Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson does not want to be a beautiful ballerina, and she does not want to leave her friends in Apple Creek. Unfortunately, that doesn't stop her ballet-crazy mother from moving them to Harlem, or from enrolling Al at the Nutcracker School of Ballet. Life is hard when you’re the new ballerina on the block, and it’s even harder when you’re chosen to be the Sugar Plum Fairy in the school recital! Not only is Al a terrible dancer, but she's also got a rotten case of stage fright! Al's ballet classmates are going to have to use all the plum power they’ve got to coach this s cary fairy! Moving is never easy, but for Alexandrea Petrakova Johnson, the move from a small southern town to Harlem is unbearable. Al’s mother wants to try her hand at costume designs for New York City theaters, and she wants Al to become a ballet dancer—not, as Al wishes, a speed skater. Soon Al finds herself in the classroom at the Nutcracker School of Ballet, reluctantly wearing one of her mother’s embarrassing creations. Al’s winning personality leads her to make a few friends, but just as things seem to be getting better she courts jealousy by being cast as the Sugar Plum Fairy in the annual performance of The Nutcracker. Eventually, friendship, lots of practice, and ingenuity help Al overcome serious stage fright and clumsiness to give an unforgettable performance. Those looking for Goldberg’s trademark sass and attitude will not find it here: this first book in a planned series earnestly addresses the effects of moving, making friends, and settling into a new routine. Grades 3-5. --Bina Williams Deborah Underwood has written numerous picture books including the New York Times bestsellers Here Comes the Easter Cat, The Quiet Book , and The Loud Book! She has also written Part-time Mermaid and Interstellar Cinderella .