One day, not so very many years ago, a small peasant boy was chosen to study ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. His mother urged him to take this chance of a lifetime. But Li was only eleven years old and he was scared and lonely, pushed away from all that he had ever known and loved. He hated the strict training routines and the strange place he had been brought to. All he wanted to do was go home – to his mother, father and six brothers, to his own small village. But soon Li realised that his mother was right. He had the chance to do something special with his life – and he never turned back.

Product Description: Leap into the world of a ballet dancer! In this engaging nonfiction book, readers learn about the history of this art form as well as what a ballet dancer does to get ready for a performance. With informational text, vibrant photographs, a sample schedule of ballet dancer's day, a look at ballet positions, and simple, clear text, readers learn about the basics of ballet and that this beautiful art form takes a lot of hard work and dedication...read more

At the age of eleven, Li Cunxin was one of the privileged few selected to serve in Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution by studying at the Beijing Dance Academy. Having known bitter poverty in his rural China home, ballet would be his family's best chance for a better future. From one hardship to another, Cunxin demonstrated perseverance and an appetite for success that led him to be chosen as one of the first two people to leave Mao's China and go to American to dance on a special cultural exchange. But life in the U.S. was nothing like his communist indoctrination had led him to believe. Ultimately, he defected to the west in a dramatic media storm, and went on to dance with the Houston Ballet for sixteen years. This inspiring story of passion, resilience, and a family's love captures the harsh reality of life in Mao's communist China and the exciting world of professional dance. This compelling memoir includes photos documenting Li's extraordinary life.

Product Description: FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY.

In graphic format, the author shares her story of how, after being diagnosed with flat feet, she decided to take ballet classes at the age of six and was accepted to the School of American Ballet when she was eleven.

In graphic format, the author shares her story of how, after being diagnosed with flat feet, she decided to take ballet classes at the age of six and was accepted to the School of American Ballet when she was eleven.

Dancing on the beaches of Puerto Rico and dreaming of becoming a famous dancer as an adult, this story tells the tale of a determined young girl who, after years of hard work and endless rehearsals, made her dreams come true - becoming a professional ballerina and performing in a show with the New York City Ballet.

Diana White recounts how her dream of becoming a ballerina came true from her first dance class at age four to her work with the New York City Ballet.

Product Description: Leap into the world of a ballet dancer. Learn how movements, music, costumes, and scenery combine to tell a story. Together, these things create one of the world's most beautiful art forms.

Ballerina Maria Tallchief describes her childhood on an Osage reservation, her love of dance, and her rise to success as a ballerina.

An autobiography of a Canadian ballet student who, while still in her early teens, was offered the chance to study and tour with the Moscow City Ballet.

Enhanced with paintings from Impressionist Edgar Degas, Anna Pavlova's story of becoming a ballerina and her passion toward the dance are expressed in this brilliantly illustrated picture book.

A biography of the brilliant ballet dancer who went on to become a choreographer, film actor, and director of the American Ballet Theatre.

Profiles the Russian dancer who worked hard to realize her dream of becoming a ballerina, and describes how her grace changed the style of ballet and encouraged children to become ballerinas. (view table of contents)

Diana White recounts how her dream of becoming a ballerina came true from her first dance class at age four to her work with the New York City Ballet

Describes Nureyev's early life and dance training, his decision to defect to the West, his meteoric rise to superstardom, and his influence on the ballet world

This absorbing book is ballet's 'biography' -- a revealing examination of a closed world, its competition and camaraderie, sexual politics, intimacies, pressures and, not least of all, its magic. Ballet companies have endeavoured to hide what is going on backstage lest the reality of highly strung nerves, constant fatigue and pain from injuries tarnish the illusion of ethereal figures and seemingly weightless steps in polished performances. But the audience's perceptions of fairy-tale worlds onstage are far removed from the experiences of the dancers themselves. The author, who trained to be a dancer, has been given an entrée to this private world that few outsiders ever see.Books on ballet tend to focus on performance. In contrast, this book, which draws on extensive fieldwork with major companies such as London's Royal Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre in New York, the Royal Swedish Ballet and the Ballett Frankfurt, is about dancers - how their careers are made and unmade and what happens in dance companies offstage. Anyone interested in the culture of ballet or the theatre, as well as students of anthropology, dance, performance and cultural studies, will want to read what really goes on when the curtain comes down.

A photoessay offers a personal glimpse into the inspiring onstage and offstage story of thirteen-year-old Eva Lipman, a student at the prestigious School of American Ballet, showing a dedicated ballerina's glamorous and sometimes unglamorous life.

A biography of the Osage Indian ballerina whose love of dance took her from life on a reservation to a career on the stage.

An inspiring, easy-to-read biography follows the great ballerina from her childhood in Russia to a life of travel and adventure around the world as she shared her talent and passion for dance.

Profiles Anton Pankevich, a talented sixteen-year-old student at the School of American Ballet in New York City, chronicling his journey from Russia to America with his family, his adjustment to a new society, and his dancing.

A biography of the Cuban ballerina who founded her own ballet school and company, performed with the Ballet Russe, and continued to dance even after she lost her sight

A biography of the former Soviet ballet star who broadened his career after coming to the United States, becoming a choreographer, actor, and director of the American Ballet Theatre

Describes the life of the American ballerina and descendant of the Osage tribe