This debut picture book tells the true story of Sydney Mesher, the first Radio City Rockette with a visible disability.
No two dances were the same. Each one was beautiful because it was different--just like how Sydney’s body was also beautiful because it was different.
Sydney Mesher was born with ten toes and five fingers. But it was her toes that her mom noticed first. "I can tell she’s going to be a dancer," she said.
And it turned out Mom was right--after years of hard work, Sydney eventually danced her way onto the famous stage of Radio City Music Hall, becoming the first Rockette with a visible disability.
This warm and inviting picture book, cowritten with Catherine Laudone and brightly illustrated by Natelle Quek, takes young readers along on Sydney’s journey--through the joyous ups as well as the crushing downs--and tells the story of how through it all, she kept dancing.
“A Note from Sydney,” with photographs. Full-color illustrations were rendered digitally with Procreate and Photoshop.
Title alpha She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference
Category Biography Elementary Plus
Pages Count 40
Genre Nonfiction
Topics Sydney Mesher (1998– ). Dancers with disabilities. Limb differences. Dancing. New York City. Radio City Rockettes. Performing arts. Self-esteem. Perseverance.
Lexile AD890L
Trim Size 8 1/2" x 11"
JLG Span Winter
Language English
Rights type Print
Publication date 2023-10-30
JLG Release Date Jan 2024
Minimum grade 1
Maximum grade 4
Reading level Elementary
Format Print
Biography Elementary Plus (Grades 1-4)
Biography Elementary Plus
Biography Elementary Plus (Grades 1-4)
For Grades 1-4
This 14 book collections offers beginning readers fascinating biographies and compelling personal stories that provide a view into history or perspective on the issues of our times.