To Dance; A Ballerina's Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel Illustrated by Mark Siegel

Beautiful is the best description that I could create for To Dance.  Written by Siena Cherson Siegel and illustrated by her husband, Mark Siegel, To Dance is a memoir of Siena's childhood and teenage experiences.  The illustrations depict the loveliness of childhood dreams.  The lines are fluid and the colors are vibrant yet soft.  The memories are just as beautiful, though some are painful.  The beauty is in the idealistic way that young Siena absorbs the world of dance.

This book would be perfect for the unmotivated reader in upper elementary school.  Though older teens may enjoy this graphic novel, as well.  I was engrossed in the storytelling.  Without ignoring reality, To Dance lets the reader dream with Siena.  This novel would not be appropriate for children younger than 10 or 11. Siena shares her thoughts about her body changing and her parents' divorce which may not be suitable for all readers. 

Teachers, librarians, and parents would do well to add this treasure to their collections.  I would not read this book aloud since the interest is quite specific.  Selections of this story may work excellently as passages for practicing fluent reading. Students reading this text may need assistance with difficult vocabulary.  

Vocabulary:  studio, blackout, leotards, bare, audition, pianist, Julliard, administrators, barre, Shamayana, selected, rehearsal, principal dancer, accent, burgundy, plies, tendus, intensified, fleeting, refuge, choreographed, develop

Close Reading Questions: 

Do most people have flat feet?  How can you tell this could be a problem?  

How did Siena's parents support her dreams of becoming a ballerina?

What were some experiences that inspired Siena to be a ballerina?

Why would Siena view ballet as a refuge?

What similarities does she see between football and ballet?

Why might Siena have felt different than normal teenagers?