
Synopsis
Summary
This chapter book biography follows the amazing life of ballerina Maria Tallchief, and how she persisted to achieve her dreams. Maria loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. Instead, she refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, eventually becoming America’s first prima ballerina. Many famous American ballets were created for Maria!
Notable Achievements
Reviews
Publishers Weekly: "[A] rich, clear picture of how one iconic Native dancer persisted."
Kirkus Reviews: "Inspiringly shows how Maria Tallchief persisted and made her dreams come true."
School Library Journal: "Highlights the fact that Tallchief never forgot her Osage heritage... Recommended for all library collections."
Link to Review
Link to Review
Educator Guide
Link to Guide