Starred Review Copeland has written several books that speak to her experiences as a Black, biracial ballerina (Life in Motion, 2016) and that model the joy and power of dance (Firebird, 2014; Bunheads, 2020). This collective biography, curated with a deeply personal touch, showcases 27 Black or brown ballerinas who have inspired and often mentored Copeland in her dance career. While discussing the lives and accomplishments of each entrant, Copeland entwines her own experiences, which mirror those of were made possible by ese immensely talented women. She is frank about the limitations and emotional strain racism and colorism have placed on ballet dancers of color, both in training and in professional opportunities, but her emphasis is on the art's bright, more inclusive future. The book is arranged alphabetically in double-page spreads, where one page holds a gracefully lined watercolor portrait of the featured ballerina, usually in costume and en pointe, and her biography appears on the other. The dancers selected range from the historic (Joan Myers Brown, Janet Collins, Marion Cuyjet) to more modern artists (Alicia Graf Mack, Virginia Johnson, Ashley Murphy-Wilson) to those wowing audiences today (Michaela DePrince, Nikisha Fogo, Francesca Hayward, Erica Lall). It is a treasure trove of strong, talented women who have more than earned their time in the spotlight, and any dancer will appreciate getting to know them.

Accomplished ballerina Copeland pays homage to her predecessors and contemporaries in this roundup of Black ballerinas.Copeland introduces this collection from her perspective as someone who was simply a proud Black girl growing up but whose identity became more complex when she became a professional dancer. The list of Black ballerinas included here features those who played a role in Copeland's journey, whether they never met, had only one encounter, or enjoyed an ongoing relationship. Copeland aptly points out that biracial and light-skinned women are overrepresented in this list, as they are in the dance world, with colorism being an additional barrier for darker-skinned dancers. Among these talented, dedicated artists, whose birth years range from 1917 to 1998, patterns emerge: exclusion from the White world of ballet; perseverance; international travel for opportunities; giving back to their communities; and leaving strong legacies within the dance world-sometimes documented and sometimes not. Each ballerina's ink–and-watercolor image appears with a quote of hers on a full page facing a page of densely set, small, gray text summarizing her dance career and personal connection to Copeland. Barnes' gorgeous illustrations of these strong, graceful dancers are enough to keep readers turning pages. With each story, the landscape of an underappreciated community of dancers of color grows wider. The perspective of an insider to this world intensifies the intimacy and interest.This slender volume accomplishes a great deal. (Biography. 11-16)

Passing down history and knowledge from one generation to the next is a tradition deeply rooted in both the Black experience and ballet.

Accomplished ballerina Copeland pays homage to her predecessors and contemporaries in this roundup of Black ballerinas.Copeland introduces this collection from her perspective as someone who was simply a proud Black girl growing up but whose identity became more complex when she became a professional dancer. The list of Black ballerinas included here features those who played a role in Copeland's journey, whether they never met, had only one encounter, or enjoyed an ongoing relationship. Copeland aptly points out that biracial and light-skinned women are overrepresented in this list, as they are in the dance world, with colorism being an additional barrier for darker-skinned dancers. Among these talented, dedicated artists, whose birth years range from 1917 to 1998, patterns emerge: exclusion from the White world of ballet; perseverance; international travel for opportunities; giving back to their communities; and leaving strong legacies within the dance world-sometimes documented and sometimes not. Each ballerina's ink–and-watercolor image appears with a quote of hers on a full page facing a page of densely set, small, gray text summarizing her dance career and personal connection to Copeland. Barnes' gorgeous illustrations of these strong, graceful dancers are enough to keep readers turning pages. With each story, the landscape of an underappreciated community of dancers of color grows wider. The perspective of an insider to this world intensifies the intimacy and interest.This slender volume accomplishes a great deal. (Biography. 11-16)