Dance of Resistance

LoveReading4Kids Says

Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8

Delivered in a stirring first-person voice, Catherine Johnson's Dance of Resistance does dazzling justice to its subject — a truly remarkable woman whose talents, determination and sense of justice saw her shift from growing up on the poor side of the tracks in East St. Louis to become one of the world’s wealthiest entertainers, and make waves as a civil rights activist and French resistance fighter during WWII.   

“Some people say I changed the world. I like that. I reckon this world needs a heap of changes”. So begins Dance of Resistance, setting the tone for a pithy, passion-infused book that places Baker’s extraordinary life in the context of growing up poor in segregation-era America.

Though her childhood was characterised by abuse and poverty, Josephine’s love of performing came at an early age, as did finding the courage to leave a succession of abusive employers to work in theatre. Never shirking from taking risks and making opportunities, Baker worked her way up to join travelling troupes in Philly and New York, while constantly navigating the rampant racist prejudice of her homeland: “There wasn’t just prejudice out on the streets.

On stage, dancers were more likely to be hired the lighter skinned they were”.   

In contrast, Baker enjoys far greater freedom performing for the Folie Bergère in France. Here, while earning “big, big money” and headlining her own shows to become the most famous woman in Paris, “There were no restrictions, no signs saying ‘Whites only’, no signs saying ‘Blacks not allowed’”. Then comes WWII, which sees Baker work undercover for the French government after becoming a French citizen.  

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.

Reviewed by Joanne Owen
Joanne Owen is a writer, reviewer and workshop presenter whose lifelong love of books began when she was growing up in Pembrokeshire, Wales.
More reviews by Joanne Owen

About Dance of Resistance

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

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