Christina Rice, author of Mean...Moody...Magnificent! Jane Russell and the Marketing of a Hollywood Legend It was interesting to read all about Powell’s work ethic and the fact that the studios did not take her as seriously as they took her male counterparts. It’s also amazing how poorly MGM treated her, as is true of many of their stars, and underutilized her while she was under contract. I had 29 partners, but I met my match with Ellie,” Fred Astaire was quoted to have said about Eleanor Powell. In 1952, he told columnist Hedda Hopper that Eleanor was “one of our greatest talents,” but lamented that she was “a bit too powerful for me.” How about that? That was the reason that Astaire gave as to why the two were only paired up once, in Broadway Melody of 1940. What could have been.

This book beautifully captures young dancers on and off stage. Everyday life seems inseparable from a dancer’s heart/body connection. Each young person featured here told the photographer that they were born to dance. Dance had chosen them.Jordan Matter is known to millions for his 10 Minute Photo Challenge YouTube videos. Now, in one dazzling photograph after another, he portrays dancers—ages 2 through 18—in ordinary and extraordinary pursuits, from hanging with friends to taking selfies, from leaping for joy to feeling left out. The subjects include TV and internet stars like Chloé Lukasiak, Kalani Hilliker, Nia Sioux, and Kendall Vertes, as well as boys and girls from around the neighborhood. What they all share is the skill to elevate their hopes and dreams with beauty, humor, grace, and surprise. Paired with empowering words from the dancers themselves, the photographs convey each child’s declaration that they were born to dance. Bonus Scan the QR code next to dozens of photos and watch behind-the-scenes videos documenting the shoots. From Jordan Matter, YouTube star and New York Times– bestselling author of Dancers Among Us , a celebration of what it means to be young and full of possibility, featuring gorgeous photographs of well-known dancers (including Tate McRae and Sofie Dossi) as well as stars in the making. It is rare that people now writing biographies of the movie stars of Hollywood’s ‘golden age’ actually knew their subject. The fact that both authors knew Miss Powell adds much to the narrative. You can sense that they loved, respected and admired her and did their utmost to convey her dedication to her art, family, friends, fans and faith. Their Eleanor Powell is a real person who had many joys and some sorrows in her life. After reading the book, I feel that I know her as a person and not as an image on the silver screen…. And the last sentence of the book brought tears to my eyes. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and University Press; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a digital copy of 'Born to Dance' from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you! From Jordan Matter, YouTube star and New York Times–bestselling author of Dancers Among Us, a celebration of what it means to be young and full of possibility, featuring gorgeous photographs of well-known dancers (including Tate McRae and Sofie Dossi) as well as stars in the making.

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This book by authors Broussard and Royere covers the life and career of Eleanor Powell. Powell is often overlooked in the history of musicals and dance on film but she was the greatest female tap dancer to appear in the movies. Many will argue (including me) that she was the greatest tap dancer in film, period. Born to Dance: Celebrating Moments of Joy, from Toddler to Teen by Jordan Matter is a celebration of what it means to be young and full of possibility. The book is full of lovely color photographs of young dancers (ages 4-17) by Dancers Among Us photographer Jordan Matter, along with Jordan's personal observations and quotes from some of the dancers about joy, life, dance, and family.