Could a cryptic message found in a New York City apartment really lead to the Tsar's Golden Slippers, a pair of jeweled ballet slippers once given to legendary Russian ballerina Natalya Markevich by Tsar Nicholas II? Maybe. But, at first, thirteen-year old Shelby Sullivan doesn't care. She's competing for a guest spot with the New York ballet, against her best friend, Ally. The nastiest girl in school just singled her out. And her dad's about to lose his lame museum curator job...again. It's not like she has time for ancient mysteries and tragic monarchs. When her mother forces Shelby to help clean the apartment of her dead neighbor, Shelby finds a photo of Natalya Markevich and the hand-written clue tucked within the frame. Suddenly, she sees a chance to find the ballet slippers and help her father's sagging career. But what exactly do the symbols mean? And what is their connection to a famous ballet? The search takes Shelby and Ally in and around New York City as they uncover the secrets from the ballerina's past. Will the girls find Natalya's priceless treasure? Or will the ballet slippers, like the Tsars, be lost to history?About the Author: Angela Riley is a full-time writer of stories for children. She is interested in sports, travel and the arts and typically ruins movies for those around her by guessing the ending in advance. She lives in Connecticut with her wonderful family and Bernese Mountain dog, Charly. Visit her online at www.angelariley.com