Taking Flight by Michaela DePrince …with Elaine DePrince

Synopsis: The personal story of how a ballerina grew her wings. 

Writing Style: Straight to the point. Moving. Passionate.

Pacing: FAST!!! 

Personal Highlights: Initially I hesitated to read this memoir but couldn’t close the book once I opened it. The ‘choreography’ from page one, organized and aided by short chronological chapters amps up the pacing, the makings for a smooth easy read. Read this one in a day!

Mabinty describing the West African culture she was born into, her experiences, along with those who shaped and colored her life, frames the WoW factor of how that magazine cover inspired her career. 

From beginning to end there was as much to be saddened by, as there is to be gladdened about. The languages Mabinty spoke. How she learned to read and write, and how she made “25 more friends” in the orphanage. The story of her biological parents moved me. Loved her adoptive parents, and their story. Mama braiding her hair, making her costumes and just making her many sacrifices count. Laughed at Dad. “Did you lotion your arms and legs?” He didn’t want the nappy-hair-ashy-skin policewomen after them. Her relationship with her brother and his story teared me up however, while I gushed over ‘The Black Swan’ ballerina photo. Absolutely gorgeous!!! Which speaking of the dancing, I was so swept up by the comedy ensemble with Mia and winning the Hope Award in Philadelphia. Another specific example to add to music Michaela’s story. Mia was her sister from the orphanage who soothed her by singing to her or telling her stories to get through difficult times, stuff that makes reading and writing and books so impactful and important. An inspiring page-turner for sure. And that ending!!! Why and how this memoir came to be. Oh man!!! That one may have WoW’d me most! Definitely, highly recommended. Read paperback 2014 copyright edition.