Dancing to Freedom: The True Story of Mao's Last Dancer

by Cunxin Li

Other authorsAnne Spudvilas (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 2008

Collection

Description

Selected by Chairman Mao's officials from among millions of children to become a dancer, Li's new life began as he left his family behind. At the Beijing Dance Academy, days were long and difficult. Li's hard work was rewarded when he was chosen yet again, this time to travel to America.

Publication

Walker Childrens (2008), Edition: 1st, 40 pages

User reviews

LibraryThing member BooksByLinda

Li is given the chance of a lifetime, to dance in the Beijing Dance Academy during the Cultural Revolution in China. Eventually, Li is selected to dance in America and was a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet. He then move to Australia and lives there today with his wife and children.

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LibraryThing member amandacb

Cunxin tells the “true story of Mao’s last dancer,” a first person narration by the author who left home to study dancing and became famous. The narrative is clearly-worded without being pedantic or condescending. Cunxin couples the narrative with colored sketches that reinforce the text. A

multitude of colors are used, but they are all muted; the muted colors contribute to the dark mood whenever Cunxin discusses how much he misses his family.

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LibraryThing member PaulaCheg

Picture book of Mao's last dancer. Illustrated by Mum's cousin.

LibraryThing member abbylibrarian

When Li Cunxin was a boy in China during Mao's Cultural Revolution, he was chosen to go to ballet school. He eventually became a renowned dancer and was offered a chance to study and perform in the United States, but due to the tension between China and America, that would mean leaving his family

behind - possibly forever. Stark, beautiful illustrations bring the tone of this true story to life. An author's note includes information about China during the leadership of Mao Zedong. Kids will need scaffolding to understand the Cultural Revolution and what life was like at this time in China, but this would make a nice addition to classrooms studying dance, performance, or Communist China.

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LibraryThing member CourtneyMcPAUL

i did my essay on this book and let me tell you 5 stars from me

LibraryThing member kryoung1

An inspiring story of a young boy living under the oppression of China with his poor family. One day he was chosen to be taken away and taught ballet. After many many years of hard work, traveling, and training without seeing his family...he became a star. His dreams of freedom were fulfilled and

he was reunited with his family. It is a very touching book with a beautiful use of color in the illustrations,

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LibraryThing member jegammon

This is a picture book is an adaptation of Li Cunxin's autobiography.

I really like this book. The story is beautiful, and Li Cunxin's voice is sincere. His storytelling is simple, yet emotional and inspiring. He does a great job with characterization.

Curricular connection - I would use this book

to teach character values to grades 3 and up - preserving, hard word, self-sacrifice. I would also use this book if I were teaching a social studies unit on China

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