I love to read stories of how people overcome adversity, and Taking Flight is one of the best I've ever read. Of course I look at the story from the point of view of Michaela's adoptive mother and I'm stunned at Elaine DePrince's unselfish choice in adopting so many children with such all-consuming needs. Before Michaela and her 'sister' were adopted from war-torn Sierra Leone, the DePrinces' raised 5 sons, two of which had died of AIDs(they were hemophiliacs), with another to suffer the same fate. Taking on two, sick, malnourished four year-olds puts this woman on the level of sainthood in my book. As Michaela relates her life, I can only shudder at how hard it must have been to quiet the two young girls fears of everything from dogs to men with loud voices. Beaten with a switch at the orphanage, never given enough food, never mind being nutritious to a growing child, and dealing with the language barrier, Michaela was growing up with some very bad habits. She had to be taught not hit, kick and bite others, and learn English. There is not comparison to raising a child born to the privilege of the United States. With great compassion, Elaine mothers these two children and accepts another young girl when her adoptive American parents to don't work out. She fills these girls lives with dance lessons, swimming lessons, music, good food and stability. Her sacrifice is stunning and truly inspirational. Michaela appreciates all that she now has and works hard to give back some of what she's given. She not only wins wins prestigase ballet came scholarships, but wins at swimming and does her school work with honors. Michaela wants to be an inspiration to young girls in Africa, but frankly, she should be giving talks to American kids who have so much and still feel as if they have nothing. What a grand spirit this young girl has and what a lovely and talented adult she's become. And bravo for parents like the DePrinces' who spend their lives taking care of the unfortunate, they too are an inspiration.

I first heard about this book when I saw a short documentary that was circulating online. Then, I saw a documentary called "First Position" and had wanted to read this. I'm so glad I did. The descriptions of Michaela's life in Sierra Leone are described in such a way as to provide the reader with the seriousness of what she experienced without being too graphic for younger readers to handle. It's quite fascinating to have a first-hand perspective on a child's life in Africa, how she ended up in America, and how she acheived her dream of becoming a professional Ballerina through the support of her adoptive family. This is an appropriate book for all ages and would be a great book for middle schoolers to read for class. The photographs at the end of the book are a wonderful touch and help to establish a connection with Michaela and her family. "Taking Flight" is a humbling read that will stick with the reader.

This book was such a joy to read from cover to cover. It was a page turner and fairly quick read without being too short, but left me wanting more, which is always a good thing for a book. It goes through Michaela's early childhood in Sierra Leon up to her current life as a professional ballerina; and all the tidbits in between culminate to paint such a vivid and inspiring picture. This is a story of strength, heartbreak, perseverance, and passion to achieve a lifelong dream in-spite of having the cards stacked against her from the very start. Although the book is largely about Michaela's journey, there is another star in the book, and that is her American mother. It is without a doubt that Michaela had the fortitude and determination to make things happen for herself, but the support of her parents (all four of them) afforded her many opportunities she likely would not otherwise have had. The brief details about her American mother make me want to know so much more about this remarkable woman, I hope she writes her own memoir as I would love to read it. I won't spoil anything for you readers, but I will just say the quiet impact this woman has had on the lives of her children and in turn, humanity, is breathtakingly admirable. It is true that there is a fair amount of ballet jargon in some of the book that might be over the heads of people not in the dance world, but there is so much more to her story than that and it shouldn't detract from a larger, non-dance enthusiast readership (it may even serve to inspire readers to learn more about the art of ballet). The book is first and foremost a memoir and ballet is an important backdrop to the overall story of overcoming the odds to achieve your dreams. I think this book will appeal to anyone who likes to read about any one or several of the following: the unwavering human spirit, feminism/gender equality, breaking racial barriers, family (the one you're born in and the family you choose), adoption, grief and loss, challenging fears, ballet, bridging cultural gaps, early childhood trauma, paving new paths, friendship, what it takes to succeed, and at the heart of it all...love.