Taking Flight

Taking Flight is a memoir by professional ballet dancer Michaela DePrince, who chronicles her journey from war-torn Sierra Leone to becoming a successful performer with the Dutch National Ballet. The book follows her early childhood during the civil war, her time in an orphanage, and her adoption by an American family. The narrative tracks DePrince's development as a dancer, beginning with her discovery of ballet through a magazine cover she found in Sierra Leone. Her path to professional dance includes training at the Rock School for Dance Education and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre. The memoir addresses DePrince's experiences with loss, racism in the ballet world, and the physical demands of professional dance training. Her relationship with her adoptive family and their support of her dancing career forms a central element of the story. Taking Flight explores themes of resilience, identity, and the transformative power of art in the face of adversity. The book stands as both a ballet memoir and a broader meditation on finding purpose through passion.

Readers connect with Michaela DePrince's honest portrayal of her journey from Sierra Leone orphan to professional ballet dancer. Many reviewers note the book's accessibility for young readers while still addressing serious topics. Readers appreciated: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Balance of ballet details with personal story - Messages about perseverance and hope - Photo sections showing DePrince's life stages Common criticisms: - Some felt the co-writing with her mother created an uneven narrative voice - A few readers wanted more depth about her professional dance career - Several noted the story ends before her most recent accomplishments Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (380+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) "Her voice comes through as genuine and determined," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. Another noted: "This book handles difficult subjects in a way young readers can process without losing impact."

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🌟 Michaela DePrince was known as orphan #27 at her Sierra Leone orphanage before being adopted by an American family. 🩰 Despite being told she was "too dark" for ballet, DePrince became the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem at age 17. 📚 The book started as a Mother's Day gift - Michaela and her adoptive mother wrote down memories together, which eventually evolved into this memoir. 🦒 A magazine cover featuring a ballerina, which blew against the orphanage fence in Sierra Leone, inspired young Michaela's dream of becoming a dancer. 💫 DePrince has vitiligo, a skin condition that caused her to be labeled "the devil's child" at her orphanage, but she later embraced these spots as her "leopard skin" and a unique part of her identity.