Michaela DePrince tells her harrowing story of leaving war-torn Sierra Leone and Ghana with her best friend from the orphanage for a better life with a foster family in the U.S.
Born Mabinty Bangura to a happy family, she loses her father to rebel gunfire and her mother to disease--but not before her enlightened father had taught her five languages. Her gifts gain her entry to an overcrowded orphanage, where she meets Mabinty Suma and they become fast friends--orphans Number 26 and 27. As four-year-olds, they are beaten and verbally abused by Auntie Fatmata, but their friendship nourishes them, and Papa Andrew, who runs the orphanage, is kind. Kindness reaches new heights, however, when it comes to Charles and Elaine DePrince, who adopt both Mabintys and rename them Michaela and Mia. Throughout her time in West Africa, Michaela had held onto a photograph of a ballet dancer, dreaming of the day when she could dance en pointe. Thanks to the DePrinces, she learns to dance and excels in ballet. The author also candidly discusses how she was shunned in her own village due to her "spots" (caused by vitiligo), and marginalized in America because she's black--especially in the ballet world.
This courageous young woman's story, her insightful observations and the tenacity of her dreams end with a place in the Dutch National Ballet. A full-color photo insert brings DePrince's story to life. Not just for balletomanes, this is an inspiring story of survival--and joy achieved through hard work and passion. --Jennifer M. Brown, children's editor, Shelf Awareness