Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao's Last Dancer

Grade 3–5—A poignant memoir of a boy caught in the difficulties of life in Maoist China, this is the author's own story of how he was given a chance to break the bonds of his bleak life and become an international star. First told for adults in the bestseller Mao's Last Dancer (Berkley, 2005) and now available in a Young Readers' Edition of the same name (Walker, 2008), this picture-book version is an inspiring tale of the willingness to make the most of one's opportunities, even when it entails tremendous personal sacrifice. Li and his family lived the life that most ordinary Chinese endured during Mao's reign: substandard housing with little to eat and less to hope for. When his teacher recommended him for the Beijing Dance Academy, he got his chance to break free, but he had to train far away from his home and family. Li's intense training paid off, as he was offered the chance to dance with the Houston Ballet, and his greatest dream was realized when his parents were finally able to come to the U.S. to see him perform. This fascinating, heartfelt story is perfectly matched by Spudvilas's masterful paintings. The somber grays and blues of the first part of the story underline the bleakness of Li's life, giving way to bursts of color when he defects to America. The figures are beautifully drawn, with infinite care given to details of expressions and surroundings, resulting in a realistic portrayal of the people and places.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
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