Sophie

Growing up on the grounds of her parents' family-operated zoo, 17-year-old Sophie's life was focused on two great loves - ballet and animals.

A natural performer, Sophie dreamed of studying at the American Ballet. But high tuition fees and mounting costs at home force Sophie's parents to make a sacrifice and sell her beloved Sheba, a 5-ton elephant and lifelong friend, to a traveling circus. Abandoning her previous dance dreams, Sophie sets off to reclaim Sheba, charming her way into a summer job with the circus so she can keep an eye on Sheba's hot-tempered brute of a trainer, Magnus.

Along the way Sophie makes a deal with the eccentric circus owner Alistair Winston -- she will perform with Sheba until they have earned her back, and then Sheba will be free to return home.

However, when a reporter following the story points out to Sophie that repatriation to Africa and not her family zoo might be best for Sheba, Sophie is torn.

Further complicating her feelings, Sophie finds herself transported by the magic of the circus and falling for the mysterious trapeze artist Blake.

As Sophie and Blake become closer and she learns more about her new circus family, Sophie comes to understand that truly loving someone or something can sometimes mean making hard and heartbreaking choices.