{"product_id":"ready-to-fly-how-sylvia-townsend-became-the-bookmobile-ballerina-isbn-9780062888792","title":"Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLyrical, inspiring, and affecting text paired with bright, appealing illustrations make\u003cem\u003e Ready to Fly\u003c\/em\u003e perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere who are ready to leap and to spread their wings!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReady to Fly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eis the true story of Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSwan Lake\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eon TV. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share at home or in the classroom. \u003c\/strong\u003e\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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncludes a foreword from Sylvia Townsend, a brief history of the bookmobile, an author’s note, and a further reading list.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\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":44890354122981,"sku":"NP9780062888792","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062888792.jpg?v=1730233098","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/ready-to-fly-how-sylvia-townsend-became-the-bookmobile-ballerina-isbn-9780062888792","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}