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ashylibrarian's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
3.5
- Story about self-growth and reaching for dreams
- Illustrations help to tell the story
- The author tells the story in an inspiring tone that makes it seem like dreams, even though they can be tough to achieve, are waiting for those who work toward them
- Story integrates important themes through the language of dance (determination, fighting barriers, struggles of immigrating to a new country and not having all of your family)
- Illustrations help to tell the story
- The author tells the story in an inspiring tone that makes it seem like dreams, even though they can be tough to achieve, are waiting for those who work toward them
- Story integrates important themes through the language of dance (determination, fighting barriers, struggles of immigrating to a new country and not having all of your family)
bubblesofbayla's review
5.0
I have a very sweet memories of this book. I would get it from the school library in elementary and return it only to get it out again a week later. I've never had dreams of being a dancer, but the beauty of dance in the book comes across without having that connection. It ends in a way that's romantic, but not in a way that's unrealistic, more in the sense that life is a journey worth taking. Kudos to the authors—you've made some magic.
emtobiasz's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a review copy. A new expanded edition of this book is being released in October 2019; I did not compare to the earlier edition to see what's changed.
This is a beautifully illustrated memoir of a young dancer's experience with ballet. Graphic novels are an easy sell at my library and frequently get picked up by a wide age range regardless of intended audience. I think this book will certainly fit that appeal without being inappropriate for the possibly younger audience. It presents a pretty rosy picture of dance, although the illustrations hint at other possible issues (such as injuries and not being cast in performances) when the text does not. My one concern is a page a little over halfway through where the illustrations show time passing with Siena slowly growing taller and eating from plates with less and less food on them in three successive panels interspersed with scenes of dance practices, bandages, and more serious injuries. The entire page is wordless and never stops to explain or examine the sequence. I found this troubling in light of ballet's frequent relationship with disordered eating, and I wish it had been remarked upon instead of normalized by the illustrations. Overall, though, I think the book delivers what readers will be looking for from a ballet memoir-- a story of success, in an achievable sense, from an author who obviously continues to hold dance in as high regard as her readers.
This is a beautifully illustrated memoir of a young dancer's experience with ballet. Graphic novels are an easy sell at my library and frequently get picked up by a wide age range regardless of intended audience. I think this book will certainly fit that appeal without being inappropriate for the possibly younger audience. It presents a pretty rosy picture of dance, although the illustrations hint at other possible issues (such as injuries and not being cast in performances) when the text does not. My one concern is a page a little over halfway through where the illustrations show time passing with Siena slowly growing taller and eating from plates with less and less food on them in three successive panels interspersed with scenes of dance practices, bandages, and more serious injuries. The entire page is wordless and never stops to explain or examine the sequence. I found this troubling in light of ballet's frequent relationship with disordered eating, and I wish it had been remarked upon instead of normalized by the illustrations. Overall, though, I think the book delivers what readers will be looking for from a ballet memoir-- a story of success, in an achievable sense, from an author who obviously continues to hold dance in as high regard as her readers.
librariana's review
4.0
Absolutely exquisite! My very first experience with graphic novels and a truly lovely one.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
This memoir of a childhood in dance evokes life in a ballet school, showing how the intensity builds. It stays mostly detached, giving more emotion to the few pages showing her parents' acrimonious divorce than to any description of injuries or the decision at the end to leave dance for college. But it succeeds in showing the love of dancing that blossomed in a small child and sustained her throughout her life.
I was delighted to see her love of the book [b:A Very Young Dancer|842452|A Very Young Dancer|Jill Krementz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1304741275l/842452._SX50_.jpg|2244493] -- my sister had that book and the photographs are amazing. I can definitely see it inspiring a dance career.
I was delighted to see her love of the book [b:A Very Young Dancer|842452|A Very Young Dancer|Jill Krementz|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1304741275l/842452._SX50_.jpg|2244493] -- my sister had that book and the photographs are amazing. I can definitely see it inspiring a dance career.
jasminemarie's review
4.0
Beautiful memoir about her life as a ballet dancer. The illustrations are a perfect compliment to the story.
blkmymorris's review
3.0
A sweet story of a young girl's work as a ballerina. I'm not a big fan of ballet, but it was an interesting peek into that world an dhow she trained as a child into becomaing a ballerina.
aundie27's review
3.0
Plot
Imagine doing what you've always wanted: Becoming a Ballerina! Siena loved dancing when she was little, and when her family moved from Puerto Rico to the states, she started taking dance lessons. After getting into a ballet school, her family moved so she could attend the school. Surrounded by famous ballerinas from around the world, Siena learned how to perform despite troubles at home.
Review
It's a short read, and good for all ages.
Siena goes through her childhood and teenage life as a ballerina, then the book abruptly ends after she stops doing ballet. It was interesting at times, but also I wondered what the point of her book was. Ballet takes work? Divorce happens? Life of a youth ballerina? And what's wrong with having flat feet? That wasn't explained... I assume it affects footwork.
There was one word I was confused by, and when I googled it I couldn't find pictures or any other info. "Shamayana" is mentioned by Siena when her mom is putting one up in her room. Is it a curtain?
*The author spelled the word wrong. Should be "Shamiyana", and is an Indian ceremonial tent or awning.
Imagine doing what you've always wanted: Becoming a Ballerina! Siena loved dancing when she was little, and when her family moved from Puerto Rico to the states, she started taking dance lessons. After getting into a ballet school, her family moved so she could attend the school. Surrounded by famous ballerinas from around the world, Siena learned how to perform despite troubles at home.
Review
It's a short read, and good for all ages.
Siena goes through her childhood and teenage life as a ballerina, then the book abruptly ends after she stops doing ballet. It was interesting at times, but also I wondered what the point of her book was. Ballet takes work? Divorce happens? Life of a youth ballerina? And what's wrong with having flat feet? That wasn't explained... I assume it affects footwork.
There was one word I was confused by, and when I googled it I couldn't find pictures or any other info. "Shamayana" is mentioned by Siena when her mom is putting one up in her room. Is it a curtain?
*The author spelled the word wrong. Should be "Shamiyana", and is an Indian ceremonial tent or awning.
luann's review
3.0
This is nice enough for what it is - an autobiography in graphic novel format. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was more of a dance person or knew more about ballet. As it is, it just seemed to skim the surface and didn't really draw me in all that much. I did like the illustrations, which were as instrumental in telling the story as the text.