Black Ballerinas

September 6, 2021
Copeland, the first African American female principal dancer in the 75-year history of the American Ballet Theatre, reveals her own path to greatness and spotlights inspiring Black dancers—who often served as her mentors—in this mesmeric combination of memoir and biography. Each spread features a dense page of text on the recto beneath the dancer’s name, with one of Barnes’s elegant, full-page illustrations on the verso, presenting each dancer in a striking, graceful position against neutral-colored backgrounds, accented by a gentle wash of watercolor and a quote. Copeland relays memories, struggles, and factoids in honest, accessible prose: “I understand those struggles. I spent the first decade of my career with ABT as the only Black woman, yearning for a sister to share my experience on what is so often a lonely road for Black ballerinas.” A valuable tome for fans of Copeland, ballet, or those interested in history books spotlighting Black women luminaries. Ages 10–up.

Starred review from October 15, 2021
Accomplished ballerina Copeland pays homage to her predecessors and contemporaries in this roundup of Black ballerinas. Copeland introduces this collection from her perspective as someone who was simply a proud Black girl growing up but whose identity became more complex when she became a professional dancer. The list of Black ballerinas included here features those who played a role in Copeland's journey, whether they never met, had only one encounter, or enjoyed an ongoing relationship. Copeland aptly points out that biracial and light-skinned women are overrepresented in this list, as they are in the dance world, with colorism being an additional barrier for darker-skinned dancers. Among these talented, dedicated artists, whose birth years range from 1917 to 1998, patterns emerge: exclusion from the White world of ballet; perseverance; international travel for opportunities; giving back to their communities; and leaving strong legacies within the dance world--sometimes documented and sometimes not. Each ballerina's ink-and-watercolor image appears with a quote of hers on a full page facing a page of densely set, small, gray text summarizing her dance career and personal connection to Copeland. Barnes' gorgeous illustrations of these strong, graceful dancers are enough to keep readers turning pages. With each story, the landscape of an underappreciated community of dancers of color grows wider. The perspective of an insider to this world intensifies the intimacy and interest. This slender volume accomplishes a great deal. (Biography. 11-16)

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Starred review from December 15, 2021
Grades 3-6 *Starred Review* Copeland has written several books that speak to her experiences as a Black, biracial ballerina (Life in Motion, 2016) and that model the joy and power of dance (Firebird, 2014; Bunheads, 2020). This collective biography, curated with a deeply personal touch, showcases 27 Black or brown ballerinas who have inspired and often mentored Copeland in her dance career. While discussing the lives and accomplishments of each entrant, Copeland entwines her own experiences, which mirror those of--or were made possible by--these immensely talented women. She is frank about the limitations and emotional strain racism and colorism have placed on ballet dancers of color, both in training and in professional opportunities, but her emphasis is on the art's bright, more inclusive future. The book is arranged alphabetically in double-page spreads, where one page holds a gracefully lined watercolor portrait of the featured ballerina, usually in costume and en pointe, and her biography appears on the other. The dancers selected range from the historic (Joan Myers Brown, Janet Collins, Marion Cuyjet) to more modern artists (Alicia Graf Mack, Virginia Johnson, Ashley Murphy-Wilson) to those wowing audiences today (Michaela DePrince, Nikisha Fogo, Francesca Hayward, Erica Lall). It is a treasure trove of strong, talented women who have more than earned their time in the spotlight, and any dancer will appreciate getting to know them.

COPYRIGHT(2021) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2021
"Passing down history and knowledge from one generation to the next is a tradition deeply rooted in both the Black experience and ballet." Copeland shines a spotlight on twenty-seven Black ballerinas who have inspired her, mentored her, and paved the way for her professional ballet career. Accompanied by a full-page portrait of the dancer in motion (rendered in what looks like ink and watercolor), each one-page essay focuses on the realities of being Black in a "very white ballet world" while discussing the subject's career highlights, struggles, and legacy. Copeland's personal reflections give the collection an intimate perspective.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)