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Valerie Gladstone
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A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student Hardcover – March 31, 2009

by Valerie Gladstone (Author), Jose Ivey (Photographer)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
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Meet Iman Bright, a thirteen-year-old student at the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Iman is passionate about dance, but she also enjoys drawing, playing music, and of course, hanging out with her friends. Follow Iman as she warms up at the barre, practices violin, and gets ready for a performance with her fellow students.

In descriptive words and striking photographs, this informative picture book provides fascinating insight into the world of dance through the voice of one very talented young performer.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 14 years
  2. Print length
    48 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    3 - 6
  5. Lexile measure
    860L
  6. Dimensions
    8.36 x 0.41 x 11.32 inches
  7. Publisher
    Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
  8. Publication date
    March 31, 2009
  9. ISBN-10
    0805082336
  10. ISBN-13
    978-0805082333
  11. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
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Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Readers old enough to remember Jill Krementz’s A Very Young series will recognize a similar format in this book about a 13-year-old African American dancer that combines strong color photos and lively, first-person text. Iman Bright is a student at New York City’s Ailey School, founded by the late Alvin Ailey, the famed choreographer whose eponymous dance company continues to perform programs, drawn from African American cultural traditions, around the world. Each spread matches multiple images of the talented teen with Iman’s descriptions of her hectic days, spent in academic classes, long dance practices, and lessons with her violin teacher. Young dancers will love the images and specific details of life in the studio, where Iman practices African- and Latin American–inspired dances along with traditional ballet. But a wide range of readers will find inspiration in Iman’s dedication and in her joyful approach to her discipline, which allows her to take criticism in stride and to connect to deep feelings: “It makes me feel good, like I’m in church.” Grades 1-4. --Gillian Engberg

Review

“There's some sweat, lots of smiles and an all-around feeling of joy and pride. Aspiring dancers will warm up to Iman and, one hopes, put on some music and start dancing on their own.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A wide range of readers will find inspiration in Iman's dedication and in her joyful approach to her discipline, which allows her to take criticism in stride and to connect to deep feelings” ―Booklist

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (March 31, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 48 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0805082336
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0805082333
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 14 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 860L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.36 x 0.41 x 11.32 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the author

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Valerie Gladstone

Valerie Gladstone

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Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ceres Madoo
5.0 out of 5 stars A Young Dancer - very inspiring for young and older than young!
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2009
Verified Purchase
What a treasure for anyone interested in dance, especially aspiring dancers. The day to day activities of a
dedicated and motivated young woman, remind me that there is great beauty in hard work, that moments of serious art happen in practice, among friends and daily. The stage is where the audience usually gets to see
"the show", but Gladstone presents the journey to the stage as just as important or MORE. Bravo to an unusual and inspiring book!
3 people found this helpful
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G. R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Cute book for young dancers
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
Very important book. Young ladies of color dancing touched my heart. Love the dance company this book covers also. Great book for all young dancers. I got a good clean copy too. It was packaged nicely and came on time.
One person found this helpful
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S. H.
5.0 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2011
I am a teacher and I purchased this book for a student. It is a wonderful book with fantastic pictures and a great story. It is perfect for tween african american girls with a postive story and awesome pictures that they can relate to. I will buy this again.
One person found this helpful
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terryh
5.0 out of 5 stars A great book on a young dancer
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2009
This is a really great dance book for kids. It's easy to read and beautiful to look at. The photos are so good that you feel that you are right there in class. It's also great to see an African-American child featured in a children's book about dance - that hardly ever happens.
One person found this helpful
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Judith Van Ingen
5.0 out of 5 stars Alvin Ailey at 50
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2009
What better gift to the first interracial dance company, than this exquisite story of a young Ailey dancer? Valerie Gladstone and Jose Ivey have crafted a delightful witness to a young girl's story of joy and persistence. Lovely to read and look at, this is a treat for all ages.
One person found this helpful
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