The true story of a poor Chinese peasant boy who, plucked unsuspectingly at age 10 from millions of others across the land to be trained as a ballet dancer, turned the situation to his advantage to become one of the world's greatest ballet stars.

Li tells his story with simplicity and charm, with humour and compassion, and at times with great drama. After seven lonely years of gruelling training at the Peking Dance Academy, Li was selected, at age 18, to perform at the Houston Ballet's summer school, which led to a dramatic defection, assisted by his friends and contacts, including George and Barbara Bush. His courage in the face of extreme loneliness, his determination to succeed 'to put food on my family's table', his commitment and self-discipline to be the best, make for an awesome, inspiring and moving story that will speak to readers of all ages.

This edition includes new material bringing us up-to-date on Li's family in Australia and in China, and the story of how the film came about.

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