"It is 1857, and Reverend Geoffrey Wilson has departed England to prove the literal truth of the Bible. The expedition heads towards Tasmania, where he is convinced he will find the real Garden of Eden. But the other passengers have their own agendas. Dr Potter is developing a sinister thesis, and the ship is crewed by smugglers of contraband brandy and tobacco. As the English passengers near Peevay's land, their bizarre notions become painfully at odds with reality. Their destination is no Eden but a world of hunting parties and colonial ethnic cleansing. A mighty collision is approaching..."
"Eleven-year-old Kevin Cartwright can hardly believe his ears when his father, a brave soldier wounded in the Revolutionary War, announces that he is leaving Philadelphia and never coming back. He is heading into the untamed wilderness of New Jersey, where he hopes to find a peaceful place to raise Kevin and his little sister. But in 1783, New Jersey is filled with secret traps and hidden dangers. Before the family has traveled far, Kevin is captured by the mysterious Captain Grey and his murderous band of pirates. These lawless men of the sea say they have killed the boy's father and sister. Will Kevin be next? Or will he find a way to escape? Avi, who won the Newbery Honor Award for The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, has once again created a thrilling historical novel packed with adventure and danger. One of today's most popular and highly acclaimed authors of books for young readers, Avi has been honored with numerous awards, including the Golden Kite Award from the Society of Children's Books Authors."
"'Look into the tiger's eyes. I wish to show you lives different from your own,' Soma-Nandi tells the boy-king Tamar. When you join Tamar on his enchanted journey, you too can look into the tiger's eyes. But beware, for along the way, nothing is as it appears to be: forest creatures speak and populate hidden kingdoms, hacked-down vines regenerate before your very eyes, and holy men spring up from ant hills. In a dream, Tamar has lost everything to the impressive King Jaya in a game of dice. Tamar feels honor bound to obey the king's command: he must give up his kingdom to travel to a Jaya's domain. His obligation is confirmed when he awakens to find an iron ring on his finger. Inspired by the classic mythology of India, virtuoso storyteller Lloyd Alexander creates dazzling visions of high adventure and deep humanity. A sprinkling of Hindi and singsong verses add spice to this epic tale. Narrator Ron Keith's clear, compelling English accent adds vivid atmosphere and makes the extraordinary real."
"Cats don't really have nine lives, but they can visit nine different lives, anywhere, anytime. This is the secret Jason's cat, Gareth, tells him. When Jason hears this, he begs to go along. Soon cat and boy find themselves in ancient Egypt on the first of nine fantastic adventures. With the wink of an eye, Jason and Gareth are transported to alluring settings in world history. On their travels they meet interesting and famous people, such as St. Patrick, and Leonardo Da Vinci. Whether the destination is Renaissance Italy or revolutionary America, their appearance never fails to cause a stir. And wherever they go, Gareth leaves his inimitable pawprint on history. Filled with fascinating historical information and enchanting cat lore, Time Cat showcases the author's wonderful talent for capturing the imagination as he immerses you in other cultures. Ron Keith's delightful narration conveys all the humor and excitement as you travel through time with Gareth and Jason."
"Greater Dunitsa is the most wonderful place on earth. At least that's what the town leaders think. If only they didn't have to put up with young Rizka, the free-spirited gypsy girl. Ever since her mother died and her father moved on, she has lived with her cat Pesto in a cart just outside town. Rizka walks around Greater Dunitsa in her ragbag clothes, playing sharp-witted tricks on deserving rogues. The leaders are convinced she is bad for business. The day the chief councilor finds his roast chicken in Pesto's hungry jaws is too much for the frustrated man. He hatches a fail-safe plan to get rid of the sassy gypsy girl and her troublesome pet. But he doesn't plan on Rizka's brains or is it brasiness? Wherever there is trouble, Rizka is there, offering her own hilarious solutions. Award-winning children's author Lloyd Alexander packs this entertaining tale with fun-filled farce and and elegant comedy. Narrator Ron Keith's sunny interpretation celebrates all the good natured high jinks and warm-hearted surprises."
"Writing in England at the turn of the 20th century, G.K. Chesterton was dubbed the 'prince of paradox' for addressing serious questions with his light, whimsical style. In this classic allegory, which has captivated generations since it was first published in 1908, Chesterton tackles such profound concepts as honor, truth, and God with insightful humor and colorful enigma. The seven members of the secret Central Anarchist Council are sworn to destroy the world. For security reasons, each member has named himself after a day of the week. But Thursday is not at all whom he appears to be. Instead of a revolutionary young poet, he has been unmasked as a Scotland Yard detective. Now the other six anarchists are in a state of chaos and can't trust anyone."
"The Life and Strange Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe - published in 1719 - was Defoe's first novel and his best-known work. Loosely based on a true account of a Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk, it is a tale of one man's fall from grace, and progress to redemption.
Willful and impatient, young Robinson Crusoe disregards the advice of his family and heads for the open sea. His obduracy eventually leaves him stranded on an uninhabited island somewhere in the Caribbean - the sole survivor of a shipwreck. The account of his life, scratched out with rationed indigo ink on a dwindling supply of paper salvaged from the hull of a wrecked ship, speaks eloquently of the tenacity and ingenuity of the human spirit.
Daniel Defoe was born in London in 1660. Although groomed for the ministry, he would eventually join England's growing class of small tradesman. At the age of 59 Defoe turned to writing fiction. Though often snubbed by the more genteel class, his novels were extremely popular with nearly everyone else. Today, many scholars argue that Defoe is the true father of the English novel."
"As long as I could keep myself out of bondage, I’d be true to Bear’s teaching.
And so it was that beyond all else, I was determined to keep my freedom.
After the death of their beloved mentor, Bear, Crispin and Troth are more desperate than ever, wandering the desolate French countryside, where they don’t speak the language and know no one. The only hope they cling to is that somehow they can reach Iceland, where Bear had said there were no kings or
lords, and where they can live in freedom. Crispin is determined to fulfill this dream, both for himself and to honor Bear’s memory. But the road to liberty is filled with danger, betrayal, and loss. Crispin must decide for himself what freedom really means—and how high a price he is willing to pay for it."
"When Robin Brogan comes down with chicken pox, he doesn't think it's really so terrible. After all, it gets him out of acting in the school play. And since his best friend Dan also has spots, they are staying together at Robin's house in England overlooking the ocean. When the hours begin to drag, Robin's mother tells stories about a wonderful summer she spent in their shoreline house. Bit by bit, the boys learn of a strange girl who mysteriously appeared on the beach long ago and shared her secret cave with the children playing there. But late in the summer she left suddenly, never to be heard from again. Hilary McKay has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards for her novels for children. This intriguing tale captivates readers with its appealing mix of past and present and the delightful surprise ending. Narrator Ron Keith's dramatic performance highlights the humor and poignancy, along with the frightfully delicious touch of the supernatural."
"The 15th-century Wars of the Roses serve as backdrop for this swashbuckling historical novel from the author of Kidnapped and Treasure Island. In a time of shifting loyalties and trecherous alliances, young Dick Shelton is betrayed by his brutal guardian. Intent on rescuing the woman he loves, Dick joins forces with a mysterious fellowship intent on dispensing their own brand of justice. Through one trap after another, each choice Dick makes begins to have dire consequences -not only for himself, but for the fate of England!"
"In this riveting sequel to the Newbery Award–winning Crispin: The Cross of Lead—the second book in a planned trilogy—Avi explores themes of war, religion, and family as he continues the adventures of Crispin and Bear.
The more I came to know of the world, the more I knew I knew it not.
He was a nameless orphan, marked for death by his masters for an unknown crime. Discovering his name—Crispin—only intensified the mystery. Then Crispin met Bear, who helped him learn the secret of his full identity. And in Bear—the enormous, red-bearded juggler, sometime
spy, and everyday philosopher—Crispin also found a new father and a new world.
Now Crispin and Bear have set off to live their lives as free men. But they don't get far before their past catches up with them: Bear is being pursued by members of the secret brotherhood who believe he is an informer. When Bear is badly wounded, it is up to Crispin to make decisions
about their future—where to go, whom to trust. Along the way they become entangled with an extraordinary range of people, each of whom affects Crispin and Bear's journey in unexpected ways.
To find freedom and safety, they may have to travel to the edge of the world—even if it means confronting death itself."
"Newbery Medal winner The Cross of Lead is 'a page-turner from beginning to end … full of adventure, mystery, and action' (School Library Journal).
Sometimes I ran, sometimes all I could do was walk. All I knew was that if the steward overtook me, I’d not survive for long. …
Crispin is a poor thirteen-year-old peasant in medieval England. Accused of a crime he did not commit, he has been declared a 'wolf’s head,' meaning he may be killed on sight, by anyone. He flees his tiny village with nothing but his mother’s cross of lead.
In the English countryside, Crispin meets a man named Bear, who forces Crispin to become his servant yet encourages him to think for himself. But as Crispin’s enemies draw ever closer, he is pulled right into the fortress of his foes, where he must find a way to save their very lives.
A master of breathtaking plot twists and vivid characters, award-winning author Avi brings the full force of his storytelling powers to the world of medieval England."
