The Magic of Dance

TFK Kid Reporter Tilda Desai Siegal read Firebird Waltz and interviewed its author, Misty Copeland. Read Tilda’s thoughts below.

Firebird Waltz was written by ballet star Misty Copeland. In this first book in the new Star Fire Academy series, 12-year-old Josephine “Josie” Davis wins a ballet scholarship to a magical dance school.

At the academy, students study the arts. They also study magic. But to Josie, something feels off. She gets tripped up doing the most basic ballet steps, even though she can do the most difficult steps at home. She gets into huge fights with her best friend, Patrick. How will she get the lead role in the winter recital if something in the school seems to be working against her?

These challenges throw Josie off track, but she persists. She becomes close to Miss Fiona, a kind teacher, and learns from Miss Martine, a legendary ballet dancer. And she finds new friends, including her roommate, whom she soon considers family.

I spoke with Copeland, who in 2015 became the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre. “There are definitely pieces of me in Josie,” she says. “Her ambition—even her insecurities, the feeling of walking into a room and not always knowing if she belongs.” She adds that several other characters are based on people in her life. “I think one of the best parts for me of being a ballet dancer is the community that I was able to be a part of, and the friendships that I built,” Copeland says.

I highly recommend Firebird Waltz to anyone struggling with any sort of challenge and thinking, “I can’t do this.” Copeland is sending a message: No matter who or what is working against you, you can do this.