Throughout her history, the ballerina has been perceived as the embodiment of beauty and perfection? the feminine ideal. But the reality is another story. From the earliest ballerinas in the 17th century-- who often led double lives as concubines-- through the poverty of the corps de ballet dancers in the 1800's and the anorexic and bulimic ballerinas of George Balanchine, starvation and exploitation have plagued ballerinas throughout history. Using...

"Black Swan meets It Ends with Us in this propulsive novel about the seductive, cutthroat world of professional ballet by debut author Melanie Hamrick. Five years into her career at the American National Ballet, Sylvie Carter has come a long way from the girl she once was-the young, driven ballerina who dutifully kept a list of rules for how to succeed. But as her star in the company rises, every rule gets broken and she becomes a version of herself...

"Angelina and Alice are so excited to spend time together at the beach! They build sandcastles, play in the waves, and saerch for seashells. But then Angelina accidentally upsets Alice. Can Angelina apologize and mend their friendship?"--

The only easy thing about Jude and Lucy's relationship is their love for one another. Everything else is hard. Especially when it comes to reining in Jude's trigger touch temper and Lucy's increasing jealousy of Jude's Spirit Sister on the cheer squad who's attached herself to him in just about every way a girl could. Feeling the stress of trying to hang on to her quintessential bad boy while becoming the foremost dancer in her class, Lucy knows somethings...

Zuri Ray loves trying extraordinary new things but when Jessie, her Best Friend From Diapers, chooses ballet Zuri Ray finds it too challenging until the teacher encourages her to be herself.

"Valentine's Day is coming! Posey is so excited about her special ballet recital and giving cards to everyone at school. Then she learns that one of her classmates doesn't have any valentines to give out. Can Princess Posey and her tutu find the perfect way to help?"--

"Preparing for the Mermaid Ballet, mermaid best friends Harmony and Echo practice their steps again and again, but when Echo gets stage fright, Harmony comes up with the perfect solution for Echo to overcome her shyness"--

One day Ella Bella loses one of her ballet slippers. Madame Rosa loans her student another pair for dancing. The teacher tells the class of Cinderella and the lost slipper. After class Ella Bella is transported into the story of Cinderella by Cinderella's fairy godmother.

Practical introduction to the world of ballet from first position to pirouettes.

Millie's excitement over her first ballet class fades when she learns how hard it is, but after class she is encouraged by the Ballet Bunnies that secretly live in the studio.