Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina (Young Readers Edition)

Gr 4-7--Although Copeland didn't begin her ballet training until the age of 13, she transcended the competition in just five years' time and became a professional dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. Despite Copeland's extraordinary natural talent, her dance career has not been an easy one. In this young readers edition of her 2014 autobiography, she relates her experiences growing up in a low-income, single-parent family and recounts the custody battle between her mother and her dance teacher. Copeland goes on to describe the challenges of her life as a professional ballerina, most notably her isolation as a black artist in a predominantly white field. She writes that "some people still notice [her] skin color before they notice [her] talent" and that others "simply don't believe brown girls have a place in classical ballet." While Copeland's overall tone is conversational, her frank discussion of race is serious and relevant to tween readers. She expresses gratitude for her numerous friends and supporters and recalls her delight at certain opportunities and roles, such as her collaboration with Prince and her landmark performance as the Firebird in 2012. Copeland closes her book by saying that she wants young dancers to "look at what I've accomplished and realize they can achieve this dream, too." VERDICT Copeland's story will interest, inform, and inspire budding ballerinas and deserves a place in every library that serves middle grade readers.--Magdalena Teske, Naperville Public Library, IL