Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses racism.

The novel opens during a production of Tchaikovsky’s celebrated ballet, The Nutcracker. The novel’s 11-year-old protagonist, Robin, watches from the wings as several beginner ballet students struggle in their performance. Robin, a student in the lower advanced class, sympathizes with their anxiety, admitting that on stage, the audience resembles a “multi-headed beast” (2). Inspired to help, Robin whispers to Cecily, a beginner student who’s forgotten the practiced choreography. As Robin mimes the dance, Cecily follows along. Soon, other dancers join her.

However, it’s not long before Cecily falters again. This time, instead of freezing, she and the other beginners improvise. One of the beginners, moving erratically, knocks into the stereo system, damaging the vinyl backtrack. The music begins to skip. Thinking quickly, Robin skips across the stage, borrowing choreography from Swan Lake. She elbows the stereo, and the record resumes. Moving gracefully back on stage, Robin directs the beginners. Amy, Leah, and Thomas, dancers in the upper immediate class, soon join Robin on stage. Together, they organize the beginners and then slip quietly off stage.

During intermission, Robin helps the younger students switch costumes.