(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jessica Gibson. Foreword by Sylvia Townsend. In chipper first-person text ("As musical notes start to float, I rise to my toes"), the authors describe African American ballet dancer Sylvia Townsend's childhood. Although her parents couldn't afford lessons (and segregation meant that ballet school was "for white girls" only), Townsend turned to the town bookmobile to teach herself and others. The digital illustrations are somewhat generic but bright and cheerful. Reading list, timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Mark Siegel. This special edition of the graphic memoir about Cherson Siegel's youth as a School of American Ballet student effectively embodies ballet's paradox: every moment of seeming effortlessness on stage is the product of years of grueling work. Softened outlines and delicately hued watercolor washes depict young Siena's long-cherished dream and the ethereal-looking dancers; extended, well-paced panel sequences convey training's tedium and immense physical toll. A spacious redesigned layout heightens the emotional effect. Six new pages of photos and ephemera are appended.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006; November, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cosei Kawa. Instead of wearing heavy iron braces for her weak legs, the doctor lets young Lily Marks take dance lessons to strengthen them. Thus begins the ascent of the first Jewish prima ballerina assoluta, later known as Alicia Markova. Goddu tells the true story with elegant simplicity; an afterword offers more straightforward biography. Kawa's ornately detailed, stylized illustrations capture the wonder and magic of ballet.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) YA With Nancy Ohlin. In this blend of memoir, advice book, and journal, reality-TV teenage star Lukasiak (Dance Moms) opens up about life, dreams, and insecurities. Lukasiak's conversational narrative is interspersed with poems, short stories, photos, and quotes (from Oprah to Taylor Swift), showing that girls contain multitudes. However, these pieces interrupt chapters, creating an overall chaotic, jumbled effect.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Theodore III Taylor. Following a foreword by ballerina Misty Copeland, Schubert gracefully tells the story of Raven Wilkinson, the first African American ballet dancer to tour with a major company. From 1955–62, Wilkinson danced for Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo but faced prejudice whenever they traveled south. Heavy lines and shadows in the illustrations reinforce how injustice can weigh down even ethereal art such as ballet. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Mariko Turk

(4) 4-6 Superstar Stories series. Each entertainer's superficially sketched biography is presented in three or four brief chapters punctuated with publicity photographs and sidebars with quotes from the subject. A page of basic background facts precedes a simple narrative covering early breaks in the field, successful milestones, and present-day stardom. "Think About It" questions are appended. There are four other fall 2017 titles in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Superstar Stories titles: Zendaya, Silentó, Jennifer Lawrence, and Pharrell Williams.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(2) K-3 Amalia Hernández (1917–2000) traveled throughout Mexico learning about regions' unique histories and traditions in order to incorporate them into dance; in 1952, she founded Mexico's most famous dance company, El Ballet Folklórico de México, which still performs today. Tonatiuh's illustration style, inspired by Mixtec art and with well-chosen photo-collage elements, is particularly resonant with a subject who celebrated Mexican arts and culture. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Sonia Alejandra Rodriguez | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2017

(3) 4-6 With Brandy Colbert. In this adaptation of her adult autobiography, Copeland chronicles her path to becoming a principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre--the first-ever African American ballerina to achieve that distinction. Engaging prose frankly details obstacles to her hard-won success: poverty, family strife, body shame, injury, and, most significantly, racism. An inspiring, approachable memoir of an extraordinary dancer committed to making ballet accessible to all.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) 4-6 Edge Books: Hollywood Action Heroes series. These slim biographies focus on the Hollywood action heroes' upbringing and years of hard work as they rose to their eventual success in films such Avatar (Saldana) and Captain America (Evans). The many red-carpet photos and movie stills are oddly cropped and overlaid with loud graphics; quotes and "Fast Facts" supplement the serviceable texts. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Edge Books: Hollywood Action Heroes titles: Zoe Saldana and Chris Evans.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Julie Morstad. This lyrical introduction follows ballet great Anna Pavlova (1881–1931) through her training; her roles, particularly her iconic Dying Swan; her growing fame; and her determination to make ballet accessible to everyone. Delicate mixed-media illustrations perfectly suit Anna's grace, capturing her expressiveness with abstracted swan imagery. An author's note provides more straightforward biographical information and highlights Pavlova's legacy as an artist of the people. Bib.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2015

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Christopher Myers. In an imagined dialogue, American Ballet Theatre soloist Copeland reassures a disheartened African American ballet student that she also had self-doubts: "darling child, don't you know / you're just where I started." Richly hued collages make the dancers on stage seem to fly. An author's note says that Copeland never saw herself in ballet books; this book encourages aspiring dancers of all colors.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2014

(3) YA With Elaine DePrince. This inspirational memoir traces Michaela's journey from an orphanage in war-ravaged Sierra Leone through her adoption by an American couple to her rising ballet stardom (appearing in the documentary First Position; joining the Dutch National Ballet). Throughout, the daughter-and-mom writing team emphasizes how important optimism, love, and perseverance were to Michaela's success. Striking textual imagery heightens the immediacy of Michaela's experiences, whether tragic or triumphant.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Christian Robinson. This incomparable biography conveys dancer Josephine Baker's passion, exuberance, dignity, and eccentricity through words and pictures that nearly jump off the page. Powell doesn't shy away from the challenges (including racism) Baker faced but emphasizes that Baker never let them overwhelm her joy from performing. Robinson's highly stylized, boldly colored illustrations are at once sophisticated and inviting to young readers. Reading list.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2014

(3) K-3 Candlewick Biographies series. Illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch. Before Fred was famous, his sister Adele was "the dancer in the family." Orgill describes the team's childhood and early work in vaudeville and on Broadway, also touching on Fred's later achievements in films. Their dancing comes alive in focused prose and softly colored mixed-media art with period details. Recommended recordings, films, and a website are included in this "reformatted edition." Reading list. Ind.

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright & Ying-Hwa Hu. Florence Mills was born an entertainer. This brightly illustrated, inspiring story follows "Baby Flo" from her days of singing in the streets of Washington, DC, to her on-stage debut at age seven. An author's note includes a brief biography of her years as an entertainer during the Harlem Renaissance and her early death from tuberculosis at age thirty-one.

Reviewer: Juliet S. King

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman. Blues-reminiscent rhymes tell the story of the dance and civil rights icon Josephine Baker's climb from penurious St. Louis childhood to Jazz Age–era fame in France. Winter finds the right way to introduce an unconventional, groundbreaking artist to a young readership; Priceman's gouache and ink illustrations energetically dance on the page. An author's note further details Baker's accomplishments.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Raúl Colón. Short poems detail the life of the famous Cuban ballerina Alicia Alonso. The text describes her early years, her courage in dancing after becoming partially blind, creation of the Ballet de Cuba, flight when Batista took power, and her return under Castro; detailed notes are appended. Colón's textured illustrations are full of movement and life. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(3) 4-6 This narrative biography of Chinese ballerina Li Zhongmei (written by her husband) follows her difficult childhood journey in 1978 to audition for the Beijing Dance Academy and her first year at the school. Bernstein emphasizes young Zhongmei's persistence against frequently overwhelming odds and her passion for her art. Aspiring dancers will be inspired by Zhongmei's story. An eight-page color insert is included.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(3) 4-6 Photographs by José Ivey. This book focuses on thirteen-year-old Iman's life as a dance student at the Ailey School in New York. The first-person text fills in details, moving from dance studio to school and home and back to dance class, culminating in a group performance. Clear photographs illustrate the camaraderie of the students and the joy Iman feels while dancing.

Reviewer: Amy Kellman

(4) K-3 Fact Finders: Biographies: Great Hispanics series. This clearly written biography touches lightly on issues faced by ballet dancers, including long hours of practice and training, and their early retirement. Krohn also mentions Cisneros's difficulties with prejudice as a Mexican American dancer. Photographs of Cisneros's elegant arabesque and other career pictures are captivating; other photos are less effective. The simple text will aid struggling readers. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Laura A. Woollett