by Rebel Girls

AliciaAlonsoTakestheStage #NetGalley

Rebel Girls has done a fantastic job with this series of biographies about girls/women who faced challenges and successfully dealt with them. These are chapter books with short(ish) sections and good illustrations. They are just a bit over 100 pages long. To me, they seem just right for those in second or third grade and up.

This time, one of the best known dancer’s story is told. Life was not always easy for Alicia as she faced a serious vision problem that, in a less strong person, might have been career ending. How did she manage not to give up and not to hold back?

Young readers will enjoy getting to know Alicia, who adored dance from an early age, studying dance in Spain and Cuba before moving to New York with a young Senor Alonso. I loved the story of how she got her first pair of ballet toe shoes. Readers will be cheering for Alicia as she becomes the person that she dreamed of being.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Rebel Girls for this title.

From the Publisher

About the Rebel Girls Chapter Book Series

Introducing stories based on the lives of incredible women throughout history, each stunningly designed chapter book features full-color illustrations and bonus activities to encourage kids to explore the various fields in which each of these women thrived.

Introducing Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage

A creative reimagining of the life of Alicia Alonso as she adapts to disability and dances all over the world

She dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina and no obstacle could keep her from the stage.

New from Rebel Girls: Alicia Alonso Takes the Stage – a historic retelling of this world-renowned ballerina’s resilient rise. Perfect for the rebel dancer in your life!

Inside the Chapter Book

Full-color Illustrations Featuring full-color illustrations by artist Josefina Preumayr, which depict Alicia Alonso at all ages and her dancing on stages around the world.	Bonus Content This book includes bonus exercises and challenges for young readers to encourage creativity and confidence through movement. These activities were developed in partnership with Smashworks Dance, a New York-based dance company advocating for human rights through arts activism.	Arts in Action The arts are a key component of STEAM education, and arts education has proven to teach creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and inspire confidence in students. Alicia Alonso’s story shows how dedication to the arts as a performer can lead to success in the business of the arts as well.

See what readers are saying!

• “With this powerful, hope-filled story of overcoming one’s obstacles, readers will close this book and feel inspired to leave a legacy of their own.” -School Library Journal

• “Cheerful persistence and chatty relatability recur in this fictionalized biography of Cuban prima ballerina Alicia Alonso.” -Publishers Weekly

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