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Misty Copeland is just simply beautiful, inside and out. I have a picture book in my classroom that many of my girls have checked out. She has inspires people of all ages. She is of mixed race, and she talks about being the first black prima ballerina. She also was told she was too big for this type of dance. She did not start learning ballet at a very young age. I was shocked by this! I read about her struggles as a young child, and I cried when I read about her accomplishments. This was a really touching book. ( )

I would recommend this book to all dancers inspired or not inspired by Misty Copeland. I first learned about her in fifth grade and ever since then she has been a good mentor. Her story has inspired me to be a better dancer so here it is.

Misty Copeland grew up never knowing when her family would have to pack up and leave. Her mother had so many boyfriends and husbands. After about three years of running Misty, and her mother along with her brothers and sisters finally settled down in San Pedro, California. After about a year there Misty joined the drill team. Soon she became the captain and got recommended for a ballet class at the Boys & Girls Club in San Pedro. She was a little nervouse because she didn't have the proper ballet outfit which consisted of a leotard, tights, and ballet shoes. After dance one night her teacher, at the Boys & Girls Club, drove her home and saw what conditions Misty was living in. She talked to Misty's mom and asked if Misty could come and live with her and her family. Later Misty went on to ABT a pristine dance school that lets in only the best dancers. Of course it was in New York and Misty lived in California. The rest of the book talks about her struggles and how she overcame being one of the few black dancers during that period of time in her life. ( )

Narrated by Lisa Renee Pitts. Copeland shares the struggles and challenges of her itinerant upbringing and later as a black ballerina in the lily-white ballet world. It's remarkable that she transcended a background that would typically render most young people as statistics. A story that is especially inspirational for teens and young adults. Pitts' clear and deliberate performance reflects Copeland's determination and passion. There are occasional moments of a halting delivery that trips the flow of the narrative but otherwise it is a compelling reading. ( )