Firebird (Copeland novel)

Firebird by Misty Copeland

Author	Misty Copeland
Illustrator	Christopher Myers
Language	English
Genre	Children's Literature (Fiction)
Publisher	G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date	September 4, 2014
Publication place	United States
ISBN	0-399-16615-7

Firebird is a children's picture book written by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers. It was first published on September 4, 2014. This debut book by Copeland aims to inspire young dancers, especially those from underrepresented communities in ballet.

The narrative of Firebird is a poetic dialogue between a young ballet student and her mentor, exploring themes of self-confidence, perseverance, and the transformative power of dance. It has been praised for its lyrical text and vibrant illustrations, which vividly capture the grace and intensity of ballet. "Firebird" has received acclaim for its positive message and representation, making it a significant contribution to children's literature and an inspirational tool for young dancers worldwide.

Background

Misty Copeland, born on September 10, 1982, in Kansas City, Missouri, is a renowned figure in the ballet world. Her journey into ballet began at the relatively late age of 13, which is considered unusual for a professional dancer. Despite her late start, Copeland's talent was quickly recognized, and she rose to prominence in the American Ballet Theatre (ABT), becoming the first African American female principal dancer in 2015. This achievement was a groundbreaking moment in the history of ballet.

Copeland's motivation for writing "Firebird" stemmed from her own experiences in the predominantly white ballet world, where she often felt like an outsider due to her race and body type. She expressed, "when I opened up ballet books, I didn't see myself. I saw an image of what a ballerina should be, and she wasn't me, brown with tendrils sweeping her face. I needed to find ME." This reflection motivated her to create "Firebird" for children who dream of gracing the stage, intending to "expand the idea of beauty and art." In collaboration with Christopher Myers, an award-winning illustrator, "Firebird" aims to inspire and empower young readers by showing them that success and excellence in ballet (or any field) are attainable regardless of their background or the challenges they may face.

Plot

"Firebird" tells the story of a young, aspiring ballerina who feels overwhelmed and doubtful about her abilities in the world of dance. She looks up to a famous ballerina, seeing her as the embodiment of perfection and success. The protagonist grapples with self-confidence and fears that she may never be able to reach such heights in her dancing career.

As the narrative unfolds, a mentor modeled after Misty Copeland encourages the young girl to believe in herself. The mentor shares her own experiences, revealing that her path to success was once filled with challenges and moments of insecurity. This revelation is eye-opening for the girl, helping her to understand that perfection is not an instant achievement, but a process that involves persistence and resilience. With her mentor's guidance, the young ballerina learns to see her potential and envisages herself as the Firebird, symbolizing her transformation into an empowered character. The story emphasizes the importance of perseverance, embracing one's individuality, and the value of having a role model.

Themes

One of the major themes in "Firebird" is the importance of perseverance and self-belief in the face of challenges. Misty Copeland instills a sense of hope and determination in young readers, encouraging them to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. This theme is particularly impactful considering Copeland's own journey as a trailblazer in the ballet world, overcoming numerous obstacles to achieve her dreams.

Additionally, "Firebird" addresses the theme of mentorship and its significance in personal growth and professional development. The book illustrates how guidance and support from experienced individuals can help nurture talent and boost confidence in young individuals. This is exemplified in Copeland's life, where she is both a mentor and an inspiration to countless young dancers, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

A critical discussion point in "Firebird" is the racial diversity of members in ballet and the arts. Copeland challenges the traditional white reputation of ballet by featuring a protagonist who is a young girl of color. In doing so, she shifts the narrative and opens a dialogue about the importance of representation in the arts. Copeland's decision to feature such a protagonist offers children from various backgrounds the opportunity to see themselves reflected in literature and ballet.

Illustrations

Christopher Myers' illustrations play a crucial role in complementing the book's narrative. Myers, recognized for his contributions to children's literature, employs a distinct illustration style that integrates painting, photography, and collage. This approach brings a unique visual appeal to the book, aligning with its themes.

Myers' use of collage provides a contemporary and urban feel to the illustrations. This stylistic choice contributes significantly to the narrative's expression, adding layers of depth and emotion to the story. His illustrations are often marked by their dynamic and vibrant nature, which enhances the storytelling in "Firebird."

The book's illustrations are further characterized by their bold use of color. The color palette is a mix of intense and subdued tones, featuring reds, blues, purples, and browns. These colors are thoughtfully selected to parallel the narrative's emotional journey. For instance, the warm tones of reds and yellows symbolize passion and energy, reflecting the protagonist's inner strength, while the cooler tones represent introspection and self-doubt.

Reception

Critically, "Firebird" has been recognized with several prestigious awards, underscoring its impact and appeal. In 2015, the book won the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. The year before, it was voted as NPR's Best Book and Amazon's Best Book of the Year for Ages 6–8. Additionally, it was selected as Amazon's Best Book of the Month in September 2014 and was named Essence Magazine's Best Children's Book in 2014.

However, the reception of "Firebird" has not been unanimously positive. Some critics have pointed out aspects of the book they found lacking. For example, a review on KD Did It Edits appreciates the graphical elements of the book, especially noting the portrayal of a young black girl as the protagonist. However, the same review critiques the narrative style, describing it as more of a promotional piece for Copeland rather than a story with a personal connection to the young dancer character. The review acknowledges the excellence of Myers' illustrations but suggests that Copeland's writing did not match up to the visual storytelling.