Dance of Resistance

The Josephine Baker Story

De: Catherine Johnson, Katie Hickey - illustrator

Narrado por: Veronique Olin

Catherine Johnson celebrates the incredible life of Josephine Baker in this true story chronicling her life from poor girl to beloved actress, dancer and wartime heroine.

Dancer, singer, actress, movie star, civil-rights activist – Josephine Baker was a phenomenon!

Overcoming the poverty and abuse of her childhood, Josephine grew up to become one of the biggest stars of the early twentieth century, particularly adored in her adopted country of France. She used her connections to help the Resistance in their fight against the Nazis during the Second World War and later became involved with Martin Luther King and the civil-rights movements in the US.

Controversial and outspoken, she is an iconic historical figure and Catherine Johnson brings her story vividly to life for a young audience in this enthralling piece of narrative non-fiction.

©2025 Catherine Johnson (P)2025 HarperCollins Publishers

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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

"From childhood poverty to 1930s superstardom to WWII spy … the life of legendary Black entertainer Josephine Baker is BRILLIANTLY retold in Dance of Resistance." — Karen McCombie

"In keeping with Josephine Baker’s extraordinary brave dancing spirit – Johnson’s joyful storytelling had me dancing through the pages – awe/struck 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

"[Catherine Johnson] writes with such an engaging voice about the astonishing Josephine Baker. And brings the story and the times she lived in to life with such ease. Neither does Catherine back away from the dark side of Josephine's career, she handles it with expert care for her audience …This book is short concise and packs a mighty punch." – Sally Gardner

"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 felling like they have experienced the breadth and the proportions and the wealth of an epic novel." — Letterbox Library

"Told through incredibly accessible narrative non-fiction, readers travel with Josephine from East St Louis USA to Philadelphia, New York, Paris and then across Europe and Northern Africa." — Scope for Imagination, blog