolina to submerge them all in their Scottish heritage.

So now, at 15, Tanya is the oldest beginning student at the Flora MacDonald School of Highland Dance. Instead of pursuing her dream of being a filmmaker, she’s learning the Highland Fling, one of the national dances of Scotland. Learning it means a lot to her mother, though, so Tanya resigns herself to practicing for the biggest event of the summer, the Cross Creek Highland Games.

At the games, Tanya must face not only the intricacies of the dance, but the complications brought on by a handsome bagpiper named Miguel, a ghostly ancestor, and the arrival of her father. Tanya’s sharp, funny voice rings true as she describes the delicate steps of the dance and the beginning of her new life.

This book is available as a 215-page hardcover book.

What Others Are Saying

	*Kirkus Reviews* February 15, 2006 Issue "There are a lot of strands here and Ernst balances them nicely... divorce, recovery and anger; what it takes to make a documentary, do a Scots dance or play the pipes; the haunting nature of history, culture and racial memory. Meanwhile, prickly, over-organized Tanya discovers the wild, strong women in her past."

	Bob Spears, Heartland Reviews Scientifically-based book reviews from the heart "This YA is about coping, adapting, and coming out from one’s shell to see life from more than one’s own point of view. This award winning author who has written for the American Girls historical mystery series, portrays a girl with a lot of angst who still manages to get outside herself, finding an important new friend in the process. We rated this book five hearts."

About the Author

Bestselling author Kathleen Ernst writes award-winning mysteries, historical fiction, and non-fiction for adults and young readers.

Her work has earned numerous honors, including two lifetime writing achievement awards, an Emmy for educational television, and an Edgar Allan Poe and multiple Agatha Christie mystery award nominations.

To date nearly 1.8 million audio, ebook, and print copies of Kathleen's thirty-eight published books have been purchased. more>>

Available From

	HARDCOVER
You can buy signed, printed copies of this book directly from the author. Request a quote by clicking HERE.

Author's Note

I have long been fascinated by the possibility that our ancestors' experiences are somehow encoded in our genes. Even though we don't know how to access specific information, such genetic memory might explain why we sometimes have strong emotions about certain places, experiences, or activities. I wrote Highland Fling to explore that notion.

This book is dedicated to my daughter, Meghan, whose selection of Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, brought me to my first Scottish Games. It was that experience, and my time working in public television, that inspired Highland Fling.

While often overlooked because it's my only contemporary novel, I'd be delighted if you gave it a try. (And no you don't have to be Scottish to enjoy it!)

Book Goodies

	PREVIEW Get a sneak peak inside this book DOWNLOAD NOW
	TEACHER'S GUIDE For teachers and homeschoolers DOWNLOAD NOW

Dancing the Highland Fling

These girls are doing the Highland Fling in a dance competition at the Halkirk Highland Games in Scotland, just as Tanya does at the fictional Cross Creek Games in Highland Fling. PLAY

Massed Pipe Bands

A common feature of Scottish Highland Games is a presentation by all the bagpipe bands in attendance, such as this one videotaped in 2007 at Pleasanton, California. A massed pipe band performance takes place in Highland Fling. PLAY

Keywords

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