{"product_id":"ready-to-fly-how-sylvia-townsend-became-the-bookmobile-ballerina-isbn-9780062888785","title":"Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina","description":"\u003cp\u003eLyrical, inspiring, and affecting text paired with bright, appealing illustrations make Ready to Fly perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere who are ready to leap and to spread their wings!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eReady to Fly is the true story of Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing Swan Lake on TV. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share at home or in the classroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough there aren’t many ballet schools that will accept a girl like Sylvia in the 1950s, her local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find a book about ballet and the determined seven-year-old, with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoon Sylvia learns how to fly—how to dance—and how to dare to dream.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIncludes a foreword from Sylvia Townsend, a brief history of the bookmobile, an author’s note, and a further reading list.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis beautifully illustrated story shows every child what’s possible with a book and a dream.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBased on a True Story:\u003c\/b\u003e Meet Sylvia Townsend, the real-life “bookmobile ballerina” who taught herself to dance in the 1950s when ballet schools turned her away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOvercoming Adversity:\u003c\/b\u003e A gentle introduction to the history of segregation and a powerful example of how determination can triumph over injustice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe Power of Books and Libraries:\u003c\/b\u003e Celebrate the magic of the bookmobile and the librarian who helped a seven-year-old girl find the books that gave her wings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePerfect for Dancers:\u003c\/b\u003e Aspiring ballerinas will love learning the basics of classical ballet alongside Sylvia, from pliés to pirouettes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eGreat for Classrooms:\u003c\/b\u003e Includes a foreword from Sylvia, a history of the bookmobile, an author’s note, and further reading to expand the lesson.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003eINSPIRED BY THE AMAZING LIFE OF BALLERINA SYLVIA TOWNSEND \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSylvia longs to be a ballerina like the ones she sees on television.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe wants to \u003cstrong\u003eleap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eand \u003cstrong\u003etwirl\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eand do \u003cstrong\u003epliés\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003etill she can dance in real ballets.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut as an African American girl in 1950s America, Sylvia has to make her dreams come true against all odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful first-ever biography of Sylvia Townsend tells the story of how one determined girl got her wings by discovering the magic of the bookmobile, keeping the beat in her feet, and staying on her tippy-toes . . . always ready for liftoff.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“A lovely, uplifting story” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJoann Ferrara, Executive Director\/Founder, Dancing Dreams\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003cem\u003eReady to Fly \u003c\/em\u003eis sooo sweet, sooo wonderful and sooo inspirational. This story will no doubt show little ones everywhere that you can find a dream in the library.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eFloyd Cooper, Coretta Scott King Award–winning author-illustrator\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Readers are leaders, and Sylvia’s story proves just this....I love it! Not only is \u003cem\u003eReady to Fly \u003c\/em\u003efull of adorable illustrations but [I] thoroughly enjoyed reading about the history of bookmobiles and Sylvia Townsend’s connection between books and ballet in the 1950s.”    - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTaKiyah Wallace, Founder \u0026amp; Executive Director, Brown Girls Do, Inc.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Lyon and LaFaye have co-authored a standout text that centers action in this triumphant story....Gibson’s full-color illustrations use patterns, textures, and expressive facial features to show a loving family, a vibrant community, and a talented girl who becomes an accomplished woman....Engaging and inspiring, this brief introduction is also fun to read.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Rhythmic prose, with active verbs like jive, sway, soar, and float, convey movement and draw readers into Townsend’s purposeful but joyful practice sessions....Gibson’s illustrations of Townsend’s early family life and dance practices express hope, wonder, and disappointment. A tale of ambition and perseverance. A satisfying addition to nonfiction collections for younger readers.\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Townsend’s determined spirit shines through the engaging first-person narration, and Gibson’s cartoon illustrations capture endearing scenes...\" - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888983044325,"sku":"NP9780062888785","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062888785.jpg?v=1730230236","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/ready-to-fly-how-sylvia-townsend-became-the-bookmobile-ballerina-isbn-9780062888785","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}