Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina

In what ways does Life in Motion exemplify the genre of the kunstlerroman? How does it change your interpretation of the text if you read it as the coming of age of an artist rather than a regular autobiography or memoir?

One book review calls Misty’s narrative a “modern day Cinderella story” (“Life in Motion.” Simon & Schuster). Is this an accurate comparison? Why or why not?

Compare Misty’s mother, Sylvia, and her first ballet teacher, Cindy, including their backgrounds, personalities, and relationships with Misty. How and why does their conflict arise? What does the conflict reveal about parenthood?