A cruel nobleman grants permission for the marriage of two of his serfs only on condition that the bride spins her wedding gown and a death-shroud for himself from nettles - and that the wedding should not take place until after his death. Every time the girl spins the cloth for his shroud, he becomes violently ill - and his attempts to stop her are thwarted by strong magic. There are many twists to the tale as the magic spinning wheel steers the characters towards their destinies.
Poisonous girls whose kisses will kill. A fateful eating contest with the devil. Faeries who return to Ironside, searching for love. A junior prom turned bacchanalia. In twelve short stories, eerie and brimming with suspense and unexpected humor, Holly Black twists the fantastical creatures you thought you knew in ways you'll never expect.
Elodie journeys to the town of Two Castles to become a mansioner - an actress - but the master of the troupe turns her away. Brilliant dragon Meenore takes her in, then sends her on a dangerous mission within an ogre's castle. There, disguised as a kitchen maid, she plays the role of a lifetime, pitted against a foe intent on murder. Black-and-white cats, a handsome cat trainer, a greedy king, a giddy princess, a shape-shifting ogre, a brilliant dragon . . . Elodie must discover which of them is kind, which is cruel, and, most of all, which is the one who deserves her trust. Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine weaves an entrancing tale of a fearsome ogre, a dragon detective, and a remarkable heroine who finds friendship where she least expects it, learns that there are many ways to mansion, and discovers that goodness and evil come in all shapes and sizes.
In a romantic and suspenseful collection of the New York Times bestselling trilogy, love's unbreakable bonds are put to the test. When her boyfriend, Tristan, died, Ivy thought she'd lost everything, even her faith in angels. But now she's discovered that he's her guardian angel - his presence is so strong that she can feel the touch of his hand, the beat of his heart. Ivy needs Tristan now more than ever because he knows she's in terrible danger. Only Ivy's guardian angel can save her now that his killer is after her. But if Tristan rescues Ivy, his mission on earth will be finished, and he must leave her behind forever. Will saving Ivy mean losing her just when he's finally reached her again?
In the summer of 1879, the young writer Robert Louis Stevenson received a telegram from America. Fanny, a dear friend in California, was ill. Stevenson packed his bags and left his home in Scotland. When the steamer reached the east coast of America, his journey had just begun. Stevenson had little money, so he traveled across America the cheapest way: he went by train. The trip from New York to Monterey, California, would take two exciting weeks. As the train chugged up mountains, through Indian territory, and over trestle bridges, Stevenson recorded his impressions of the rough, vast country and the people he met. Jim Murphy weaves a lively account of Stevenson's journey with fascinating glimpses of the construction of the transcontinental railroad. It is a vivid introduction to one of the most important chapters in the history of the American West. Richard M. Davidson's compelling narration makes the personal journey and the historical information truly accessible to young listeners.
From its first publication in 1877, Black Beauty has been one of the best-loved animal stories ever written. The dramatic and heartwarming tale is told by the magnificent black horse himself, from his idyllic days on a country squire's estate to his harsh fate as a London cab horse and his merciful rescue by two kindly old ladies.
Filled with vivid anecdotes about animal intelligence, the novel derives a special magic from the love of all creatures, great and small, apparent on every page. But the book's lasting impact comes from its descriptions of a human society struggling to find the goodness within itself and its plea for kindness to all creatures-a message so powerful that this favorite classic began a crusade for animal welfare that continues to this day.
"One of the best animal stories every written, Black Beauty charts the decline and fall of a well-bred horse brought low by neglectful grooms and overwork in the cab trade...Black Beauty himself is finally saved...less fortunate is his high-spirited friend in harness Ginger, whose ignoble death in the streets of London makes for one of the most powerful passages in all children's literature."-The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English
Why, why are grownups so insane?
That's exactly the question that Norman, Anna and Emma (the twins), and I, Leonard, try to answer. And with the help of Norman's new tutor, Balthazar Birdsong (also fairly nuts), we nearly do it, too.
No, seriously!
Gary Paulsen was one of the kids who slipped through the cracks, until art and dogs saved him. So are Jake, Jojo, and Jamie, all twelve-year-olds who, like Gary Paulsen, had to grow up too fast. "You stop moving, you're done." -Jake "Dogs know how to love better than people." -Jojo "I'm surprised my pencil can take my hand where my mind would never go." -Jamie Gary Paulsen's three poignant novellas add up to an unforgettable book. Praise for NOTES FROM THE DOG "Paulsen writes another touching story about human kindness and humanity.... This emotional coming-of-age journey about taking responsibility for one's own happiness and making personal connections will not disappoint." -Publishers Weekly "This candid and tender tale, told with [Paulsen's] signature humor, is a salute to the bravest of the brave." -School Library Journal Praise for WOODS RUNNER "Paulsen's talent for scene-setting...is paired here with a vivid story of the American Revolution." -The New York Times Book Review *"A vivid and graphic tale of one boy caught up in a harsh war, a side of the American Revolution not often told." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred *"Illuminating and gripping." -Publishers Weekly, Starred
Harriet Tubman HS Series-- What was Marko thinking training for the track meet alone in the early hours of the morning? The suspicions and accusations began to fly around Tubman High when he was attacked with a baseball bat and left for dead. Kevin Walker made no secret about his hate. And Trevor Jenkins was spotted at the scene...
Harriet Tubman HS Series-- Loud talk preceded shouting, and then shots rang out. One boy was lying on the sidewalk. Police were not saying so, but he appeared to be dead. At school on Monday, everybody at Tubman was talking about the Grant Street shooting. As far as anybody could tell, the victim was an innocent bystander.
Harriet Tubman HS Series-- With the state of mind Trevor was in, Vanessa could talk him into anything. Would Vanessa get Trevor involved in crime again? It could happen, only this time Trevor might not be so lucky. But back then, Trevor had had enough brains to dump her. Now he was in deeper. The web Vanessa had woven around him was stickier and tighter.
