Siena Cherson Siegel always knew she wanted to dance. In this graphic novel memoir, she describes the trials, the hard work and, ultimately, the triumph that she experienced as a ballerina. Delicate, flowing pen-and-watercolor artwork enhances the flow and telling of the story.

Notes: A Robert E. Siebert Honor Book
The beautiful, yet simple pen and watercolor art enhance the story with its gently flowing lines and light, wispy coloring and shading. The flow of the panels on the page and the lightly touched lines create an easy movement of the ballerina’s story. The reader’s eyes follow the movement within the panels as easily as one would follow the movement of the ballerina herself. The cartoonish quality of the artwork is perfect for a young audience, while not being so oversimplified that an adult reader wouldn’t appreciate the beauty of it.

To Dance is a wonderful story for anyone who dreams of living their life doing what they love best. The genuine, heartfelt longing that Siena feels as a child, to dance, is captured on the page in words and in art, and the hard work that she put into achieving that dream is inspiring.

• American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
• Amelia Rules! (series) by Jimmy Gownley