Perseverance (and a little help from a friend) pay off for an aspiring young gymnast in this winning entry in the I Like to Read series. Ella is in awe of Jan, the star of her gymnastics class. Jan can spin and leap on the balance beam. Can Ella? Her first attempt is a failure, and Ella is ready to give up. But Jan is a star at friendship too; and with her encouragement, Ella tries again-and succeeds!

The adorable, leotard-clad young gymnasts fill the pages with action; and the story offers valuable, age-appropriate lessons in kindness, sportsmanship, and how important it is to try, try again.