Doone Penny is a child with a gift - he was born to dance. But though others recognise his talent, there is little encouragement from his family. His mother preens over his pretty sister, Crystal, also a dancer, but fiercely competitive and vain. Doone's father would never allow a son of his to have ballet lessons, and his brothers think he's a sissy.

But Doone has passion and ambition beyond his years, and knows he can succeed, if only he is given the chance. If he can make it into Queen's Chase, Her Majesty's Junior Ballet School, he'll show them all . ..

This book is part of a book series called Virago Modern Classics .

This book has been graded for interest at 9-12 years. This book is part of a reading scheme, meaning that it is a book aimed at children who are learning to read.

There are 240 pages in this book. This book was published 2013 by Little, Brown Book Group .

Rumer Godden, who died in 1998, was one of the UK's most distinguished authors. She wrote many well-known and much-loved books for both adults and children, including The Peacock Spring (also available as a Young Picador) and Black Narcissus.