Dance of Resistance

"In instantly involving first-person prose, Johnson tells the true story of Josephine Baker, from her poor childhood in segregated Missouri to her work for the French resistance, her civil rights activism and her meteoric rise as a performer. This superb 9+ “autobiography”, from dyslexia-friendly publishers Barrington Stoke, is super-readable in every sense." – The Guardian

"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

"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