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The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults) - by  Karen Valby (Paperback) - 1 of 1

The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults) - by Karen Valby (Paperback)

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Highlights

  • In this young adult adaptation of Karen Valby's adult non-fiction title, you'll meet five amazing Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, including some of the founding members, who broke barriers and made history in the world of classical dance, at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies.
  • 12 Years
  • 8.25" x 5.5" Paperback
  • 288 Pages
  • Young Adult Nonfiction, Biography & Autobiography

Description



Book Synopsis



In this young adult adaptation of Karen Valby's adult non-fiction title, you'll meet five amazing Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, including some of the founding members, who broke barriers and made history in the world of classical dance, at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies.

At the peak of the civil rights movement, Lydia Abarca was the first ballerina in a Black ballet company to grace the cover of Dance magazine. Alongside founding members Shelia Rohan and Gayle McKinney-Griffith and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells, Abarca invited a bright light to shine on Black professional classical dancers. Grit, determination, and exquisite artistry propelled these swans of Harlem to dizzying heights as they performed around the world for audiences that included celebrities, dignitaries, and royalty.

Now, decades later, these trailblazing ballerinas and longtime friends are giving voice to their stories on- and offstage, reclaiming their past so that it is finally recorded, acknowledged, and lauded, never to be lost again.



Review Quotes




★ "This powerful account is part cultural history, part biography as it traces the formation, rise, and decline of DTH through the experiences of these five ballerinas, as well as their continued importance to dancers of color today....this will appeal equally to fans of forgotten histories." --Booklist, starred review

"A poignant and gripping piece of little-known history." --Kirkus Reviews

"[A] thoughtfully crafted piece of narrative nonfiction." --The Bulletin



About the Author



Karen Valby is the author of two books of nonfiction: The Swans of Harlem and Welcome to Utopia: Notes from a Small Town. A contributing editor for Vanity Fair, she also writes for the New York Times, O Magazine, Glamour, Fast Company, and EW, where she spent fifteen years writing about culture. She and her family live in Austin, Texas, where her daughters study dance at Ballet Afrique.
Dimensions (Overall): 8.25 Inches (H) x 5.5 Inches (W) x .56 Inches (D)
Weight: .54 Pounds
Suggested Age: 12 Years
Number of Pages: 288
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
Sub-Genre: Biography & Autobiography
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Theme: Cultural, Ethnic & Regional
Format: Paperback
Author: Karen Valby
Language: English
Street Date: May 26, 2026
TCIN: 1006681772
UPC: 9780593643594
Item Number (DPCI): 247-51-8737
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 0.56 inches length x 5.5 inches width x 8.25 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.54 pounds
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