JANE BRESKIN ZALBEN is the author of several novels, including Unfinished Dreams and Leap, her first novel for Knopf. She is also the author and illustrator the popular Beni and Pearl picture books, as well as many others.

Allegra Katz has been playing piano since she was four. But these aren't just any piano lessons. She studies at the Julliard School in New York, where careers are being formed-or not.
Between strict practice schedules, music classes, and regular school, Ally doesn't have time for much else. Sometimes she wishes she could break free, but she's never known any other way. Her parents-a professional violinist and a singer-would kill her if they knew she was thinking about quitting piano, especially her mother.
So she keeps on going, but as the months go by, she begins to ask herself, does she even love the piano? Why does she play? And how much longer can she stand the pressure before she breaks?