Misty Copeland is launching a new series of middle-grade novels, People magazine reports.
Aladdin will publish the ballet dancer’s Firebird Waltz in the summer. The press says it’s “the first book in a middle-grade series about a girl who must balance her ballet aspirations with her magical destiny.”
Copeland began her ballet career in 1996 at the age of 13, taking classes at the San Pedro Dance Center in California. She quickly rose through the ranks of the ballet world, joining the American Ballet Theatre in New York in 2000. In 2015, she became the first Black woman to be named the company’s principal dancer. She retired last year.
Copeland is also a prolific author who made her literary debut in 2014 with the memoir Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina, co-written with Charisse Jones. Her other children’s books include Firebird, illustrated by Christopher Myers; Bunheads, illustrated by Setor Fiadzigbey; and Black Ballerinas, illustrated by Salena Barnes.
Firebird Waltz will be the first installment in the Star Fire Academy series. The book tells the story of Josie, a 12-year-old girl who attends a ballet school and learns that she is destined to embody “a beautiful dance spirit full of goodness” who’s at odds with an evil sorcerer.
Copeland shared news of her novel on Instagram, writing, “This story is about courage, friendship, and what it means to chase a dream that feels bigger than you. A young dancer discovering her voice, her power, and a little bit of magic along the way. I can’t wait for the next generation of dreamers and dancers to meet…Josie.”
Firebird Waltz is scheduled for publication on Aug. 25.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
