The first known book to be set at a stage school, the first ballet story to be set in London, the first to feature upper middle class society, the first to show the limits of amateurism and possibly the first to show children as self-reliant, able to survive without running to grownups when things went wrong.

But although it is very much a book with girl appeal, it is really an orphan tale, a career novel and a family story, all wrapped in one. In fact I gave a copy of Ballet Shoes to the daughter of a goddaughter only last Christmas because I loved it so much.Leaving them in the care of his niece Sylvia, and Nana, her old nurse, at his London home on the Cromwell Road, Gum goes off to continue his exploring, saying he'll be back in five years time. I’m really sorry but I can’t identify your mystery book, though Kitty Barnes is an author’s name which springs to mind. She also clashes with her sisters, as she is so focused on dancing that she is insensitive about anything that gets in her way.

The definitive story of the definitive danseur draws on letters, diaries, home-movie footage and interviews. Really likeable characters; nana was my favourite with her no nonsense approach and comic one liners. The boarders—the Simpsons, a couple back home from Malaysia, Theo, who teaches at the Academy, and the two doctors (of literature and mathematics, respectively)—are very likeable too, and one loves how all of them begin to become a big family, though each of them lead their own lives. This story has relevance in my life, hence I am likely to be more judgemental towards this subject matter than otherwise. However much Sylvia scrimps and saves, the money Gum has left for their support eventually runs out.When I was in my first grade, a teacher took our class to the children's library next to school to be registered. We join them on their journey at the academy as their train to hone their different talents, begin their careers on the stage, and try to get their names into history books! She also decides that she will not be "nice and helpful, and run round fetching and carrying for other people's rehearsals.