Hope in a Ballet Shoe: Orphaned by war, saved by ballet: an extraordinary true story

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As a small child she became orphaned in war-torn Sierra Leone, went through some hair-raising experiences, was fortunately adopted by the most amazing American couple, the DePrinces, and she has gone on to achieve a great deal in the world of ballet in her own right. She escapes Sierra Leone thanks to two extraordinary people who adopt both Michaela and her best friend, Mia. Incredibly, today Michaela is an international ballet star, dancing for The Dutch National Ballet at the age of 19. This is the real life story of one of the most incredible and inspirational young people in the world.

Today, Michaela is an international ballet star, dancing for The Dutch National Ballet at the age of 19. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.While she is studying ballet in America racist behaviours are touched on but they are not the focus, so the memoir is very hopeful and inspiring as a result. It is aimed at teenagers, although it is written in quite a simple way, so it could be read bymore able Year 6 children. She is recognised throughout the world as an inspirational woman: she featured in Huffington Post's Most Amazing Young People of the Year and Newsweek's 125 Women of Impact and has spoken at the United Nations. Soon after the discovery of the ballerina, Michaela was adopted by an American family that encouraged her to pursue her passion for ballet. In a society where people could feel discouraged or hopeless, Michaela's story is an inspiration to follow our dreams and find happiness in the face of hardship.

Michaela DePrince's story is very heartwarming and I really enjoyed getting to know her through this book. I reccommend this book if you are in to dance, or even if you're not, you might enjoy this true story of a girl who followed her dream. A lot of praise has to be given to her adoptive parents: they have been wonderful with her and other adopted children. It is completely relevant whether one is a ballet lover or not, and will be of particular interest to people who have undertaken cross-cultural adoptions. Sent to an orphanage, Michaela is mistreated and she sees the brutal murder of her favourite teachers.Moi-même qui ne rêvait que d'être ballerine depuis toute petite, suis fascinée par cette autobiographie écrite par Michaela De Prince et sa maman adoptive. In all fairness, although the author does talk about the wrongs taken against her due to her race she does not wallow in self pity.

Racial prejudices present not only in the world of dance but also in modern day America makes it more difficult for her to become a professional ballerina.

Her father exposed her from a young age to the reading and the power of knowledge to which his brother (her uncle) critiqued, claiming no daughter should be taught to read as their only fate is to become a housewife. I did feel that after Michaela grew up and had adjusted to life in America, and began to be recognized as a great dancer that the story was told with a lot of rose-tinted glasses. She was sent to ballet lessons by her family she she did indeed grow up to become a world class ballerina. I first heard about Michaela DePrince when Dirk Badenhorst, CEO of what is now Joburg Ballet, brought the young ballerina to South Africa where he hosted the African premiere of First Position, the ballet documentary which featured Micaela DePrince, as well as allowing her to dance with the company, more importantly in the lead role of Le Corsaire. Excellent biographical story, moving from death of parents, an orphanage in Africa, rebel army atrocities, to the escape, safety, healthcare and love of caring adoptive parents in the USA, from early childhood.