On the line My story of becoming the first African American Rockette

In 1987, at the age of 19, Jennifer Jones became the first Black Radio City Rockette. Cowritten with Lissette Norman, this picture--book autobiography elegantly traces the trailblazer's steps to achieving her dreams and transcending racial barriers. Jennifer's love of dance begins in her New Jersey childhood. The easygoing, first-person narration recounts her feelings of exhilaration when leaping through the air in ballet class, as well as painful experiences of racism: "Dancing freed me from the fear of my family not looking like anyone else's and people who didn't agree with interracial marriage. Dancing made me feel less alone." The support, love, and encouragement of Jennifer's parents shines through, as does Jennifer's grit, determination, and lots of imagination. Paul's watercolor illustrations have cinematic flair, from a close-up of young Jennifer enthralled at seeing the all-Black cast of The Wiz perform on Broadway to a panoramic view of Jennifer onstage herself in a high-kicking chorus line. This inspiring introduction to a Tony Award--winning dancer asks readers, "What will your story be?"

Effusive phrasing from Jones recounts her arc from childhood to becoming the first African American Rockette. Ascribing early shyness to a feeling of being different in her family's New Jersey town, she describes a store clerk telling her that "girls like you don't become dancers." After that event, Jones's parents install a piece of linoleum upon which she can practice at home, she discovers the magic of performing for a crowd, and a Broadway viewing of The Wiz confirms for her that "I can be Black and dance on a grand stage too." After that, there is no stopping her as she strives to forge her own path, her mother's encouraging voice offering assurance along the way. Paul's movement-oriented illustrations show a young Jones working through the audition process, and appearing on the kickline, in this upbeat personal portrait that invites readers to consider, "What will your story be?" Ages 4--8. (Oct.)

Gr 1--5--Jones and her coauthor tell her story in an approachable way that children of all backgrounds will understand. She loved to dance from the time of her first dance class when she was nine. She felt free and class was very different from the outside world where she was judged for the color of her skin. As Jones grew up, her mother exposed her to other people of color in the arts. From these experiences, Jones took that inspiration and kept practicing until she became the first African American Rockette. Paul's dynamic, whimsical illustrations bring Jones's journey to the big stage to life. VERDICT An important story for all children to read, but especially recommended for students of the arts.--Brittany McMahon

The first African American Rockette tells her story. Jennifer Jones fell in love with dance in her first class at age 9. Using her body to express herself as she danced ballet, jazz, and tap, she felt free and bold. Outside of class, though, she was painfully shy--her mother was white and her father was Black, and their family stood out in their New Jersey town. After an ignorant clerk yelled at her for dancing in a store ("Girls like you don't become dancers"), Jennifer's joy was nearly diminished, but her father brought home a piece of linoleum for Jennifer to practice dancing on. From then on, she danced every day and felt free from the ignorance of others. Her first stage performance, in fourth grade, "felt like home," but that clerk's mean comment still lingered. When her parents took her to see The Wiz on Broadway, the sight of the all-Black cast gave her the confidence she needed to eventually audition for the Radio City Rockettes, where she danced for 15 years. Though this tale explores painful emotions, its focus on Jennifer's personal experience and the pleasure she found in dance make it an absolute delight. In relatable first-person narration, Jones ends the narrative by addressing children: "What will your story be?" Paul deftly uses gestures and facial expressions in the line-and-color illustrations to lead readers through Jones' emotional journey. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Exhilarating. (about Jennifer Jones and the Rockettes) (Picture-book autobiography. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.