Hoop in een balletschoen

by Michaela DePrince

Michaela DePrince werd in 1995 geboren in het door een bloedige burgeroorlog geteisterde Sierra Leone. Wanneer haar vader door rebellen wordt vermoord en haar moeder aan ondervoeding sterft, wordt Michaela in een weeshuis geplaatst. Daar wordt ze verwaarloosd en mishandeld. Als Michaela min of meer per toeval door een Amerikaans echtpaar wordt geadopteerd, heeft ze maar één ballerina worden. Michaela blijkt een natuurtalent en vecht zich in de harde, door vooroordelen gekenmerkte wereld van ballet een weg naar de top.

Hoop in balletschoenen vertelt op indrukwekkende wijze hoe Michaela DePrince uitgroeit van oorlogswees tot ballerina.

Eerder verschenen onder de titel Ze noemden me duivelskind

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Africa, Biography Memoir, Adoption, War

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

Michaela Mabinty DePrince was a Sierra Leonean-American ballet dancer who danced with the Boston Ballet.

DePrince rose to fame after starring in the documentary First Position in 2011, which followed her and other young ballet dancers as they prepared to compete at the Youth America Grand Prix. In 2013, DePrince danced with the Dance Theatre of Harlem as the youngest dancer in the history of the company, and, in the same year, was a soloist with the Dutch National Ballet.

With her adoptive mother, Elaine DePrince, she authored the book Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina (2014). From 2016 to 2024, she was a goodwill ambassador with the Amsterdam-based organization War Child.

Reviews

[Ellis Amdur · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is somewhat of a personal review (at one remove), as I am married to the "magical ballerina," whose picture on a magazine was blown to Michaela DePrince's feet at the beginning of the story. The story being well-summarized elsewhere, I will only touch on a couple of points that make this book special.
1. Background is not destiny - not only Michaela, but her other sisters and brothers have gone through terrible, horrifying experiences, yet through love, they have thrived.
2. Resilience - so much of psychology, pop-culture and the like focuses on how damaging it is to be a victim (and it is, of course) - but not nearly enough on resilience, that although one certainly does not choose the grief and pain which one is handed, ultimately, only you can bring yourself out of it.
3. Divinity? Chance? - consider this simple fact - somehow, in 1999, a ballet magazine published in 1979 in America, blows to the feet of a tiny child in Sierra Leone, the one child, perhaps, who not only needed that image but could respond to it.

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable novel of the American dream. It reminds you of when fairy tales become true. Michaela Deprince was born in torn war Sierra Leone and suffered indignities as a child that will bring tears to your eyes. She was adopted by an American family who invested in her love for ballet and she went on to become a member of the world-famous Dutch National Ballet.

Her story is one of love, friendship, hardship, joy, family, understanding, pain, and forgiveness. Michaela Deprince, at a young age, learned all of this and more. The greatest gift of her story to me is the love of family. Family comes in many shapes, sizes, depths, and colors. Michaela family expands the continents of the world.

Quote

Papa thought it was funny that most of our experiences with racism happened in the parking lot of our supermarket, and usually involved women. He would make a joke of it. Before he'd let us out of the car in the parking lot, he would ask us, "Did you lotion your arms and legs? Did you pick your hair? We don't want the nappy-hair-and-ashy-skin policewomen after us."

She told me nothing lasts forever. "There will come a day when these girls will not longer be a part your life, and you'll no longer care about what they once said about you."

In my mind this invitation was of historical proportions. I felt that the hiring of a very black girl like me by one of the top classical ballet companies was akin to a white man's offering Rosa Parks a seat at the front of the bus in 1955! I happily signed the contract with the Dutch National Ballet in February.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars for Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina (audiobook) by Michaela DePrince and Elaine DePrince read by Allyson Johnson.

This is an wonderful and inspiring story. From utter starvation in war-torn Sierra Leone to becoming a professional ballerina. These two words seemingly couldn’t be further apart. But through the help from an amazing woman, a little girl’s dreams came true.

[Cintia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, what a story.

FULL REVIEW IN MY BLOG: http://abookandateacup.blogspot.com/2...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mabinty Bangura was just a tiny little girl when both her parents died during the war in Sierra Leone. Her uncle left her at an orphanage where she became Number 27. Even at such a young age, and against nearly insurmountable odds, Mabinty dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.

Mabinty’s story is one of bravery, hope and perseverance in the face of unimaginable hardship. After being adopted by a family in the United States, Mabinty was renamed Michaela. With the support, encouragement, and love of her remarkable family, her dream became a reality.

Michaela appeared in the documentary First Position and she was named by the Huffington Post as one of their “18 Under 18: HuffPost Teen’s List of the Most Amazing People of the Year” in 2012. In 2013 she was named in “Women in the World: 25 Under 25 Young Women to Watch” by the Daily Beast as well as in Newsweek’s list of “125 Women of Impact” and in O’s “50 Things That Will Make You Say ‘Wow!’”. She was also a participant in the television program Dancing With the Stars.

Adults as well as aspiring young ballerinas would enjoy reading Michaela’s story of hard work, determination, and following your dream. This is an uplifting, inspiring, and unforgettable memoir.

UPDATE: 9/2024
I just read that Michaela DePrince has passed away at the age of 29! No details were given as to the cause of death…so sad. What a loss for the dance community as well as for her humanitarian work with children in war zones.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michaela DePrince recalls her journey from orphaned child, struggling to survive against malnutrition, disease and unimaginable violence in Sierra Leone, to a thriving young ballet dancer struggling to break into the harsh world of professional classical ballet in the United States.
I frequently found myself having to put the book down for a minute, in sheer admiration of DePrince's resiliency, and in sheer horror of everything she went through. I think it's safe to say, that many Americans have heard countless stories of the wars and violence in Africa--whether it was the genocide in Rwanda, or child soldiers in Sudan. But for some reason, this story hit me even harder. Perhaps it's because I grew up in the world of ballet, and know what it's like to feel the freedom and inexplicable joy one feels on stage, and just wanting that for her. And knowing that somehow, this small child was somehow going to survive and make it to America, and somehow become a professional ballet dancer, just blew me away.
For someone to make it through everything DePrince did in her childhood, only to face horrible discrimination and racism in the ballet world here in the U.S. was astounding to me. I think the last paragraph of the epilogue was my favorite part of DePrince's book. She talks about her yearning to help others and her responsibility in her position of 'fame', to give something to others. For a long time she didn't know what that could be, but finally realized it was through sharing her story that she could give hope to others. It was such a poignant ending to a wonderfully recounted story of Michaela DePrince's life so far.
I hope that her story, along with others like Misty Copeland, will help to free young black females from the limits that have been unfairly placed, prohibiting them from excelling in professional, classical ballet companies throughout the U.S. I can't wait to watch the documentary First Position, and to see how far DePrince's career will go now.

[Kiera LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inpsirational story.
I really enjoyed this book. Michaela's story I'd just so amazing.
She had such a rough couple childhood in Sierra Leone and it broke my heart to read about women and children treated as they were.
She was so fortunate and she was adopted into a loving caring family.
Overall four stars!
Incredible story

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro davvero toccante e di grande ispirazione. Ho adorato la famiglia DePrince in ogni suo componente e i loro comportamenti così gentili e premurosi mi hanno fatto riflettere sul valore della condivisione e soprattutto di essere una famiglia, indipendentemente dal colore della pelle o del sangue. La protagonista Michaela mi ha colpito molto perché nonostante i momenti di sacrificio e di tensione che ha vissuto, è sempre riuscita ad andare avanti, superando critiche, sconfitte e pregiudizi e alla fine ha realizzato il suo sogno. Dopo avere letto questo libro, ho capito che se sentiamo di avere una grande passione o un sogno per cui lottare dobbiamo crederci, anche se spesso saremo demotivati dalle "peripezie"che la vita ha in serbo per noi. Spero anche io di trovare la mia strada e mi piacerebbe molto incontrare il Cigno Nero di questo capolavoro! 🖤🖤🖤

[Veronique · Rating 3 out of 5]

Het verhaal van Michaela is zeker heftig en het is mooi waar ze terecht is gekomen. Toch geef ik dit boek 3 sterren en dat is voornamelijk voor het eerste gedeelte.

Haar verhaal over Afrika en hoe ze daar leefde en wat ze daar mee gemaakt heeft is zeer heftig. Toch vroeg ik me vaak af hoe oud ze nou eigenlijk was en hoeveel ze er zelf echt van herinnerd.

Op een gegeven moment ging het verhaal veel over ballet en dan vooral over pasjes en houdingen en wedstrijden en scholen. Hier verloor ik mijn interesse een beetje. Ik had liever over haar gevoelens en gedachten gelezen en niet zozeer over wat ze precies danste voor welke wedstrijd.

Ik ben blij dat Michaela weg gekomen is uit Afrika en een mooi leven heeft gekregen bij haar adoptie ouders, maar het boek was toch enigszins een tegenvaller voor mij

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning of this book felt like a real memoir. I could feel the suffering and the pain that Michaela describes as a young orphan child. I had to keep reminding myself this wasn’t a made up story; these events really happened to her. So many times I wanted to just hug the real Michaela and tell her she survived and she made it. Being a former dancer as well as a manager for 5 years of a dance store, I loved being able to relate to what she was talking about as well as be familiar with the names and places she mentioned. I did feel as her story progressed the writing quality definitely didn’t hold up. It felt very list like almost through the second half of the book. Although, it did not take away the incredible story that was shared.

[Dianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir, written by Michaela DePrince and her adoptive mother tells a remarkable story of a young African girl who is loved by her parents, but shunned by her culture. As war breaks out in her home of Sierra Leone, she becomes a refugee orphan. Had I not known that this girl's story ended up a happy one, I don't know if I could have read past the first part of the book because her story was so sad and what she witnessed was unbearable to think about. That does not mean it's not good writing--it's powerful and eye opening. For that young girl to become adopted and to go on to live her dream of being a ballerina is inspiring. I picked this book up off the shelf at the store because it proudly featured a black person on the cover (I've read many articles about how this is often avoided), and then bought it because of the great story. With a few cliched phrases, it is obvious that it is written in a young girl's voice and this would appeal to many--former refugees, young dancers, adolescent girls, those interested in issues involving racism, war-torn African countries, and those who want an inspiring story.

[Masteatro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho conocer la historia de Micaela DePrince.
Este libro no destaca evidentemente por su calidad literaria puesto que se trata de unas memorias escritas por una chica que no se dedica a escribir sino que es bailarina. Por lo que este libro llega al corazón es por su contenido, por la historia de esa niña huérfana de Sierra Leona que tuvo la suerte de ser adoptada a la tierna edad de 4 años y cambiar de vida en EEUU.
También es la historia de la lucha por un sueño y por suerte, sin ánimo de hacer spoiler, tiene final feliz.
Una de las cosas que me ha interesado muy especialmente es el tratamiento que se hace de los prejuicios raciales en el mundo del ballet clásico.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ballet is one of my 'things' so I'll read almost anything with a dancer on the front. This one did not disappoint. Miss DePrince's story is a fascinating and inspiring read. I think it's safe to say that she is one of my new heroes.

The only negative is the pacing of this book--we spend more than half of it on her early childhood, and then four years are glossed over in a few pages.

Despite this, I'm very interested to see what Michaela DePrince does next. I'll bet it's going to be grand.

[Camille Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the first half or so is very heartbreaking and moving, but then it turns into a dry timeline of her progression into a ballet career. Including that information was definitely important towards the goal of her autobiography, but most of it is presented very mechanically compared to the rest of the book. However, this was still a wonderful read! I was always eager to pick it back up, even during the second half, and I probably would have read it all in one sitting if I were a faster reader.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew beforehand who Michaela was because I saw the documentary she was on, First Position (2011). In the documentary the spectators are able to see her progress and rehearse as she is about to compete on Youth America Grand Prix which is one of the most prestigious ballet competitions and every year thousands of dancers audition and compete hoping to get noticed either by winning medals or more importantly, a scholarship. Michaela was one of those young dancers competing (she was 14 at the time) and apart from pulling my eye because of her strong technique and her passion it was her story that got me.

I am not an avid reader of autobiographies, I believe this is either the first or second I have ever read... but I am truly glad and thankful to Michaela for sharing her story because it is one of the most inspirational ones I have ever heard of. She had to go through uncountable horrors during her childhood, four years old and had already gone through one nightmare after another until finally at the age of 5 she was adopted by an American family. That was the beginning of Michaela's dream. As the summary already says, tiny Michaela found hope on a ballerina she saw on the cover of a magazine that by some kind of miracle flew right to her face, literally. When she was adopted she had to overcome everything she had lived while in Sierra Leone and luckily she counted with a supporting new family. Surrounded by such a environment she flourished, as a person, as a ballerina, as herself. She wasn't the "devil's child" anymore, she was Michaela DePrince.
I have to say I found Michaela to be an inspiration and I can't thank her enough for being one of my role models.

OVERALL: Perfect. I don't care about how good or bad written it is or how many "fancy" words this book has. The point of this book is to inspire people. To make them open their eyes to the world's horrors and it does, oh yes it does. I recommend this book to everyone even if autobiographies are not your cup of tea, trust me I am that type. Taking Flight is life changing, it drives you to become a better person, to work hard to achieve your dreams...
Don't worry about the ballet part either, ballet was her choice and dream but the endurance can be applied to anyone's dream whatever it might be.

BONUS: I also recommend to watch the documentary First Position and Michaela's 2014 TEDx speech. Of course the book should be the main focus but if you don't feel like reading it those two are very nice options as well.

—P.S. I Love That Book!

[Christina Dent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. It gave me a better picture of what life is like for children growing up in countries like Sierra Leone in civil war. I also appreciated the many specific examples she gave of what it was like growing up as a black daughter of white parents once she was adopted, and all the different things she heard people say about that, and about her being a ballerina as a black woman. It was an easy read, not earth shaking, just a good perspective to help see through her eyes and gain a better idea of what other kids in her shoes might experience.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful yet heartbreaking memoir. In light of Michaela Mabinty DePrince’s passing, I figured it was time that I learned her whole story. Words can’t describe how powerful this book is. If you’re obsessed with ballet like me, READ THIS ✨

[Stacie C · Rating 4 out of 5]

She was known as Mabinty Bangura in Sierra Leone. She wouldn’t become Michaela DePrince until she had lost both of her parents. Her father was shot in the diamond mines by the rebels. Her mother would die from sickness. Mabinty would become known simply as a number by the guardians at the orphanage. When the rebels removed the children from the orphanage everyone would escape to Ghana, where her new mother Elaine would take her and her best friend, also Mabinty, to the United States of America. Her first night with Elaine before they left Ghana she would show her a picture she had found while at the orphanage. It was a cover of Dance Magazine. On the cover was a ballerina elevated on pointe. She wanted to be that dancer.

It is hard to imagine what life could possibly be like for an orphan child in Africa. Reading Michaela’s account of her young life is extremely emotional and hard to digest. Murder, fear, bodies lying in the street and the rebels’s forces always near. Michaela does a great job recounting her experiences and detailing how much her life changed after being adopted. It’s obvious that throughout each phase of her life in America that she was loved by her adoptive family. This was as much a coming of age story as it was a memoir.

This was a very quick and lovely read. I loved learning about Michaela’s history and seeing the growth and maturity of such a young woman. She tackled issues of race as a ballerina and how she was perceived while having white parents. She talks about the stress and decisions she had made to become a ballerina. It’s an incredible story and journey. This was an easy one to enjoy. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

[Angela Aagenborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Ze noemden me duivelskind’ is een boek dat gelezen moet worden. Het is een verhaal dat zich vastzet in je hoofd, in je hart en in je ziel. Je kunt niet anders dan het boek in één ruk uitlezen. Het is duidelijk dat haar oorlogsverleden haar op vele manieren blijft achtervolgen, maar haar ook de persoon heeft gemaakt die ze nu is. Dit boek bewaar ik tot mijn dochter oud genoeg is om het te lezen. Michaela’s verhaal laat je geloven in wonderen en is een bewijs dat je met keihard werken (en talent) heel ver kunt komen. Met tranen in mijn ogen, na haar laatste geschreven woorden, sloot ik het boek om het vervolgens voor altijd in mijn hart te bewaren.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michaela's story is the personification of the American dream, and her wisdom and understanding is amazing for someone so young (she's close to my younger sibling's ages!) It breaks my heart to know that Michaela's childhood is one shared by many kids; I am so glad that she and her parents found each other, even countries apart. I wish Michaela had been the narrator in the audio book... I would have loved to hear her voice as she told her story. Her perspective is so unique and her story is incredible.

[Sonia Lady Acacia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tocando el cielo es un libro conmovedor, en el que encontramos esperanza, superación y sueños por cumplir, que seguro que te va a conmover de principio a fin. Es de esos libros que te marcan de alguna manera y hacen que quieras cumplir cada una de aquellas metas que tienes pendientes.
Reseña completa: https://ladyacacia.wordpress.com/2015...

[Maria Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an inspirational story. Michaela's determination and courage throughout all that she faced is a testament to her birth parents and their desire for a better world for their only child. Her adoptive parents are amazing people who have a huge capacity for love. God Bless her and all the people she inspires with this true story of a girl who went from Sierra Leone to the US and all over the world.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I loved the straightforward way the author told her story! She didn't sound sorry for herself, even though she had reason to be. Neither did she apologies for things that happened to her that were beyond her control.
I loved her enthusiasm for life. And kudos to her mom for being such a great woman!

[Winter Sophia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, Captivating, Encouraging & Touching! A Beautiful Read! I Loved It!

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obwohl Ballett mich jetzt nicht unbedingt interessiert, eine schön zu lesende (wahre) Geschichte, die so vor sich hin plätschert. Auch wenn bei einer Biographie nicht unbedingt ein großer Spannungsbogen zu erwarten ist, wurde es mir zum Ende hin etwas zu “eintönig” mit dem hin und her zwischen den ganzen Schulen und Akademien und idk (bin da aber auch nicht im Thema drin also WHAT CAN I SAY). Fotos in der Mitte des Buches fand ich sehr sehr cool, obwohl ich sie lieber im Buch verteilt gehabt hätte. All in all hat’s trotzdem Spaß gemacht zu lesen; Mara du kannst Luisa jetzt ihr Buch zurückgeben hihi danke

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely wasn’t made for reading autobiographies because the timeline made no sense at all for me. Ops.

[Liralen · Rating 4 out of 5]

DePrince was born in Sierra Leone, but after rebels killed her father and Lassa killed her mother, she was first sent to an orphanage and then adopted to the U.S. While at the orphanage, she came across a magazine cover featuring a ballerina, and -- although she did not at the time know what ballet was -- that cover was a catalyst that helped shape her future.

Midway through the book, DePrince talks briefly about some of the lasting impacts of her childhood in Sierra Leone (more to the point, the war in Sierra Leone -- her childhood was happy until her parents died). She doesn't say as much, but I imagine it was doubly difficult because it was impossible to articulate the things that scared her and why, and impossible for the adults around her in the States to guess. She makes brief mention, too, of health concerns (hers and her sisters'), although she doesn't go far into that -- perhaps because it wasn't the important part of the story, or perhaps because that felt more private. I'd love to know more about her sisters, and her family in general, but in this context it more or less works with what she offers.

The fourth star I gave the book is partly sentimental; it's a story that tugs on the heartstrings. But for a teenager's memoir (written with her mother), it's really well done, and it strikes a good balance between her past in Sierra Leone and her aspirations as a dancer. (There's a photo of the pirate dance, by the way, and I'm just sorry that I can't find a video on YouTube.) I haven't seen that many memoirs by young dancers. Perhaps this is because they still have, hopefully, their entire careers ahead of them (more common to see memoirs by young gymnasts, who might actually be at the end of their competitive careers); perhaps it is because there is not much outside the norm in their youths. There are also -- more importantly -- few black women in ballet, and fewer books by/about black women in ballet. It's nice to see this one.

I'd love to see an adult book from her some time down the line, when she's had time to figure out who she is as an adult and has seen more of the ballet world, but...call this a pleasant surprise.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first heard about Michaela DePrince when I saw the documentary "First Position" on Netflix. I loved the documentary and particularly her story the best. When watching a really good ballerina, it is when they extend and hold a position beyond what you think is possible. When they take your breath away for a few moments you know there is something special about them and Michaela DePrince is that good. Her leaps and technique is beyond many her age.

I was pleasantly surprised when she and her mother announced they would be writing a book. I am glad that she was going to be sharing her journey beyond the movie snippets of her ballet and life.

Michaela literally came from nothing and one of the cruelest places on Earth. She rose from the ashes and made sure her dream became a reality while breaking down racial barriers. What is so stunning about Michaela, besides her gracefulness, is the fact that she doesn't see in color. She simply wants to be the best person and ballerina that she can be without thinking about all the other stuff. While others have been rude or bigotry towards she, she always took in in stride and achieved the dream she wanted to full full since seeing a ballerina on a tattered ballet magazine that blow into her path while an orphan in Africa.

A truly inspiring story that many young adults and adults will love reading, I recommend this to anyone who likes a great memoir and/or ballet story. This book is a very quick read, but gives a lot insight into what it takes to sacrifice to become the disciplined dancer that Michaela grew into. A career in classical ballet is not an easy task and Michaela shares her journey from refuge orphan to principle ballerina. It also a tale about two adaptive parents who took the time and love to give a better life then Michaela could have ever imagined. Inspiring and heartfelt, this book will make your heart soar just like Michaela's leaps.

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of ballerina Michaela de Prince, who was born in Sierra Leone and adopted and raised in the U.S. As a young child, she witnessed starvation, abuse, murder, and other horrors, but she survived and thrived in her life once she came to America.

I watched the documentary First Position, in which she is featured, because it was mentioned in the book, and the documentary is also worth a look.

I thought this was a very good book. The writing is not flowery, but to the point, and very readable. Her story will be an inspiration to young girls everywhere.


Book Description:
Michaela DePrince was known as girl Number 27 at the orphanage, where she was abandoned at a young age and tormented as a “devil child” for a skin condition that makes her skin appear spotted. But it was at the orphanage that Michaela would find a picture of a beautiful ballerina en pointe that would help change the course of her life.

At the age of four, Michaela was adopted by an American family, who encouraged her love of dancing and enrolled her in classes. She went on to study at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at the American Ballet Theatre and is now the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem. She has appeared in the ballet documentary First Position, as well as on Dancing with the Stars, Good Morning America, and Nightline.

In this engaging, moving, and unforgettable memoir, Michaela shares her dramatic journey from an orphan in West Africa to becoming one of ballet’s most exciting rising stars.

[Denise D'angelo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading about Michaela's young life. I've never met her but certainly have worked with and have known a few people she mentions in her book, which was a lot fun. Her story got me to thinking about my own childhood which was innocent, happy, and rich with love, family, friends, education, ballet lessons, vacations, and anything else I needed or required. I was treated like a princess and pursued being a princess in ballet. Reading of her time in the orphanage in Sierra Leone, how she was treated with cruelty, barely had enough food to eat, and the horrors of watching people die at the hands of the rebels (Debels), even her beloved parents and teacher, was almost impossible for me to realize. The one thing that kept her going was finding an old dance magazine with a ballerina on the cover, she wanted to be THAT BALLERINA and that ballerina was none other than the wonderful Magali Messac, who I remember from the Pa. Ballet in the late 1970's. I remembered what a warm, gorgeous woman she was and this was evident by the end of Michaela's story as well, which made it the most perfect ending of the book to me. I also loved that so many people I know and worked with were so kind and helpful to this young girl along her way, Bo and Stephanie Spassoff, Natasha Zeiger and Miss Madeline Cantarella, my Dede jug's teacher! I believe this book was written for the young adult genre, but none the less it was well written by Michaela and her mother. I'm glad she landed in the USA and was adopted by wonderful people!