A01=Misty Copeland
A02=Nikki Shannon Smith
advice books
ambition
Author_Misty Copeland
Author_Nikki Shannon Smith
balance
ballet
body image positivity
Category=YNDB
Category=YXA
Category=YXN
community
confidence
creativity
cyberbullying
discipline
empowering
encouraging
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=1
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_personal-social-topics
eq_teenage-young-adult
fan letters
forthcoming
friendship
hobbies
inspirational
mentorship
perseverance
personal essays
practical actionable advice
predominantly white spaces
responsibility
self-reflection
supportive
Product details
- ISBN 9781534443044
- Weight: 163g
- Dimensions: 130 x 194mm
- Publication Date: 18 Jun 2026
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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New York Times bestselling author and first black female American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Misty Copeland offers “[a]ffirming life lessons to encourage athletes, creatives, and everyday dreamers” (Kirkus Reviews) based on letters she’s received over the years from fans.
As the first African American principal female dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has spent most of her career navigating a white-dominated industry that puts many barriers in her path. Through it all, Misty has credited the many mentors who have helped her become the dancer and person she is today.
With Misty’s profile now at peak heights, she has found herself in a mentor role, often asked for advice on everything from dance-specific questions to life lessons about being the “other” in certain spaces by her fans. As Misty herself has said, “I think it’s really important to have a community around you, a support system, mentors, people that are going to be there for you on those days when you just aren’t strong enough to do it yourself.”
Given that philosophy, Misty is thrilled to have created this book of advice, covering everything from body confidence to balancing various commitments and how to break out of your comfort zone. Each section includes personal anecdotes from Misty about the topic that bring her perspective to life.
As the first African American principal female dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Misty Copeland has spent most of her career navigating a white-dominated industry that puts many barriers in her path. Through it all, Misty has credited the many mentors who have helped her become the dancer and person she is today.
With Misty’s profile now at peak heights, she has found herself in a mentor role, often asked for advice on everything from dance-specific questions to life lessons about being the “other” in certain spaces by her fans. As Misty herself has said, “I think it’s really important to have a community around you, a support system, mentors, people that are going to be there for you on those days when you just aren’t strong enough to do it yourself.”
Given that philosophy, Misty is thrilled to have created this book of advice, covering everything from body confidence to balancing various commitments and how to break out of your comfort zone. Each section includes personal anecdotes from Misty about the topic that bring her perspective to life.
Misty Copeland made history by becoming the first African American female principal dancer for the American Ballet Theatre. She is the author of Ballerina Body, The Wind at My Back, and the bestselling Life in Motion as well as the children’s books Firebird Waltz, Bunheads and its sequel, Black Ballerinas, and Letters to Misty. Misty is the recipient of the Leonore Annenberg Fellowship in the Arts and an inductee into the Boys and Girls Club Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2015, she was named to Time magazine’s 100 list and was one of Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year.” She lives in New York City. Visit her online at MistyCopeland.com.
