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cdehlert's review against another edition
3.0
Misty Copeland is the only African-American soloist ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre. She started dancing ballet at the age of 13 and was quickly found to have great talent and skill. The book is about her struggles to become a ballerina, overcoming tensions with her family, racism and her own self-doubts. It was a quick, enjoyable read but did get repetitious after awhile. The behind the scenes look at dance was interesting.
marinapompeu's review against another edition
3.0
It's was OK. I really liked to know more about her, her background and behind the scenes at ABT, but it wasn't the most riveting piece of writing ever. Misty is a great talented dancer, but better at ballet than at writing.
alyssaking's review against another edition
3.0
The voice of this book was cringe-worthy for most of the book.
cookiemonstaly's review against another edition
5.0
"I knew that I just didn't have it in me to give up, even if I sometimes felt like a fool for continuing to believe."
Becoming a ballerina may be the ambition of many young girls and boys out there; it was mine at one point too. The vision of fair-skinned, slim bodies in pink tutus looks almost otherworldly - like a fairy of a mystical creature. Who wouldn't want to be the vision of loveliness?
For those who do not know much of the ballet world (heck, even I don't!), Misty Copeland has emerged as one of its biggest stars for many reasons.
Reading "A Life in Motion" was my first (successful) attempt at reading an autobiography - and I'm glad I chose this one.
There's a great difference in reading a fiction novel and reading of the real experiences that one has to go through.
What I loved most about this novel is how Copeland was brutally honest and open about her life - both the good and the bad.
As a reader, I felt much anger and annoyance with how Copeland's mother had lived her life throughout Copeland's childhood. While it was quite clear cut she wasn't a very good mother (yes, nobody is perfect but her actions made her out to be more of a teenager than a grown woman), Copeland still chose to forgive her for her flaws and chose to see the good side of it. To have such a forgiving nature for those who have hurt you so badly is truly a wonderful trait most of us need to pick up.
Copeland also speaks about how she struggles with her body after reaching puberty, how she felt pressured to lose weight and gain back the slim outline she once had. Eventually, the comments pushed her into developing an eating disorder until she found it within herself to overcome it.
In terms of the writing, it was pretty easy to read - save for a few big words and all the ballet terminology throughout the book.
I would really recommend this book for young children, girls especially, as they enter their tweens. Misty Copeland is the role model that young girls and boys need.
Becoming a ballerina may be the ambition of many young girls and boys out there; it was mine at one point too. The vision of fair-skinned, slim bodies in pink tutus looks almost otherworldly - like a fairy of a mystical creature. Who wouldn't want to be the vision of loveliness?
For those who do not know much of the ballet world (heck, even I don't!), Misty Copeland has emerged as one of its biggest stars for many reasons.
Reading "A Life in Motion" was my first (successful) attempt at reading an autobiography - and I'm glad I chose this one.
There's a great difference in reading a fiction novel and reading of the real experiences that one has to go through.
What I loved most about this novel is how Copeland was brutally honest and open about her life - both the good and the bad.
As a reader, I felt much anger and annoyance with how Copeland's mother had lived her life throughout Copeland's childhood. While it was quite clear cut she wasn't a very good mother (yes, nobody is perfect but her actions made her out to be more of a teenager than a grown woman), Copeland still chose to forgive her for her flaws and chose to see the good side of it. To have such a forgiving nature for those who have hurt you so badly is truly a wonderful trait most of us need to pick up.
Copeland also speaks about how she struggles with her body after reaching puberty, how she felt pressured to lose weight and gain back the slim outline she once had. Eventually, the comments pushed her into developing an eating disorder until she found it within herself to overcome it.
In terms of the writing, it was pretty easy to read - save for a few big words and all the ballet terminology throughout the book.
I would really recommend this book for young children, girls especially, as they enter their tweens. Misty Copeland is the role model that young girls and boys need.
megtk_01's review against another edition
3.0
A Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina
Misty Copeland
Publisher: Scholastic, 2014
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I first heard of Misty Copeland a few years ago, but didn't really pay much attention. Then I saw her in an ad, and then on So You Think You Can Dance. I was intrigued and when I saw that she had a memoir out, I knew I would read it. It was on my summer reading list when it was announced earlier this month that Misty Copeland had been promoted to principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater--something that had not been accomplished by an African American ballerina up until this point. Well I moved her memoir up in my list almost immediately.
Most stories of ballerinas are filled with mothers and fathers toting their daughters to dance class from the time they are three, spending hours on hair and make-up (that cost them a ton), competing heavily (which costs money), and buying more dance clothes and shoes (also costs a ton). I'm not saying that every ballerina is rich, but ballet is a financially challenging art form--especially for those who are training to become the best of the best.
Misty's introduction to ballet was different than most. She didn't discover it until she was 13, and her family was living in poverty, ultimately ending up living in a motel where she and her brothers and sisters had to sleep on the floor. Through the help of her dance teacher, Misty was able to continue her training, pushing herself to a place she never thought was possible. Even after winning scholarships for summer dance intensives, and being accepted in the ABT corps de ballet, Misty doubted herself. She strove to overcome the prejudice that people have towards African Americans dancing classical ballet roles.
I loved reading about the dance classes and the feel of being on stage--but then I used to dance, so it all seems very familiar to me. I am unsure if others who aren't familiar with dance would feel this way. The reason I rated this 3 stars instead of 4 is because the writing is very simplistic. It is not a young readers' edition, but I thought it was at first. The writing isn't terrible--it's just not great either. Also it's somewhat a jumbled mess as she jumps around time-wise quite a bit. This wasn't a big deal when she was writing about her time in NYC, when she was an adult and dancing with ABT, but during the parts when she was in California with her family growing up, it confused me. There were a lot of flashbacks, but it wasn't always clear.
I definitely recommend this to any dancer out there--whether you want to be a prima ballerina, or just want to keep dancing because you love it. If you're looking for an inspirational story, this is where you can find it. Misty Copeland overcame much and worked hard to get herself to where she is now. It's hard to not be jealous of how beautiful a dancer she is. This book will definitely go into my classroom library and will probably be featured on my "Royally Approved" Bookshelf at the beginning of the year. I hope that my students will look up to Misty Copeland as a role model.
If you liked this, check out more reviews at www.livingalifinbooks.com
Misty Copeland
Publisher: Scholastic, 2014
Source: Purchased
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
I first heard of Misty Copeland a few years ago, but didn't really pay much attention. Then I saw her in an ad, and then on So You Think You Can Dance. I was intrigued and when I saw that she had a memoir out, I knew I would read it. It was on my summer reading list when it was announced earlier this month that Misty Copeland had been promoted to principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater--something that had not been accomplished by an African American ballerina up until this point. Well I moved her memoir up in my list almost immediately.
Most stories of ballerinas are filled with mothers and fathers toting their daughters to dance class from the time they are three, spending hours on hair and make-up (that cost them a ton), competing heavily (which costs money), and buying more dance clothes and shoes (also costs a ton). I'm not saying that every ballerina is rich, but ballet is a financially challenging art form--especially for those who are training to become the best of the best.
Misty's introduction to ballet was different than most. She didn't discover it until she was 13, and her family was living in poverty, ultimately ending up living in a motel where she and her brothers and sisters had to sleep on the floor. Through the help of her dance teacher, Misty was able to continue her training, pushing herself to a place she never thought was possible. Even after winning scholarships for summer dance intensives, and being accepted in the ABT corps de ballet, Misty doubted herself. She strove to overcome the prejudice that people have towards African Americans dancing classical ballet roles.
I loved reading about the dance classes and the feel of being on stage--but then I used to dance, so it all seems very familiar to me. I am unsure if others who aren't familiar with dance would feel this way. The reason I rated this 3 stars instead of 4 is because the writing is very simplistic. It is not a young readers' edition, but I thought it was at first. The writing isn't terrible--it's just not great either. Also it's somewhat a jumbled mess as she jumps around time-wise quite a bit. This wasn't a big deal when she was writing about her time in NYC, when she was an adult and dancing with ABT, but during the parts when she was in California with her family growing up, it confused me. There were a lot of flashbacks, but it wasn't always clear.
I definitely recommend this to any dancer out there--whether you want to be a prima ballerina, or just want to keep dancing because you love it. If you're looking for an inspirational story, this is where you can find it. Misty Copeland overcame much and worked hard to get herself to where she is now. It's hard to not be jealous of how beautiful a dancer she is. This book will definitely go into my classroom library and will probably be featured on my "Royally Approved" Bookshelf at the beginning of the year. I hope that my students will look up to Misty Copeland as a role model.
If you liked this, check out more reviews at www.livingalifinbooks.com
kieraisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! I practically flew through this book.
Misty's story is just so incredible and inspiring I couldn't put the book down.
As a dancer myself hopefully going en pointe soon ( fingers crossed) I thought I would get into the mood and celebrate this milestone and read a couple ballerina biographies/autobiographies ( I have one more).
I really enjoyed reading this it was very interesting.
Overall 5 stars.
Misty's story is just so incredible and inspiring I couldn't put the book down.
As a dancer myself hopefully going en pointe soon ( fingers crossed) I thought I would get into the mood and celebrate this milestone and read a couple ballerina biographies/autobiographies ( I have one more).
I really enjoyed reading this it was very interesting.
Overall 5 stars.
srwbos's review against another edition
4.0
3.5.
The writing isn't earth shattering but her story is and I'm glad that I now know it.
The writing isn't earth shattering but her story is and I'm glad that I now know it.
cris136's review against another edition
4.0
I think it's safe to say Misty Copeland is not at all shy about speaking of her talent. Her tone is very self-confident, at times proud. That being said, I loved this book. I suspect that same overly self-confident attitude is what got her to where she is. Her story is incredible and it was surprising just how candid she was in this book. I hope to see her perform one day soon!
kdaedwards's review against another edition
5.0
This book... I don't even know where to start. Her story is one I've always wanted to learn more of and it was so nice to see she used the opportunity to not only share about what brought her to her historic place in ballet, but to also call out the ballet world for many of its prejudices and to try to inspire young girls, no matter their looks or backgrounds to consider dance if it's something that brings them joy.