Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina's Life [Hardcover]

Chan Hon Goh (Author), Cary Fagan (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: K and up

Shortlisted for the Rocky Mountain Book Award

Nominated for The Rocky Mountain Book Award (An Alberta Children's Choice Book Award)

Nominated for the 2003 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children’s Non-Fiction


An elegant, expressive dancer, Chan Hon Goh is one of the ballet world’s great stars. She is a brilliant technician possessing a delicate beauty and radiant stage presence. Born in Beijing to dancer parents, she tells the story of their flight to Canada from an oppressive regime that thwarted her father’s career, her rigorous training, and her battle to achieve acceptance as the only Chinese-born prima
ballerina in the history of the National Ballet.

This fascinating look at the life of a dancer will appeal not only to the legions of Chan Hon Goh’s admirers and to students of ballet, but also to young readers who understand what it is to pursue a dream.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6 Up-This highly readable autobiography introduces a prima ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada. Goh was born in Beijing but raised in Vancouver by her dancer parents. She discusses the events in her homeland that led her family to emigrate, their adjustment to life in Vancouver, and her parents' struggles to build the Goh Ballet Company. She had amazing successes at international ballet competitions, earned a place with the American Ballet Theatre, but instead decided to accept a position with the National Ballet of Canada, where she quickly rose in the ranks. The tone of the book is overwhelmingly positive, but Goh does discuss some disappointments and hardships. The impression is that she has led somewhat of a charmed life, though it couldn't really have been as easy as it seems. The book is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and balletomanes will enjoy poring over every detail.
Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Simply written, this is a wonderful book for [Chan Hon Goh’s] many, especially young, admirers and will be an eminently affordable addition to any dancer’s Christmas list.”
–Dance International

“…[Chan’s] autobiography…is equally merry and sweet-tempered…I for one have derived much inspiration from reading this uplifting book.”
–The Asian Wall Street Journal

“This autobiography has a refreshing candour about it…Goh’s account of her life to date is engrossing for any reader, but especially for aspiring dancers.”
–The Globe and Mail

“The book is lavishly illustrated with black-and-white photographs, and balletomanes will enjoy poring over every detail.”
–School Library Journal

“Cary Fagan has crafted an excellent portrait that allows Chan’s voice to shine through. The book will appeal…to young dancers and ballet lovers, but should not be overlooked as an inspiration to a wide range of readers…It is a lovely memoir – like her dancing, it is delicate and passionate – and a revealing story of a remarkable woman.”
–Children’s Book News

“This is a book for anyone interested in reading about an exquisite ballet dancer’s rise to the top. It’s also a book for young dancers interested in reading first hand what it takes to make it as a professional classical dancer…the story is easy to follow for dancers and non-dancers alike.”
–The Gazette [Montreal]

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 152 pages
• Publisher: Tundra Books (September 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887765963
• ISBN-13: 978-0887765964
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #564,663 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A nice story for young, aspiring ballerinas, September 25, 2007

By 

Trixiecat (central wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina's Life (Hardcover)

An interesting biography. Told in a positive manner that makes fine reading for young girls who are interested in ballet and perhaps dream of becoming ballerinas themselves one day.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read, November 25, 2011

By 

Gabrielle (All over the place) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beyond the Dance: A Ballerina's Life (Hardcover)

I loved this book! It's a rather quick read, but very interesting. Since it's a mix between Chan Hon Goh's personal journey as a Chinese immigrant and her journey as a ballet dancer, I was concerned about either aspect of the book seeming less interesting than the other. This was not the case at all, and Goh managed to intertwine these two aspects of her life in a very interesting and enjoyable way. The many photos were also beautiful to look at. The cover mentions a children's book prize, but I really think the book would appeal to almost anyone. Definitely recommended!