In Dance of Resistance Catherine Johnson brings the extraordinary accomplishments of Josephine Baker vividly to life. From a childhood marked by poverty and hardship to international fame as a dancer, singer, and actress, Baker’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. A brave Resistance agent in WWII and a passionate civil-rights activist, her story is one of resilience, talent, and courage.
Reviewed for LoveReading4Kids by Joanne Owen, this Star Book of the Month is an "inspirational life story of a remarkable woman whose achievements should be known far and wide should itself be read far and wide. Throughout, Johnson integrates shifting global socio-political landscapes brilliantly, with a clarity readers of 9+ will relate to. Indeed, Dance of Resistance is wonderfully accessible and infectiously inspirational as it evokes Josephine’s joie de vivre, determination and courage."
Publishing ahead of Black History Month, this powerful narrative non-fiction highlights another iconic, yet often overlooked, Black historical figure, following the success of her previous books Race to the Frozen North and Journey Back to Freedom. The theme for Black History Month 2025 is "Standing Firm in Power and Pride" a tribute to the resilience and strength shown by Black people who have shaped history, qualities perfectly reflected in the remarkable life of Jospehine Baker. Catherine Johnson once again excels at making vital history resonate with young readers.
Q. To give readers a flavour of Dance of Resistance, please could you sum up the magnificent Josephine Baker in three words?
A. Fearless. Determined. Phenomenal.
Q. We adored the way you conjured Josephine’s character — her voice is energetic, immediately engaging and really makes her spirit leap from the page. Was it tricky to find her tone of voice? During your research process, did you make use of personal documents, such as material from Baker’s Fearless and Free autobiography?
A. I read loads of biographies and watched clips - I couldn't find whole films - of her. When you're writing biographies in first person you do have to find the voice, or what you imagine is the voice. Once you've got that way into character the writing is easier!
Q. Related, given Baker’s extraordinary life, how did you go about deciding which episodes to focus on? It must have been quite a task to select and condense her experiences and achievements in such an effective way.
A. With such a full on and packed life as Baker's it was very hard deciding what to leave out. I think it's important to set up her early life, so readers can see where a person started and how they set out on their life's journey. There was a lot I left out from her first tour of Europe, and from her later life - including her fights against segregation and racism in 1950s America.
Q. What do you hope readers take from Dance of Resistance?
A. Hopefully to find out about an amazing character from history they may not have heard of before - and who deserves to be remembered. One that may have started downtrodden, but who grew up to defy expectations, who wasn't afraid to take her chances.
Q. In addition to sharing Josephine Baker’s story, you’ve also written about Olaudah Equiano in Journey Back to Freedom, Matthew Henson in Race to the Frozen North, and Nanny of the Maroons in Queen of Freedom. Do you have plans to write about other remarkable Black trailblazers?
A. Oh yes! See below. I have been researching early astronomy and science in the 18th century and came across a really interesting character - a scientist and barrister and British subject. When I read about him I knew I had to write about him! Although I am terrified of saying too much as I haven't finished!
Q. And finally, what are you working on right now?
A. See above! Also an adaptation of The Three Musketeers by the son of another of my favourite people from history Thomas Alexandre Dumas, and a couple of story ideas. Thanks for asking.
Published by Barrington Stoke, the award-winning publisher of accessible, super-readable short novels, Dance of Resistance is an engaging true story from one of our very best writers of historical fiction.
Dance of Resistance is perfect for use in the classroom, with discussion notes written by Barrington Stoke in collaboration with CLPE available to download here.
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