Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage (A Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Chapter Book)
by Rebel Girls (Author) Josefina Preumayr (Illustrator)
"With this powerful, hope-filled story of overcoming one's obstacles, readers will close this book and feel inspired to leave a legacy of their own." -School Library Journal
From the world of Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls comes the historical novel based on the life of Alicia Alonso, a world-renowned prima ballerina from Cuba.
Alicia was born to dance. From the moment she slips on pointe shoes for the first time, she's determined to become a professional ballerina. A few years later, Alicia moves from Cuba to the United States to follow her dreams.
Then, Alicia begins to lose her sight. How can a ballerina dance if she can't see where she's going? Stuck in bed and only able to practice with her fingertips, Alicia doesn't give up. She finds a way to get back on stage, dancing into the hearts of audiences as one of the world's most famous prima ballerinas.
Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage is the story of a world-renowned prima ballerina who impressed people all over the world with her beautiful dancing while living with visual impairments. This is a story about perseverance in the face of adversity, and how the arts can afford women the opportunity to achieve a global impact.
This historical fiction chapter book includes additional text on Alicia Alonso's lasting legacy, as well as movement-based activities designed to encourage creativity and confidence through dance.
About the Rebel Girls Chapter Book Series
Meet extraordinary real-life heroines in the Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls chapter book series! Introducing stories based on the lives of extraordinary women in global history, each stunningly designed chapter book features beautiful illustrations from a female artist as well as bonus activities in the backmatter to encourage kids to explore the various fields in which each of these women thrived. The perfect gift to inspire any young reader!
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Publishers Weekly
Cheerful persistence and chatty relatability recur in this fictionalized biography of Cuban prima ballerina Alicia Alonso (1920-2019). When Alonso leaves Cuba for New York City, she gives herself a pep talk: "I can do this, she told herself. I can make my own way." Short, conversational chapters punctuated by on-trend digital illustrations sketch Alonso's dance-obsessed childhood; marriage, move to the U.S., and motherhood; and relentless work ethic. When Alonso's eyesight deteriorates, she persists: Visually impaired, she builds a successful career--starring in Giselle and later launching what would become the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. An afterword provides additional context on events in Alonso's life, including the Cuban Revolution. Includes ballet-inspired movement activities on claiming space. Ages 7-10. (Aug.)
Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
Gr 1-3—Ballerinas and readers interested in dance will be enthralled by this series addition. Known for their inspiring historical fiction, this "Rebel Girls" installment tells the coming-of-age story of world-renowned ballerina Alicia Alonso, and her challenges and accomplishments as a dancer. Alicia's love of dancing began as a small child performing for her family each evening. This passion for dance blossomed into a dream that Alicia longed to fulfill. Growing up in Cuba and living in Spain for a short period of time, Alicia learned Cuban and Spanish dances. But her true love was ballet, for which she moved to the United States. The story chronicles Alicia's struggles as a dancer, including a physical eye impairment that made her start losing her sight. This chapter book is brimming with colorful illustrations that will help readers imagine the events in Alicia's life unfolding. The back of the book contains extension activities related to dance and movement. VERDICT With this powerful, hope-filled story of overcoming one's obstacles, readers will close this book and feel inspired to leave a legacy of their own.—Megan Honeycutt, Univ. of West Georgia, Carrollton
Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
JUV014000 - Juvenile Fiction | Girls & Women
JUV016000 - Juvenile Fiction | Historical | General
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
JUV004070 - Juvenile Fiction | Biographical | Latin America
Ballerinas
Blind women
Alonso, Alicia
Women with disabilities
