Katherine Dunham: Pioneer of Black Dance (Trailblazer Biographies) (Hardcover)

by Barbara O'Connor (Author) "Not many people believed Katherine Dunham when she said she could remember the day she was born-June 22, 1909..." (more)
Key Phrases: black dance, dance company, Katherine Dunham, New York, Dunham Dance Company (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Drawing on Dunham's own autobiographical writings, O'Connor details the life and achievements of this noted African-American dancer, choreographer, and teacher. The author recounts the dancer's difficult family situation and the racism she faced growing up in Illinois. She also discusses Dunham's desire to understand the roots of African dance and the fieldwork she did in Haiti. The book concludes with mention of Dunham's fast at the age of 82 to protest the U.S. government's treatment of Haitians attempting to enter the country. Throughout the accessible text, the performer's contributions and struggles are clearly portrayed. Attractive black-and-white photographs appear on almost every page.
Janet Woodward, Garfield High School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Katherine Dunham was one of the first choreographers to explore her African American roots and express them through dance. She grew up in Illinois, studied anthropology at the University of Chicago, made field studies of black cultures of the Caribbean, toured in her own dance company, and choreographed pieces for stage, screen, and college productions. Dunham and her husband traveled extensively and lived for a time in Haiti, but they eventually settled in East St. Louis, where she incorporated the community's young people into her vision of arts training and expression. O'Connor opens a door for readers to see not only Dunham as a person but also presents the challenges facing her as a black woman of energy and vision making her own way in mid-twentieth century America. Black-and-white photographs illustrate the text. A solid entry in the Trailblazer Biography series. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books; First Edition edition (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575053535
• ISBN-13: 978-1575053530
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: No customer reviews yet. Be the first.
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #568,398 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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