Tag Archives: dance Theater of Harlem

Oct18

Dancer: a novel

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Dancer: a novel

dancer

Title: Dancer
Author: Lorri Hewett
Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books
Ages: 12 and up
ISBN: 0525459685

Sixteen-year-old ballerina Stephanie lives for ballet, and dreams of a future as a professional dancer in New York. However, her parents think she ought to get serious about planning for college. Stephanie begins to wonder if she has what it takes or if there is room for black ballerinas in the spotlight when a new Russian student steals the lead role in the school performance.

Help arrives in the form of a self-appointed mentor, Miss Winnie, who once studied with the founder of the Dance Theater of Harlem. Miss Winnie sees promise in Stephanie, and works to help her succeed. Miss Winnie’s nephew, Vance, a talented but unmotivated dancer, becomes her dance partner and potentially more.

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Jul26

Beautiful Ballerina

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Beautiful Ballerina

BeautBallerina

Author: Marilyn Nelson illustrator: Susan Kuklin
Title: Beautiful Ballerina
Publisher: Scholastic Press, 2009
Ages: 4-8
ISBN: 9780545089203

Written by Newberry Honor winner Marilyn Nelson, Beautiful Ballerina is a visual and lyrical celebration of ballerinas. Every page of Nelson’s flowing poetry is accompanied by bright, colorful photographs of young ballerinas from the Dance Theater of Harlem’s school. Tiny ballerinas stretch, point their toes, and mimic the older ballerinas as they fly through the air in grand jetes or balance en point. Every step captured by the camera was professionally choreographed by Endalyn Taylor, the Director of Dance Theater of Harlem. Words and poses are equally inspiring for a variety of readers, from young dancers to adult aficionados.

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