Dance of Resistance
The Josephine Baker Story
Catherine Johnson author Katie Hickey illustrator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Publishing:11th Sep '25
£7.99
This title is due to be published on 11th September, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
The incredible true story of Josephine Baker (Dyslexia-friendly)
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.
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.
Dancer, singer, actress, movie star, civil-rights activist – Josephine Baker was a phenomenon!
Overcoming the poverty and abuse of her childhood in a segregated America, Josephine grew up to become one of the biggest stars of the early twentieth century, particularly adored in her adopted country of France. She used her connections to help the Resistance in their fight against the Nazis during the Second World War and later became involved with Martin Luther King Jr and the civil rights movement in the US.
Controversial and outspoken, she is an iconic historical figure and Catherine Johnson brings her story vividly to life for a young audience in this enthralling piece of narrative non-fiction.
Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
"What an astounding life Josephine Baker lived, how filled with adventure, drama, joy and sadness. And somehow Catherine Johnson manages to cram all of that glory into a hundred pages, showing why she is one of the finest writers for young people we have. The book (and the life) is elegant, graceful and truly inspiring." — Anthony McGowan
"Fluent, vivid and immersive story telling. I read it in one take." — Hilary McKay
"From childhood poverty to 1930s superstardom to WWII spy … the life of legendary Black entertainer Josephine Baker is BRILLIANTLY retold in Dance of Resistance." — Karen McCombie
"In keeping with Josephine Baker’s extraordinary brave dancing spirit, Johnson’s joyful storytelling had me dancing through the pages – awestruck to read of such a significant and inspiring life that will now inspire so many young people to learn of the complex international history that she not only lived through but helped to change." — Sita Brahmachari
"Delivered in a stirring first-person voice, Catherine Johnson's Dance of Resistance does dazzling justice to its subject … 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." — LoveReading4Kids
"Who could ever condense all of the harshness, the glitter, the luxury, the complexity, controversy and courage of Josephine Baker’s life into one slim novella? You now have your answer … readers are going to come to the end of this novella feeling like they have experienced the breadth and the proportions and the wealth of an epic novel." — Letterbox Library
ISBN: 9780008726218
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 8mm
Weight: 220g
120 pages