{"product_id":"my-story-my-dance-robert-battles-journey-to-alvin-ailey-hardcover","title":"My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey - Hardcover","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eLesa Cline-Ransome\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eJames E. Ransome\u003c\/b\u003e (Illustrator), \u003cb\u003eRobert Battle\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"In James E. Ransome's realistic pastel portraits, Battle, his family, and his teachers all seem lit from within.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eA boy discovers his passion for dance and becomes a modern hero in this inspiring picture book biography of Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen Robert Battle was a boy wearing leg braces, he never dreamed he'd study at Juilliard. Though most dancers begin training at an early age, it wasn't until Robert was a teenager that his appreciation for movement--first from martial arts, then for ballet--became his passion. But support from his family and teachers paired with his desire and determination made it possible for Robert to excel. After years of hard work, the young man who was so inspired by a performance of Alvin Ailey's \u003ci\u003eRevelations\u003c\/i\u003e became the artistic director of the very company that motivated him. Today, under Robert's leadership, Alvin Ailey continues to represent the African American spirit through dance. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFeaturing illustrations brimming with vibrant color and swirling motion, this biographical picture book from husband-and-wife team James Ransome and Lisa Cline-Ransome includes a foreword from Robert Battle himself as well as a bibliography, suggested further reading, and an author's note.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLesa Cline-Ransome is the author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed nonfiction books for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eGame Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eMy Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eBefore She Was Harriet\u003c\/i\u003e. She is also the author of the novel \u003ci\u003eFinding Langston\u003c\/i\u003e, which received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award and five starred reviews\u003ci\u003e. \u003c\/i\u003eShe lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York. Learn more at LesaClineRansome.com. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eJames E. Ransome's highly acclaimed illustrations for \u003ci\u003eBefore She Was Harriet \u003c\/i\u003ereceived the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. His other award-winning titles include the Coretta Scott King winner \u003ci\u003eThe Creation\u003c\/i\u003e; Coretta Scott King Honor Book \u003ci\u003eUncle Jed's Barbershop\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eSweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt\u003c\/i\u003e; and \u003ci\u003eLet My People Go\u003c\/i\u003e, winner of the NAACP Image Award. James is also a recipient of the ALA Children's Literature Legacy Award. He frequently collaborates with his wife, author Lesa Cline-Ransome. One of their recent titles is \u003ci\u003eGame Changers: The Story of Venus and Serena Williams\u003c\/i\u003e, which received four starred reviews and was an ALA Notable Children's Book. James is a professor and coordinator of the MFA Illustration Graduate Program at Syracuse University. He lives in New York's Hudson River Valley region with his family. Visit James at JamesRansome.com. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eRobert Battle became artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in July 2011 after being personally selected by Judith Jamison, making him only the third person to head the Company since it was founded in 1958. Mr. Battle has a long-standing association with the Ailey organization. A frequent choreographer and artist-in-residence at Ailey since 1999, he has set many of his works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II, and at The Ailey School. The Company's current repertory includes his ballets \u003ci\u003eTakademe \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eUnfold\u003c\/i\u003e. Mr. Battle studied dance at The Juilliard School before joining the Parsons Dance Company, and later founding his own dance company called Battleworks. Mr. Battle was honored as one of the \"Masters of African-American Choreography\" by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2005, and he received the prestigious Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in 2007. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and has addressed a number of high-profile organizations, including the United Nations Leaders Programme and the UNICEF Senior Leadership Development Programme.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.4 x 11.2 x 9.3 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e October 27, 2015\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAward:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orbis Pictus Award (2016)\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \u003cdiv\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuiz Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle's Journey to Alvin Ailey\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lower Grades, K-3\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5.4\u003c\/div\u003e\n                \n                \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5\u003c\/div\u003e\n                ","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51771960557856,"sku":"9781481422215","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/bab370cb3851b9b7e09f631451a41a86.webp?v=1780398316","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/my-story-my-dance-robert-battles-journey-to-alvin-ailey-hardcover","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}