The Wind at My Back: Advice for Life On and Off the Dance Floor by Misty Copeland

In this thoughtful and inspiring guide, New York Times bestselling author and trailblazing ballerina Misty Copeland shares wisdom and encouragement for young readers navigating not only the world of dance but also the broader challenges of identity, confidence, and perseverance.

Drawing from the many heartfelt letters she’s received from fans, and from her own journey as the first Black female principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, Copeland addresses topics ranging from body image and time management to navigating spaces where you might feel like the “other.” What makes this book especially powerful is her openness; Copeland includes personal stories that are both vulnerable and empowering, offering a mentor’s voice to those who may feel unseen or uncertain.

This isn’t just a book for aspiring dancers, it's a resource for anyone looking for guidance from someone who has overcome significant obstacles with grace and grit. Misty’s emphasis on the importance of community and mentorship adds emotional depth, and her encouragement feels both genuine and grounded.

While the book occasionally leans more toward inspirational tone than practical action steps, it remains a compelling read filled with heart and purpose. Readers will walk away not just with advice, but with a sense of reassurance and renewed confidence in their own potential.

A graceful offering from a cultural icon who continues to inspire, both in the spotlight and beyond it.

This was a great book of positive and uplifting advice for young girls as Misty Copeland answers letters.

I was pleased to see such a focus on being yourself and not needing to push yourself to please others. Especially coming from a career field that really does have the tendency to push people to their breaking points for the sake of their art.

The advice really took into account that kids need to be gentle with themselves, and how to talk to others if you are struggling with that pressure.

One I am definitely excited to share with my young dancers! But would be a great read for any young teen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me with a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book - it would have been the perfect book for me to read when I was a kid. I love how Misty Copeland used her own experiences and stories to help give advice to different children who wrote in. She made an incredibly amazing book for children of all ages to access when they were unsure about their lives, and I 100% applaud her for the incredibly hard work and heart that she is putting into this book.

Overall, I think this is appropriate for middle grades. I think it tackles some common questions and feelings and insecurities kids that age will have. I loved the ballet extended metaphor and structure. However, it did feel a bit repetitive. I would've liked to get more details of Misty's stories and anecdotes she used to answer questions.

Misty Copeland has penned a great book for young readers. Kids don’t typically want to ask for advice, but a lot of things they will face are addressed in this book. It’s inviting and easy to read. I honestly believe it should be in every elementary and middle school library!

While there's nothing in here that's exactly groundbreaking advice, I still think this book is going to appeal to a lot of tweens and young teens who love dance and want to hear from someone who has been in their shoes. I enjoyed the writing, and it covers a lot of different topics that are relevant to today's girls.

Misty Copeland takes her role as a mentor to young women seriously and shares her best advice to common questions fans have asked her. Throughout her answers, she weaves in biographical information about her rise to fame and her growth socially and emotionally. Misty discusses some of the challenges of being the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theater as well as the joy of being the one to open the door for others.

This would make a good gift for a young dancer or Misty Copeland fan. I recommend this book for schools and libraries.

Loved this! I will be reading this to my kids for this summer. I’ve always loved Misty Copeland and the light and diversity she has brought to dance!

‘Letters to Misty’ is more than just the letters that were given to Misty. It's about advice, bringing yourself out of your comfort zone, support systems, and more. In addition, there are personal stories and advice on life and everything else.

Misty Copeland is best known as American Ballet Theatre's first Black Principal ballerina. Over the past few years, she has taken on varied roles as mentor, writer, and advocate for causes and organizations that are close to her heart-- dance education for the less fortunate, either/both financially and racially, offering her outlook and encouragement to young people, designing dancewear for dancers non-traditional body types for ballet, and creating her own Misty Copeland Foundation.

This book is compiled of short questions from young artistic people that lead into thoughtful, compassionate answers from Misty. Her attitude (one of the dance terms she explains literally and figuratively) is one of positivity and encouragement. She takes on issues of (non) inclusiveness, imposter syndrome, financial hardship, shyness, and maintaining composure in the competitive arts worlds.

Young people are the target audience for this book of positive and encouraging thoughts and suggestions. The writing is articulate and sensitive. No rose-colored glasses here but a glass-half-full book of thoughts and suggestions for the young dancer or artist.

Thanks to Net Galley for the eARC.

"Dear Misty,"


Every day, people from all over the world write to the famous ballerina Misty Copeland seeking advice about dancing, and even way beyond the dance floor. In this book Misty puts together dozens of questions that she's been asked through letters and answers them full of advice, and even thought-provoking prompts.

Letters to Misty is a book that tweens and teens of all ages will enjoy. Even those that are not super familiar with the famous ballerina will come to know her through this beautiful book she's written.

I'm giving it five stars. I really enjoyed reading this book and I now look up to Misty Copeland even more than before.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book, and thank you to Misty for being such an inspiration.