Ballet Brown

About this book

An inspiring and profoundly moving story about speaking up for yourself and creating healthy spaces from acclaimed CEO, author, and activist Bellen Woodard, creator of the More than Peach project. Bellen Woodard adores ballet and always looks forward to reaching new heights. Though as she moves through dance, she begins to notice that pink leotards, pink shoes, and pink or white tights — often referred to as ballet pink — are synonymous with ballet. But what about brown tights and shoes? When her dance studio doesn’t act, Bellen takes matters into her own hands and creates a way for all of us to see the “many beautiful colors of dance” — and she names it ballet brown. This second inspirational picture book from Bellen Woodard is all about standing up for what you know is right, even if the

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Why widely assigned

This Juvenile Fiction title, typically at grades k–1. Published in the canon; cited across 1 curriculum framework.

Where this book is assigned

• Great Lakes Great Books Award

  • recommended·Kindergarten grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — K-1 division
  • recommended·1st grade · Michigansource: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award 2026-27 nominee (official GLGBA nominee press release + nominees list, announced March 7, 2026 at the MRA Annual Conference; Michigan students vote through January 9, 2027) — K-1 division

Common questions

What grade level is Ballet Brown?

Ballet Brown is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades K–1. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.

How long does it take to read Ballet Brown?

It takes about 55 minutes to read Ballet Brown (48 pages) at an average adult reading pace of about 250 words per minute — roughly 55 minutes. Faster or slower readers will vary; the estimate is a planning guide for assigning the book.

What curricula assign Ballet Brown?

Ballet Brown appears on reading lists for Great Lakes Great Books Award. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.

Is Ballet Brown banned in schools?

Ballet Brown does not appear in PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. No documented multi-district removals on record, but individual districts may challenge titles locally.