"Autobiography of a Romanian-born American impresario, now in her 90s, whose love for ballet led her to become, for more than four decades, one of the first successful 20th century female theatrical producers of the performing arts in Asia and Europe, especially in Germany"--Provided by publisher.

A reckoning with one of our most beloved art forms, whose past and present are shaped by gender, racial, and class inequities—and a look inside the fight for its future Every day, in dance studios all across America, legions of little children line up at the barre to take ballet class. This time in the studio shapes their lives, instilling lessons about gender, power, bodies, and their place in the world both in and outside of dance. In Turning Pointe, journalist Chloe Angyal captures the intense love for ballet that so many dancers feel, while also grappling with its devastating shortcomings: the power imbalance of an art form performed mostly by women, but dominated by men; the impossible standards of beauty and thinness; and the racism that keeps so many people of color out of ballet. As the rigid traditions of ballet grow increasingly out of step with the modern world, a new generation of dancers is confronting these issues head on, in the studio and on stage. For ballet to survive the twenty-first century and forge a path into a more socially just future, this reckoning is essential.

Finalist, the Arts Club of Washington Marfield Prize A look inside a dancer’s world Inspiring, revealing, and deeply relatable, Being a Ballerina is a firsthand look at the realities of life as a professional ballet dancer. Through episodes from her own career, Gavin Larsen describes the forces that drive a person to study dance; the daily balance that dancers navigate between hardship and joy; and the dancer’s continual quest to discover who they are as a person and as an artist. Starting with her arrival as a young beginner at a class too advanced for her, Larsen tells how the embarrassing mistake ended up helping her learn quickly and advance rapidly. In other stories of her early teachers, training, and auditions, she explains how she gradually came to understand and achieve what she and her body were capable of. Larsen then re-creates scenes from her experiences in dance companies, from unglamorous roles to exhilarating performances. Working as a ballerina was shocking and scary at first, she says, recalling unexpected injuries, leaps of faith, and her constant struggle to operate at the level she wanted—but full of enormously rewarding moments. Larsen also reflects candidly on her difficult decision to retire at age 35. An ideal read for aspiring dancers, Larsen’s memoir will also delight experienced dance professionals and fascinate anyone who wonders what it takes to live a life dedicated to the perfection of the art form.

Ballet, dance, adventure, mystery, magic, fantasy and a touch of first-love romance combine in this spellbinding series for preteens, tweens and teens. If you think this is your regular ballet or urban fantasy book, think again! 13-year-old Gemma James is just your average girl with anything-but-average dreams of being a professional ballet dancer. She attends the prestigious SA Ballet Academy - an eerie old ballet school bursting with secrets...and where nothing is quite what it seems. Now the Grade 7s at the academy are putting on a performance of the enchanting ballet Giselle, and Gemma is determined to get a lead role. But the discovery of a 100-year-old mystery in the depths of the old academy building one moonlit night, stiff competition from the other teen dancers, and the constant harassment of Super Snob and star performer, Aimee Atherton, all threaten to derail Gemma's chances. Plus cute new boy Ethan Blake has just transferred to the academy from a top London ballet school, and he's complicating things even further. Will Gemma get her chance to dance? Readers will fall in love with sassy Gemma and her alluring sense of adventure, as well as best friends Marley Moon and Dineo as they get to grips with life in this unusual ballet school with its enchanting setting and larger-than-life characters. Dance with your Heart is the first book in the delightful SA Ballet Academy series of fantasy dance and ballet books for girls. "As a hardened ballet teacher of many years of back-breaking work in my beloved profession, I fell in love with the characters in DANCE WITH YOUR HEART. An extremely enjoyable read, it is also fun and catches with great wit, the foibles of both fellow pupils and teachers. This is a great book for parents and all ages of dancers to read - for those of us for whom the magic of dance will always continue." Amy Gould, Editor: Imaginemag "I read the first book, DANCE WITH YOUR HEART. My daughter Megan and myself couldn't wait to read the book, we both enjoyed it so much. It kept us captivated. Thank you Bronwyn for a wonderful book. Looking forward to the next one!" Sanet, reader "I absolutely adored DANCE WITH YOUR HEART. I really enjoyed the story and all the characters! I even felt different in my first dance class after reading it! I can't wait for the next one!" Taylor, 13, reader "When I read DANCE WITH YOUR HEART I felt as though I'd been granted access to a world filled with magic and dance, where anything was possible. I LOVED this novel. Gemma had me wishing I was a ballerina and attending a ballet academy from page one; she showed me the excitement and struggles dancers face from beautiful costumes, long lasting friendships and even bleeding toes! With characters that dived out of the novel and pirouetted across my room, it was easy to imagine them as my best friends, rather than characters in a book. They were easy to love and oh-so real. All I wanted to do was step out of my room and visit Gemma on stage or, have a conversation with Ethan or burn Aimee to the ground because I hated her. I loved the journey the group took together and can't wait to see what else they discover at SABA!" Storm, 15, reader "My 14-year-old daughter loved this book and says it has a real story - it is not just a little girl's book about tutus and tiaras. There's a ghost called Emily and a cute boy too..." Sasha Wyatt-Minter, editor: All4Women

Join Louis and Ella on a new adventure as they start Ballet classes. Together they meet new friends and challenge themselves to fulfil their dreams to dance with heart. Ella is shy but willing to try, Louis is brave and never afraid, both children are eager to start ballet for the very first time. A heart-warming story of friendship and perseverance. Ballet with Heart celebrates inclusion, highlighting boys in ballet and classical dance for children of all abilities.

A distinguished dance critic offers an enchanting introduction to the art of ballet As much as we may enjoy Swan Lake or The Nutcracker, for many of us ballet is a foreign language. It communicates through movement, not words, and its history lies almost entirely abroad -- in Russia, Italy, and France. In Celestial Bodies, dance critic Laura Jacobs makes the foreign familiar, providing a lively, poetic, and uniquely accessible introduction to the world of classical dance. Combining history, interviews with dancers, technical definitions, descriptions of performances, and personal stories, Jacobs offers an intimate and passionate guide to watching ballet and understanding the central elements of choreography. Beautifully written and elegantly illustrated with original drawings, Celestial Bodies is essential reading for all lovers of this magnificent art form.

Winner of the Books Are My Bag Readers Award Aya is eleven years old and has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from war in Syria. When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class, the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship. But at the same time, Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country, to make a home for themselves and to find Aya's father - separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria. With beautiful, captivating writing, wonderfully authentic ballet detail, and an important message championing the rights of refugees, this is classic storytelling - filled with warmth, hope and humanity. "Wise and kind and unputdownable." - Hilary McKay, Costa Book Prize-winning author of The Skylarks' War "A perfect balance of tragedy and triumph." - Natasha Farrant, author of The Children of Castle Rock "A moving story about one of the big issues of our time, told with wonderful clarity, and incredibly touching." - Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo "A moving, textured story ... Ballet Shoes for the 21st century" - The Times