Go Ask Ozzie A Rotten Richie Story by Patricia Polacco*

 Ms. Polacco relates how her embarrassing older brother Richie teaches her how to tear up the dance floor in preparation for a school dance. Ms. Polacco features the viewpoint of a junior high girl very well-dramatics and exaggerations!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Ballet for Martha by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan illustrated by Brian Floca*

 Making Applalachian Spring

This book reveals how Martha Graham, a ballet choreographer, Aaron Copland, an American composer, and Isamu Noguchi, an artist, sculptor, craftsman, come together to create the American masterpiece, Appalachian Spring. Readers witness how the three artists work separately and collaboratively to create and produce this performance.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Jan Brett's The Nutcracker*

 Ms. Brett's borders add depth to the story (of course!). I liked how by the end the animal musicians were part of the main illustrations, no longer in the border.

Marie loves the Nutcracker her uncle gives her on Christmas. When she wakes up to check on him, she is transported to a magical land for an adventure.

Setting is in Russia, which adds a layer of uniqueness and beauty. Readers will expand their vocabulary too. I had to look up musical terms and Russian/Italian related words.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Taking Flight by Michaela DePrince with Elaine DePrince*

Michaela shares her life journey from being an orphan Sierra Leone to a American ballerina.  The story is captivating and inspiring.
Some of the events in her earlier years are quite harsh and repulsive so this book is not for elementary or even junior high readers.
Warnings: abuse, a brutal murder told in detail, evil "debils"
                   Michaela also briefly shares trying dieting techniques, alcohol and cigarettes.

Fancy Nancy Budding Ballerina by Jane O'Connor illustrated by Carolyn Bracken*

Nancy tries to teach her father the latest ballet steps after dance class and then the entire family.  Her father is a good sport!
Sweet series.  I like how the author explains the ballet words within the text (and sometimes shares how to pronounce the French words).
*Highly recommend.
"Reading Level": 2.2

Rupert Can Dance by Jules Feiffer

Mandy dances all day, all evening . . .the only time she stops is when she goes to bed.  While she dances, her cat, Rupert, observes.  At night he tears up the bedroom floor with his dance moves.  One night Mandy wakes and sees this phenomenon.  Then Rupert refuses to dance. .  .

I Will Try by Marilyn Janovitz

from I Like to Read series.
A girl goes to gymnastics with some fear on her face. She expresses admiration for the star of the class . . .and receives encouragement from her.
Very simple text-one sentence per page.  Perfect for the child just learning to read-stamina.

Rotten Richie and the Ultimate Dare by Patricia Polacco

Richie and Trisha each have their own pursuits.  Near disaster strikes as each one attempts to participate in each other's sports.
Funny!
Based on the author/illustrator's childhood.

Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle

A 2014 Caldecott Honor book
A wordless book shares how a girl, Flora and a flamingo learn to dance with each other.
Fun lift the flaps.  Great expressions and drawn with fluidity.
Mostly a pink palette.
Strategy: inferring

Josephine by Patricia Hruby Powell illustrated by Christian Robinson

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine pursued her passion as a dancer with determination.  In France she found acceptance and soon settled there.
The book is divided into different time frames  of her life.  The pictures, the word choices, sentence structure, the text layout and fonts all seem to flow with a rhythm-like dancing.