Dance of Resistance — Catherine Johnson

Catherine Johnson celebrates the incredible life of Josephine Baker in this true story chronicling her life from poor girl to beloved actress, dancer and wartime heroine.

Dancer, singer, actress, movie star, civil-rights activist â€" Josephine Baker was a phenomenon!

Overcoming the poverty and abuse of her childhood, Josephine grew up to become one of the biggest stars of the early twentieth century, particularly adored in her adopted country of France. She used her connections to help the Resistance in their fight against the Nazis during the Second World War and later became involved with Martin Luther King and the civil-rights movements in the US.

Controversial and outspoken, she is an iconic historical figure and Catherine Johnson brings her story vividly to life for a young audience in this enthralling piece of narrative non-fiction.

Reviews

"Fluent, vivid and immersive story telling. I read it in one take." -- Hilary McKay

"In keeping with Josephine Baker's extraordinary brave dancing spirit â€" Johnson's joyful storytelling had me dancing through the pages â€" awe/struck to read of such a significant and inspiring life that will now inspire so many young people to learn of the complex international history that she not only lived through but helped to change." -- Sita Brahmachari

"[Catherine Johnson] writes with such an engaging voice about the astonishing Josephine Baker. And brings the story and the times she lived in to life with such ease. Neither does Catherine back away from the dark side of Josephine's career, she handles it with expert care for her audience …This book is short concise and packs a mighty punch." â€" Sally Gardner

"Told through incredibly accessible narrative non-fiction, readers travel with Josephine from East St Louis USA to Philadelphia, New York, Paris and then across Europe and Northern Africa. Her colourful life, full of adventure and self-made opportunity, is completely inspiring while revealing so much about the discrimination and abuse faced by Black people in early 20th century USA … Dance of Resistance will open readers' eyes to the injustices of the past and challenge them to consider how far society has come." -- Scope for Imagination, blog