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A Young Dancer: The Life of an Ailey Student
Meet Iman Bright, a thirteen-year-old student at the prestigious Ailey School in New York City. Iman is passionate about dance, but she also enjoys drawing, playing music, and of course, hanging out with her friends. Follow Iman as she warms up at the barre, practices violin, and gets ready for a performance with her fellow students. In descriptive words and striking photographs, this informative picture book provides fascinating insight into the world of dance through the voice of one very talented young performer.
- GenresNonfictionPicture Books
48 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2009
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
December 28, 2018
This book had great pictures, but it wasn't my favorite.
May 30, 2017
I liked seeing all the different parts of Iman's curriculum at the Ailey, including ballet, Horton technique, Limon technique, and West African dance. It was also cool to see that she was learning/had learned real Limon and Ailey rep.
The book does jump around a lot, so it doesn't always feel like a coherent thread. It's not a day or a week or a semester in her life; it tries to portray all of those, to some extent.
The book does jump around a lot, so it doesn't always feel like a coherent thread. It's not a day or a week or a semester in her life; it tries to portray all of those, to some extent.
July 22, 2017
1. I didn't like that the book tried to be in the voice of the young dancer because it didn't actually feel that way.
2. For a ballet lover, I think they would want more out of the book. For someone just getting interested in dance, it didn't feel like it was a good introduction.
3. The only thing I liked about it is that is showcased a black ballet dancer.
2. For a ballet lover, I think they would want more out of the book. For someone just getting interested in dance, it didn't feel like it was a good introduction.
3. The only thing I liked about it is that is showcased a black ballet dancer.
May 13, 2021
A few years ago, a group of friends with April birthdays went to see an Alvin Ailey show. This book provided informative insights and gorgeous photographs documenting and up and coming dancer.
February 6, 2017
Illustrated with photographs.
I thought the book was pretty disjointed. The narrative went from the Ailey School to other things with no transition and then jumped right back. It's almost like some things were meant to be a side bar?
There's one picture of feet in pointe shoes, on pointe, but it's unclear whether these are Iman's feet or not. She's never shown on pointe. In her ballet class, they have on technique shoes.
I like that she talks about the variety of dance classes that she takes (ballet, Horton, Limon, African dance). At one point, it implies that a picture of her jumping is from African dance class, but then later on it says they wear wrap-around sarong-like skirts in that class (and they're not wearing them in the jumping picture).
The story is told from Iman's point of view, but she's not credited, so I'm assuming these are the author's words.
I thought the book was pretty disjointed. The narrative went from the Ailey School to other things with no transition and then jumped right back. It's almost like some things were meant to be a side bar?
There's one picture of feet in pointe shoes, on pointe, but it's unclear whether these are Iman's feet or not. She's never shown on pointe. In her ballet class, they have on technique shoes.
I like that she talks about the variety of dance classes that she takes (ballet, Horton, Limon, African dance). At one point, it implies that a picture of her jumping is from African dance class, but then later on it says they wear wrap-around sarong-like skirts in that class (and they're not wearing them in the jumping picture).
The story is told from Iman's point of view, but she's not credited, so I'm assuming these are the author's words.
August 2, 2016
This is a short picture book about Iman Bright, a dancer at the Ailey school. She is a thirteen year old who is passionate about dance, but also a very normal young girl. The story follows her life at the Ailey school. This is appealing to me because of my own interest in dance; I have also seen the Ailey dance troupe perform on a couple occasions and thought they were fantastic. With shows like So You Think You Can Dance bringing dance into the reality T.V. scene, I am happy to see that dance is getting some well-deserved publicity.
Kids already interested in dance might be interested in this short, descriptive work. There are a lot of pictures, so it might interest those who have difficulty reading or who like different formats. Because the Ailey school looks at so many different styles of dance, and because Iman is so 'normal' it might also interest kids looking for careers or activities to do.
Nothing objectionable.
Kids already interested in dance might be interested in this short, descriptive work. There are a lot of pictures, so it might interest those who have difficulty reading or who like different formats. Because the Ailey school looks at so many different styles of dance, and because Iman is so 'normal' it might also interest kids looking for careers or activities to do.
Nothing objectionable.
March 30, 2009
Enter the world of the prestigious Ailey School in New York City and view it through the eyes of Iman Bright, a thirteen-year-old student. As she goes through her lessons in ballet, jazz, modern and West African dance, readers will understand the dedication it takes to study dance at this level. At the same time, readers will see a normal thirteen year old who goes to school and plays the violin. The book strikes exactly the right balance.
Ivey’s photographs nicely capture the movement and poses of dance. He is equally successful capturing Iman when she is out of school with her friends and family. Gladstone’s text comes from Iman’s point of view and is simple and frank about what she is doing.
A strong nonfiction dance title, this book takes it beyond popular dance with sparkly costumes and to a more studious and serious level. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
Ivey’s photographs nicely capture the movement and poses of dance. He is equally successful capturing Iman when she is out of school with her friends and family. Gladstone’s text comes from Iman’s point of view and is simple and frank about what she is doing.
A strong nonfiction dance title, this book takes it beyond popular dance with sparkly costumes and to a more studious and serious level. Appropriate for ages 5-8.
November 23, 2009
Iman Bright is a young dancer. She has been taking dance classes at the Ailey School in New York since she was four. The story is told from Iman’s point of view. She matter-of-factly describes the rigors of learning dance. But Iman comes across as a girl who enjoys many other activities---friends, the violin, her studies at school---a well-rounded girl.
The photographs reveal the astonishing moves Iman can make, with great beauty and joy. The text is easy to read. Who wouldn’t want to meet this young dancer?
A little:
“Ms. Jamison is considered one of the most famous members of the Ailey company. I’ve seen her dance in videos and she is amazing.
She’s very direct and funny when she gives corrections. In one part of the dance, she said I looked more like I was delivering groceries than proudly showing the way to God. A big difference.”
The photographs reveal the astonishing moves Iman can make, with great beauty and joy. The text is easy to read. Who wouldn’t want to meet this young dancer?
A little:
“Ms. Jamison is considered one of the most famous members of the Ailey company. I’ve seen her dance in videos and she is amazing.
She’s very direct and funny when she gives corrections. In one part of the dance, she said I looked more like I was delivering groceries than proudly showing the way to God. A big difference.”
December 20, 2009
Valerie Gladstone follows the daily life of Iman, a student at The Ailey School in New York. While the photographs are great, the text is lacking. The organization is completely confusing, taking the reader from The Ailey School to Iman's academic school to her Bronx apartment without any thought to the flow of the narrative. Young dance fanatics will still eat this up (and it is particularly nice to see a book featuring a dancer of color), but I was disappointed.
April 11, 2015
This is such an inspirational book. I enjoyed it very much. For an adult it is a very quick read, but I really felt this young girl's vibrant spirit not only in the way she wrote it, but also in the photos of her.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a daughter (or son) who is in any type of dancing classes as an encouragement to them.
I would recommend it to anyone who has a daughter (or son) who is in any type of dancing classes as an encouragement to them.
June 22, 2009
A bright and breezy first person narrative describing the life of a young dancer with the Ailey Dance School. beaytifully illustrated with photos that show the dancers in motion.
June 22, 2009
Really well done.
April 16, 2010
this book made several best-of lists and deservedly so. Good photos and excellent writing. This one will make kids want to read more about dancing and maybe even try some dancing, too.
November 7, 2009
A first-person look at the life of a young dancer, enhanced greatly by photos. I found the organization to be lacking...it didn't seem to flow, but jumped from one topic to the next quite abruptly.
April 6, 2013
3.5 stars
Interesting look at Inman Bright, a 13-year old Ailey dance student. Photo essay of her experiences and talents.
Interesting look at Inman Bright, a 13-year old Ailey dance student. Photo essay of her experiences and talents.
August 23, 2013
Will appeal to our students because the girl attends Riverdale Country School.
October 7, 2014
Similar to A Very Young Dancer from the mid-1970s with beautiful photos and a unique dance experience. Not many kids in ballet school also take African dance.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews