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“A long hallway, or a parking lot just begged for dance”

I like how even though she stops dancing due to injuries and other circumstances, she still holds onto the part of her that is a dancer. I think this shows that you can have a passion, but it doesn‘t have to be your whole life, it can just be part of who you are.

Published 2006. A young girl finds a passion for ballet. She finds inspiration from watching a traveling ballet, watching movies, and reading books. This graphic novel tells the story of her journey to becoming a ballerina. She has some challenges along the way, and stops dancing to go to college, but she knows deep down she will always be a dancer.

This children‘s graphic memoir tells the story of the author leaving San Juan and coming to NYC to pursue her dance education. It tracks her inspirations and mentor figures in the ballet world. The story ends quite suddenly as she suffers a career ending injury, starts college instead, and then returns to dance (presumably for fun) because that‘s where her heart is.

This was a good example of nonfiction because the imagery was more of a focus than the words, but they still extend the text and the text was clear and easy to follow.

I would use this is my future classroom because young children love to dance so they can see a character who persevered and made her love into a career. Also, because it is a comic book style, it would pull the children's attention.

“We practiced the same steps every time, day after day, week after week, month after month.”

“She's like a bird, but more than just a bird...“

I would use this in my classroom to show my students that they should never give up and push through the hard times just like Sierra did throughout her life.

This is non-fiction because it tells the true story of a ballerina Sierra following her dreams and making them come true. The facts are stated clearly throughout the text.

“Big empty spaces always made me dance.”

I thought the story wasn't overly interesting, but I loved looking at the pictures. I think that young children would enjoy the art too, and older kids might like the story. Especially if you have students who are interested in dance.

This biography was a story about a girl's desire to dance. I loved how the majority of the story was told through pictures, and the sentences were pretty short. The story itself was long, but the words were short and sweet. I think a lot of the focus is on the art. I wasn't really interested in this story, but I think that the pictures were beautiful and children of all ages would enjoy that kind of artistry.

The media used within the book was suitable For the purpose of the text and the illustrations went along. The one thing I did like about this book was hell a style of the book really included the reader and made them feel involved.

I could see myself both using and not using this book in my future classroom. The book was somewhat long and boring in my opinion, but it could help students with their interests and motivation.

I wanted to join theKirov and be one of those little girls with bare legs.

“A couple of years later, I went back to the barre because I still needed to dance. Dancing fills a space in me.“

I would use this book in my classroom because I already felt a connection to the book because it kind of describes my life as far as how I danced and then before college started I quit dancing because I wanted to experience other things. But now I am rethinking about dancing again! I hope by having this as a resource in my classroom that it will inspire my students the same way that it did with me.

To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel written by Mark Siegel and Siena Cherson Siegel. A biography about her interest and pure love for dance. The words flow and arch with the page.

“She danced his death.“

I would this book in a classroom because I think children would really love the artwork and cartoons. I also would use this because it appeals to different readers' preferences., especially if I knew some students were interested in dance.

This was a good nonfiction book because the author is qualified to write about this topic because it was about her life and experiences.

3.5 🌟
This is a graphic memoir about one girls dream to dance. Unlike what a reader expects, this does not show a dancer who starts out young and becomes the best ever, youngest ever, prima ballerina, but a real story about someone who tried. They never failed, but they did try. And they still love to dance. It intermixes the dance with stories of amazing choreographers, and a little girl living though her parents divorce.

“Big empty spaces always made me dance.”

The artwork by Mark Siegel is just fantastic and beautifully done.

A great book that is told in comic book form. Sentences are short, story is long and interesting. I can see dancers of any age loving this book.

I like how each sentence has a picture for better explanation to the reader

-memoir
-biography
-The Robert F. sibert honor book
This is like a comic book that would catch young readers eye. This book would be good for 2-6th grade.

“ Instead I went to college, a difficult and complete change for me, but I needed to grow and develop in new ways. And I did”
Such a strong character development, so inspiring !

I LOVE THIS!! Such a beautiful picture of a dream and goals to achieve!

Published in 2006, this biography of a ballerina is inspiring because it shows her journey from Puerto Rico to Boston and her development as a dancer! The subjects life offers interest and meaning for today‘s child because a lot of students are engaging in extra curriculars and find some similar struggles as this young girl. Maybe not as big, but similar!

The artwork in this graphic novel is beautiful & anyone with a history of dance will relate to it. I recognised myself in just the first few images & words. A memoir, I found it to also be a tribute to the great dancers who influenced the writer. A surprising ending was very moving. I only wish it could have been longer - so many of the topics felt as though they were just touched on, I could‘ve easily read double the length.

I found this graphic novel among some secondhand books. Looks like the perfect read for this dance teacher!

A beautiful graphic memoir about ballet and dancing.