The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults): Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History

by Karen Valby

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.

It was true until only recently, their past achievements had been erased—that’s what happened to five Black ballerinas, members of the groundbreaking Dance Theater of Harlem. At the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, Lydia Abarca, who dance critics praised effusively, was the first Black prima ballerina of this major dance company, performing lead roles in the most iconic ballets. She was also the first Black ballerina to grace the cover of Dance magazine.

Alongside fellow founding members Sheila Rohan and Gayle McKinney-Griffith, and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, these swans of Harlem shone a bright light on the depth of Black professional classical dancers. Their grit, determination, and exquisite artistry propelled them to dizzying heights, but over the decades, their trailblazing and triumphs were largely forgotten. Now these ballerinas and longtime friends are giving voice to their stories on and off stage—reclaiming a past so that it is finally recorded and acknowledged.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Middle Grade

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+++! What an inspiring book. Review to come, but I just have to say that this audio adaptation for young adults is impressive on every score. I especially appreciated the brief audio inclusions from some of the pioneers featured in this book.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good! I hate that their story was so largely untold. So glad they're getting their flowers now. As for work and ToB, I would love to see someone else read it. I enjoyed it, but I'd like to know what they think since it's more memoir and less narrative. ETA: The author of this is not Black and she specifies this in the beginning of the book. However, I chose to read and review this because the women of this book are the ones who came to her to ask for her to tell their story. (You can see that
Here)

[Caitlynn Baysinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending made me so emotional??

I wanted to be intentional during Black History Month this year, and learn something new about black history. Like most people, the first black ballerina that I had ever heard of is Misty Copeland. I quickly learned that there were hundreds of black ballerinas before her.
It was interesting to learn about the history of black women and men in ballet, and in dance in general. This book proved what we already know is true; that there is so much black history that the general public is unaware of!
I am glad that I took time to learn something new!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of narrative nonfiction, and this stands up well with some of my favorites. The stories are dramatic, personal and emotional, keeping the reader invested in the history. I'm always curious about adaptations for youth, and what is left in or left out. The only flaw I can see in this case is a few instances when it is difficult to keep the different characters straight. Mostly people are referred to by their last names, which is clear and easy, but occasionally, usually when quoting, first names are used, and I was forced to stop reading and look up who this person was. However, the book is still readable and the story is an important one. Even for readers less interested in dance specifically, the narrative of a "first" at something outshining and even erasing, however unintentionally, those that came before in the eyes of history is an important one to acknowledge and discard.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What about grandma?”, a powerful line uttered by Black prima ballerina Lydia Abarca’s grandchild Hannah. The book seeks to answer this exact question for readers who have never heard of the five Black ballerinas who broke the racial barriers in Harlem and globally. Most of us have heard of Misty Copeland, now almost a household name and certainly the first Black ballerina to achieve such a status. However, in this adaptation of her 2024 adult book, Karen Valby calls on us to correct a history that has left out Lydia Abarca-Mitchell, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton-Benjamin. We are taken through the early lives of these women and how the impacts of the assassination of MLK and the fight for civil rights deeply impacted their young minds and influenced their love of dance. Joining the Harlem School of the Arts (which would become the Dance Theatre of Harlem) under the direction of Arthur Mitchell began a lifelong journey for these women. The book takes us into their careers, even highlighting personal stories such as Marcia Sells’s struggle with body image and the pressure to lose weight. The book is filled with black-and-white photographs of the ballerinas at different stages of their lives. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Mary Garback · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book amends a recent segment of ballet history that was erased. Five black ballerinas literally worked themselves to the bones (of their toes, anyway) and sacrificed themselves on the altar of ballet. Karen Valby tells their stories, allowing them to regain their legacy as the first black prima ballerinas in the U.S.
As a neophyte to the world of ballet, I was surprised to find that I enjoyed reading the book (I’d assumed there’d be technical info that’d leave me floundering). Hopefully it will encourage young ballet dancers of color now and in the future to pursue their dreams. I received an ARC copy of this book from a Goodreads promotion; this is my personal opinion, which I’m freely sharing.

[Kate Mester · Rating 4 out of 5]

My pick for the book club with niece, because she does ballet and just got her first point shoes. Great discussions from this book, I learned a lot, as did she, and am glad this founding five are telling their stories (and others', even at the end, they find the story of another Black ballerina before them). Even though this is the YA version of the adult book, I think the writing is still pretty adult and the audience for this is still likely college/adult rather than younger YA. Read Cicely Tyson's memoir and forgot about her connection with DTH, so that was a nice - oh yes - connection to make here. Especially appreciated how the Reverence section brought us back to modern day and shining a light on their legacy, I teared up.

[Cierra Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an inspiring story about black women paving the world for ballerinas. The stories and experiences they each had to endure to prove to the world that they were just as powerful and worthy as their white counterparts. I found myself rooting for them, yelling when they encounter racism. The sickening things people thought they could say to another human being.

I hate it.

It was beautiful to hear these women’s stories. To let their voices be heard. The women who paved the way. Inclusion is important. The only problem I had was it was hard to follow which story was who. I listened to the book, so it could just be me. The stories were good.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As we began to consider texts for summer reading, I dove into this adapted-for-YA nonfiction piece. I found the history fascinating. The fact that these amazing athletes and artists did so much to advance dance, but I had never heard these women's names was saddening, but also clearly indicated the need for this story to be written. We decided not to move forward with this text as a summer reading selection because it isn't so much a story as an accounting of these five women's lives and we felt it might be challenging for students to write about, but it was an extremely compelling read and I'm glad I had the opportunity to learn more about these artistic pioneers.

[Kelsey Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book while browsing in a bookstore and I’m so glad I picked it up. This book tells the stories and gives a history of Black ballet dancers in NYC, which unfortunately but unsurprisingly has not been discussed much. I didn’t realize this was a book adapted for young adults, so wish I had picked up the original version.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlem Ballerinas

If they don't record their history, who will. This book is the story of the black ballerinas that came before Misty Copeland. It tells their stories and their history. It's a good read.

[Tomiko Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important reclamation of the history of black ballet dancers. I found the YA version first, but now I’ll have to look at the original, too.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly writing book that tells a beautiful and necessary story!

[Olivia Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I would have given it 5 stars, I just thought the writing was really simplistic. Then I learned it had been adapted for young readers ...

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved listening to this with my daughter

[Sarah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I don't typically read non-fiction, but I adore ballet so much hence why I read it. It was an enjoyable read!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend this important part of dance history. These are important stories that needed to be told and need to be heard.

[Dori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of listening to this audio book! These women were amazing! I'm so excited their stories were shared and their history preserved!!!