Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina
£7.50
“Michaela is nothing short of a miracle, born to be a ballerina. For every young brown, yellow, and purple dancer, she is an inspiration!” –Misty Copeland, world-renowned ballet dancer
Michaela DePrince was known as girl Number 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted. But it was at the orphanage that Michaela would find a picture of a beautiful ballerina en pointe that would help change the course of her life.
At the age of four, Michaela was adopted by an American family, who encouraged her love of dancing and enrolled her in classes. She went on to study at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre and is now the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has appeared in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as on Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, and Nightline.
In this engaging, moving, and unforgettable memoir, Michaela shares her dramatic journey from an orphan in West Africa to becoming one of ballet’s most exciting rising stars.
“Michaela DePrince is the embodiment of what it means to fight for your dream.” –Today
“Michaela DePrince is a role model for girls on and off stage.” –NYLON
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Additional information
| Publisher | Ember, Illustrated edition (19 Jan. 2016) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 256 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0385755147 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0385755146 |
| Reading age | 12 years and up |
| Dimensions | 14.3 x 1.78 x 21.11 cm |
by Linda
Not just about dance, and no knowledge of dance needed to read this book. I have the greatest admiration for this young lady and for her adoptive parents. Definitely worth reading. You will want to watch the DVD after you have read this.
by JaquiP
This was a gift to granddaughter who isnt much of a reader but her world is totally dance.I have never heard her ever rave over a book before, but she devoured this one and read it at every opportunity she had. It consumed her and she found it inspirational. She hadn’t heard of the writer before .. she is only thirteen … but researched her after reading the book and is now a huge admirer. I should read the book, too I think.
by M. P. Roe
From war torn Sierra Leone to an adoptive home in the USA, from terrified child to self- confident performer. A journey in more ways than one!
by Mrs L
An uplifting and compelling story of a little girl’s good fortune in being rescued from war torn Sierra Leone. Adopted by loving Elaine DePrince and her husband, Mabinty/Michaela was brought to Philadelphia with fellow orphan Mabinty/Mia to join a family of 9 other adoptees. Michaela’s dearest wish is to be a delicate ballerina in satin shoes and a tutu, like a magazine cover she once possessed in Africa, so she is enrolled in a fine ballet school to study and challenging the accepted view that “African girls can’t do ballet”. If you enjoy this book, you may wish to buy the DVD “First Position”, which features Michaela and her Mother preparing for the YAGP international ballet competition in New York. Michaela’s life in the ballet is a work in progress, so I hope she will write another book of her dancing experiences when she is much older.
by shar
This is a really inspirational book. I bought it for myself but my 10 year old and my mum also loved it.
by Ronald Woodmass
Excellent story especially re before adoption. One sees lifestyle and attitudes of other nation. You realise how lucky we are in the western world
by Sqn Ldr Winston Forde
It is not easy to praise one above the other, the Book or the writers! Taking Flight ranks amongst the most remarkable stories that will not cease to come out of the enigmatic country that is Sierra Leone, or indeed amongst the unbelievable tales of endurance, determination and destiny enacted against all odds, including the scourge of racial discrimination. And it is also an extremely well written book using a compelling View Point and the most natural dialogue and narrative that leaves the reader eager to get to the next page and most disappointed when those pages finally run out. The answer to the eternal Question “Can anything good come out of Sierra Leone?” is “Yes, Michaella De Prince!” America’s loss in denying her a rightful place as a well renowned classical ballerina is the Dutch National Ballet’s gain. Thank God the latter could see past the colour of her skin and her God given ethnic identity of which she must remain so proud. Michaella’s Mom and Dad, the De Princes are truly Blessed and cannot be praised enough for being such dedicated parents. Taking Flight is a Good Read in every respect. If only many of her country folk in Sierra Leone who should derive the utmost from reading this gem of a book were able to do so! I welcome you as a fellow Author of our country.
by Amazon Customer
I was unable to put this book down. An inspiring read. Should become part of the school curriculum. Glad to see it’s being made into a film.