The Turning by Gloria Whelan

Seventeen-year-old Tanya lives in Leningrad with her parents and grandparents in a small apartment. Tanya dances with one of the best ballet troupes is Russia and has the opporuntity to travel with the troupe to France for a performance. The Soviet Union is on the verge of a tremendous change as communism is on the decline and politics are very important to Tanya's family. Another dancer in the ballet is encouraging Tanya to defect when the troupe goes to Paris, but Tanya is unsure she will have the courage to leave her family and friends. This companion novel to Angel on the Square (2001), The Impossible Journey (2004), and Burying the Sun (2004) continues to follow the same Russian family, now in its fourth generation. Like the previous tales, this one is rich with Russian culture and history and is interwoven beautifully in the story. Wonderful details create clear pictures of everyday life during this turning point in Russian history. Tanya is an appealing heroine, who is wise and mature beyond her seventeen-years.