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Dance of Resistance

The Josephine Baker Story

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Dance of Resistance

By: Catherine Johnson, Katie Hickey
Narrated by: Veronique Olin
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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 Harper Collins Publishers Biographies Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Women Celebrity
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Critic reviews

"In instantly involving first-person prose, Johnson tells the true story of Josephine Baker, from her poor childhood in segregated Missouri to her work for the French resistance, her civil rights activism and her meteoric rise as a performer. This superb 9+ “autobiography”, from dyslexia-friendly publishers Barrington Stoke, is super-readable in every sense." – The Guardian
"A dazzlingly readable biography of the inimitable Josephine Baker. Dancer, singer, actress, movie star, civil-rights activist – Baker really did defy all expectations and norms and Johnson’s wonderful book explores her extraordinary life in an accessible and enlightening way." – Big Issue
"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
"Delivered in a stirring first-person voice, Catherine Johnson's Dance of Resistance does dazzling justice to its subject … Johnson integrates shifting global socio-political landscapes brilliantly, with a clarity readers of 9+ will relate to. Indeed, Dance of Resistance is wonderfully accessible and infectiously inspirational as it evokes Josephine’s joie de vivre, determination and courage." — LoveReading4Kids
"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 feeling like they have experienced the breadth and the proportions and the wealth of an epic novel." — Letterbox Library
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Loved this story
Learnt so much about this extraordinary women who had such a colourful and courageous life
Her story is an important one and will inspire many to live a rainbow life

Josephine Baker’s extraordinary life

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