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Hope in a Ballet Shoe

Orphaned by war, saved by ballet: an extraordinary true story
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( 1,601 ratings, 166 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Hope in a Ballet Shoe is an inspiring memoir of Michaela DePrince, who emerges from the hardships of an orphan’s life in Sierra Leone to achieve her dream of becoming a professional ballerina. Co-authored with her adoptive mother Elaine DePrince, it traces Michaela's journey through adversity, resilience, and the pursuit of her passion for dance, making it a compelling story of hope and triumph over challenges.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are inspired by tales of perseverance and triumph against the odds. It shares the remarkable journey of a young girl, overcoming adversity and challenges, from being an orphan in war-torn Sierra Leone to becoming an acclaimed ballerina. It's a compelling story of hope, resilience, and the transformative power of following your dreams.

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Hope in a Ballet Shoe

From war-torn Sierra Leone to the US, to dancing for the Dutch National Ballet, this is a heartwrenching, life-affirming true story of a young girl orphaned by war and saved by ballet.

One woman's extraordinary journey from the bullets of Sierra Leone to the ballet of New York.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Growing up in war-torn Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince witnesses atrocities that no child ever should. Her father is killed by rebels and her mother dies of famine. Sent to an orphanage, Michaela is mistreated and she sees the brutal murder of her favourite teachers.

But there is hope: the Harmattan wind blows a magazine through the orphanage gates. Michaela picks it up and sees a beautiful image of a young woman dancing. One day, she thinks, I want to be this happy.

And then Michaela and her best friend are adopted by an American couple and Michaela can take the dance lessons she's dreamed of since finding her picture.

Life in the States isn't without difficulties. Unfortunately, tragedy can find its way to Michaela in America, too, and her past can feel like it's haunting her. The world of ballet is a racist one, and Michaela has to fight for a place amongst the ballet elite, hearing the words 'America's not ready for a black girl ballerina'.

And yet.

Today, Michaela is an international ballet star, dancing for The Dutch National Ballet at the age of 19.

A heart-breaking, inspiring autobiography by a teenager who shows us that, beyond everything, there is always hope for a better future.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Hope in a Ballet Shoe is praised for its inspiring and heartfelt narrative, sharing Michaela DePrince's journey from wartime Sierra Leone to becoming a professional ballerina. Readers find her story both moving and motivational, capturing the resilience and determination it takes to overcome adversity. Many appreciate how the memoir highlights themes of perseverance, identity, and hope.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571314478

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 June 2015

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 226g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Michaela DePrince was born in 1995 in Sierra Leone. After the deaths of her parents, she moved to an orphanage from which she was adopted and taken to the US in 1999.

Elaine DePrince, her new mother, noticed Michaela's obsession with ballet and allowed her to begin lessons. Michaela went on to study on a scholarship at the Rock School for Dance Education and The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at The American Ballet Theatre, and is now a professional ballerina, who danced principal with The Dance Theatre of Harlem, in guest principal roles in South Africa and The Netherlands, and is now just starting with The Dutch National Ballet.

Michaela featured in the documentary First Position. Speaking out about her experiences, she is recognised throughout the world as an inspirational woman: she featured in Huffington Post's Most Amazing Young People of the Year and Newsweek's 125 Women of Impact. She has spoken at the United Nations for children affected by war and the Women in the World conference.

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