pas de deux (NOUN: pl. pas de deux) 1. A dance for two, especially a dance in ballet consisting of an entree and adagio, a variation for each dancer, and a coda. 2. A close relationship between two people or things, as during an activity. pas de death (NOUN: yeah ... totally made up) 1. A dance of death. 2. When Dani Spevak stumbles over a dead body and gets into another crazy situation. Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak is back home for the summer, recovering from an injury. What was supposed to be a simple day trip into New York City to visit her friends at the Manhattan Ballet Conservatory turns deadly when Dani discovers that the world of professional dance can be cutthroat - literally.

It's the most wonderful time of the year... Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak's visions of sugar plums are dashed when she's assigned to understudy her nemesis, Hadley Taylor, in The Nutcracker. Pretty, popular, and rich, that girl has all the luck. Or so she thought. When Hadley mysteriously disappears with opening night just around the corner, Dani can't sit idly by, even if it means losing the part. Now she's running all over Phoenix in a race against the clock. From reality TV trophy wives to sleazy real estate developers to a possible drug ring, the cast of suspects begins to add up. Will she find Hadley before the curtain rises? Book 2 in the Dani Spevak Mystery Series Praise for Amanda Brice and the Dani Spevak Mystery Series: "From the authentic atmosphere of a ballet boarding school to the recognizable humor and angst of teenage girls, POINTE OF NO RETURN hits all the right notes and kept me turning the pages." - Former professional ballerina Miriam Landis-Wenger, author of BREAKING POINTE and GIRL IN MOTION "References that include everything from Snooki to Chewbacca will have you laughing out loud." - Romantic Times on CODENAME: DANCER "A perfect example of YA done right." - I'd So Rather Be Reading on CODENAME: DANCER "It's Nancy Drew meets Dancing with the Stars What could be better?" - Broadway actress/dancer Cara Cooper on CODENAME: DANCER "Fans of Pretty Little Liars and Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls will love CODENAME: DANCER." - NY Times bestselling author Gemma Halliday "Even if you don't know a thing about dance, you'll be easily drawn into this quick-paced series with authentic characters and big stakes." - Rhonda Stapleton, author of STRUCK "CODENAME: DANCER is a mystery-filled romance that will twirl its way into your heart." - Melissa Francis, author of BITE ME and LOVE SUCKS "An excellent read with crisp writing and a compelling story." - Juli Alexander, author of MY LIFE AS THE UGLY STEPSISTER on CODENAME: DANCER "Dani is such a vibrant character that she leaps right off the pages and into your heart." - Cynthia Justlin, author of HER OWN BEST ENEMY

LARGE PRINT EDITION It's the most wonderful time of the year... Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak's visions of sugar plums are dashed when she's assigned to understudy her nemesis, Hadley Taylor, in the Nutcracker. Pretty, popular, and rich, that girl has all the luck. Or so she thought. When Hadley mysteriously disappears with opening night just around the corner, Dani can't sit idly by, even if it means losing the part. Now she's running all over Phoenix in a race against the clock. From reality TV trophy wives to sleazy real estate developers to a possible drug ring, the cast of suspects begins to add up. Will she find Hadley before the curtain rises? Book 2 in the Dani Spevak Mystery Series.

The essays, poems, and short stories from the middle school winners and honorable mentions of the 2012/2013 Celebrating Diversity through Creative Writing Contest.

LARGE PRINT EDITION Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak is back home in New Jersey for the summer, recovering from an injury. What was supposed to be a simple day trip into New York City to visit her friends at the Manhattan Ballet Conservatory turns deadly when Dani discovers that the world of professional ballet can be cutthroat - literally.

LARGE PRINT EDITION Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak is thrilled when hit TV show Teen Celebrity Dance Off comes to the campus of her performing arts boarding school. She trades the barre for the ballroom and gets set to cha-cha-cha to stardom with Hollywood wonderboy Nick Galliano. At first their partnership is awkward, because Dani is in awe of her longtime teen idol crush. But soon their chemistry is heating up the dance floor and the attraction moves into real life. Her excitement is short-lived, because someone wants her off the show. Bombs, poisoning, arson... Will Dani's 15 minutes of fame be over before she reaches age 15? Dani and her friends are suddenly at the center of some serious sabotage. And if she doesn't find out who is behind it, her next pirouette could be her last. It's like Nancy Drew in toe shoes in this light-hearted tween mystery, a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart(r) Award for Best Young Adult Romance. "It reminded me so much of my childhood, and I have no doubt this would have been my favorite series. Young girls are in for a treat with Daniela Spevak pirouetting through mystery, mayhem, and maybe a little romance. It's Nancy Drew meets Dancing with the Stars What could be better?" - Broadway actresss/dancer Cara Cooper (Jersey Boys) "Fans of Pretty Little Liars and Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls will love Codename: Dancer. Sparks fly, tutus twirl, and a clever mystery unravels in what is sure to become a favorite among teens and tweens everywhere. Amanda Brice's debut is a must read for every girl who ever danced - or ever wanted to " - NY Times Bestselling author Gemma Hallid

Aspiring ballerina Dani Spevak is thrilled when hit TV show Teen Celebrity Dance Off comes to the campus of her performing arts boarding school. She trades the barre for the ballroom and gets set to cha-cha-cha to stardom with Hollywood wonderboy Nick Galliano. At first their partnership is awkward, because Dani is in awe of her longtime teen idol crush. But soon their chemistry is heating up the dance floor and the attraction moves into real life. Could he actually like her? Her excitement is short-lived, because someone wants her off the show. Bombs, poisoning, arson... Will Dani's 15 minutes of fame be over before she reaches age 15? Dani and her friends are suddenly at the center of some serious sabotage. And if she doesn't find out who is behind it, her next pirouette could be her last. It's like "Nancy Drew in toe shoes" in this light-hearted tween mystery, a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart(r) Award for Best Young Adult Romance. What they're saying: "It reminded me so much of my childhood, and I have no doubt this would have been my favorite series. Young girls are in for a treat with Daniela Spevak pirouetting through mystery, mayhem and maybe a little romance. It's Nancy Drew meets Dancing with the Stars What could be better?" - Broadway actress/dancer Cara Cooper (Jersey Boys) "Fans of Pretty Little Liars and Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls will love CODENAME: DANCER. Sparks fly, tutus twirl, and a clever mystery unravels in what is sure to become a favorite among teens and tweens everywhere. Amanda Brice's debut is a must read for every girl who ever danced - or ever wanted to " - NY Times Bestselling Author Gemma Halliday "Amanda Brice's debut novel has something that will appeal to everyone, especially ballet enthusiasts, mystery lovers and fans of reality TV competitions. Even if you don't know a thing about dance, you'll be easily drawn into this quick-paced story with authentic characters and big stakes. I adored Dani and found myself rooting for this spunky heroine. Can't wait for the sequel " - Rhonda Stapleton, author of STRUCK "CODENAME: DANCER is a mystery-filled romance that will twirl its way into your heart. Dani is a heroine every girl (and woman) will root for. This is a stand-out debut novel for Amanda Brice " - Melissa Francis, author of BITE ME "A perfect example of YA done right." - I'd So Rather Be Reading review bl

La aspirante a bailarina Dani Spevak se ilusiona mucho cuando se entera de que el exitoso programa de television, Teen Celebrity Dance Off ha llegado al campus de su residencia para estudiantes de arte. La joven cambiala barra de ballet por los bailes de salon y pronto se entera de que va a bailar un cha-cha-cha con la estrella de Hollywood Nick Galliano. Su relacion es dificil al principio, porque Dani esta embobada con su amor platonico adolescente.Pero pronto la quimica que existe entre ambos calienta la pista de baile y la atraccion que siente el uno hacia el otro cobra vida. Sin embargo, el entusiasmo de la joven dura muy poco, porque alguien la quiere fuera del espectaculo. Bombas, envenenamiento, un incendio provocado... Se acabaran los 15 minutos de fama de Dani antes de que cumpla 15 anos? Dani y sus amigos se encuentran de repente en medio de un serio sabotaje. Y si ellano descubre quien esta detras de el, su siguiente pirueta podria serla ultima. "A los fans de Pequenas Mentirosas y las Chicas Gallagher de Ally Carter les encantara Nombre en clave: Bailarina...una lectura obligada para todas las chicas que alguna vez han bailado - O han querido hacerlo " - Autora Best Seller por el New York Times, Gemma Halliday "A las chicas les espera una sorpresa...Nancy Drew se reune con Bailando con Las Estrellas. Que podria ser mejor? - Actriz/bailarina de Broadway Cara Cooper

Las esperanzas de la aspirante a bailarina Dani Spevak se vienen abajo cuando le asignan ser la sustituta de su enemiga, Hadley Taylor. Guapa, popular, y rica; esa chica lo tiene todo. O eso pensaba ella. Cuando Hadley desaparece misteriosamente con la noche del estreno a la vuelta de la esquina, Dani no puede ignorar la situacion, incluso si eso significa perder el papel. Ahora va corriendo por toda la ciudad en una carrera contrarreloj. Desde esposas trofeo de reality shows hasta corruptos magnates inmobiliarios, pasando por un posible circulo de drogas, la lista de sospechosos no hace mas que aumentar. Encontrara a Hadley antes de que suba el telon? ELOGIOS PARA AMANDA BRICE Y LOS MISTERIOS DE DANI SPEVAK "Las referencias que incluyen cualquier cosa desde Snooki hasta Chewbacca te haran reir a carcajadas." -Romantic Times acerca de Nombre en Clave: Bailarina. "Un ejemplo perfecto de novela para adolescentes bien ejecutada. Una lectura rapida y ligera con un buen misterio y un incluso mejor mensaje." -I'd So Rather Be Reading sobre Nombre en Clave: Bailarina. "Amanda Brice sigue construyendo su brillante debut Nombre en Clave: Bailarina con su nuevo libro Punta de No Retorno. Desde la autentica atmosfera de un internado de ballet hasta el reconocible humor y angustia de las adolescentes, Punta de No Retorno pulsa todas las notas correctas y me hizo seguir todas las notas correctas y me hizo seguir pasando las paginas." -Ex-bailarina profesional Miriam Landis-Wenger, autora de Breaking Pointe y Girl in Motion "Me recordo mucho mi propia infancia, y no tengo dudas de que esta habria sido mi serie favorita. Las jovencitas se lo pasaran en grande con Daniela Spevak haciendo piruetas entre misterios, caos, y quizas un poco de romance. Es una mezcla de Nancy Drew y Bailando con las Estrellas Que podria haber mejor?" -Actriz y bailarina de Broadway Cara Cooper acerca de Nombre en Clave: Bailarina. "A las fans de Pequenas Mentirosas y de las Chicas Gallagher de Ally Carter les va a encantar Nombre en Clave: Bailarina. Las chispas vuelan, los tutus giran, y se desenreda un inteligente misterio en lo que seguramente se convertira en un favorito entre los adolescentes de todo el mundo." -NY Times autora de best-sellers Gemma Halliday.