{"title":"Michaela DePrince","description":"\u003cp\u003eMichaela DePrince is an inspirational figure whose remarkable journey from war-torn Sierra Leone to the world's most prestigious ballet stages captivates readers of all ages. Her story is beautifully captured in her heartfelt works, including \u003cem\u003eBallerina Dreams\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eHope in a Ballet Shoe\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBallerina Dreams\u003c\/em\u003e, a delightful read for children, paints Michaela's incredible journey with vivid illustrations and an uplifting narrative, encouraging young readers to pursue their dreams irrespective of the hurdles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eHope in a Ballet Shoe\u003c\/em\u003e, co-authored with her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, Michaela delves deeper into her life story, providing a candid and moving memoir that resonates with biography enthusiasts. This book is a testament to resilience, shedding light on her early hardships, adoption, and her rise in the competitive world of ballet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eExplore Michaela DePrince's collection and be inspired by her compelling story, which embodies hope, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Whether for a child discovering the joy of reading or an adult drawn to powerful biographies, Michaela's books offer something special for everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"ballerina-dreams-by-michaela-deprince-9780571329731","title":"Ballerina Dreams","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne windy day, a magazine blew down the road. I reached out and caught it. A pretty picture of a woman was on the front cover of the magazine. She wore a short pink dress that stuck out around her in a circle. She looked very happy.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt the age of three, Michaela DePrince found a photo of a ballerina that changed her life. She was living in an orphanage in Sierra Leone at the time, but was soon adopted by a family and brought to America. Michaela never forgot the photo of the dancer she once saw, and decided to make her dream of becoming a ballerina come true. She has been dancing ever since, and after a spell as a principal dancer in New York, now dances for the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeautifully and gently illustrated by Ella Okstad, \u003cem\u003eBallerina Dreams\u003c\/em\u003e is the younger-reader edition of Michaela DePrince's highly moving memoir, \u003cem\u003eHope in a Ballet Shoe\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46797613269228,"sku":"9780571329731","price":18.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/10973423482391.jpg?v=1757159203"},{"product_id":"hope-in-a-ballet-shoe-by-michaela-deprince-9780571314478","title":"Hope in a Ballet Shoe","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing up in war-torn Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince witnesses atrocities that no child ever should. Her father is killed by rebels and her mother dies of famine. Sent to an orphanage, Michaela is mistreated and she sees the brutal murder of her favourite teachers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut there is hope: the Harmattan wind blows a magazine through the orphanage gates. Michaela picks it up and sees a beautiful image of a young woman dancing. \u003ci\u003eOne day\u003c\/i\u003e, she thinks, \u003ci\u003eI want to be this happy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd then Michaela and her best friend are adopted by an American couple and Michaela can take the dance lessons she's dreamed of since finding her picture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLife in the States isn't without difficulties. Unfortunately, tragedy can find its way to Michaela in America, too, and her past can feel like it's haunting her. The world of ballet is a racist one, and Michaela has to fight for a place amongst the ballet elite, hearing the words 'America's not ready for a black girl ballerina'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eToday, Michaela is an international ballet star, dancing for The Dutch National Ballet at the age of 19.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA heart-breaking, inspiring autobiography by a teenager who shows us that, beyond everything, there is always hope for a better future.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072565330156,"sku":"9780571314478","price":22.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/22320c63f3ca5cef7d62c6c5107d4ec8.jpg?v=1765187561"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/michaela-deprince.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}