Whether you’re lounging by the pool, flying on a plane, driving in a car, or lying at the beach, it’s always a good idea to have a book handy throughout your summer vacation.  No matter if you’ve jam-packed your summer with dance intensives or are relaxing on a family vacation, be sure to throw a book in your dance or beach bag.  Here’s a list of our go-to summer reading list:

Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina by Michaela DePrince

You might remember DePrince from the documentary, First Position.  She grew up in an orphanage in Sierra Leone and suffered from skin discoloration that caused her to be bullied.  She was adopted by American parents and began taking ballet at a young age.  She is currently the youngest principal dancer with the Dance Theatre of Harlem.  What’s more, DePrince’s inspiring story is coming to the big screen soon—so be sure to get a head start by reading the book first!

Girl on Pointe: Chloe’s Guide to Taking on the World by Chloe Lukasiak

Chloe Lukasiak’s journey on Dance Moms wasn’t exactly easy.  But her fan base stayed true through the tough times.  In this memoir, Lukasiak explains how self-acceptance and kindness helped her grow into a stronger and more passionate dancer.  This book deals with topics like bullying, injury/illness, and overcoming setbacks on the road to pursuing your dreams.

Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Former NYCB dancer, Sophie Flack, authors this fictional tale about an aspiring ballerina who struggles to navigate a work-life balance between the career she dreams of and the quintessential experiences of being a teenager.

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland

We now know Misty Copeland as the first African-American principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and the face of the “I Will What I Want” Under Armour campaign.  But Copeland’s journey to stardom was anything but smooth sails.  She dealt with discrimination on many levels—but her determination kept her in the game.  Copeland’s memoir is inspiring…when she finally accepted herself and her dreams, they eventually manifested.

The Audition by Maddie Ziegler

This is Dance Moms star, Maddie Ziegler’s first novel about a young dancer who moves from Connecticut to Florida and has to navigate an entirely new and unfamiliar dance scene.  This pre-teen novel (the first of a trilogy) deals with themes such as making new friends, going after your dreams, and standing up for yourself in the face of adversity.

Kenzie’s Rules for Life: How to Be Happy, Healthy, and Dance to Your Own Beat by Mackenzie Ziegler

This memoir gives a personal look at 13-year-old Mackenzie Ziegler’s life both before and after Dance Moms.  Ziegler gives her fans an inside look at being the “little kid” on the hit TV show and provides advice to her fans about pursuing what makes you happy, how to deal with bullying, fostering meaningful friendships, and creating the best DIY projects.