Life at the Royal Ballet School

This book tells of the daily life of young students in England's Royal Ballet School. Children who are studying ballet will probably be pleased to see that children as young as ten years old are allowed to attend this special school and prepare for a career in ballet. The numerous black and white photographs capture the hard work and discipline that the young students endure and the writing is straightforward and honest. Anyone who is thinking about having a career in dance should read this book and understand that professional daily training must begin at a young age. Boys who study ballet might also enjoy this book as the Royal Ballet is a coed school and there are numerous young males who are also in training for a career as a ballet dancer. It is also encouraging to see that Jessel takes photographs of the young students hard at work in the academic classroom as well as the dance studio and it is stressed throughout the book that the children's education is not (nor should ever be) neglected as a profitable career as a ballet dancer is tenuous at best.