The Sisters Grimm: Book Nine: The Council of Mirrors

The Sisters Grimm: Book Nine: The Council of Mirrors

by Michael Buckley, Peter Ferguson

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Book Description
In the final volume in the Sisters Grimm series, Sabrina, Daphne, and the rest of the Grimms and their friends must face off against the Master to decide the fate of Ferryport Landing and the world. When Mirror fails to escape the barrier using Granny Relda’s body, he turns to his plan B: killing all the Grimms so that the magical barrier collapses. In the meantime, Sabrina has gathered the other magic mirrors as advisors on how to deal with their mortal enemy. They tell her to join forces with the Scarlet Hand against Mirror, in exchange for offering all the citizens of Ferryport Landing their freedom. This final chapter is the end of the road for several beloved characters, but the conclusion is sure to satisfy devoted fans of the series.

About the Author
Michael Buckley is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sisters Grimm and NERDS series. He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his wife and son. Peter Ferguson is a comic book and editorial artist who has illustrated a number of young adult novels. He lives in Argentina.

War Horse

War Horse

by Michael Morpurgo

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Book Description
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France. But even in the desolation of the trenches, Joey's courage touches the soldiers around him and he is able to find warmth and hope. But his heart aches for Albert, the farmer's son he left behind. Will he ever see his true master again?

About the Author
Michael divides his time between his writing and running Farms for City Children, a charity which each year takes up to 3,000 children to a working farm for a week. Michael and his wife Clare were awarded MBEs this year for their work with the charity. Before the first farm opened 22 years ago, Morpurgo was a teacher and his knowledge of children's experiences, plus his experience of Farms enrich his writing enormously. Michael Morpurgo has won the Whitbread Children's Book Award, and the Smarties Book Prize.

The 39 Clues

The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers Book 2: A King's Ransom

by Jude Watson

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Book Description
Amy and Dan are in a race for their lives . . . and the enemy may be even closer than they think.

When seven members of their family were kidnapped by a sinister organization known as the Vespers, thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his older sister, Amy, vowed they'd stop at nothing to bring the hostages home. But then the ransom comes in and the Vespers demand the impossible. Amy and Dan have just days to track down and steal an ancient map. The only catch? No one has seen the map for half a century.

Now Amy and Dan are on a desperate search that will lead them to the Nazis, spies, a mad king and some of history's dirtiest secrets. It's the race of their lives . . . and one misstep will mean certain death for the hostages.

About the Author
Jude Watson is the author of two 39 Clues books, BEYOND THE GRAVE and IN TOO DEEP, and the bestselling Star Wars: Last of the Jedi and Jedi Quest series. As Judy Blundell, she wrote WHAT I SAW AND HOW I LIED, the 2008 winner of The National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She lives in Katonah, New York.

Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures

Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales: Twelve Timeless Treasures

by Mary Engelbreit

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Book Description
With twelve beloved stories meant for reading aloud and more than one hundred glorious illustrations, Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales is destined to become a family favorite!

Every turn of the page brings fresh delight as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, the Little Mermaid, and others come to life as only Mary Engelbreit could have imagined them.

Images of Rapunzel alone in her tower, Cinderella’s pumpkin becoming a golden carriage, and Thumbelina's search for a home are unforgettable.

Richly sparkling art in splendid colors, warm humor, and all of the charm found in Mary Engelbreit's Fairy Tales make it a treasure with immediate appeal and long-lasting value. You’ll want to share it with those you love.

About the Author
Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling the night before christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other treasured additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose, Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales, and Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales.

Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker

Mary Engelbreit's Nutcracker

by Mary Engelbreit

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Book Description
It is the night before Christmas! When Marie receives a handsome wooden Nutcracker from her dear uncle, she’s thrilled. But during the night, something magical happens...and when her toy Nutcracker transforms into a handsome Prince, Marie is whisked off to Toyland on a winter adventure she’ll never forget!

The Nutcracker is one of the world’s favorite holiday stories. Now for the first time the beloved artist Mary Engelbreit offers her vision of that magical night, creating a picture book filled with joyful movement and rich detail that even the youngest child will enjoy.

About the Author
Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s own childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s dearest wish has always been to illustrate for children. Her New York Times bestselling the night before christmas is already part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other treasured additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit’s Mother Goose, Mary Engelbreit’s Nursery Tales, and Mary Engelbreit’s Fairy Tales.

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

North: The Amazing Story of Arctic Migration

by Nick Dowson, Patrick Benson

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Book Description
A passionate nature lover and a renowned artist trace the awe-inspiring spring migration of millions of creatures to the Arctic--the greatest journey on Earth.

At the top of our world is a huge wild place called the Arctic.

In the winter, it is a cold and barren land, where few animals can survive. But when spring comes, it brings with it animals from every corner of the earth. Gray whales, white cranes, wolves, and caribou begin their migrations as the snow melts, gradually making the long journey north. Once they reach their destination, they will raise their young, feast on the lush Arctic tundra, and bask in the sunlight that lasts all summer. Still, this season too must pass, and by the time winter grips the Arctic once again, the visitors have gone--only to return the following year. This lushly illustrated picture book celebrates the cyclical nature of the seasons, showcasing the barren and beautiful landscapes of the Arctic Circle and reminding the reader of the hardships and harmony of life in the wild.

About the Author
Nick Dowson is the author of TRACKS OF A PANDA and TIGRESS. A teacher and naturalist, he lives in Suffolk, England.

Patrick Benson has received the Mother Goose Award, the Christopher Award, and the Kurt Maschler Award. He has collaborated with Roald Dahl, Russell Hoban, and Martin Waddell, whose book OWL BABIES has sold 12 million copies. Patrick Benson lives in Scotland.

Christmas Holidays & Celebrations

Home for Christmas

by Jan Brett

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Book Description
A wild little troll runs away from home because he doesn’t want to do his chores. Rollo tries living with various woodland animals, but he finds out that there is no place like home, and returns to his family just in time for “the best Christmas ever.”

Among the animals who take him in are an owl family, a mother bear and two rambunctious cubs, some playful river otters, a hungry lynx and a friendly moose family.

Jan Brett creates an irresistible, mischievous character that kids will recognize in themselves. Jan transports us to a glorious Scandinavian landscape where a beautiful fall turns into a magnificent snowy winter. Her signature borders depict the troll family missing Rollo, and animals as appealing as those found in The Mitten.

A warm, fun-loving Christmas picture book for families to share and love and laugh over together.

About the Author
Jan Brett (www.janbrett.com) is the beloved New York Times bestselling author/illustrator of many books for children. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

 

The Night Before Christmas: Book & DVD

by Jan Brett, Boston Pops Orchestra, Jim Dale

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Book Description
Experience this Jan Brett visual masterpiece like never before!

One of Jan Brett’s all-time bestselling Christmas classics comes to life with this deluxe package that includes a DVD featuring Brett’s gorgeous, digitally rendered artwork paired with original music performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra, and text read by award-winning narrator Jim Dale.

About the Author
The Boston Pops Orchestra, currently under the leadership of Keith Lockhart, presents the best of a wide variety of music, from classical to popular and everything in between.

Jim Dale is the acclaimed narrator of many audio books, winning a record ten Audie Awards, two Grammy Awards and seven Grammy nominations.

Jan Brett (www.janbrett.com) is the beloved New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of many books for children. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

The Story of Christmas

The Story of Christmas

by Pamela Dalton

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Book Description
Pamela Dalton s exquisite, intricate scissor-cut illustrations wonderfully illuminate The Story of Christmas. Deeply reverent, richly detailed, and teeming with life, Dalton s images follow the story of the Nativity from the appearance of the Angel, to the shepherds who came from the fields, and to the three wise men who followed the star to pay respect for their new king. Working in a Pennsylvania-German folk-art tradition, rich with lovingly rendered animals and figures, Pamela Dalton has created a book that takes a deserved place among the finest celebrations of Christmas.

About the Author
Pamela Dalton's cut-paper artwork has delighted collectors worldwide for almost twenty-five years. Her work is created in the tradition of early American paper cutting popular in the Pennsylvania German regions of this country in the early nineteenth century. Her original designs are influenced by popular historical themes: patriotism, biblical and religious motifs, and scenes from rural life. Each piece is sketched freehand by the artist and then cut by hand, so no two are exactly alike.

Crouching Tiger

Crouching Tiger

by Ying Chang Compestine, Yan Nascimbene

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Book Description
Vinson is very excited when his grandfather comes from China for a visit. When Grandpa practices tai chi in the garden, Vinson asks to learn, hoping it will be like kung fu, full of kicks and punches. But tai chi's meditative postures are slow and still, and Vinson quickly gets bored. He can't understand why Grandpa insists on calling him by his Chinese name, Ming Da, or why he has to wear a traditional Chinese jacket to the Chinese New Year parade. As the parade assembles, however, he notices the great respect given to his grandfather and the lion dancers under his training. And when Vinson is offered a role in the parade, he realizes that being part Chinese can be pretty cool--and is ready to start learning from his grandpa's martial-arts mastery in earnest.

A Chinese-American boy gains a new understanding of his Chinese grandfather in this celebratory story of family, martial arts, and the Chinese New Year.

About the Author
Ying Chang Compestine is the author of the acclaimed middle-grade novel REVOLUTION IS NOT A DINNER PARTY as well as several picture books and a collection of short stories, A BANQUET FOR HUNGRY GHOSTS. Ying Chang Compestine lives in California.

The Crown on Your Head

The Crown on Your Head

by Nancy Tillman

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Book Description
We know our children are special, and now the incomparable Nancy Tillman expresses this universal feeling in the most touching of ways: Every child is born with a crown. The crown is everything that gives us unique value. Our crown will always be with us wherever we go, whatever we do.

Review
"...this is soothing, visually attractive, and makes for a comforting bedtime read-aloud." -- Booklist

"Tillman adds another dreamy volume to her collection of self-esteem-building titles.” -- School Library Journal

"Parents and grandparents will love to read this aloud to their little ones..." -- Kirkus Reviews

About the Author
Nancy Tillman is the author and illustrator of the New York Times best-selling picture book On the Night You Were Born and its companion journal, The Wonder of You: A Book for Celebrating Baby's First Year. Her other books include Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You, The Spirit of Christmas and Tumford the Terrible. A former advertising executive, Tillman now writes and illustrates full-time. She lives in Tualatin, Oregon.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever

by Jeff Kinney

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Book Description
Greg Heffley is in big trouble. School property has been damaged, and Greg is the prime suspect. But the crazy thing is, he’s innocent. Or at least sort of.

The authorities are closing in, but when a surprise blizzard hits, the Heffley family is trapped indoors. Greg knows that when the snow melts he’s going to have to face the music, but could any punishment be worse than being stuck inside with your family for the holidays?

About the Author
Jeff Kinney is an online game developer and designer, and a #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jeff was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. He spent his childhood in the Washington, D.C., area and moved to New England in 1995. Jeff lives in southern Massachusetts with his wife and their two sons.

The House in the Night

The House in the Night

by Susan Marie Swanson, Beth Krommes

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Book Description
A spare, patterned text and glowing pictures explore the origins of light that make a house a home in this bedtime book for young children. Naming nighttime things that are both comforting and intriguing to preschoolers—a key, a bed, the moon—this timeless book illuminates a reassuring order to the universe.

About the Author
Susan Marie Swanson is an award-winning poet and the author of several children's books. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Beth Krommes is the illustrator of several award-winning books, including The Lamp, the Ice, and a Boat Called Fish and Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow. She lives in Peterborough, New Hampshire, with her family.

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature

by Joyce Sidman, Beth Krommes

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Book Description
A Caldecott medalist and a Newbery Honor-winning poet celebrate the beauty and value of spirals.What makes the tiny snail shell so beautiful? Why does that shape occur in nature over and over again in rushing rivers, in a flower bud, even inside your ear?

With simplicity and grace, Krommes and Sidman not only reveal the many spirals in nature from fiddleheads to elephant tusks, from crashing waves to spiraling galaxies but also celebrate the beauty and usefulness of this fascinating shape.

About the Author
Joyce Sidman lives in Minnesota, where she looks for shapes in nature every day. joycesidman.com

Miss Lina's Ballerinas and the Prince

Miss Lina's Ballerinas and the Prince

by Grace Maccarone, Christine Davenier

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Book Description
Miss Lina’s ballerinas have all learned how to dance as a group. But now Miss Lina has a new surprise for them – a boy will be joining their class and performing in their end-of-year show.

The girls have grand visions of dancing their first pas de deux with a prince. But when he finds himself surrounded by so much pink and so many girls, he turns quite shy, and dances his way out the door!

About the Author
Grace Maccarone is a children’s book editor and the author of many books for young readers, including Miss Lina’s Ballerinas, also illustrated by Christine Davenier, and the First Grade Friends series, illustrated by Betsy Lewin. She lives in Westchester, New York.

Christine Davenier has illustrated numerous children’s books, and won a New York Times Best Illustrated Award for The First Thing My Mama Told Me. She lives in Paris, France.

Review
“An appealing picture book, infused with the joy of dance.” -- Booklist

"Welcome Tony Farina to Miss Lina's, and join the applause for a lovely and lively story." -- Kirkus Reviews

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse

by Eric Carle

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Book Description
Every child has an artist inside them, and this vibrant new picture book from Eric Carle will help let it out. The artist in this book paints the world as he sees it, just like a child. There's a red crocodile, an orange elephant, a purple fox and a polka-dotted donkey. More than anything, there's imagination. Filled with some of the most magnificently colorful animals of Eric Carle's career, this tribute to the creative life celebrates the power of art.

Review
The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is a joyous celebration of art and creativity. As a young man, Carle was influenced by the work of Franz Marc, an Expressionist artist famous for his paintings of blue horses, and this book is a fitting tribute to his legacy. Carle’s brilliant, unusual, color pairings, a red crocodile, a polka-dotted donkey, capture the limitless imagination of children and the brief text is simple, yet memorable. The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse is destined to become a well-worn classic, inspiring readers of all ages to embrace their inner artist. -- Seira Wilson

About the Author
Eric Carle (www.eric-carle.com) divides his time between the Florida Keys and the hills of North Carolina. Visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (www.carlemuseum.org) in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman

The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman

by Meg Wolitzer

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Book Description
At first glance, Duncan Dorfman, April Blunt, and Nate Saviano don't seem to have much in common. Duncan is trying to look after his single mom and adjust to life in a new town while managing his newfound Scrabble superpower - he can feel words and pictures beneath his fingers and tell what they are without looking. April is pining for a mystery boy she met years ago and striving to be seen as more than a nerd in her family of jocks. And homeschooled Nate is struggling to meet his father's high expectations for success.

When these three unique kids are brought together at the national Youth Scrabble Tournament, each with a very different drive to win, their paths cross and stories intertwine . . . and the journey is made extraordinary with a perfect touch of magic. Readers will fly through the pages, anxious to discover who will take home the grand prize, but there's much more at stake than winning and losing.

With shrewd observations, wry humor, and a touch of whimsy, bestselling author Meg Wolitzer's classic storytelling will delight readers of all ages.

About the Author
Meg Wolitzer is a New York Times bestselling, critically acclaimed novelist, as well as a voracious Scrabble player. She lives in New York with her husband and sons.

The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus

The Lost Hero: The Heroes of Olympus

by Rick Riordan

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Book Description
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.

Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first audiobook in The Heroes of Olympus series.

About the Author
Rick Riordan is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling The Kane Chronicles, Book One: The Red Pyramid, as well as all the books in the #1 New York Times bestselling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, which is also available on audio from Listening Library.

Clifford's Halloween (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Clifford's Halloween (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

by Norman Bridwell

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Book Description
FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Clifford, the big red dog, and his young master think of possible costumes for the Halloween festivities.

About the Author
Norman Bridwell is the author and illustrator of numerous children's books, including the beloved Clifford series, which has over 126 million copies in print, in 13 languages! He lives in Edgartown, MA with his wife Norma. They have two children, son, Tim and daughter, Emily Elizabeth.

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

by Maurice Sendak

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Book Description
Where the Wild Things Are is one of those truly rare books that can be enjoyed equally by a child and a grown-up. If you disagree, then it's been too long since you've attended a wild rumpus. Max dons his wolf suit in pursuit of some mischief and gets sent to bed without supper. Fortuitously, a forest grows in his room, allowing his wild rampage to continue unimpaired. Sendak's color illustrations (perhaps his finest) are beautiful, and each turn of the page brings the discovery of a new wonder.

The wild things with their mismatched parts and giant eyes manage somehow to be scary-looking without ever really being scary; at times they're downright hilarious. Sendak's defiantly run-on sentences one of his trademarks lend the perfect touch of stream of consciousness to the tale, which floats between the land of dreams and a child's imagination.

About the Author
Maurice Sendak received the Caldecott Medal for Where the Wild Things Are. He has also received the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold and the Purple Crayon

by Crockett Johnson

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Book Description
One evening Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. But there wasn't any moon, and Harold needed a moon for a walk in the moonlight. Fortunately, he had brought his purple crayon. So he drew a moon. He also needed something to walk on. So he drew a path...

And thus begins one of the most imaginative and enchanting adventures in all of children's books. The creative concept behind this beloved story has intrigued children and kept them absorbed for generations, as page by page unfolds the dramatic and clever adventures of Harold and his purple crayon.

About the Author
Crockett Johnson is the much-loved author and illustrator of five books about Harold and The Purple Crayon. He is also the illustrator of The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss.

The Snowy Day: 50th Anniversary Edition

The Snowy Day: 50th Anniversary Edition

by Ezra Jack Keats

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Book Description
In 1962, a little boy named Peter put on his snowsuit and stepped out of his house and into the hearts of millions of readers. The Snowy Day transformed children's literature with its pioneering portrayal of an African-American child and the charming story and artwork that won it the Caldecott Medal. As the book's fiftieth anniversary approaches, Viking proudly celebrates Peter's adventure with this very special edition. Featuring eight pages of bonus material and a festive cover, this oversized version of Keats's beloved book is a must-have.

About the Author
Ezra Jack Keats, who died in 1983, was one of the first people to create a realistic, friendly, multi-ethnic urban setting in picture books for young children. His legacy lives on in the popularity of his most famous character, Peter-the star of The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, Goggles!-and others.

Throne of Fire

Throne of Fire

by Rick Riordan

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Book Description
Percy Jackson fought Greek Gods. Now the Gods of Egypt are waking in the modern world...Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed on the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister, Sadie, have been in big trouble. As descendants of the magical House of Life, they command certain powers. But now a terrifying enemy - Apophis, the giant snake of chaos - is rising. If Carter and Sadie don't destroy him, the world will end in five days' time. And in order to battle the forces of chaos, they must revive the sun god Ra - a feat no magician has ever achieved. Because first they must search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells ...Can the Kanes destroy Apophis before he swallows the sun and plunges the earth into darkness ...forever?

About the Author
Rick Riordan is an award-winning writer. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was the overall winner of the Red House Children's Book Award in 2006, and made into a blockbuster film in 2010. The series has gone on to become a chart-topping success.

Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star

Tales from a Not-So-Talented Pop Star

by Rachel Renee Russell

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Book Description
Nikki Maxwell has been doing everything she can to keep everyone at school from learning the truth that she's there on scholarship in exchange for her Dad working as the school's exterminator. The last thing Nikki needs is having her friends and worst case scenario, her crush, Brandon, associating her with the humongous roach on top of her Dad's van! Now it looks like her secret could be about to come out, and Nikki's willing to go to any zany and wacky length to prevent that from happening. The timing seems perfect when a major talent competition is announced with a school scholarship offered as the top prize. Nikki loves to sing and dance and now she gets to have tons of fun with her friends while competing for a chance to free her Dad from his obligation! (And free herself from all that potential damage to her reputation . . .) Once again, hijinks and misunderstandings aplenty ensue, as well as more hilarious and heartwarming moments with Nikki and her friends.

About the Author
Rachel Renee Russell is an attorney who prefers writing tween books to legal briefs. (Mainly because books are a lot more fun and pajamas and bunny slippers aren't allowed in court.)

She has raised two daughters and lived to tell about it. Her hobbies include growing purple flowers and doing dotally useless crafts (like, for example, making a microwave oven out of Popsicle sticks, glue, and glitter). Rachel lives in northern Virginia with a spoiled pet Yorkie who terrorizes her daily by climbing on top of a computer cabinet and pelting her with stuffed animals while she writes. And, yes, Rachel considers herself a total Dork.

Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases)

Abuela (English Edition with Spanish Phrases)

by Arthur Dorros, Elisa Kleven

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Book Description
Flying around Manhattan Island, somersaulting in midair, resting in the sky on a chair-shaped cloud . . . Rosalba and her grandmother, her abuela, are having an extraordinary adventure. How do they manage this exhilirating travel that started in the park? On Rosalba's marvelous imagination. Full-color illustrations.

Book Summary
While riding on a bus with her grandmother, a little girl imagines that they are carried up into the sky and fly over the sights of New York City. In a fantastic daydream, Rosalba imagines that she and her grandmother take a journey over Manhattan. They fly high above the city among flocks of birds and observe the city's parks, rivers, landmarks, and streets. Splendid collages transform the city into a rich mosaic of buildings, people, and places.

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

Heroes of Olympus, The, Book Two: The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

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Book Description
In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a quest:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Who are the other four mentioned in the prophesy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea. . . .

A Book of Sleep

A Book of Sleep

by Il Sung Na

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Book Description
With a spare, soothing text and beautifully rich and textured illustrations of a starry night, this is the perfect “book of sleep.” Join the owl on his moonlit journey as he watches all the other animals settle in for the night: some sleep standing up, while some sleep on the move! Some sleep peacefully alone, while others sleep all together, huddled close.

Il Sung Na makes his American debut with this gorgeous bedtime offering. While each animal rests in its own special way, little ones will also drift off to a cozy sleep.

About the Author
Originally from Korea, Il Sung Na studied illustration at Kingston University and now lives in London.

Sea of Dreams

Sea of Dreams

by Dennis Nolan

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Book Description
On a beautiful sunlit beach, a girl builds a magnificent sandcastle. As night falls the girl heads for home. Waves move ever closer to the castle, threatening its survival. Suddenly, in one of its windows, a light comes on . . .

About the Author
Dennis Nolan is the author and illustrator of Dinosaur Dream, a Golden Kite Honor Book selection, Sea of Dreams, The Castle Builder, and Wolf Child, as well as the illustrator of many award-winning books including The Sword in the Stone, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Skywriter, the latter for Roaring Brook Press. He lives in Massachusetts.

The Lion Encyclopedia of Christianity

The Lion Encyclopedia of Christianity

by David Self

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Book Description
Designed for enquiring young minds, this comprehensive resource takes a thematic approach to explaining the basic aspects of Christianity. Useful, article-length features cover all key aspects of the Christian faith including its history, festivals, tenets, and symbols, as well as church buildings, worship ceremonies, the Bible, and personal prayer and piety. A clear layout filled with informative maps, diagrams, and illustrations make this an engaging and educational reference.

Technically, this is not an encyclopedia but rather, as the back cover states, "an illustrated introduction to the beliefs, traditions and practices of the Christian faith." Instead of alphabetical entries, its 57 chapters are organized by themes such as "The Origins of Christianity," "Christian Teachings," "The Church," and "Worship." This is a beautiful production, appealing and attractive, with numerous color photos, maps, and graphs. However, there is no glossary, the time line is limited, and the index is incomplete. The book's British origins are apparent in spellings. There are only a couple of sentences on selected Protestant denominations, but Self discusses Christianity around the world and tackles issues such as suffering, war, and the environment. No other titles for this age come close to this work's appeal or thoroughness.

About the Author
David Self is the author of several books on religion for children, including The Lion Children’s Treasury of Classic Verse, The Lion Treasury of Saints, and The Loyola Treasury of Saints.

A Survival Story of the Cambodian Genocide

Half Spoon of Rice: A Survival Story of the Cambodian Genocide

by Icy Smith, Sopaul Nhem

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Book Description
Nine-year-old Nat is forced out of his Cambodian home and marched into the countryside when the Khmer Rouge comes into power. Nat is separated from his family and endures forced labor in rice fields from dawn to midnight with little food. Over the next four years, Nat confronts starvation, fear, and brutality. With the help of his friend Malis, Nat finds hope and the strength to escape, eventually reuniting with the family he loves. Half Spoon of Rice is based on true stories of courage, friendship, survival, and the triumph of the human spirit. The book features vivid illustrations and historical photographs documenting the Cambodian genocide from 1975 to 1979.

About the Author
Icy Smith is the award-winning author of The Lonely Queue: The forgotten history of the courageous Chinese Americans in Los Angeles and Mei Ling in China City. The Lonely Queue received the Clarion Award for best nonfiction book in 2002. Mei Ling in China City received the 2009 Chinese American Librarian Association Best Children s Book Award, 2008 Moonbeam Children s Book Award and the Independent Publisher Book Award in the Multicultural Fiction.

Childhood and Children in Early Christianity

Let the Little Children Come to Me: Childhood and Children in Early Christianity

by Cornelia B. Horn, John W. Martens

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Book Description
"With careful examination of the available evidence, the authors painstakingly sift through what can be known about children in early Christianity, and in doing so they offer new evaluations of old conclusions and significantly advance our understanding of this important topic for the social history of early Christianity." -- Carolyn Osiek, Charles Fischer Professor of New Testament, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University

"This volume provides a wealth of detail about childhood, family structure, becoming an adult, and marriage in antiquity as well as renunciation of family ties in Christian asceticism. The authors pay careful attention to the impact of gender, class, and slave or free status on children's lives, and incorporate such unusual topics as toys, games, pets, and music. They argue that children from the beginning were welcome participants in all facets of Christian communal life. Clearly written and well-documented, this book is a valuable resource for students at all levels."

About the Author
Cornelia B. Horn, assistant professor of Early Christianity at Saint Louis University, is the author of Asceticism and Christological Controversy in Fifth-Century Palestine. John W. Martens is associate professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota and Director of the M.A. in Theology Program at Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. He is the author of One God, One Law: Philo of Alexandria on the Mosaic and Greco-Roman Law.

A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival

Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship, and Survival

by Kirby Larson, Mary Nethery, Jean Cassels

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Book Description
Simple prose introduces two animals, a cat and a dog, that survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and, after four months of wandering, were rescued by the Best Friends Animal Society. The narrative is obviously part supposition as the original owners were never found, despite efforts to locate them. Since both pets had bobbed tails, a shelter volunteer named them Bob Cat and Bobbi, hence the book's title. It was soon discovered that Bob Cat was blind, making his survival even more amazing and underscoring the idea that the two critters relied on one another during their ordeal. The terrifying event is told about in a matter-of-fact way, with the text concentrating on the "feel good" aspect of the two Bobbies. The gouache illustrations, done in soft pastel shades, present realistic glimpses of the devastated city that serve as a backdrop for the animals' struggles. An afterword includes a photo and additional information. An excellent introduction to Katrina for young children, this touching animal tale memorializes a modern catastrophe and pays tribute to the many volunteers who traveled to New Orleans to help. -- Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

About the Author
Kirby Larson and Mary Nethery are the best of friends, just like Bobbi and Bob Cat. They first saw the Two Bobbies on Anderson Cooper 360° and found hope in the Bobbies’ story of friendship and survival. Kirby is the acclaimed author of many books for children, including the 2007 Newbery Honor Book Hattie Big Sky. Mary is the author of many picture books, including Mary Veronica’s Egg. Kirby lives in Kenmore, Washington, and Mary lives in Eureka, California. The authors will be donating a portion of their proceeds to Best Friends Animal Society.

Jean Cassels has illustrated more than fifty nonfiction nature titles. Her other titles include Groundhog Stays Up Late and Br’er Rabbit Captured! Jean lives with her husband in New Orleans. They left the city with their three dogs a day before Katrina, and it was six weeks before they could return home. Although there is still much left to accomplish throughout the city, Jean is glad to say that through the efforts of the residents and the visitors who have come to help, New Orleans is making a comeback.

What's So Funny?: Making Sense of Humor

What's So Funny?: Making Sense of Humor

by Donna M. Jackson, Ted Stearn

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Book Review
"Toss this life raft to a reluctant reader facing a nonfiction book report and make yourself a hero." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Don't let the colorful, humorous cover and size of this title fool you, for it is chock full of pertinent information . . . " -- Ingram Library Services

"Researchers and budding comedians will find plenty of useful material." - -School Library Journal

"Donna's lighthearted survey injects plenty of levity into the topic of what makes us laugh . . . This book will prove valuable for readers from youth to adult. " -- Jeffrey Briar, director, The Laughter Yoga Institute

About the Author
Donna M. Jackson is an award-winning author of many nonfiction books for young readers, including The Bone Detectives, Bug Scientists, and Wildlife Detectives, all honored by the NSTA/CBC's Outstanding Science Trade book for Children award. She lives and laughs with her husband, Charlie, and their family in Colorado.

Very First Book of Poetry

Here's A Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

by Jane Yolen

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Book Description
This exuberant celebration of poetry is an essential book for every young one’s library and a georgeous gift to be both shared and treasured.

Sit back and savor a superb collection of more than sixty poems by a wide range of talented writers, from Margaret Wise Brown to Gertrude Stein, Langston Hughes to A. A. Milne. Greeting the morning, enjoying the adventures of the day, cuddling up to a cozy bedtime, these are poems that highlight the moments of a toddler’s world from dawn to dusk. Carefully gathered by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters and delightfully illustrated by Polly Dunbar, HERE'S A LITTLE POEM offers a comprehensive introduction to some remarkable poets, even as it captures a very young child’s intense delight in the experiences and rituals of every new day.

About the Author
Jane Yolen is the author of more than 250 books for children and young adults, including SOFT HOUSE, OWL MOON, and HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY GOOD NIGHT? She also collected poems for THIS LITTLE PIGGY: LAP SONGS, FINGER PLAYS, CLAPPING GAMES, and PANTOMINE RHYMES, an anthology of rhymes and games for toddlers. Jane Yolen divides her time between Massachusetts and Scotland.

Andrew Fusek Peters is a poet and anthologist whose work has appeared in collections for children and teens. He has also written many books. Andrew Fusek Peters lives in Shropshire, England.

Polly Dunbar is the author and illustrator of DOG BLUE and FLYAWAY KATIE, as well as the illustrator of SHOE BABY, written by her mother, Joyce Dunbar. Polly Dunbar lives in Brighton, England.

More Horowitz Horror

More Horowitz Horror

by Anthony Horowitz

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Book Description
Ever pictured your own funeral? You won’t be able to help it when you read some of the stories in this nightmarish collection, where things are never what they appear. Funerals are just the beginning. How about a day at the beach that ends in a mischievous murder? Or a cell phone that has a direct dial to . . . the dead?

From the creator of the blockbuster Alex Rider Adventures and The Diamond Brothers Mysteries comes eight more fantastically frightening tales. Whatever you do, don’t take this book to bed with you!

About the Author
Anthony Horowitz lives in London, England.

The Call of the Wild

The Call of the Wild

by Jack London

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Book Description
Jack London’s The Call of the Wild was written in 1903, but Buck’s gripping adventure makes for a thrilling listen on audio more than 100 years after it was first published.

This gripping story follows the adventures of the loyal dog Buck, who is stolen from his comfortable family home and forced into the harsh life of an Alaskan sled dog. Passed from master to master, Buck embarks on an extraordinary journey that ends with his becoming the legendary leader of a wolf pack.

“To this day Jack London is the most widely read American writer in the world,” E. L. Doctorow wrote in The New York Times Book Review. Generally considered to be London’s greatest achievement, The Call of the Wild brought him international acclaim when it was published. His story of the dog Buck, who learns to survive in the bleak Yukon wilderness, is viewed by many as his symbolic autobiography. “No other popular writer of his time did any better writing than you will find in The Call of the Wild,” said H. L. Mencken.

About the Author
Jack London's collection of works include The Call of the Wild, considered to be his finest work, The Sea Wolf, and White Fang among others. He died in Novemebr 1916.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, November 15, 2009:
“Civil rights can be a difficult topic, even for adults, so finding simple language to explain the complexity of injustice and oppression to children is challenging. Shelton, daughter of Andrew Young, accepts the challenge and rises to meet it...Essential.”

Child of the Civil Rights Movement

by Paula Young Shelton, Raul Colon

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Book Description
Paula Young Shelton, daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, brings a child’s unique perspective to an important chapter in America’s history. Paula grew up in the deep south, in a world where whites had and blacks did not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King), Paula watched and listened to the struggles, eventually joining with her family and thousands of others in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.

Poignant, moving, and hopeful, this is an intimate look at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement.

About the Author
Paula Young Shelton is the daughter of civil rights leader and former U.N. ambassador Andrew Young. She is a teacher in Washington, D.C., and a member of the National Black Child Development Institute. Her husband, Hilary O. Shelton, is the director of the NAACP Washington Bureau.

Raul Colón is the acclaimed illustrator of numerous children’s books.

Big Nate on a Roll

Big Nate on a Roll

by Lincoln Peirce

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Book Description
Big Nate is on a roll!

Nate’s a big deal in his scout troop . . . until Artur—aka Mr. Perfect—joins up. Now Nate’s stuck in second place. And Artur means business.

Will Nate take the grand prize? Or wipe out, big time?

About the Author
Lincoln Peirce is a cartoonist-writer and the creator of the comic strip Big Nate, which appears in 200 U.S. newspapers. He lives with his family in Portland, Maine.

Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography

Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Biography

by William Anderson

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Book Description
From her pioneer days on the prairie to her golden years with her husband, Almanzo, and their daughter, Rose, Laura Ingalls Wilder has become a friend to all who have read about her adventures. This behind-the-scenes account chronicles the real events in Laura's life that inspired her to write her stories and also describes her life after the last Little House book ends.

About the Author

William Anderson is an award-winning historian and author whose interest in the “Little House” books began in elementary school. Much of his research for this book was conducted on-site at the locales of the Ingalls and Wilder homes. He has been active in the preservation and operation of the Wilder sites in De Smet, South Dakota, and Mansfield, Missouri, and edits the newsletter, Laura Ingalls Wilder Lore.

Among Mr. Anderson’s other writings about the people and places of the “Little House” books are LAURA INGALLS WILDER COUNTRY, A LITTLE HOUSE SAMPLER, PRAIRIE GIRL, and LAURA’S ALBUM.

13 Art Inventions Children Should Know

13 Art Inventions Children Should Know

by Florian Heine

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Book Description
From the use of perspective to the invention of the paint tube, 13 examples of some of the most important breakthroughs in artistic technology offers kids an exciting new perspective on the world of art. This new volume in the highly successful "13" series uses colorful reproductions, glossaries, and a timeline to explore milestones in the history of art. Kids will learn about important innovations in art while they discover answers to questions such as: Why was oil painting invented? What were the subjects of the first photographs? How do you depict the world on a flat canvas? Filled with accessible, fascinating facts as well as creative suggestions for independent art projects, this unique introduction to art history shows young readers how art is made as well as how to enjoy it.

About the Author
FLORIAN HEINE is a photographer and writer, and the author of The First Time: Innovations in Art. He lives in Munich.

Eight Keys

Eight Keys

by Suzanne LaFleur

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Book Description
Elise and Franklin have always been best friends. Elise has always lived in the big house with her loving Uncle and Aunt, because Elise's parents died when she was too young to remember them. There's always been a barn behind the house with eight locked doors on the second floor. When Elise and Franklin start middle school, things feel all wrong. Bullying. Not fitting in. Franklin suddenly seems babyish. Then, soon after her 12th birthday, Elise receives a mysterious key left for her by her father. A key that unlocks one of the eight doors upstairs in the bar . . .

About the Author
SUZANNE LAFLEUR received her MFA in writing for children from The New School. This is her second novel.

The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

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Book Description
Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set--has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe--a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

About the Author
Rick Riordan is the author of all the books in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series: The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons.

How to Survive Middle School

How to Survive Middle School

by Donna Gephart

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Book Description
Eleven-year-old David Greenberg dreams of becoming a TV superstar like his idol, Jon Stewart. But in real life, David is just another kid terrified of starting his first year at Harman Middle School. With a wacky sense of humor and hilarious Top 6½ Lists, David spends his free time making Talk Time videos, which he posts on YouTube. But before he can get famous, he has to figure out a way to deal with:

6. Middle school (much scarier than it sounds!) 5. His best friend gone girl-crazy 4. A runaway mom who has no phone! 3. The threat of a swirlie on his birthday 2. A terrifying cousin 1. His # 1 fan, Bubbe (his Jewish grandmother) 1/2. Did we mention Hammy, the hamster who’s determined to break David’s heart?

When David and his best friend have a fight, David is lucky enough to make a pretty cool new friend, Sophie, who just (gulp) happens to be a girl. Sophie thinks David’s videos are hilarious, and she starts sending out the links to everyone she knows. Sophie’s friends tell their friends, and before David knows it, thousands of people are viewing his videos–including some of the last people he would have expected.

About the Author
Donna Gephart is the author of As if Being 12 3/4 Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President, which recently won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award. She lives in Jupiter, Florida, with her family.

More Scary Stories that Scream to be Read

They're Coming For You 2: More Scary Stories that Scream to be Read

by O. Penn-Coughin

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Book Description
In the tradition of Alvin Schwartz' "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark," "They're Coming For You 2: More Scary Stories that Scream to be Read" is a must-have for horror fans. This teeth-chattering collection of 25 scary stories de-livers the shivers. Packed with humor, horror, and ghoulish illustrations, "They’re Coming For You 2" is better than a ticket to a creepy, old, abandoned amusement park. Much better. Also includes bonus stories from "They're Coming For You 3." "I have seen the face of horror, and its name is O. Penn-Coughin." -- Jan Boemann Listen to O. Penn-Coughin read his stories on THE SCARY STORY PODCAST at scary.podbean.com or on iTunes.

About the Author
"I have seen the face of horror, and its name is O. Penn-Coughin." -- Jan Boemann O. Penn-Coughin ("open coffin") is the macabre mind behind the "They're Coming For You: Scary Stories that Scream to be Read" series. In recent years he has visited hundreds of elementary and middle schools, sharing his twisted tales with more than 100,000 children. He always leaves them screaming for more--or just screaming! When not traveling, O. Penn-Coughin haunts Bend, Oregon with his wife, two daughters, and one scary cat.

The Mostly True Story of Jack

The Mostly True Story of Jack

by Kelly Barnhill

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Book Description
When Jack is sent to Hazelwood, Iowa, to live with his crazy aunt and uncle, he expects a summer of boredom. Little does he know that the people of Hazelwood have been waiting for him for a long time. . . .

When he arrives, three astonishing things happen: First, he makes friends-not imaginary friends but actual friends. Second, he is beaten up by the town bully; the bullies at home always ignored him. Third, the richest man in town begins to plot Jack's imminent, and hopefully painful, demise. It's up to Jack to figure out why suddenly everyone cares so much about him. Back home he was practically, well, invisible.

The Mostly True Story of Jack is a tale of magic, friendship, and sacrifice. It's about things broken and things put back together. Above all, it's about finding a place to belong.

About the Author
Kelly Barnhill is a poet and literary fiction writer. This is her debut children's book. Kelly lives in Minnesota with her husband and three children.

World Mythology

World Mythology

by Donna Rosenberg

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Book Description
This volume offers 59 of the world's great myths including selections from The Iliad and the Odyssey, Beowulf, King Arthur and Quetzalcoatl. Each myth is accompanied by an introduction that offers historical background and suggests avenues for literary analysis.

Put Bullfinch aside and hide Hamilton...Donna Rosenberg's "World Mythology" tells it all in captivating storytelling to bring myths from all over the world alive. This is the ideal textbook for a survey of mythology course in high school and college. Creation myths of a broad range of cultures convey the remarkable links to mankind's beginnings, while great epics reveal the heroes and dreams of diverse worlds.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide.