DANCING LESSONS (Cheryl Burke)

Cheryl Burke, as any "Dancing With the Stars" fan knows, is  professional ballroom dancer and two-time winner of the coveted mirror ball trophy on that show.  I picked up this biography because I am a die-hard "Dancing" fan and there has been some controversy in the press over Ms. Burke in the past few years:  Does she have a drinking problem?  Was she abused as a child?  How does she feel about the nasty comments that crop up from time to time about her "weight problem?"  Is this biography heavy reading?  Of course not.  Cheryl Burke is an intelligent, hard-working young woman who knows when the time is right to capitalize on her fame.  She is an astute business woman who has opened several dance studios on the west coast and a sensitive, loving sister, daughter, and friend who values family  and relationships.

If you are looking for dirt and scandal, skip this book.  Burke is refreshingly candid about her own vulnerabilities and mistakes, but when it comes to lovers, friends, and dancing partners, she is respectful, positive, and delightfully appreciative of the relationships she has formed and the distinctive personalities and talents of everyone in her life.  This is a pleasant alternative to the typical "tell-all" biographies that are published today.  Despite living in a world hungry for drama and scandal, Ms. Burke has taken the high road.  She does talk about being sexually abused as a child and how this fact colored her subsequent relationships with men, but she relates the facts in a subtle, honest manner without sensationalism or embellishment,  She is a class act and an excellent role model for young women.  An extra added appeal is that she relates each chapter of the book and her life to specific ballroom and Latin dances, describing for the reader the background and basic details of each dance in a very simple and understanable way.  Every fan of "Dancing with the Stars" should consider reading this.  If you are looking for positive roles models who have overcome adversity with grace and intelligence, give a copy to your daughter or niece, especially if they are interested in dance.