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

Cunxin, Li

ISBN 10: 0802797784 ISBN 13: 9780802797780

Publisher: Walker Childrens, 2008

Synopsis

In a poor village in northern China, a small boy named Li Cunxin was given the chance of a lifetime. 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.

From there his career took flight, and he danced in cities around the world―never forgetting his family, who urged him to follow his dreams.

About this title

About the Author:

Li Cunxin was born in 1961 in northeast China. The sixth of seven sons from a poor rural family, his life changed forever when he was chosen to study ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. Following a scholarship to train in America, and a dramatic defection, he became principal dancer for the Houston Ballet. Later, Li married fellow star dancer Mary McKendry and moved to Australia where he was a principal dancer for the Australian Ballet. Li now lives in Melbourne with Mary and their three children, Sophie, Tom, and Bridie. His life story was originally published as Mao's Last Dancer, which became an international bestseller.

Anne Spudvilas is one of Australia's foremost picture book illustrators and painters. In 2006, Anne traveled with Li to China to visit Li's village, his family, his friend The Bandit, and the Beijing Dance Academy. She then studied traditional Chinese brush-painting to bring authenticity to her illustrations.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3–5—A poignant memoir of a boy caught in the difficulties of life in Maoist China, this is the author's own story of how he was given a chance to break the bonds of his bleak life and become an international star. First told for adults in the bestseller Mao's Last Dancer (Berkley, 2005) and now available in a Young Readers' Edition of the same name (Walker, 2008), this picture-book version is an inspiring tale of the willingness to make the most of one's opportunities, even when it entails tremendous personal sacrifice. Li and his family lived the life that most ordinary Chinese endured during Mao's reign: substandard housing with little to eat and less to hope for. When his teacher recommended him for the Beijing Dance Academy, he got his chance to break free, but he had to train far away from his home and family. Li's intense training paid off, as he was offered the chance to dance with the Houston Ballet, and his greatest dream was realized when his parents were finally able to come to the U.S. to see him perform. This fascinating, heartfelt story is perfectly matched by Spudvilas's masterful paintings. The somber grays and blues of the first part of the story underline the bleakness of Li's life, giving way to bursts of color when he defects to America. The figures are beautifully drawn, with infinite care given to details of expressions and surroundings, resulting in a realistic portrayal of the people and places.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Walker Childrens
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0802797784
• ISBN 13: 9780802797780
• Binding: Library Binding
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40
• Illustrator: Spudvilas Anne