A retelling of the classical story of E.T.A. Hoffman's Nutcracker ballet, featuring in an African-American context.

Determination meets dance in this middle grade adaptation of the New York Times bestselling memoir by the first female African-American principal dancer in American Ballet Theatre history, Misty Copeland. Misty Copeland has been breaking down all kinds of barriers in the world of dance, becoming the first African-American principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. But when she first started dancing--at the late age of thirteen--no one would have guessed the shy, underprivileged girl would one day make history in her field. Her road to excellence was not easy. A challenging home life was a stark contrast to the control and comfort she found on stage. And when her home life and incredible dance promise began to clash, Misty had to learn to stand up for herself and navigate complex relationships with her family and the dance world, while pursuing her ballet dreams. Life in Motion is a story for all the kids who dare to be different, dream bigger, and aspire to break stereotypes in whatever they do.

Misty Copeland is probably the most famous ballerina in the world. She didn't begin dancing until age thirteen, but she quickly surpassed all her peers to be declared a prodigy. Her hard work and talent have landed her the career of a lifetime. Through engaging text and quotes from the dancer, readers will learn about Copeland's life, hardships, and accomplishments. Full-color photos from throughout Copeland's life will give readers insight into the dancer's personal life and career. The glossary helps readers learn new vocabulary, while Further Reading encourages deeper exploration into the world of dance.

‘Don’t think, dear’ said Balanchine. ‘Just do.’ For centuries, being a ballerina has been synonymous with being beautiful, thin, obedient and feminine. It is the crucible of womanhood, together with the harassment, physical abuse and eating disorders endemic at top schools. Can we abide this in a post #MeToo world? Weaving together her own time at America’s most elite ballet school with the lives of renowned ballerinas throughout history, Alice Robb interrogates what it means to perform ballet today. She confronts the all-consuming nature of the form: the obsessive and dangerous practices to perfect the body, the embrace of submission and the idealisation of suffering. Yet ballet also gifts its dancers ‘brains in their toes’, a way to fully inhabit their bodies and a sanctuary of control away from the pressures of the outside world. Perhaps it is time to reimagine its liberating potential.

It isn't very often that late bloomers are called prodigies, but Misty Copeland is an extraordinary case. At the age of 13, she began her formal ballet training, which is considerably later than most children begin ballet. In 2015, Copeland was promoted from soloist to principal at American Ballet Theatre, one of the world's premiere ballet companies. She has written a memoir and a children's book, and starred in the screen adaptation of her memoir. She advocates for inclusivity in the classical ballet world and as well as body positivity for young women.

Profiles the life and career of the professional ballerina, covering from when she began dance classes at age thirteen in an after-school community center through becoming the only African American soloist dancing with the American Ballet Theatre.

For everyone who loves Tchaikovsky, Ballanchine, music, ballet, or Christmas, this edition of The Nutcracker is sure to enchant readers young and old. On Christmas Eve, seven-year-old Marie and her eight-year-old brother Fritz anxiously await their Christmas gifts. When their godfather—a clock builder and toymaker—arrives, he unveils an ornate clockwork castle adorned with whirling figurines for the children. While Fritz plays with the clock, Marie is taken aside and given another gift—a nutcracker. After Fritz grabs the nutcracker from Marie and breaks its jaw by cracking too many nuts, their playtime ends and they head off to bed. When the clock strikes twelve, magic makes its way into this enduring tale and an epic battle ensues. This timeless classic, featuring all-new full-color and black-and-white illustrations by artist Arkady Roytman and abridged text by Gina Gold, is the perfect story to get anyone in the holiday spirit!

Darkly romantic and entirely enchanting, this reimagining of "The Nutcracker" brims with magic, love, and intrigue. "New York Times"-bestselling author Marissa Meyer ("Cinder") says "this is not your grandmother's "Nutcracker" tale."

White Chocolate is a send up on the bedevilled black, upper-middle class in affluent Westchester County. Events cause Charlie, to take stock of her life: a philandering husband, morally bankrupt social group and a vulnerable daughter. Charlie's newly minted teenager is caught in the external class and color driven divide, as well as internal family tensions. Sex, class and competition foment as mother and daughter make choices and undergo a transformative journey where they learn to survive and finally accept themselves and their needs.