Anna Forester is an intelligent and sensitive sixteen-year-old at the top of her local ballet school in Illinois. She arrives at the bottom of the prestigious School of Ballet New York in Manhattan, where she joins an elite group of teens who see themselves as the ballet stars of the next generation, racing to impress their famous teachers and win a coveted professional contract.

After graduating from an elite New York ballet school, 18-year-old Anna Forester moves across the country to begin her dance career in Los Angeles. Soon, she is drawn into the circle of her charismatic artistic director and the thrilling aura of company life.

Georgie has waited for this moment her whole life—to dance the part of Clara in The Nutcracker ballet. And when she finally gets the part, it's like a dream come true. . . . Literally. Every time Georgie dances with the Nutcracker doll, she leaves the ballet studio and enters a world where everything around her—the old wooden furniture, the Christmas tree, the carefully wrapped presents—is larger than life. It's so magical, Georgie can't wait to return again and again. Then the Nutcracker's magic seeps into the real world, putting Georgie's friend in danger.

Learn how to thrive in intense, competitive environments with these secrets from one of America's premiere ballerinas - and get a sneak peek behind the curtain into what her life is really like.

Aya is 11 years old and has just arrived in Britain with her mum and baby brother, seeking asylum from war in Syria. When Aya stumbles across a local ballet class, the formidable dance teacher spots her exceptional talent and believes that Aya has the potential to earn a prestigious ballet scholarship. But at the same time, Aya and her family must fight to be allowed to remain in the country, to make a home for themselves and to find Aya's father - separated from the rest of the family during the journey from Syria.