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An incredible true story.
FULL REVIEW: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2021/01/review-taking-flight.html

Born in #SierraLeone, Michaela DePrince lost both parents at age 3. She happened on a dance magazine at her orphanage and fell in love. Here she tells her story of becoming a professional ballerina. This is told for a YA audience, which I think is great—she shows black girls can do ballet and hard work can be rewarded. 🩰

ReadingAfrica2022

Read it in week hour night was good

What mixed emotions this story makes. Wow so sad yet so angry differnt feeling at every page. I into this story ana not my normal gere. But my mum requested this book for Mother‘s Day and finished it recently amd passed it onto me to read. Glad I have I have like 4 books on go anybody else or just me??????? 3 paperbacks 1 on kindle

I have so much admiration for Michaela DePrince. Born in Sierra Leone, she was raised in America after the age of 5, and now lives in Amsterdam where she is a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet. Her work with War Child Holland and her incredible dancing are both so inspiring! Fans of Beyonce's "Lemonade" and Childish Gambino's "This is America" may also recognize her.
#AfricanLady #WanderingJune
@Cinfhen @BarbaraBB

Orphaned in war-torn Sierra Leone at only 4 years old, Michaela was adopted by American parents, got an entirely new life, and was eventually able to live out her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. An inspiring memoir of her perseverance and passion.
#ABBAInAugust #dancingqueen

I danced for 10+ years when I was younger & there were times I thought I might make a career of it. I gave it up for a lot of reasons, one being that I didn‘t have it in me to push through the competitive nature of professional dance. I have so much love & respect for the dancers who do persevere & make it, especially those like Michaela who overcome so many more obstacles than I‘ll ever face. #tobeyounggiftedandblack

#FierceFeb
@Cinfhen @batsy

Michaela DePrince dreamed of becoming a ballerina when she was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone. After she was adopted by a family in the US, she began studying ballet, but she had to overcome many challenges. She was featured in the movie First Position!
#24in48 #bodypositivememoir #booked2018 #nonfiction2018

You may know Michaela from Beyonce's Lemonade! I just realized that this was her. She was so amazing in this video. 🐝🐝🐝🍋🍋🍋🍋

Be inspired. This was such a quick and easy, but extremely emotional read. In this memoir Michaela details her experiences as a young child in Sierrra Leonne, the adoption that brought her to America and her passion for dancing. She is now a professional ballerina and it is amazing to see the woman she has become. #ballet #ballerina #blackballerina #love #beinspired

"We saw hundreds of dead bodies on our way out of Sierra Leone." I'm not sure what I was expecting but the traumatic events being described in this memoir are blowing me away. Deprince isnt a great writer but she is telling her story in a very simple and honest way that is almost painful. There was so much lost at such a young age.

The next book on my list.... So change in direction! I was supposed to start Americanah today but I realized this weekend is going to be a mess with family in town so I am switching gears to this beauty. I love ballet and I can't wait to read her story! And this cover! 😍😍😍😍😍 I swear I could live my life in a tutu!

And then this happened today because I couldn't resist grabbing it even though I have a shelf with over 100 books waiting to be read.

Spotted at Barnes & Noble: this new, pretty copy of Taking Flight (which I read last year & really liked.)

Michaela's story is amazing and so interesting. Her struggles as an orphan in Sierra Leone were heartbreaking. Her struggles with racism in ballet were frustrating. Her triumphs in her ballet career were inspiring. A truly worthwhile teen memoir.

1/2 way through -good non fic pick for teens