Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina
Cover of Life In Motion
AuthorMisty Copeland, Charisse Jones
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreMemoir, Autobiography
PublisherTouchstone
Publication date
March 4th 2014
Media typePrint (hardcover, paperback)
ISBN978-1-47-673798-0

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina is an autobiography by Misty Copeland, written with Charisse Jones, published March 4, 2014 by Aladdin.[1] In the book, Copeland discusses her history toward becoming the only African-American soloist with the American Ballet Theatre following a life in which she and her family lived in poverty.[1]

A young readers edition was published December 6, 2016.[2]

The book was a New York Times bestseller.

Reception

First edition

In a starred review on behalf of Booklist, Amber Peckham noted that Copeland's "professional success is impressive, but it’s not what makes her memoir such an unexpected page-turner". Peckham explained, "What keeps us reading is Copeland’s intelligent, fair, and warm voice. She speaks with candor about having to lose her luscious curves and cover herself with white makeup to look more acceptable on stage, but she never places blame on those who asked her to do so. Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all."[3]

Publishers Weekly described the writing as "graceful", noting that "Copeland demonstrates a remarkable ability to focus on the positive. Although she expresses a responsibility to break through color barriers for aspiring black dancers, her achievements will encourage all those attempting to beat the odds in competitive fields".[4]

Kirkus Reviews described the book as "interesting but self-congratulatory", noting that "Copeland’s depiction of the drive that pushed her to succeed in a white-dominated art form is inspiring, but she often overplays her narrative hand to the point where self-assurance comes across as smugness or arrogance."[5]

The Washington Post[6] also reviewed Life in Motion.

Young readers edition

Kirkus Reviews noted that "Copeland writes in a conversational tone" and that the book would be good for "any reader in need of inspiration".[7]

Booklist also reviewed the young readers edition.[8]

Awards and honors

Life in Motion was a New York Times bestseller.[9]

In 2014, Booklist included Life in Motion on their list of the year's "Top 10 Arts Books".[10] The following year, they included it on their list of 2015's "Top 10 Multicultural Nonfiction" books.[11]

In 2017, the Young Adult Library Services Association named Life in Motion a top ten selection for their list of Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Copeland, Misty (2014). Life in motion : an unlikely ballerina. Charisse Jones. New York. ISBN 978-1-4767-3798-0. OCLC 852226309.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ↑ Copeland, Misty; Colbert, Brandy (2016). Life in motion : an unlikely ballerina (Young Readers ed.). New York. ISBN 978-1-4814-7980-6. OCLC 956984835.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ↑ Peckham, Amber (February 1, 2014). "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  4. ↑ "Nonfiction Book Review: Life in Motion: My Story of Adversity and Grace by Misty Copeland. Touchstone, $24.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-4767-3798-0". Publishers Weekly. 2014-03-31. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  5. ↑ "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina". Kirkus Reviews. January 16, 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  6. ↑ Halzack, Sarah (2014-03-14). "'Life in Motion': Not as easy as she makes it look". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2014-03-28. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  7. ↑ "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina". Kirkus Reviews. October 11, 2016. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina: Young Readers Edition". Booklist. November 1, 2016. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  9. ↑ Morales, Macey (2017-12-05). "Acclaimed author, ballerina Misty Copeland to serve as 2018 National Library Week honorary chair". American Library Association. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  10. ↑ Seaman, Donna (November 1, 2014). "Top 10 Arts Books: 2014". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  11. ↑ Seaman, Donna (February 1, 2015). "Top 10 Multicultural Nonfiction: 2015". Booklist. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
  12. ↑ "2017 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). 2017-01-18. Archived from the original on 2021-10-25. Retrieved 2021-10-25.
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