My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey

The Ransomes chronicle the struggles and triumphs of African-American ballet dancer turned artistic director Robert Battle, who contributes a foreword. Despite a sometimes difficult youth--he was born bowlegged, was shuttled among several family members, and wore leg braces until age six--Battle went on to become a renowned performer. Fluid pastels depict Battle's early influences, from practicing the Moonwalk and karate to being inspired by an Alvin Ailey performance with "dancers in all shades of brown." While the text can get bogged down in the details of the people and places in Battle's life, it's still a glowing, inspiring tribute to his perseverance and passion. Ages 5-10. (Oct.)

Gr 2-5--The latest collaboration from this talented husband-and-wife team spotlights the childhood and career trajectory of the current artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. When Battle was "'no bigger than a loaf of bread, '" he was adopted and raised by his loving aunt and uncle and their adult daughter. Surrounded by spirituals at home and church, the boy was initially prevented from moving to the music due to painful, metal braces worn to straighten his legs. When the braces were removed, he gained strength and confidence through martial arts and then ballet and other styles. Cline-Ransome charts the young man's progress from an arts high school in Miami to Juilliard. Her narrative conveys salient details, such as the names of teachers, dance companies, and pieces, as well as Battle's emotional highs and lows. Evoking the master of the dance painting, Edgar Degas, Ransome's deft use of acrylic strokes makes readers aware of key moments in Ailey's signature piece, Revelations. Interspersed among full-color scenes of Easter bonnets and the Miami neighborhood are spreads depicting energetic studies of the dancer in motion, first as a child and later as a muscular, toned adult. This informative yet concise package includes a foreword by Battle (accompanied by photographs) and author and illustrator notes. VERDICT This story of the man who went on to assume the mantle of dance leadership will motivate aspiring dancers or choreographers and will be particularly meaningful to boys of color.--Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library