Close Modal
0 0
Download high-resolution image

Remember Her Name!

Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame

Author Tami Charles
Illustrated by Meredith Lucius
Hardcover
$17.99 US
Charlesbridge
8.44"W x 10.31"H x 0.39"D   | 14 oz | 36 per carton
On sale Feb 10, 2026 | 32 Pages | 9781623545659
Age 5-8 years | Grades K-3
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo
Young Debbie Allen is destined for fame and everyone will know her name! A poetic, uplifting biography of a Black icon for kids ages 5-8.

New York Times best-selling author Tami Charles tells Debbie Allen’s inspiring story of perseverance and growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow South.

Young Debbie Allen was blocked from the local dance school in the 1950s Jim Crow American South. In order to allow Debbie to pursue her dream, Debbie's mother moved with her to Mexico where Debbie studied at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico. When they returned to Texas, Debbie was admitted to the Houston Ballet Foundation as the company’s first Black dancer, and a legendary career began.

Inspired by award-winning and NYT best-selling author Tami Charles’s interviews with living legend and dancer/actor Debbie Allen, this is an ode to creativity and perseverance, as well as an amazing history of a pivotal time in Debbie's life.
A picture-book salute to pioneering dancer Debbie Allen.
“In the heart / of the Third Ward / of Houston, Texas, / beneath a star-covered sky… / the wind stirs its nighttime song / as Debbie begins.” Young Debbie starts to dance. But it’s the 1950s, and Black people face barriers: “White signs / painted with black words / with a message loud and clear: / people like Debbie / are simply not welcome here.” “Here” includes the local dance school. Debbie’s mother can’t abide the thought of her daughter’s wasted potential and dashed dreams, so “with the wind at their backs, / they cross the border, / feet planted on new soil.” Charles’ poetic approach to biographizing Allen’s childhood is lovely, though at times it relegates details to the backmatter: The “new soil” where Debbie and her mother relocate isn’t identified in the main narrative, for instance, though the author’s note clarifies that it’s Mexico City. Nor does the main text clue in readers about Allen’s considerable adult accomplishments; readers learn only that Debbie returns to Houston after “some years,” continues to dance, and ultimately enjoys a successful stage career: “Beneath the white-bright lights, / the music sings / as history unfolds.” Still, the verse sparkles, and the book’s reach-for-the-sky imperative is reinforced by Lucius’ sleek and glossy digital art, in which dancing Debbie is frequently flanked by twinkly stars.
Uplifting and glowing.
—Kirkus Reviews
Tami Charles is a former teacher and full-time author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. As a teacher, she made it her mission to introduce her students to all types of literature, but especially diverse books. While it was refreshing to see a better selection than what she was accustomed to as a child, Tami felt there weren’t nearly as many diverse books as she’d hoped for. It was then that she decided to reignite her passion for writing. Tami is the author of the middle grade novel Like Vanessa (2018) and the picture book Freedom Soup (Candlewick Press, 2019). View titles by Tami Charles
Meredith Lucius View titles by Meredith Lucius

Photos

additional book photo
additional book photo
additional book photo

About

Young Debbie Allen is destined for fame and everyone will know her name! A poetic, uplifting biography of a Black icon for kids ages 5-8.

New York Times best-selling author Tami Charles tells Debbie Allen’s inspiring story of perseverance and growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow South.

Young Debbie Allen was blocked from the local dance school in the 1950s Jim Crow American South. In order to allow Debbie to pursue her dream, Debbie's mother moved with her to Mexico where Debbie studied at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico. When they returned to Texas, Debbie was admitted to the Houston Ballet Foundation as the company’s first Black dancer, and a legendary career began.

Inspired by award-winning and NYT best-selling author Tami Charles’s interviews with living legend and dancer/actor Debbie Allen, this is an ode to creativity and perseverance, as well as an amazing history of a pivotal time in Debbie's life.

Praise

A picture-book salute to pioneering dancer Debbie Allen.
“In the heart / of the Third Ward / of Houston, Texas, / beneath a star-covered sky… / the wind stirs its nighttime song / as Debbie begins.” Young Debbie starts to dance. But it’s the 1950s, and Black people face barriers: “White signs / painted with black words / with a message loud and clear: / people like Debbie / are simply not welcome here.” “Here” includes the local dance school. Debbie’s mother can’t abide the thought of her daughter’s wasted potential and dashed dreams, so “with the wind at their backs, / they cross the border, / feet planted on new soil.” Charles’ poetic approach to biographizing Allen’s childhood is lovely, though at times it relegates details to the backmatter: The “new soil” where Debbie and her mother relocate isn’t identified in the main narrative, for instance, though the author’s note clarifies that it’s Mexico City. Nor does the main text clue in readers about Allen’s considerable adult accomplishments; readers learn only that Debbie returns to Houston after “some years,” continues to dance, and ultimately enjoys a successful stage career: “Beneath the white-bright lights, / the music sings / as history unfolds.” Still, the verse sparkles, and the book’s reach-for-the-sky imperative is reinforced by Lucius’ sleek and glossy digital art, in which dancing Debbie is frequently flanked by twinkly stars.
Uplifting and glowing.
—Kirkus Reviews

Author

Tami Charles is a former teacher and full-time author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. As a teacher, she made it her mission to introduce her students to all types of literature, but especially diverse books. While it was refreshing to see a better selection than what she was accustomed to as a child, Tami felt there weren’t nearly as many diverse books as she’d hoped for. It was then that she decided to reignite her passion for writing. Tami is the author of the middle grade novel Like Vanessa (2018) and the picture book Freedom Soup (Candlewick Press, 2019). View titles by Tami Charles
Meredith Lucius View titles by Meredith Lucius

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

Adults Blog Children's Holiday General All Gift Pop Culture

Holiday Cheer, Perfectly Gifted 🎁

The holidays are here, and our specialty retail sales team can’t wait to help you find the best gifts for your customers so you can sleigh the season! From blockbuster celebrity books to charming stocking stuffers to festive gift bags from Out of Print, PRH Retail has everything you need to curate a custom assortment

Read more

Holiday Cheer, Perfectly Gifted 🎁

Adults Blog Children's Holiday General All Gift Pop Culture

Penguin Random House Retail

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)