Hope in a Ballet Shoe
by Michaela De Prince and Elaine De Prince
Interest age: 11+
Reading age: 11+
Published by Faber and Faber, 2015
About this book
Michaela was born in war torn Sierra-Leone. Her parents died when she was young and her uncle decided to sell her to an orphanage. She still finds things to be happy about as she loves to learn and she makes a new friend. The orphans are in danger in war-torn Sierra-Leone but some American families come to their rescue and she starts a new life in America. Michaela's life changes overnight and her dream of becoming a ballerina has the possibility to become a reality.
Michaela takes the reader with her from the joys and struggles of her early life in Sierra-Leone to the challenges and delights of her life in America. This is a book that will make you smile and make you cry and remind you to feel grateful for all that you have.
More books like this
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Persepolis
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I am Malala
by Malala Yousafzai
11 to 14 years
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Ballerina Dreams
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5 to 9 years
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Dangerous Animals: Survival Guide
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Lists of recommended reads
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Non-fiction books to help teens understand the world around them
Non-fiction books can be a great tool to help teenagers explore and investigate problems in their lives and around the world. These fantastic books explore the issues facing young people today - from the demonization of the working class to gang culture to sexuality, while others help explain how the world has ended up where it has.
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Books featuring real-life heroines
Here's a list of some of our favourite non-fiction books with inspiring heroines for older girls and young teens.