Summary:
A full accounting of five incredibly talented Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, founding members among them, that illuminates their hard-fought, historic, and overlooked contributions to the world of classical dance at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies.
A young adult adaptation of Karen Valby’s adult non-fiction title.
At the peak of the civil rights movement, Lydia Abarca was the first ballerina in a Black ballet company to grace the cover of Dance magazine. Alongside founding members Shelia Rohan and Gayle McKinney-Griffith and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, Abarca invited a bright light to shine on Black professional classical dancers. Grit, determination, and exquisite artistry propelled these swans of Harlem to dizzying heights as they performed around the world for audiences that included celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty.
Now, decades later, these trailblazing ballerinas and longtime friends are giving voice to their stories on- and offstage, reclaiming their past so that it is finally recorded, acknowledged, and lauded, never to be lost again.
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My Thoughts:
On the pastel pink cover it reads: Five black ballerinas, a legacy of sisterhood, and their reclamation of groundbreaking history. I could not write a better blurb for The Swans of Harlem.
The Swans of Harlem is an easy five star read. Valby worked with the dancers as she crafted their story. If you are looking to explore the history of black ballerinas in the United States, look not further than The Swans of Harlem.
Valby recounts a history many may not be aware of, I wasn’t. The Swans of Harlem was a powerful read. In an author interview Valby asked what she hoped teen readers took away from The Swans of Harlem, she replied, “I hope they’re moved by the idea that dreams accomplished amongst friends are the most rewarding. None of us should have to go it alone.” I cannot agree more with her, I hope every read who reads The Swans of Harlem is empowered to follow their dreams.
About the Author:
KAREN VALBY is the author of two books of nonfiction: The Swans of Harlem and Welcome to Utopia: Notes from a Small Town. A contributing editor for Vanity Fair, she also writes for the New York Times, O Magazine, Glamour, Fast Company, and EW, where she spent fifteen years writing about culture. She and her family live in Austin, Texas, where her daughters study dance at Ballet Afrique.
Author socials:
Check out the others highlighting The Swans of Harlem on this tour!
Give away for The Swans of Harlem!
– 5 winners will receive a paperback copy of The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults) by Karen Valby.
– US only, we will select the winners and ship directly
– The giveaway starts at 12:01am ET on February 24th and ends March 9th at 11:59pm ET
Lit Lemon Books 
Sounds like a great read!
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