I love ballet. It is one of my favorite art forms, but I admit that as a Black Latina, I never looked for representation, even though I imagined it was there somewhere.

I’m so glad this book exists, I cried many times reading about the stories of these 5 wonderful dancers and the legacy of the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Read this!

An absolutely perfect read with great information on 5 amazing ballerinas. It was wonderful to hear about people I had never heard of before.

A wonderful, reading experience!

I enjoyed Karen's exploration of the Black Swans. Learning about the trials but more importantly the joys of dancing ballet and being black in America was breathtaking.

In 1969, Arthur Mitchell created the Dance Theatre of Harlem -a place where black ballerinas would have the space to become everything they could dream of with the support of black dance instructors.

Reading the triumphs and trials of Karlya Shelton, Marcia Sells, Shelia Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith and Lydia Albarca was exciting. I felt like I was being pulled into their sisterhood during reading it.

I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about black history and / or ballet history in America.

Thank you to Pantheon Books for allowing me to read The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

With the recent fame of Misty Copeland, the "first black principal ballerina," The Swans of Harlem seeks to recover the history of black dancers in America. Featuring stories of the wonderful dancers at the Dance Theater of Harlem, readers are introduced to the lost history of this incredible company. A riveting, behind-the-scenes look at building a ballet company from the ground up, the internal politics of a major company, and the personal stories of triumph and sacrifice of individuals, this book will keep the reader engaged until the very last page.

Black men and women paved the way for today's young dancers to be included in the echelon of classical ballet. Having succumb to the same discrimination permeating most societies against black and brown people, ballet has a shared history of excluding "others" based on the traditions of "not fitting in."

Swans of Harlem introduced and educates the audience on the storied history of the dancers who dared to pave their own way and the obstacles they have face. Ballet connoisseurs will enjoy exploring the histories of their favorite dancers and may even be introduced to some dancers who they are less familiar with.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning more about one of my favorite past times.

The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, Fifty Years of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History by Karen Valby was an informative and intriguing story. Imagine being an amazing ballerina but often overlooked because of the color of your skin. It's heartbreaking and so very wrong! These ballerinas formed an unbreakable bond and this is their story. I feel that this is an important read and I hope more people will take the opportunity to pick up The Swans of Harlem to read about these amazing dancers.

Though I was never SERIOUS-serious about it, I danced for eleven years of my childhood—a very casual education in ballet, jazz, modern, and tap— and I do enjoy learning about interesting, creative people. I hadn't heard of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded in during the Civil Rights Movement, and Karen Valby does an admirable job introducing us to its founding dancers, showing us their lives within the company, what everyone got up to after, and the legacy they leave today. It doesn't shy away from the difficulties of being a dancer, the racism faced by everyone involved, or the ever-fluctuating demands of their director, Arthur Mitchell. Still, we also see so much of the joy and the worldwide accomplishment. I'm glad I read this.

On a side note (and a bit inside baseball): I see that this is one of the titles that Lisa Lucas acquired for Pantheon before she was bafflingly laid off. It's a shame that the rich guys at the top of the ecosystem can't see the value in her work.

this book is amazing an I just want to hug everyone in this book. this is just so amazingly written and I just want to cry every time I think about it. the book is amazing and I feel like everyone should be read it and enjoy it. this book made me cry so much because it has a lot of amazing written charathers and I feel like I read this book when I needed so it hit m. I also love the backstory of the Harlem and how the ballet was incorporate it

I love the cultural reframing of Misty Copeland not as an exception but as a legacy of those who came before her but structurally weren't given the same stage because of historical and structural racism. It was fantastic to hear about the Dance Company of Harlem, and their history, and there probably isn't footage of some of their performances but man I can wish there was. Definitely worth a read this fall.

This was a really interesting read and I learned so much about the amazing story of five Black ballerinas during the times of the Civil Rights movement. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book!

When you type “First Black Ballerina” into Google, the very first result is Misty Copeland. But decades before Copeland became the first Black female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, Arthur Mitchell became the first Black principal dancer at the New York City Ballet and went on to found the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Five extraordinary Black women including Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karla Shelton, and Marcia Sells became boundary-smashing ballerinas in the 60s and 70s and formed an enduring sisterhood at the Dance Theatre of Harlem that lasted over 50 years. Despite their extraordinary accomplishments, history and pop culture has essentially erased their stories in favor of portraying Misty Copeland as the first and only…

To set the record straight, Journalist Karen Valby partnered with these five women to tell their stories for the first time in THE SWANS OF HARLEM.

One of the best things about THE SWANS OF HARLEM is its obviously collaborative nature. Valby had many conversations with the Swans themselves and their families that she captured onto the page. It makes for an emotional and intimate reading experiences as you often get to hear the stories straight from the women in their own words. It can often be overwhelming to juggle so many names, backstories, and situations but it feels extremely personal.

The history lover in me sometimes wished that a Black female historian had tackled this subject rather than a white journalist, but I appreciate how the ballerinas themselves seem to have controlled and directed the story.

I learned so much from this book and it was definitely an enjoyable read. However, I’m left with some questions I don’t feel were completely answered. I don’t think Arthur Mitchell’s abusive and manipulative teaching practices were addressed enough, probably because of the ballerinas’ close relationship to him. In my opinion, he needs more of a reckoning. I also think it would be fascinating to contextualize these woman in the era they lived with more of a focus on Black history as a whole.

I hope that this book is just the beginning of properly shining a spotlight on these woman and this era! Thank you to the publishers for my review copy.

Karen Valby's "The Swans of Harlem" is an evocative and meticulously researched tribute to the pioneering Black ballerinas who broke barriers and reshaped the world of classical dance. Valby, an accomplished journalist, uncovers the overlooked legacy of these trailblazing women with a narrative that is both compelling and enlightening.

Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the book chronicles the inception and rise of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded by Arthur Mitchell in 1969. Mitchell's vision was to demonstrate that classical dance could transcend racial boundaries, and through his efforts, he cultivated a remarkable group of Black ballerinas who defied societal norms and made an indelible impact on the arts.

The historical significance of "The Swans of Harlem" lies in its detailed account of the early years of the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the extraordinary lives of its dancers. Valby highlights the stories of Lydia Abarca, Sheila Rohan, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Marcia Sells, and Karlya Shelton, each of whom faced personal and professional challenges in their quest to succeed in the predominantly white world of ballet. These women, with their resilience and talent, not only earned critical acclaim and standing ovations across Europe but also played a crucial role in securing the theater's future through their performances and fundraising efforts. Their journey, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, is a testament to their strength and dedication.

Valby’s narrative is enriched by her ability to weave in significant details and thematic complexities, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and social context in which these ballerinas operated. The book does not shy away from the darker aspects of their experiences, such as Mitchell's demanding training methods, instances of colorism, and sexual harassment, which add depth to the portrayal of their struggles and achievements. While the framing device of Misty Copeland's misidentification as the first Black prima ballerina may slightly detract from the focus on the original pioneers, Valby's storytelling is infused with heart and passion.

"The Swans of Harlem" stands as a vital record of the contributions of Black ballerinas to the arts, celebrating their legacy and ensuring their stories are remembered and honored.

“Swans of Harlem” is a compelling book that highlights the remarkable journey of five Black ballerinas during the height of the Civil Rights movement. At the heart of this narrative is Lydia Abarca, the first Black prima ballerina to grace the cover of Dance magazine and an Essence cover star. Her career, alongside those of her fellow dancers from the Dance Theatre of Harlem—Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells—represents a groundbreaking chapter in the world of ballet, often overlooked in historical records.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem, founded by Arthur Mitchell and Karel Shook, provided a platform for these talented women to showcase their skills and challenge the racial barriers of the time. Their performances, marked by elegance and strength, captivated audiences globally, including high-profile figures such as the Queen of England, Mick Jagger, and Stevie Wonder. Despite their significant contributions, the achievements of these ballerinas remained largely undocumented for decades, until they reunited to share their stories with the world.

*Swans of Harlem* is a portrayal of the glamour and grit inherent in the world of professional ballet. The book delves into the personal and professional lives of these dancers, highlighting their resilience, determination, and the deep bonds of sisterhood that sustained them through their careers. Their story is not only a testament to their individual and collective achievements but also a celebration of Black excellence in a field where they were pioneers.

The book brings to life the experiences of these trailblazing women. It offers readers an intimate look at the challenges they faced, from the physical demands of ballet to the racial prejudices they encountered. Yet, it also celebrates their triumphs, both on and off the stage, and the lasting impact they had on the world of dance.

I enjoyed “Swans of Harlem”. It honors the legacy of Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Karlya Shelton, and Marcia Sells, and underscores the power of friendship and perseverance. This book for anyone interested in ballet, history, or the ongoing fight for racial equality in the arts. I would recommend reading this book.

What a fantastic read! I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Gives a lot of history of African Americans in the ballet world.

Well written and informative.

I wasn’t aware of the existence of Mitchell, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, and first-generation dancers Karlya Shelton and Marcia Sells before I read this book. The power that these 5 women got to reclaim on behalf of all of their dance family members and the passion that they continue to have after many years of being overlooked was what made this even more of a powerful read.

THIS BOOK was so good and I highly recommend it!

I had a great time reading this and had no knowledge of any of the people mentioned until this book. I'm grateful this will be party of solidifying their history. There were a couple of moments in the book that felt a bit slow for me but overrall it was a great read and I will be purchasing.

What a beautiful book about the first Black ballerinas and Black dance company. As a former dancer myself, I found this so interesting!

This may have been my favorite read of the year. The sad fact that these talented dancers did not get formal recognition for decades is being righted with this new book about their history. I was inspired by the sacrifices, the sorority, and the connections between the ballerinas. I loved hearing about Lydia, Sheila, and so many more women who danced with such beauty. As I read, I continuously searched internet articles to see what these dancers looked like at their height of popularity and how they had matured. I felt like I knew them from the way Karen Valby wrote about them. I was so proud of their legacy, and want to read more books about them. I hope children's books are written and shared so that little girls can see themselves in their shoes.

This book was so wonderful.
It is the story of the first black ballerinas along with the fist black ballet company.
I knew that the ballet community is a hard community. Lots of competition and mean girl attitudes. This book gave new insight into this ballet world. It showed me the different mindsets and prejudices that are there. This story gave me an insight into the ballet world that I never new existed.

This book is definitely a must read, for all of my friends and my book clubs.
Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderful story.

This was such an interesting story! I listened on audio, and I would definitely recommend this - the second act was great on audio.

As someone who’s not a dancer and doesn’t know much about that world, I was worried I might find this too in the weeds. While in the beginning there was a lot of name dropping for famous dancers I don’t know, after a couple chapters I found myself thoroughly sucked into the story, and I wasn’t overwhelmed at all.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Black ballerinas, the first Black ballet company, or just interested in some forgotten history of the arts!