• Age: 9 to 13
• Grade: 4 to 8
• Reading age: 9 to 12

The women profiled here have become masters of their art, dancing and choreographing their way around the world. All of them have helped transform their style of dance, paving the way for the next generation. As you read about their lives, you will see that these women share a commitment to making a difference in the world of dance and beyond. Anna Pavlova, one of history’s greatest ballerinas, brought classical ballet to all corners of the globe. Geeta Chandran, a master of Indian Bharatanatyam, has used dance to protest violence against women. Judith Marcuse choreographs dances that explore such issues as teen suicide and the environment. Pearl Primus fought against racism, bringing Caribbean and African influence to modern dance. Their passion has left a lasting mark on the world.

Anne Dublin is a former teacher-librarian and award-winning author living in Toronto. She has written two biographies for Second Story Press – June Callwood: A Life of Action and Bobbie Rosenfeld: The Olympian Who Could Do Everything – as well as Dynamic Women Dancers, part of the Women’s Hall of Fame series and the children’s historical fiction novel The Orphan Rescue.

Anne Dublin's profile page

Dynamic Women Dancers (The Women’s Hall of Fame Series)

The fourteenth title in The Women’s Hall of Fame Series focuses on dancers from around the world. There are two Canadians profiled – Karen Kain and Judith Marcuse – and dancers from Cuba, Spain, India, Russia and the United States. What distinguishes these dancers is that not only are they successful artists, they are also involved in social issues and committed to helping others in their communities. From Anna Pavlova, who inspired generations of dancers around the world to our own Karen Kain, now the Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Canada, these biographies take the reader on a tour of many styles of dance. We meet Alicia Alonso, the great Cuban dancer who overcame near blindness to become a world-famous ballerina and start a Cuban ballet company. Modern dancers Pearl Primus, Anna Sokolow, Willa Jo Zollar and Judith Marcuse are profiled. We also meet a Spanish flamenco dancer, Carmen Amaya, and a classical Indian dancer, Geeta Chandran, who teaches this ancient dance form while also working to address social issues in her country.

I am always happy to see another book in this useful and informative series. Anne Dublin is an accomplished biographer with a passion for dance. She has chosen an interesting cross-section of dancers for this collection, most of whom are not well known. Young readers with an interest in dance will find this a satisfying read.

Dynamic Women Dancers (Women’s Hall of Fame)

Meet ten women who have transformed their respective styles of dance and made a difference in the dance world and beyond. Those profiled include Karen Kain, Judith Marcuse and Anna Pavlova. Black-and-white photos appear in this energizing and inspiring text. A glossary, a bibliography and a “Forms of Dance” section are included.