School Library Journal (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Gr 1-4 An African American girl from Harlem dreams of becoming a prima ballerina in this beautifully written narrative, which is also a tribute to Janet Collins, who, in 1951, was the "first colored prima ballerina" to perform at the Metropolitan Opera. While her mother cleans and sews costumes for the ballet school, the child grows up amid the fittings and rehearsals. One day she performs "&30;an entire dance in the wings, from beginning to final bow" well enough to impress the Ballet Master himself. He invites her to join the daily lessons despite the fact that she will be unable to perform onstage with his white pupils. When her hardworking Mama sees that Collins will be at the Met, she buys two tickets, "&30;even though it'll cost her half/of what she's put back for a new sewing machine." The aspiring dancer is entranced with the performance: "It's like Miss Collins is dancing for me/only for me/showing me who I can be." An author's note points out that Collins appeared at the Met four years before Marian Anderson's debut. Though the narrator is imagined, the inspirational message is real. Cooper's art incorporates his signature subtractive process and mixed media in tones of brown and pink to achieve illustrations as beautiful and transporting as the text. Pair this title with Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selznick's When Marian Sang (Scholastic, 2002), and use this poetic offering for units on black history or women's history. Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools

Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

A young African American girl longs to be a ballerina, but in the segregated 1950s, she doubts her dream is possible. Seeing ballerina Janet Collins--the first African American to perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera--gives the girl hope for her own future as a dancer. Soft mixed-media paintings, capturing the girl's joy, optimism, and dedication, accompany the spare, lyrical text.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Growing up in 1950s Harlem, a girl dreams of being a ballerina, despite the huge obstacles of segregation and poverty. She-s urged on by her hardworking mother, mentored by the Ballet Master (who allows her -to join lessons each day/ from the back of the room,/ even though I can-t perform/ onstage with white girls-), and inspired by Janet Collins, the -first colored prima ballerina,- who makes her debut at Metropolitan Opera while the girl sits in the balcony with her mother. -It-s like Miss Collins is dancing for me,/ only for me,- she thinks as she imagines herself leaping through the air alongside the beautiful, supremely confident Collins, -showing me who I can be.- Although Dempsey-s (Surfer Chick) prose-poem tends to be somber and sentimental, Cooper-s (Max and the Tag-Along Moon) velvety, peach-hued pictures have passion, energy, and even flashes of humor, making the girl feel like a fully lived character. The story covers familiar inspirational territory, but has the benefit of serving as a brief introduction to the pioneering Collins. Ages 5-8. Author-s agent: Kendra Marcus, BookStop Literary Agency. (Jan.)

Starred Review ALA Booklist (Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Starred Review It's hard to find stars in the sky over New York City, which means it's hard to wish on one. A young black girl living in Harlem in the 1950s has a big wish, though: to be a prima ballerina. Her mama says you don't need wishes to make a dream come true u need hope. When the Ballet Master at the ballet school where Mama works cleaning and sewing costumes notices the girl mimicking dancers backstage, he takes notice: "The Ballet Master made an arrangement / for me to join lessons each day / from the back of the room, / even though I can't perform / onstage with white girls." There's another reason to hope, too. Janet Collins, the first black prima ballerina, is performing at the Metropolitan Opera House. The girl and her mama take three buses to see her leap and twirl effortlessly across the stage. Dempsey's lyrical prose soars as it depicts one girl's dream d her efforts to make that dream a reality. Floyd's hazy mixed-media illustrations capture 1950s Harlem, from streetscapes to fashions, while also shining a spotlight on a girl's aspirations. An inspiring introduction to Collins that will speak to little dreamers everywhere.