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To Dance #2
Tiny Dancer
A teenage ballet dancer struggles to find her next step, and her place in the world, in this exquisite graphic memoir—a follow-up to the Sibert Honor–winning To Dance.
All her life Siena has dreamed of being a ballerina. Her love of movement and dedication to the craft earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet, with hopes of becoming a member of George Balanchine’s world-famous New York City Ballet company. Siena has worked hard for many years to be a professional ballet dancer, but injury and doubt are starting to take their toll.
Maybe it’s time to look beyond the world of dance—but ballet has shaped Siena’s whole identity. When you have spent your entire life working toward something, how do you figure out what comes next? And how do you figure out who you are without the thing that defined you? This is a moving and beautifully drawn memoir of a dancer struggling to find her next step—and of a young woman finding her true footing in the world.
All her life Siena has dreamed of being a ballerina. Her love of movement and dedication to the craft earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet, with hopes of becoming a member of George Balanchine’s world-famous New York City Ballet company. Siena has worked hard for many years to be a professional ballet dancer, but injury and doubt are starting to take their toll.
Maybe it’s time to look beyond the world of dance—but ballet has shaped Siena’s whole identity. When you have spent your entire life working toward something, how do you figure out what comes next? And how do you figure out who you are without the thing that defined you? This is a moving and beautifully drawn memoir of a dancer struggling to find her next step—and of a young woman finding her true footing in the world.
257 pages, Hardcover
First published October 5, 2021
22 people are currently reading
4200 people want to read
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December 27, 2024
***SPOILERS HIDDEN***
Graphic novels about the tween and teen years usually hit the same, often heartbreaking notes. This memoir by Siena Cherson Siegel is different. From a young age Siegel adored everything about ballet and became consumed with reaching her maximum potential as a dancer. Tiny Dancer touches on some things typical for a book about this age, but briefly so, and as is to be expected, this memoir is ballet-focused. Siegel worked hard to become an accomplished ballet dancer, eventually getting accepted into the highly competitive Juilliard School.
In addition to chronicling this journey, Siegel talks about the transcendent experience of dancing as one with music. She also details some famous ballets. As a ballet fan who danced ballet as a child too, I loved this memoir, but I doubt it’ll appeal as much to non-dancers or to those uninterested in dance.
However, deep into the story something changes Siegel’s life, and her memoir becomes relatable to more readers. This is a gushing love letter to ballet, but it’s also a cautionary tale Siegel worked through sadness and anxiety, and fortunately Tiny Dancer ends happily.
The black-and-lavender art by Mark Siegel is beautiful. He captured the movement and positions of ballet with elegant drawings of dancers. The lavender looks like a strategic choice—the obvious coloring for a book about ballet is light pink, but the moods of the panels vary, and although lavender is a soft shade, its tone can be adjusted to fit the various moods of the panels. There’s no way to make pink look truly gloomy.
Tiny Dancer is a sequel to To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel, something I didn’t know before starting; however, this book can be read as a stand-alone. The theme obviously gives it narrower appeal than a story about a typical teenager, but at the same time it’s refreshing to see something different.
Graphic novels about the tween and teen years usually hit the same, often heartbreaking notes. This memoir by Siena Cherson Siegel is different. From a young age Siegel adored everything about ballet and became consumed with reaching her maximum potential as a dancer. Tiny Dancer touches on some things typical for a book about this age, but briefly so, and as is to be expected, this memoir is ballet-focused. Siegel worked hard to become an accomplished ballet dancer, eventually getting accepted into the highly competitive Juilliard School.
In addition to chronicling this journey, Siegel talks about the transcendent experience of dancing as one with music. She also details some famous ballets. As a ballet fan who danced ballet as a child too, I loved this memoir, but I doubt it’ll appeal as much to non-dancers or to those uninterested in dance.
However, deep into the story something changes Siegel’s life, and her memoir becomes relatable to more readers. This is a gushing love letter to ballet, but it’s also a cautionary tale Siegel worked through sadness and anxiety, and fortunately Tiny Dancer ends happily.
The black-and-lavender art by Mark Siegel is beautiful. He captured the movement and positions of ballet with elegant drawings of dancers. The lavender looks like a strategic choice—the obvious coloring for a book about ballet is light pink, but the moods of the panels vary, and although lavender is a soft shade, its tone can be adjusted to fit the various moods of the panels. There’s no way to make pink look truly gloomy.
Tiny Dancer is a sequel to To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel, something I didn’t know before starting; however, this book can be read as a stand-alone. The theme obviously gives it narrower appeal than a story about a typical teenager, but at the same time it’s refreshing to see something different.
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May 2, 2022
When our best laid plans go awry, the future can seem a bleak horizon as we struggle to recollect our lives. Tiny Dancer, a bittersweet graphic memoir from Siena Cherson Siegel and illustrator Mark Siegel explore Siena’s derailed trajectory as a dancer and her journey to find herself again and continue dance. This reads much like an expanded and reworked version of To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel and the moving story coupled with gorgeous artwork bring the struggles of a ballerina straight into your heart.
I have a real fascination with ballet. Have you read Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans because that is such an amazing book and I find dance to be such an incredible art form. It is poetry of the body and motion as art and narrative built on such precision and skill that is just astonishing. Full disclosure, I cannot dance, like even a little (but I sure will), but the body as a medium is something that will always enchant me. Also, going forward into the review, you should probably cue up the song Tiny Dancer (this version because you already know the original and in this house we jam to Florence + the Machine) for obvious reasons, and because the song is referenced multiple times in the book.
The book follows Siena’s life, moving from Puerto Rico to New York City to attend the School of American Ballet. Her life revolves around her dancing, which she excels at, while her parent’s divorce looms in the background. We witness her dreams and joys surrounding dance, while also getting wonderful commentary on famous ballets and stars of the scene during that time period. When an injury derails her progress, and her confidence, she spirals into directionlessness while wondering what to do next as she watches everyone else continue their dreams from the sidelines. Beyond examinations on what life is like in a dance studio and the competitive lifestyle on a path to working in a dance company, Siegel shows how the competitiveness can flow into friendships such as the friend who seems to copy everything she does as if to steal her personality, friends, and overall life. While the story can feel a bit overly long at times, the emotional resonance carries it through.
This is likely to be a very relatable book for young readers, with or without an interest in dance, and it is encouraging to see a story where someone is able to reform a life and push forward even without a clear direction. The use of the ‘ghost’ in the story—the ghost of her childhood dreams that follows her in devastation to see her wide-eyed hope for a future in dance may have come undone—is a rather heartbreaking aspect of the book. I quite enjoyed it and the intent, but it also felt underutilized, oddly enough because it appeared too often to be a small nuance to the story but not enough integration or purpose to justify having appeared that often. Either way, it still was a nice touch and the dreamlike sequences work well to build an emotive undercurrent to the story. This is aided by the art, which is quite lovely and all done in purple tones.
Overall this is a nice graphic memoir that has some great messages within it. It is fairly melancholy but certainly tugs the heartstrings in a meaningful way and I feel teens would find a lot of inspiration within these pages.
3.5/5
I have a real fascination with ballet. Have you read Apollo's Angels: A History of Ballet by Jennifer Homans because that is such an amazing book and I find dance to be such an incredible art form. It is poetry of the body and motion as art and narrative built on such precision and skill that is just astonishing. Full disclosure, I cannot dance, like even a little (but I sure will), but the body as a medium is something that will always enchant me. Also, going forward into the review, you should probably cue up the song Tiny Dancer (this version because you already know the original and in this house we jam to Florence + the Machine) for obvious reasons, and because the song is referenced multiple times in the book.
The book follows Siena’s life, moving from Puerto Rico to New York City to attend the School of American Ballet. Her life revolves around her dancing, which she excels at, while her parent’s divorce looms in the background. We witness her dreams and joys surrounding dance, while also getting wonderful commentary on famous ballets and stars of the scene during that time period. When an injury derails her progress, and her confidence, she spirals into directionlessness while wondering what to do next as she watches everyone else continue their dreams from the sidelines. Beyond examinations on what life is like in a dance studio and the competitive lifestyle on a path to working in a dance company, Siegel shows how the competitiveness can flow into friendships such as the friend who seems to copy everything she does as if to steal her personality, friends, and overall life. While the story can feel a bit overly long at times, the emotional resonance carries it through.
This is likely to be a very relatable book for young readers, with or without an interest in dance, and it is encouraging to see a story where someone is able to reform a life and push forward even without a clear direction. The use of the ‘ghost’ in the story—the ghost of her childhood dreams that follows her in devastation to see her wide-eyed hope for a future in dance may have come undone—is a rather heartbreaking aspect of the book. I quite enjoyed it and the intent, but it also felt underutilized, oddly enough because it appeared too often to be a small nuance to the story but not enough integration or purpose to justify having appeared that often. Either way, it still was a nice touch and the dreamlike sequences work well to build an emotive undercurrent to the story. This is aided by the art, which is quite lovely and all done in purple tones.
Overall this is a nice graphic memoir that has some great messages within it. It is fairly melancholy but certainly tugs the heartstrings in a meaningful way and I feel teens would find a lot of inspiration within these pages.
3.5/5
November 29, 2021
Siena Cherson Siegel's graphic memoir isn't bad, but offers little beyond the typical ballet tropes: aspiration, competitive drive, stress, eating disorder, family drama, career-threatening injury, existential crisis. I've seen and read too many ballet dramas to find anything special here, but ballerinas and other young readers will probably find it more interesting.
The art is fine except for the eyes which get all distractingly giant and googly every few panels.
The art is fine except for the eyes which get all distractingly giant and googly every few panels.
June 2, 2022
i think i gathered about 2% of the information
August 27, 2021
I think this book was super cute and I’m not really a graphic novel person but I loved reading it. As a dancer I think the book was super interesting and I totally would recommend to other dancers!!
August 12, 2021
I have so much love for this book. As a dancer who tore her hamstring in high school, I know the woes of trying to recover, of worrying whether you would ever dance at the level you did prior to injury, and feeling so self-conscious about what your fellow dancers thought of you. Siegel portrayed this WONDERFULLY. I admit I got teary-eyed at scenes, and related to trying to find what you want to do in life when you've spent the last 15 years dancing.
The artwork was also so beautiful, all of the ballet sequences, the the shadows, the epilogue. THE EPILOGUE. B E A U T I F U L.
I also laughed out loud at the thermostat hiding behind the mirror...it's so outrageous and exactly the thing a school would do. There was a kinship to this scene. And to this entire book if I'm honest.
*Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for an eARC*
The artwork was also so beautiful, all of the ballet sequences, the the shadows, the epilogue. THE EPILOGUE. B E A U T I F U L.
I also laughed out loud at the thermostat hiding behind the mirror...it's so outrageous and exactly the thing a school would do. There was a kinship to this scene. And to this entire book if I'm honest.
*Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for an eARC*
December 3, 2021
Tiny Dancer is a graphic novel written by Siena Cherson Siegel and illustrated by Mark Siegel. It centers on the exploration of one girl's changing relationship with ballet.
Siena Cherson Siegel is an author and former dancer who trained at the School of American Ballet (SAB). The narrative delves into her experiences at the School of American Ballet in the late 1970s and early '80s.
The graphic novel opens with a young Siena's cartwheels on the beach in her native Puerto Rico, the author recounts her acceptance to SAB at twelve and moving to Manhattan with her mother, while her father stays in San Juan.
Siena grows increasingly passionate about ballet classes, rehearsals, and performances. By the age of fifteen, dance inspires majestic and radiant feelings. Siegel movingly describes these joys as well as the despair of growing too tall for certain roles, and a dancer’s ultimate nightmare – injury, which forces her to reroute her life's goals.
Tiny Dancer is written and constructed rather well. Siegel's digital illustrations are done in a cool-toned blue and purple palette, which adds gravity to Siena's journey, emphasizing dynamism and shifting emotions. Ballet lovers and aspiring and established dancers will particularly appreciate this deep dive into the ballet world, and revel in the faithful renderings of dancers at work, at ease, and performing.
All in all, Tiny Dancer is an understated and utterly believable account of a personal and creative journey.
Siena Cherson Siegel is an author and former dancer who trained at the School of American Ballet (SAB). The narrative delves into her experiences at the School of American Ballet in the late 1970s and early '80s.
The graphic novel opens with a young Siena's cartwheels on the beach in her native Puerto Rico, the author recounts her acceptance to SAB at twelve and moving to Manhattan with her mother, while her father stays in San Juan.
Siena grows increasingly passionate about ballet classes, rehearsals, and performances. By the age of fifteen, dance inspires majestic and radiant feelings. Siegel movingly describes these joys as well as the despair of growing too tall for certain roles, and a dancer’s ultimate nightmare – injury, which forces her to reroute her life's goals.
Tiny Dancer is written and constructed rather well. Siegel's digital illustrations are done in a cool-toned blue and purple palette, which adds gravity to Siena's journey, emphasizing dynamism and shifting emotions. Ballet lovers and aspiring and established dancers will particularly appreciate this deep dive into the ballet world, and revel in the faithful renderings of dancers at work, at ease, and performing.
All in all, Tiny Dancer is an understated and utterly believable account of a personal and creative journey.
March 1, 2022
I like the illustrations. The story is quite good as well.
The story is about a ballet dancer who was quitting ballet because of an accident. And try to find another way to live a life❤️
The story is about a ballet dancer who was quitting ballet because of an accident. And try to find another way to live a life❤️
January 11, 2024
4⭐️
A really enjoyable graphic novel!
A really enjoyable graphic novel!
September 20, 2021
I read the first book of this duology about a decade ago, when I was doing intensive ballet myself. Reading the followup now, all these years later, was...cathartic. See, I had the same experience as Siena - I got injured, came back from the injury, and found that my love for ballet was gone. I didn't have the right body type and I was frustrated all the time, so I quit. And then I didn't know what to do with myself. College helped me put myself back together, but I never knew how to reconcile those two parts of myself, because it always felt like I had failed. I have never seen this articulated so well as in Tiny Dancer. The epilogue really got me right in the emotions. It's such a unique kind of grief, leaving behind something that was once so important to you, and I'm grateful that Siena wrote a sequel to her amazing first memoir. It's definitely something i would reread, because this is a special book.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2022
I really appreciate knowing other dancers' experiences struggling with the harrowing and honestly cut-throat world of professional ballet. Eating disorders, frustration from injuries and life events getting in the way are all things that most dancers can relate to.
I think this is a really good read for young readers who struggle to reconcile their passions and major setbacks, how to hold on to their beliefs and loves in other ways when the dream doesn't quite work out.
I am in awe of Siena for her healing and growing after her devastating injury! The rating is by no means a reflection of my opinion of her experiences, I just found that a lot of the other things that happened (family issues, bullying, navigating friendships and romances) kinda were just mentioned randomly and the narration fell through a little. They just were not explored enough to see how they contributed to her coping with her path in ballet. I could kind of conjecture, but I don't really want to be assuming things when reading a memoir.
I think this is a really good read for young readers who struggle to reconcile their passions and major setbacks, how to hold on to their beliefs and loves in other ways when the dream doesn't quite work out.
I am in awe of Siena for her healing and growing after her devastating injury! The rating is by no means a reflection of my opinion of her experiences, I just found that a lot of the other things that happened (family issues, bullying, navigating friendships and romances) kinda were just mentioned randomly and the narration fell through a little. They just were not explored enough to see how they contributed to her coping with her path in ballet. I could kind of conjecture, but I don't really want to be assuming things when reading a memoir.
January 7, 2022
Tiny Dancer is an evocative graphic memoir about a ballerina whose life is forever changed when she suffers a career-ending injury. The author's love for ballet is evident, as with her conflicting feelings that accompany such a highly competitive art form.
The book not only provides valuable insight into the ballet industry, but also into the author's life. I read this before To Dance and while both are wonderful in their own way, this one definitely has a higher level of detail.
I love the purple colour palette here, which for some reason suited the book perfectly. What a beautiful read both inside and out.
The book not only provides valuable insight into the ballet industry, but also into the author's life. I read this before To Dance and while both are wonderful in their own way, this one definitely has a higher level of detail.
I love the purple colour palette here, which for some reason suited the book perfectly. What a beautiful read both inside and out.
April 4, 2023
I liked seeing her grow up and change! I wish the story had devoted more time to Cherson Siegel's life after dance school. I was curious as to how she came to be a dance teacher, and I felt like the book left lots of unanswered questions. The art style was nice, but not my favourite. The way the artist showed dance and movement was lovely though.
August 18, 2022
Felt very boring at parts.
February 15, 2022
i think the struggles of dance were portrayed well but it wasn’t my favorite, the characters got really confusing at one point and there was never any sign of age (birthday party’s or just saying i’m for example 16 now) it just wasn’t easy to follow at times. i also feel like there could be some more explaining through out the whole book, if your into ballet i think you should read it though
September 29, 2021
Especially teens, who have dedicated their lives to something they love only to discover they won't be able to follow them, will find encouragement and a ray of hope in these pages.
Since her first ballet lesson, Siena loved to dance. As her family's situation changed, ballet was the one thing she constantly adored. And she was good at it, too. Finding her way to the top ranks of her classes, she gained acceptance into the top schools in New York. With her friends, she dreamed of her future and could picture nothing else but ballet. But when an injury made her step back for awhile, she lost her momentum and, with every passing event, lost her drive and belief in herself more and more...until she no longer knew what to do.
This memoir is the follow up to another book, one I haven't read. But that definitely doesn't make a difference when picking this one up. This is the story of the author's own journey as she gives her all for one dream during her teenage years, only to have it suddenly fall away, leaving her with no idea what to do next. I do know a few teens, who would benefit from this memoir as they have gone are going through similar experiences themselves, and don't always see a light at the end of the tunnel, yet.
The graphic novel form is well done, especially since it invites to a more relaxed and quick read. The illustrations allow the emotions to stay front and center, giving the entire portrayal an almost poetic atmosphere for the eye. The words float along, sometimes bold and sometimes dimmed, to let feelings hit with more emphasis. By keeping this in the illustrated form, it also circumvents the usual heaviness a written description might have, while still keeping the atmosphere very clear. In other words, this is well done.
The text stays short and quick. This isn't a memoir with much dialogue, but rather, the author describes each moment and leads the reader through this timeframe of her life with many direct statements. I realize this is a memoir, but it still wasn't as engaging as I like and felt as if the reader were viewing a slide show of the life. Luckily, the illustrations make up for this and add the needed emotions. The message is very clear and powerfully done, and will strike a note with the right reader.
I received an ARC and found this well done.
Since her first ballet lesson, Siena loved to dance. As her family's situation changed, ballet was the one thing she constantly adored. And she was good at it, too. Finding her way to the top ranks of her classes, she gained acceptance into the top schools in New York. With her friends, she dreamed of her future and could picture nothing else but ballet. But when an injury made her step back for awhile, she lost her momentum and, with every passing event, lost her drive and belief in herself more and more...until she no longer knew what to do.
This memoir is the follow up to another book, one I haven't read. But that definitely doesn't make a difference when picking this one up. This is the story of the author's own journey as she gives her all for one dream during her teenage years, only to have it suddenly fall away, leaving her with no idea what to do next. I do know a few teens, who would benefit from this memoir as they have gone are going through similar experiences themselves, and don't always see a light at the end of the tunnel, yet.
The graphic novel form is well done, especially since it invites to a more relaxed and quick read. The illustrations allow the emotions to stay front and center, giving the entire portrayal an almost poetic atmosphere for the eye. The words float along, sometimes bold and sometimes dimmed, to let feelings hit with more emphasis. By keeping this in the illustrated form, it also circumvents the usual heaviness a written description might have, while still keeping the atmosphere very clear. In other words, this is well done.
The text stays short and quick. This isn't a memoir with much dialogue, but rather, the author describes each moment and leads the reader through this timeframe of her life with many direct statements. I realize this is a memoir, but it still wasn't as engaging as I like and felt as if the reader were viewing a slide show of the life. Luckily, the illustrations make up for this and add the needed emotions. The message is very clear and powerfully done, and will strike a note with the right reader.
I received an ARC and found this well done.
January 13, 2022
I 100% picked this up after reading a book last year that was supposed to feature dancing and then had very little or no dance language and actual concerns dancers have.
This book may be a little confusing or just plain boring to people who have never danced. For me growing up in the ballet world (although not as intense as the author did) I found a lot of her own experiences to mirror my own which I enjoyed. It was nice to see someone else talk about the struggles of not getting the parts you want, of an injury making you miss out, of the fear that then brings, and of course how it feels when someone you admire tells you you’re not good enough or that you need to lose weight.
That being said, I didn’t find that any one od these issues and feelings were pushed enough. I felt like because she tried to squeeze all of these things and more in just a little over 200 pages that there was really no time to digest what was just said and what the actual consequences were. A dance teacher telling you that you need to lose weight and that’s why you’re not moving up is a big deal. And the consequences of our main character hearing this were barely discussed. She just decides to take an extended break. But what about her mom who heard her say that? Her mom didn’t react, and I feel like our MC barely reacted either. Like okay, I’m already starving myself but I’ll try to lose more weight…
Also I’m not really sure what the point of the story was and it felt unfinished in that way too.
Something random that started to bother me was the lack of concern for money. The main character at one point was eating out and spending money every day for weeks and there was nothing even mentioned.
This book may be a little confusing or just plain boring to people who have never danced. For me growing up in the ballet world (although not as intense as the author did) I found a lot of her own experiences to mirror my own which I enjoyed. It was nice to see someone else talk about the struggles of not getting the parts you want, of an injury making you miss out, of the fear that then brings, and of course how it feels when someone you admire tells you you’re not good enough or that you need to lose weight.
That being said, I didn’t find that any one od these issues and feelings were pushed enough. I felt like because she tried to squeeze all of these things and more in just a little over 200 pages that there was really no time to digest what was just said and what the actual consequences were. A dance teacher telling you that you need to lose weight and that’s why you’re not moving up is a big deal. And the consequences of our main character hearing this were barely discussed. She just decides to take an extended break. But what about her mom who heard her say that? Her mom didn’t react, and I feel like our MC barely reacted either. Like okay, I’m already starving myself but I’ll try to lose more weight…
Also I’m not really sure what the point of the story was and it felt unfinished in that way too.
Something random that started to bother me was the lack of concern for money. The main character at one point was eating out and spending money every day for weeks and there was nothing even mentioned.
December 18, 2021
This was a really interesting look into the life of ballet. I wanted to do ballet when I was a kid but I hated to focus on one thing and I ended up getting too big and tall for it.
This is a look into the author's life as she navigates her parent's divorce, fairweather friends, and losing passion in something she thought she'd do her whole life. I resonate with that all so very much. It's a beautiful story and my only critique is that it sometimes jumps around with little context. At one point I had to turn back a page to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Overall, a beautiful memoir style graphic about growing up and ballet.
This is a look into the author's life as she navigates her parent's divorce, fairweather friends, and losing passion in something she thought she'd do her whole life. I resonate with that all so very much. It's a beautiful story and my only critique is that it sometimes jumps around with little context. At one point I had to turn back a page to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Overall, a beautiful memoir style graphic about growing up and ballet.
December 26, 2024
I read this book a few years ago, thought it was mid, and pretty much forgot about it.
Recently, I’ve been dealing with injuries that have kept me from dancing and the thoughts that come with that. When I found this book again, it felt like the perfect fit, so I read it.
Let me just say, wow. This was exactly what I needed right now, and honestly, I’ll probably read it a couple more times before the dance year is over. Siena’s story of recovery is very inspiring to me. The truth is, it’s okay for your passion for something to fade as long as you don’t let your passion for life fade with it. There’s always more to life.
Thank you, Siegals, for this masterpiece!
Recently, I’ve been dealing with injuries that have kept me from dancing and the thoughts that come with that. When I found this book again, it felt like the perfect fit, so I read it.
Let me just say, wow. This was exactly what I needed right now, and honestly, I’ll probably read it a couple more times before the dance year is over. Siena’s story of recovery is very inspiring to me. The truth is, it’s okay for your passion for something to fade as long as you don’t let your passion for life fade with it. There’s always more to life.
Thank you, Siegals, for this masterpiece!
July 18, 2022
Ho. Ly. Shit. I’ve never related to a book more in my entire gawddam life.
I sobbed so long and so hard my eyes are completely raw. It warms my heart so much that there’s someone out there that’s been through similar experiences as me and GOT THROUGH THEM.
So yknow not gonna trauma dump on you or anything but I will defend this book with my life. If you wanna know what I feel every second of every day, read this book 🙃👍
I sobbed so long and so hard my eyes are completely raw. It warms my heart so much that there’s someone out there that’s been through similar experiences as me and GOT THROUGH THEM.
So yknow not gonna trauma dump on you or anything but I will defend this book with my life. If you wanna know what I feel every second of every day, read this book 🙃👍
January 3, 2022
I enjoyed this look into the hard work and dedication it takes to be a ballerina. And how easy it’s all lost when something like an injury happens.
October 3, 2022
I was never a child who dreamed of being a ballerina, but this is an interesting and thoughtful look into that world, with nicely violet-hued artwork.
March 22, 2024
4.5 stars
August 1, 2025
This was a cute little read. I’m sad for her with her injury and I hope she likes where she ended up! I’ve never read anything like this before, so it was entertaining and fun!
November 24, 2021
I appreciated the depth and complexity of this one, which included some of these topics: self image, abandoning a goal/dream, divorce, and friendships. Beautiful artwork.
November 9, 2021
Tiny Dancer follows To Dance by a decade and a half. To Dance was updated in 2019 (the version I read is To Dance: Special Edition), but this in some ways feels like a more grown-up, updated retelling rather than a follow-up. That's not a bad thing: Tiny Dancer goes deeper, covering not just Siegel's love of dance and a brief explanation of why she stopped dancing but going into some of the darker moments of the art—of feeling pressure to eat less, to be smaller; of injury calling an abrupt end to a planned future; of constant competition. I don't think the description is accurate, though: this is much more about the decision to leave full-time dance than it is about figuring out what comes after. It ended up feeling to me (rightly or wrongly) less like a sequel and more like an attempt to retell a story that the author didn't think had been told fully enough the first time around. They're both engaging reads, but I wouldn't recommend reading them back-to-back.
The art is (again) lovely, though in places I'd have loved to see a more dramatic use of space/spreads (in the illustration of Swan Lake, for example, when Cynthia Gregory shifts from Odette to Odile). But there's a gradual sense of growth—aging from child to teenager—throughout the illustrations, which serves the book well.
The art is (again) lovely, though in places I'd have loved to see a more dramatic use of space/spreads (in the illustration of Swan Lake, for example, when Cynthia Gregory shifts from Odette to Odile). But there's a gradual sense of growth—aging from child to teenager—throughout the illustrations, which serves the book well.
December 8, 2021
Literal two stars: It was okay. I didn't find it particularly compelling - teenage angst derailed her life after what should have been a fairly minor injury, had she actually gone to the damn doctor instead of trying to dance on an injury. The art was fine, but not particularly awe-inspiring. I did enjoy the parts where she spoke about the emotional experience of ballet; those were the most moving panels in the book.
November 30, 2021
While Tiny Dancer is a cute graphic novel with some lovely art and an overall good message, I found that it was an overall boring book. I didn't feel like I was fully invested in the story until 2/3 of the way through, when Siena finally began to struggle with somethign that I felt I could connect with. Siena herself, as she's written, also feels too much like a blank slate. This is a memoir piece reflecting on the author's times learning ballet, but I felt like I couldn't truly connect with her. There is definitely good things to this book, and I would still recommend it rather than say to pass it, but it's not quite as impactful as I had been hoping.
October 27, 2021
Really liked this story of a young woman who once loved dance, trying to find herself a new path in life when a career ending injury takes away everything she ever worked for.
May 10, 2021
Everyone can dance. Not everyone will be great, and very very few will become professional dancers, but everyone can dance. And if dance is in you, you're a dancer.
Siena has always danced ballet. Balanchine is life, and her stated plan is New York City Ballet (NYCB) or nothing. She loves the royal feeling of it. The only problem is recurring self-doubt. What do you do when everything you've always wanted to do is just out of reach? Do you keep trying or do you change directions to find something else that is also you?
The art to this graphic novel is stunningly gorgeous. It felt like a story interspersed with full dance posters. The movement and the lightness of Balanchine's choreography doesn't easily translate to the page, and Mark Siegel has absolutely nailed it.
Bonus: UNCSA makes a summerlong appearance starting on page 80.
Siena has always danced ballet. Balanchine is life, and her stated plan is New York City Ballet (NYCB) or nothing. She loves the royal feeling of it. The only problem is recurring self-doubt. What do you do when everything you've always wanted to do is just out of reach? Do you keep trying or do you change directions to find something else that is also you?
The art to this graphic novel is stunningly gorgeous. It felt like a story interspersed with full dance posters. The movement and the lightness of Balanchine's choreography doesn't easily translate to the page, and Mark Siegel has absolutely nailed it.
Bonus: UNCSA makes a summerlong appearance starting on page 80.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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