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A Very Young Dancer
A ten-year-old student at the School of American Ballet in New York describes her classes and the preparation for and performance of her role in the ballet "The Nutcracker."
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 12, 1976
5 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Jill Krementz
51 books16 followersJill Krementz is an American photographer and author. She has published 31 books, mostly of photography and children's books. She was married to Kurt Vonnegut for almost 30 years.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 5, 2026
All the girls in my fourth-grade class used to rush to the school library to grab this one. I read it over and over when I had the chance to check it out. The lifestyle of this child from New York fascinated me, and the fact that we shared the name Stephanie just seemed really special!
**Update-January 31, 2023**
For those who loved this book as a child, this will be sad news. Stephanie Selby, the beautiful little ballerina, died in February 2022.**
**Update-January 31, 2023**
For those who loved this book as a child, this will be sad news. Stephanie Selby, the beautiful little ballerina, died in February 2022.**
May 5, 2009
Growing up, my sister and I took turns checking out this and A VERY YOUNG GYMNAST from the library. My mom eventually bought us A VERY YOUNG SKATER and A VERY YOUNG HORSEBACK RIDER, but DANCER and GYMNAST are still the best.
In the mid-1970s, Krementz spent months following 10-year-old Stephanie at NYC's School of American Ballet. Stephanie gets chosen to play Mary in the Nutcracker, and the reader gets to see what life is like at ballet school and on stage and backstage at the New York City Ballet.
The black-and-white photography is glorious and imparts so much. Krementz also effectively tells the story using Stephanie's voice. When my dad took me to see the Nutcracker, at age 8, this book made me feel like an old pro in the dance world. And when I heard that NYCB was offering Coppelia this spring, I decided that I finally needed to see it, simply because it was 10-year-old Stephanie's favorite ballet.
*******
As an adult, I eventually tracked down my own used copies of DANCER and GYMNAST, and later I found two more copies sitting on the street in a box of discarded items from the 5th Ave/89th St church rummage sale. They were autographed copies from Krementz with this note:
Funny what ends up being tossed away.
In the mid-1970s, Krementz spent months following 10-year-old Stephanie at NYC's School of American Ballet. Stephanie gets chosen to play Mary in the Nutcracker, and the reader gets to see what life is like at ballet school and on stage and backstage at the New York City Ballet.
The black-and-white photography is glorious and imparts so much. Krementz also effectively tells the story using Stephanie's voice. When my dad took me to see the Nutcracker, at age 8, this book made me feel like an old pro in the dance world. And when I heard that NYCB was offering Coppelia this spring, I decided that I finally needed to see it, simply because it was 10-year-old Stephanie's favorite ballet.
*******
As an adult, I eventually tracked down my own used copies of DANCER and GYMNAST, and later I found two more copies sitting on the street in a box of discarded items from the 5th Ave/89th St church rummage sale. They were autographed copies from Krementz with this note:
Dear Diana - Congratulations on being chosen for The Nutcracker. I'll probably get to see you because I come every year - now with my own daughter Lily who wasn't even born when I wrote this book. She's 7 and goes to Nightingale - With much love, Jill Krementz
Funny what ends up being tossed away.
October 4, 2007
I was very taken as a balletomane kid with this book-length photoessay about a young ballet student at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. Better yet, she is cast as Marie in that year's production of The Nutcracker, so we're treated to a backstage view of the beloved ballet. Krementz takes her child subjects (other books in the series concerned a horseback rider and a gymnast) seriously, and lets their voices tell their stories, including some of the tougher moments, when the kids are tired or things aren't going well. Nowadays you'd probably feel a huge stage parent presence in these stories, but in the "kid power" 70s, it felt a lot more kid-driven and less adult-produced.
July 25, 2020
This book obsessed me as a young dancer. Though it is out of print now, I managed to find a used copy for my daughter and found that I still remember every line, every photograph. It isn't merely that the book gave me a glimpse of classes, the audition process, and the backstage life of professional ballet dancers, but that it served as a reminder that what ballet is really about is daily practice and discipline.
December 27, 2025
Tis the season when I watch a bunch of Nutcracker performances/documentaries. While researching more ballet content, I came across this book. It’s an older book but is essentially a photo book following the life of a young girl at the School of American Ballet who is chosen to perform the main role in Nutcracker. The author/photographer follows her around for a season and provides a glimpse into what was even more an exclusive world than it is now.
I thought the photography told a story alone, but the narration was great too. And what a time capsule to have these photos as the old guard turned to new in New York City ballet. The fact that “Mr. B” himself directed and the costume designer was kind of the OG for the school is pretty neat.
I was sad to discover the ballerina of said book ultimately faced hardships in life, but am grateful for this work. If you can find a copy, I think it would be beloved by any young dancer aspiring to ballet greatness.
I thought the photography told a story alone, but the narration was great too. And what a time capsule to have these photos as the old guard turned to new in New York City ballet. The fact that “Mr. B” himself directed and the costume designer was kind of the OG for the school is pretty neat.
I was sad to discover the ballerina of said book ultimately faced hardships in life, but am grateful for this work. If you can find a copy, I think it would be beloved by any young dancer aspiring to ballet greatness.
December 8, 2025
Reminded of this by What Should I Read Next. I absolutely adored this book as a kid. I need to see if I kept my copy.
March 19, 2015
Beautiful book. Lovely photographs.
I was curious, so I looked up what happened to Stephanie.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/art...
I felt sad to read that she didn't become a classical ballerina - but it sounds like ballet as a profession wasn't for her. It was really hard for her to tell people that she was asked by the ASB to leave, so she told them that she quit voluntarily.
I guess this shows you how hard it is to make it in ballet. The unpleasantness of it, sometimes.
It sounds like Stephanie is really happy now, though. That's all that matters.
I was curious, so I looked up what happened to Stephanie.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/art...
I felt sad to read that she didn't become a classical ballerina - but it sounds like ballet as a profession wasn't for her. It was really hard for her to tell people that she was asked by the ASB to leave, so she told them that she quit voluntarily.
I guess this shows you how hard it is to make it in ballet. The unpleasantness of it, sometimes.
It sounds like Stephanie is really happy now, though. That's all that matters.
September 3, 2016
I was obsessed with this book as a young dancer. I must have read it a thousand times. I haven't seen a copy in decades and I can still remember the photographs, and the tense moments of performance (she threw her slipper! It landed in the orchestra pit!) It's an unparalleled book, from what I can tell. Nothing I've read since comes close to showing the dedication it takes to perform in a professional ballet, and the stresses and rewards of dancing.
December 26, 2024
so fucking good, this book was my childhood. the most insane photos. jill krementz is a genius
March 22, 2015
I love dance, so this book was an amazing experience for me. The photography is beautiful, and I love watching the life of a talented young girl as she takes classes at Julliard and performs in the nutcracker. Jill Krementz also wrote A very young Circus flyer (amazing), a very young actress (not so good), a very young gymnast (wow. this was good), a very young gardener(…I haven't read it, but–um…), a very young skier (I just ordered it), a very young skater (same here), and a very young muscisian. (which I also ordered.)
As usual, you can trust any of my reviews, and believe me when I say, that I really recommend these books.
As usual, you can trust any of my reviews, and believe me when I say, that I really recommend these books.
January 12, 2014
When I was a young girl, this was one of my favorite books to order from the library. I loved how the story followed the life of a real, young girl around my age. Also, the large pictures made the reading experience even more vivid and exciting. :)
February 20, 2008
I discovered this series in my public library as a child and have always loved them all.
October 30, 2013
I remember constantly checking and re-checking this one from the library...I loved it.
There was an ice skating one that I loved as well....
There was an ice skating one that I loved as well....
July 2, 2015
An excellent look into the life of a young ballet student. Lots of wonderful photos.
January 18, 2021
Just as decades ago, this book enchanted me. I watched "The Nutcracker" this year on TV (Covid) and it brought to mind this book. I so enjoyed re-visiting this story. Unfortunately the pages in the library book I borrowed were in random order, so that made the story challenging to follow but still I really enjoyed it. After finishing it, I researched what the dancer, Stephanie, highlighted in the book is up to today, which was also fascinating to me and felt like closure.
August 31, 2018
This is one of my favorite books of all time. When I was little, I checked it out from the library several times a year, and my sisters did, too! The photos are gorgeous and kids will love this honest yet simple look into a (future) ballerina's life! I'm so sad this book is out of print, because I would love to buy it for my niece- and myself, to be honest.
August 8, 2020
I read this book over and over and over as a child and truly wish they'd re-release it. Digital photography is nice and all, but it's not lushly in the moment as Krementz' SLR work is in this and her other children's books. Such a joy--please re-release it!
March 22, 2023
A beautiful book, with stunning photographs on every page! A delight for any ballet dancer, young or old. Jill, thank you for writing this simple gem of a story! This book inspired me to be a ballet dancer, and I thank you immensely for creating this!
June 27, 2017
I loved revisiting this childhood favorite.
Read
January 9, 2021This was one of my favorite books when I was in elementary school. After watching On Pointe, I decided to reread it.
February 17, 2022
My absolute favorite book when I was a ten-year-old ballet dancer. The photographs are still stunning.
August 5, 2022
This book is magic. With her lovely text and perceptive images, Jill Krementz captures the grace and wonder of ballet from a young girl's point of view.
August 18, 2022
A great way to introduce young children to what it is to be a dancer as a child--beautiful photography.
August 12, 2023
A wonderful book! I'm so glad it was talked about in Siena Cherson Siegel's "To Dance" and "Tiny Dancer"! Well done photography and interesting to see the real people who make the magic happen.
Want to read
February 6, 2024One of the favorite series of Priscilla Gilman, the “Very young” series is mentioned in her memoir “The critic’s daughter”.
February 10, 2024
Nice easy writing that walk through the life of SAB student and backstage stories and more insights of NYCB’s nutcracker
October 19, 2025
i don’t think it was supposed to be but it’s devastating. originally bought to cut out photos but she feels too precious to desecrate
March 19, 2017
My daughter brought this book home to look at the pictures, but I ended up reading it-totally engrossed! It's super good! About how this little girl is a dancer and ice skater, and how she fits in school, what her schedule is like, etc. Very interesting.
Read
April 30, 2016Title: A Very Young Dancer
Author: Jill Krementz
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Dance
Opening line/sentence: I don’t know if I want to be a dancer when I grow up - or if I want to do something with horses.
Brief Book Summary: This book follows the story of a young ballet dancer. It takes you through different scenes and things that she does as a ballet dancer.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Not Professional, Jessica: I was very taken as a balletomane kid with this book-length photoessay about a young ballet student at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. Better yet, she is cast as Marie in that year's production of The Nutcracker, so we're treated to a backstage view of the beloved ballet. Krementz takes her child subjects (other books in the series concerned a horseback rider and a gymnast) seriously, and lets their voices tell their stories, including some of the tougher moments, when the kids are tired or things aren't going well. Nowadays you'd probably feel a huge stage parent presence in these stories, but in the "kid power" 70s, it felt a lot more kid-driven and less adult-produced. (less)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Not professional, Cindy: This book is out of print but the photos within it are absolutely some of the strongest visual memories from my childhood. The writing is excellent and the young girl is interesting and exciting to learn about. Krementz wrote several "A Very Young...." books and I would recommend any of them!
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I would have to agree with both reviews. This book has some great pictures and Krementz really captures the young girl and tells her story. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any professional reviews for this book, but I think these two women capture the essence of the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is has a lot of visuals, which are all photographs. It is also told in first person. The fact that it is told in first person makes it a much more personal story to read and adds a lot of depth to the story of the young dancer.
Consideration of Instructional Application: For this book, we would make our own photographic essay. Students will choose a topic to focus on and find at least 5 pictures that go along with telling the story of their topic. The stories can be presented in different formats, whether it be a book, timeline, or something digital.
Author: Jill Krementz
Genre: Photographic Essay
Theme(s): Dance
Opening line/sentence: I don’t know if I want to be a dancer when I grow up - or if I want to do something with horses.
Brief Book Summary: This book follows the story of a young ballet dancer. It takes you through different scenes and things that she does as a ballet dancer.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Not Professional, Jessica: I was very taken as a balletomane kid with this book-length photoessay about a young ballet student at the School of American Ballet at Lincoln Center. Better yet, she is cast as Marie in that year's production of The Nutcracker, so we're treated to a backstage view of the beloved ballet. Krementz takes her child subjects (other books in the series concerned a horseback rider and a gymnast) seriously, and lets their voices tell their stories, including some of the tougher moments, when the kids are tired or things aren't going well. Nowadays you'd probably feel a huge stage parent presence in these stories, but in the "kid power" 70s, it felt a lot more kid-driven and less adult-produced. (less)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Not professional, Cindy: This book is out of print but the photos within it are absolutely some of the strongest visual memories from my childhood. The writing is excellent and the young girl is interesting and exciting to learn about. Krementz wrote several "A Very Young...." books and I would recommend any of them!
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I would have to agree with both reviews. This book has some great pictures and Krementz really captures the young girl and tells her story. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any professional reviews for this book, but I think these two women capture the essence of the book.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is has a lot of visuals, which are all photographs. It is also told in first person. The fact that it is told in first person makes it a much more personal story to read and adds a lot of depth to the story of the young dancer.
Consideration of Instructional Application: For this book, we would make our own photographic essay. Students will choose a topic to focus on and find at least 5 pictures that go along with telling the story of their topic. The stories can be presented in different formats, whether it be a book, timeline, or something digital.
July 21, 2025
Just got this in the mail today. Paid $30.00 for it. It originally cost $10.95! That was a lot of money back in the day. I remember checking this out of the library over and over I was obssessed with it. So glad I was reminded what the title actually was, I kept calling it 'so you want to be a dancer', and was able to get a copy.
I remembered every picture and some of the text. LOVED IT. I wonder where the subject of the book is now and if she ever became a dancer professionally. I wonder if old people come up to her and tell her how much they loved the book as kids, lol.
The pictures are a treasure seeing how everyone dressed back then and the sets and costumes.
EDIT: Ah, kind of feeling that 'don't ever meet your heroes' deal. I typed in the title of the book and there were a few things about what happened to the dancer in the book Stephanie. Basically she quit dancing and that is no big deal its very hard work and watching her 'dance' in Mr. Roger's Christmas Special from 1977 shows she wasn't meant for it her feet are horrifying, lol.
But what saddened me the most is the mentioning of a freshly slaughtered bull head in her front yard. She lives on a ranch with some man and is overtly religious. I am an athiest and a devout animal lover and vegan.
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/ar...
I'll still keep the book for the sentimentality but I am sorry I paid $30.00 for it now.
EDIT: Oh, no. Now I know why the book was priced high for such a low grade copy. I just read another article on Stephanie and it says that last year in February she committed suicide. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/12/ar...
So sad. RIP Stephanie.
I remembered every picture and some of the text. LOVED IT. I wonder where the subject of the book is now and if she ever became a dancer professionally. I wonder if old people come up to her and tell her how much they loved the book as kids, lol.
The pictures are a treasure seeing how everyone dressed back then and the sets and costumes.
EDIT: Ah, kind of feeling that 'don't ever meet your heroes' deal. I typed in the title of the book and there were a few things about what happened to the dancer in the book Stephanie. Basically she quit dancing and that is no big deal its very hard work and watching her 'dance' in Mr. Roger's Christmas Special from 1977 shows she wasn't meant for it her feet are horrifying, lol.
But what saddened me the most is the mentioning of a freshly slaughtered bull head in her front yard. She lives on a ranch with some man and is overtly religious. I am an athiest and a devout animal lover and vegan.
https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/ar...
I'll still keep the book for the sentimentality but I am sorry I paid $30.00 for it now.
EDIT: Oh, no. Now I know why the book was priced high for such a low grade copy. I just read another article on Stephanie and it says that last year in February she committed suicide. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/12/ar...
So sad. RIP Stephanie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews