About the Author

Misty Copeland made history by becoming the third African-American ballerina for the American Ballet Theatre, the first in decades. A recipient of the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts and an inductee into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame, she currently lives in New York City. Visit her online at MistyCopeland.com.

Reviews

An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all.
*Booklist (starred review)*

Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit.
*BookPage*

Instead of rags to riches, Copeland goes from baggy shorts to leotards as she navigates the whitewashed world of ballet.
*Library Journal*

It's no wonder Misty Copeland is a role model for countless aspiring ballerinas.
*Dance Spirit Magazine*

Reads as a modern day Cinderella story…this memoir is an inspirational read—especially for aspiring dancers.
*JET Magazine*

Wrenching and revelatory.
*The New York Times*

An unexpected page-turner...Her story is an inspiration to anyone—man or woman, black or white—who has ever chased a dream against the odds, and the grace with which she triumphs is an example for us all.
*Booklist (starred review)*

Thorough, sensitive...clear-eyed.
*The Washington Post*

[A] dramatic rags-to-toe shoes life story.
*People*

Engaging... [Copeland is] a poised, intelligent writer whose temperament—disciplined, determined, driven—gives the book a special spark… In LIFE IN MOTION, she looks back on the past without bitterness or anger, only gratitude. Hers is an out-of-the-ordinary story about defying stereotypes, and she shares it in an inspiring narrative that’s enlivened by her own grace and generous spirit.
*BookPage*

Captivating...heartrending...literary.
*The Kansas City Star*

Remarkable.
*Juicy Magazine*

Misty’s unwavering belief that we can be anything that we dream is an inspiration – an inspiration to break the mold, follow your passion, never take no for an answer and do it all with grace, kindness and the spirit to help others on their journey. I am thrilled that my two daughters have a role model in Misty, who is breaking down doors that that they will never have to.
*Rachel Roy*

A raw, honest tale….Her memoir is filled with passion, pain, success, and…pure joy.
*Ebony.com*

Misty Copeland, a ballerina of extraordinary talent and charisma, offers an autobiography as mesmeric as her dancing. She overcame adversity in the studio, in her home life, and in ballet's own traditionalism to become one of its brightest stars — her passion and perseverance will inspire dancers and non-dancers alike.
*Eliza Minden, author of The Ballet Companion and Co-Founder and Head of Design at dancewear company Gaynor Minden, Inc.*

[Misty Copeland's] book is a breezy read for such deep subject matter, but her beautiful and prevailing spirit shines through on every page.
*The Inlander*

Reading her memoir...it becomes even more apparent how this 31-year-old woman has parlayed her natural talent along with an uber intense discipline, passion and focus, into a stellar career.
*The NWI Times*

Misty Copeland’s LIFE IN MOTION is an inspiration to all young people. She is the Jackie Robinson of the ballet world, and a true role model for an entire generation of new ballerinas.
*Frank Sanchez, Vice President, Boys & Girls Clubs of America*

[LIFE IN MOTION] is the stuff of which movies are made.
*Chicago Sun-Times*

What a remarkable, encouraging story. Written naturally, modestly, and conversationally...[readers will] feel her triumphs and tragedies, wincing whenever she falls and cheering her on every time she gets back up….Brava, Misty.
*Bildungsroman*

A tale of hardship and remarkable success.
*Los Angeles Magazine*

A poignant primer proving the power of perseverance in the face of adversity.
*The LA Sentinel*

An important book for teen collections.
*School Library Journal*

Told in graceful prose...[Copeland's] achievements will encourage all those attempting to beat the odds in competitive fields.
*Publishers Weekly*

A page-turner...fascinating and emotional.
*The Philadelphia Enquirer*

[Parts] the curtain on the ballet’s central illusion: that it is empowering for the female dancers at its centre. Providing a behind-the-scenes look at the glory and gore of ballet...you find yourself rooting for her.
*The Globe and Mail (Canada)*

A wonderful read.
*The Hairpin*

Captivating...heartrending...literary.
*The Kansas City Star*

[LIFE IN MOTION] is the stuff of which movies are made.
*Chicago Sun-Times*

A page-turner...fascinating and emotional.
*The Philadelphia Enquirer*

[Parts] the curtain on the ballet’s central illusion: that it is empowering for the female dancers at its centre. Providing a behind-the-scenes look at the glory and gore of ballet...you find yourself rooting for her.
*The Globe and Mail (Canada)*

A gift to all balletomanes, not just the brown ones.
*Esther Cepeda*

She embodies both fearlessness and femininity, reflecting the life of contradictions and obstacles over which she’s leapt so beautifully. If ever a solo ballerina was poised to become a household name, it’s now.
*Yahoo!*

"Although ballet fans never lack for darlings, rarely does a dancer become an old-fashioned star...her path to becoming a star ballerina has been as dramatic, unlikely, and hinged on coincidence as the plots of most ballets."
*The New Yorker*

The story Copeland tells about her rise to ballet glory is compelling and inspirational.
*Seattle Times*