The part of third grade Ellen Tebbits likes most is having Austine Allen for her best friend. But after Ellen does something that makes Austine stop talking to her, she wonders if she will ever be able to prove her friendship.

"It's 1933 in pre-war London. Identical twin sisters Clara and Olivia Marionetta are rehearsing for their performance in the ballet Coppélia at the recently opened Sadler's Wells Theatre. Disciplined and dedicated, Olivia is the perfect ballerina- but no matter how hard she tries, she can't compete with Clara's rebellious charm. And now Clara has started a relationship with someone who Olivia secretly desires: passionate, bohemian Nathan, a pianist...

Bea and her toddler ballet class perform "The Nutcracker."

"Once upon a time teenage Aurora Evans met a hockey player at the Mall of America. He was from Canada. And soon, he was the perfect fake boyfriend, a get-out-of-jail-free card for all kinds of sticky situations. I can't go to prom. I'm going to be visiting my boyfriend in Canada. He was just what she needed to cover her social awkwardness. He never had to know. It wasn't like she was ever going to see him again... Years later, Aurora is teaching kids'...

"A young dancer finds confidence in herself in this picture book about dance, individuality, and self expression"--

"Every Friday, in the cafeteria, one of the kids gets up in front of the whole school and does something. A performance. Today it's John's turn."--Front jacket flap.

"Strawberry Shortcake and her friends love ballet. But Lemon Meringue thinks ballet is too hard. Can Strawberry Shortcake help Lemon Meringue?"--P. [4] of cover.

Sassy tries out for a summer dance festival in Washington, D.C., despite the other girls' taunts that she is much too tall.

"Ever, Lindsay, and Josie have ushered their daughters -- Bea, Olive, and Savvy -- through years of dance classes in their coastal California town. They've tended bloodied feet, stitched ribbons to countless pairs of pointe shoes, and in the process, forged friendships that seem to transcend rivalry. But now Etienne Bernay, enfant terrible of French ballet, has come to their conservatory. Not only will he direct this year's production of The Nutcracker,...

Seven-year-old Allie goes on a special outing, by train, with her grandfather to see The Nutcracker-her first trip to the theater. It's also a poignant commemeration: Grandpa took Allie's mother, who died when Allie was three, to a Christmas Eve performance of the ballet the year she was seven.