My Story, My Dance: Robert Battle’s Journey to Alvin Ailey

This picture-book biography recounts Robert Battle's path to professional dance. As a child, he wore metal leg braces to strengthen and straighten his legs; once they came off, he began dancing. Encouraged by the great-uncle who helped raise him, Battle pursued ballet despite teasing, trained at increasingly demanding schools, and received a scholarship to Juilliard. His career ultimately led to artistic leadership at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.