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gretchen_lynn's review against another edition
5.0
Strong Black woman shares her experiences with growing up an orphan, finding a loving home in the states, overcoming obstacles, and becoming an amazing ballerina. I loved the positive role model and the positive messages shared through the book. Overall great, though often tough, read. I know nothing about ballet and was still able to understand everything that was happening. Highly recommend for everyone but especially for young people, adopted folks, or anyone interest in ballet and life stories.
drusmilford's review against another edition
5.0
What an inspiring, uplifting story. Certainly shows what grit and determination can do for you! Want to see her dance!
2hannon's review against another edition
4.0
I read this when I was twelve. Back then I took ballet lessons and even got awarded a scholarship to go to London on a two week trip to a dance school. As part of the course, we got to be taught by various teachers from different schools around the globe… one of them was Michaela DePrince.
As a mixed girl in ballet, I wouldn’t say I faced many hardships as she did, but the book made me feel somewhat less alone in the fact that I was probably the only poc in my ballet school. It wasn’t something that made me feel cast out, but every time I’d realise that, it always shocked me.
This book was so moving and I think was the first book to ever make me cry. I got so hooked to this book because of how captivating her story is.
As a mixed girl in ballet, I wouldn’t say I faced many hardships as she did, but the book made me feel somewhat less alone in the fact that I was probably the only poc in my ballet school. It wasn’t something that made me feel cast out, but every time I’d realise that, it always shocked me.
This book was so moving and I think was the first book to ever make me cry. I got so hooked to this book because of how captivating her story is.
dancer4s4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
shirleytupperfreeman's review
Written with her adoptive American mother, Michaela DePrince's memoir for middle readers is dramatic and inspiring. Orphaned as a young child by civil war in her native Sierra Leone, DePrince lived in an orphanage until she and her friend were adopted by an American family. Though she had a loving family until age 3 or 4, her memories from her time in the orphanage are hard - and one scene, though short, was so horrific I chose to put the book down for a couple years. But I'm glad I eventually finished it. A picture of a ballerina on the cover of a magazine she found during the difficult time became her inspiration for surviving and for thriving once her new life got under way. DePrince's is a story of perseverance and grit backed up by amazing love.
ajb24's review
4.0
This was a very quick read, but it's a remarkable story of passion, hope, and family. I love the center insert of family photos, those are sweet <3