Dancing Wheels

by Patricia McMahon, John Godt (Photographer)

Author Patricia McMahon takes us backstage with the Dancing Wheels dance company and into the lives of two young dancers — Jenny, a “sit-down” dancer, and her partner Devin, a “stand-up” dancer. She also introduces readers to the woman who founded the company, Mary Verdi-Fletcher. Mary was born with spina bifida but always dreamed of becoming a dancer. When she grew up, she not only fulfilled that dream, she made it possible for others to follow in her path.
Photographer John Godt has captured the daily hard work and joyful moments in the studio as well as the incredible transformation of the dancers after months of preparation. Once they are onstage, a special, almost indescribable magic occurs — a dramatic choreography of wheels, arms, legs, color, costumes, lighting, music, and movement: the magic of Dancing Wheels.

48 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 2000

Reviews

[Miss Balzaretti · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book, Dancing Wheels, tells the story of a dance company that incorporates dancers in wheelchairs and those who can stand. The book introduces Mary, who is the creator of the dance company, and her journey to becoming a dancer while being in a wheelchair. The book takes you through the process of a dance group from their summer workshop, preparing a dance number, and then performing it in a bigger production in the fall. The book interviews many child dancers in the group and incorporates a lot of photographs to show the reader inside and outside the dance studio. During parts of this book the text loses its focus. Instead of talking just about dance number, McMahon talks about the dancers outside of the studio, this can distract the reader and also confuse them on the importance of adding things unrelated to dance. The book also has a problem separating the passages awkwardly between pages and sometimes the pictures cause these issues. Lastly, McMahon talks a lot about the younger dancer, which helps making a connection to younger readers. But she never quotes the children, she instead uses phrases saying “she thinks” when talking about the children. This makes me question how does McMahon know what the children are thinking, and if they told her, why didn’t she just quote them? Overall, this book has a great message to children in wheelchairs by showing them that their disability cannot hold them back. It would be a great addition to any classroom library.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I do ballet, I really found this book enjoyable. It was very informative on the subject of dance as a whole, and also on the topic of different kind of dancers such as "sit down" dancers who dance from wheel chairs. I think this book is great inspiration for those with physical limitations, and also brings awareness to children that people with disabilities are just like everyone else. This is a wonderful book to teach about dance as well as accepting those who are different. It would be a great addition to any elementary school classroom or library,

[Colleen]

Bodies in Motion - unit 3
Nonfiction

[Buxmont Uu]

WOOW 5