Book details
Ballerina Dreams
Description
One windy day, a magazine blew down the road. I reached out and caught it. A pretty picture of a woman was on the front cover of the magazine. She wore a short pink dress that stuck out around her in a circle. She looked very happy.At the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since, and after a spell as a principal dancer in New York, now dances for the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.Beautifully and gently illustrated by Ella Okstad, Ballerina Dreams is the younger-reader edition of Michaela DePrince's highly moving memoir, Hope in a Ballet Shoe.
Age
8-12
Text complexity
intermediate
Book in series
#1
Why to read
- Inspirational Story: 'Ballerina Dreams' is the true story of Michaela DePrince, who overcame incredible odds to achieve her dream of becoming a professional ballerina. Her journey from an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to a world-renowned dancer is a powerful testament to resilience and determination.
- Empowerment and Representation: Michaela's story is particularly empowering for young girls and people of color. As a black ballerina in a predominantly white profession, her success challenges stereotypes and provides a role model for aspiring dancers from diverse backgrounds.
- Insight into the Ballet World: Readers interested in ballet and the performing arts will gain an insider's perspective on the discipline, dedication, and hard work required to succeed in the competitive world of professional dance.
- Educational Value: The book touches on important themes such as adoption, cultural diversity, and overcoming adversity. It can serve as a valuable educational tool for discussions on these topics, as well as for teaching about the history and impact of civil conflict in countries like Sierra Leone.