School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-The young narrator searches the sky for a wishing star to make her dreams of becoming a dancer come true. She wonders, "Could a colored girl like me ever become a prima ballerina?" She grows up at the ballet-watching rehearsals and fittings, admiring and donning costumes, and copying dance steps in the wings-as her mama cleans and stitches at a dance school in Harlem. One day, the ballet master sees the child dance and invites her to join the class, despite the fact that she cannot perform on stage with his white students. When her mother learns that Janet Collins, the first "colored" prima ballerina at the Metropolitan Opera, is performing, she buys tickets, "even though it'll cost her half of what she's put back for a new sewing machine." The magical night fuels the girl's hope, and her hardworking mama recognizes her talent and drive. This largely iconographic version of the book by Kristy Dempsey, illustrated by Floyd Cooper (Philomel, 2014), features some modest animation, such as laundry blowing in the wind and the little girl dancing. The camera zooms in for close-ups of Cooper's beautiful, muted mixed-media illustrations, revealing the streetscapes and fashions of the 1950s. Gentle background music and the young voice and inflection of narrator Bahni Turpin capture the heartwarming message that anything is possible with hard work and determination. VERDICT A quiet, slow-paced gem to inspire young dancers.-Barbara Auerbach, P.S. 217, Brooklyn, New York © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Growing up in 1950s Harlem, a girl dreams of being a ballerina, despite the huge obstacles of segregation and poverty. She's urged on by her hardworking mother, mentored by the Ballet Master (who allows her "to join lessons each day/ from the back of the room,/ even though I can't perform/ onstage with white girls"), and inspired by Janet Collins, the "first colored prima ballerina," who makes her debut at Metropolitan Opera while the girl sits in the balcony with her mother. "It's like Miss Collins is dancing for me,/ only for me," she thinks as she imagines herself leaping through the air alongside the beautiful, supremely confident Collins, "showing me who I can be." Although Dempsey's (Surfer Chick) prose-poem tends to be somber and sentimental, Cooper's (Max and the Tag-Along Moon) velvety, peach-hued pictures have passion, energy, and even flashes of humor, making the girl feel like a fully lived character. The story covers familiar inspirational territory, but has the benefit of serving as a brief introduction to the pioneering Collins. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Kendra Marcus, BookStop Literary Agency. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
A young African American girl longs to be a ballerina, but in the segregated 1950s, she doubts her dream is possible. Seeing ballerina Janet Collins--the first African American to perform at New York's Metropolitan Opera--gives the girl hope for her own future as a dancer. Soft mixed-media paintings, capturing the girl's joy, optimism, and dedication, accompany the spare, lyrical text. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Dreams do come true for a Harlem girl in the 1950s. Mama works hard sewing costumes for the ballet dancers at the old Metropolitan Opera House, and her daughter delights in trying them on and whirling around in front of a mirror. She even receives special permission from the Ballet Master to take class. But dreaming may not be enough. The skies over New York City are not clear enough to see the first star, the wishing star, and--more to the point--"Could a colored girl like me / ever become / a prima ballerina?" Then, one special night, the little girl and her mama attend a performance featuring Janet Collins, the first African-American dancer at the Met. Collins first danced there on November 13, 1951. Dempsey's expressive free verse is full of longing and dreams, all in the very believable voice of a ballet-loving girl. Cooper employs his signature style of textured art to lovingly capture Harlem in the '50s. His little dancer is equally beautiful waiting for a city bus or elegantly soaring as high as the lights of the theater in a pas de deux with Collins. A warm, inspirational collaboration that will resonate in the hearts of all who dream. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
*Starred Review* It's hard to find stars in the sky over New York City, which means it's hard to wish on one. A young black girl living in Harlem in the 1950s has a big wish, though: to be a prima ballerina. Her mama says you don't need wishes to make a dream come true you need hope. When the Ballet Master at the ballet school where Mama works cleaning and sewing costumes notices the girl mimicking dancers backstage, he takes notice: The Ballet Master made an arrangement / for me to join lessons each day / from the back of the room, / even though I can't perform / onstage with white girls. There's another reason to hope, too. Janet Collins, the first black prima ballerina, is performing at the Metropolitan Opera House. The girl and her mama take three buses to see her leap and twirl effortlessly across the stage. Dempsey's lyrical prose soars as it depicts one girl's dream and her efforts to make that dream a reality. Floyd's hazy mixed-media illustrations capture 1950s Harlem, from streetscapes to fashions, while also shining a spotlight on a girl's aspirations. An inspiring introduction to Collins that will speak to little dreamers everywhere.--Kelley, Ann Copyright 2014 Booklist