BALLET BESTIES

Moving is tough, but if it means that ballet-loving Yara gets to take lessons at a real dance studio, she’s ready for the challenge.

On Yara’s first day of ballet class with Miss Diamond at the Shimmer and Shine dance school, her nerves are calmed by welcoming new friends—especially a girl named Indu who’s also in her class at school. Yara’s parents insist that she prioritize schoolwork over ballet, but how can she focus when all she can think about is dance? Balancing school and ballet gets even trickier when Shimmer and Shine’s wealthy, uptight owner threatens to close the studio. Miss Diamond’s class resolves to stage a performance of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty in an attempt to save the studio, and Yara lands the leading role. But when Yara’s schoolwork falls by the wayside, will she get back on track? Gentle grayscale illustrations cheerfully match the easy tone of the story. While Yara’s conflicts are wrapped up with surprising ease, ballet enthusiasts and fans of friendship stories will enjoy its warmth and charm. Biracial Yara has light brown skin (her pale-skinned mother is Belgian, and her father has brown skin), while the rest of the ballet besties are diverse, and Indu is cued South Asian.

A sweet friendship story tied neatly in a ballet bun.