Junior Library Guild

"Great things don't come easily!" a ballet teacher once told Li Cunxin. It was a lesson that Li knew well. Born to bitter poverty in rural China, he was chosen by a group of visiting officials to attend the Beijing Dance Academy. There, Li had to learn extraordinarily difficult dance moves while also studying to be a good Maoist. His hard work earned him the chance to visit the United States-where Li faced his greatest challenge. Afterword. Historical note. Time line. Glossary of Chinese words. Blackand- white photographs.