Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

Authors Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan, and illustrator Brian Floca have collaborated on this wonderful picture-book tribute to another artistic collaboration, one which brought together the story idea and choreography of Martha Graham, the musical composition of Aaron Copland, and the set design of Isamu Noguchi, to produce the wonderful American ballet, Appalachian Spring. With a simple, but effective narrative, and gorgeously expressive illustrations, Ballet for Martha really communicates the creative vision of the three artists behind this landmark ballet, and how that vision was born out of working together.

I found this book unexpectedly engaging - not that I'd expected to dislike it, exactly, but I certainly wasn't prepared for show more how much I enjoyed it! - and came away with a greater appreciation for all three artists depicted. They each seem extraordinary in their own way - something highlighted, not just in the main narrative, but in the informative afterword as well. I didn't know that Martha Graham's dance troupe was the first to be integrated, or that Aaron Copland had been targeted by the McCarthy hysteria, or that Isamu Noguchi volunteered to join Japanese-Americans being interned in American concentration camps, during World War II. Obviously, I didn't know much! I'm glad to have learned a little bit about these figures, and hope to learn more about them in the future - something I imagine that young readers will feel as well. Recommended to all young ballet, music and art lovers, particularly those interested in these fields, and how they have developed in America. show less

A nice account of a truly American collaboration between Graham, Copland and Noguchi. The illustrations and text are informative without being overwhelming and the author's notes provide more background for the curious. Also, there are extensive endnotes and a bibliography. My 9-year-old & I enjoyed its clarity and specifics, but it was especially nice after reading this book to watch video on Youtube of part of the performance and to listen to Copland's orchestration of the score. I'll ask a local choreographer about her take on it.

I really disliked this story. There was nothing truly inspirational or exciting to anyone who is outside of the world of dance. The characters never got fleshed out. They simply propelled the story like machines programmed with a task. There was a primary focus on dance rather than story, which does not translate well to a still-drawn medium. Reading this was like putting salt in my eyes.

There's just something about this poetic children's memoir-style piece. It uses sparing language and artistic prose to convey as much about the atmosphere of the Appalachian Spring project as the steps in its completion. It's obviously well researched and carefully presented. The question is whether it will reach a receptive audience. I loved it.

"Ballet for Martha" outlines the development and creation of the Appalachian Spring Ballet. This work took collaboration, discipline, and many failures to perfect. The author also placed emphasis on the originality of Martha Graham’s style of dance and her refusal to change in the midst of public disapproval. The illustrations turned a beautiful story in to an unforgettable book. The watercolor and ink illustrations allowed the reader to see the dancing as well as to read about it.

This beautifully written and illustrated picture book describes the entire process of creating and producing the American ballet called "Appalachian Spring". The book names the choreographer, the composer and the set director, and starts from the first spark and brainstorm, and goes to the end of the first performance.

I was so fascinated by this book. As a former dancer, I loved all the beautiful illustrations and dance technicalities that there mentioned. I think that the emphasis on collaboration and time and effort was really beautiful and could be a meaningful idea to many students. I would definitely read this to my older students, and have a discussion about how all good things take time and hard work. I thought this book was show more phenomenal. show less

This is the great story of how Appalachian Spring was created. It is perfect for children because it tells the story of the creation of the dance through a lot of illustrations. The illustrations also portray the innovative choreography of Martha because there is a part at the end of the story where the dance is described scene by scene. I think students would appreciate the teamwork that went into this work of art and the leadership a woman took to make her dream come alive on stage.