"There are nearly four millions of slaves in the United States; and the question now presents itself to every free born American citizen; what are we to do with them? The abolition party demand their immediate emancipation. Is it practicable, safe, or proper? What would be the consequences? What would be the consequence of turning loose upon ourselves four millions of human beings, to prowl about like wild beasts without restraint, or control, and commit depredations on the white population?" -Excerpted from "A Review of Uncle Tom's Cabin," by A. Woodward, M.D., 1853.
There is no limit to Mark Twain's inventive genius, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn must be pronounced the most amusing book he has written in years. The best proof of Twain's range and originality is found in this book, in which the reader's interest is so strongly enlisted in the fortunes of two boys and a runaway slave that he follows their adventures with keen curiosity, although his common sense tells him that the incidents are as absurd as they are fantastic. Huckleberry Finn is a tour de force, in which the most unlikely materials are transmuted into a work of literary art. - The San Francisco Chronicle, March 15, 1885.
K. A. Nuzum-best-selling author of A Small White Scar, named a Booklist Top Ten First Novel and nominated as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults- delivers clear, crisp prose that's reminiscent of John Steinbeck. The Leanin' Dog tells the bittersweet tale of a girl with agoraphobia, a dog with claustrophobia, and the friendship that saves them both. Dessa really needs a friend. A friend with whom she can confide and share all the joys of Christmas. But with hope almost gone, Dessa hears a scratching sound that changes her life forever.
Finding himself alone on a desert island when everything and everyone he knows and loved has been washed away in a huge storm, Mau is the last surviving member of his nation. He's also completely alone - or so he thinks until he finds the ghost girl. She has no toes, wears strange lacy trousers like the grandfather bird and gives him a stick which can make fire.
Daphne, sole survivor of the wreck of the Sweet Judy, almost immediately regrets trying to shoot the native boy. Thank goodness the powder was wet and the gun only produced a spark. She's certain her father, distant cousin of the Royal family, will come and rescue her but it seems, for now, all she has for company is the boy and the foul-mouthed ship's parrot.
As it happens, they are not alone for long. Other survivors start to arrive to take refuge on the island they all call the Nation and then raiders accompanied by murderous mutineers from the Sweet Judy. Together, Mau and Daphne discover some remarkable things - including how to milk a pig and why spitting in beer is a good thing - and start to forge a new Nation.
As can be expected from Terry Pratchett, the master story-teller, this new children's novel is both witty and wise, encompassing themes of death and nationhood, while being extremely funny. Mau's ancestors have something to teach us all. Mau just wishes they would shut up about it and let him get on with saving everyone's lives!
Billy's mother is dead, and his father and brother are fiercely involved in a bitter miners' fight that has split the local community. Billy's father wants his son to learn boxing, like he did and his father before him. But Billy is fascinated by the grace and magic of ballet and is determined to dance his way to a different future...
Laurie David-producer of the HBO special Too Hot Not to Handle and Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth-educates young listeners about the ecological crisis called Global Warming.The dangers posed are very real, and the planet may undergo drastic changes within this century. People do, however, have the power to fight back and save the earth, and they can start by listening to this audiobook.
Susan Beth Pfeffer's "Life as We Knew It" enthralled and devastated listeners with its brutal but hopeful look at an apocalyptic event--an asteroid hitting the moon, setting off a tailspin of horrific climate changes. Now this harrowing companion novel examines the same events as they unfold in New York City, revealed through the eyes of seventeen-year-old Puerto Rican Alex Morales. When Alex's parents disappear in the aftermath of tidal waves, he must care for his two younger sisters, even as Manhattan becomes a deadly wasteland, and food and aid dwindle.
With haunting themes of family, faith, personal change, and courage, this powerful new novel explores how a young man takes on unimaginable responsibilities.
Ever since he can remember, Robin, son of Sir John de Bureford, has been told what is expected of him as the son of a nobleman. He must learn the ways of knighthood. But Robin's destiny is changed in one stroke when he falls ill and loses the use of his legs. Fearing a plague, his servants abandon him and Robin is left alone.
A monk named Brother Luke rescues Robin and takes him to the hospice of St. Mark's, where he is taught woodcarving and--much harder--patience and strength. Says Brother Luke, "Thou has only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it."
Robin soon enough learns what Brother Luke means. And when the great castle of Lindsay is in danger, it is Robin, who cannot mount a horse and ride to battle, who saves the townspeople and discovers there is more than one way to serve his king.
Marcus, a.k.a “w1n5t0n,” is only seventeen years old, but he figures he already knows how the system works–and how to work the system. Smart, fast, and wise to the ways of the networked world, he has no trouble outwitting his high school’s intrusive but clumsy surveillance systems.
But his whole world changes when he and his friends find themselves caught in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco. In the wrong place at the wrong time, Marcus and his crew are apprehended by the Department of Homeland Security and whisked away to a secret prison where they’re mercilessly interrogated for days.
When the DHS finally releases them, Marcus discovers that his city has become a police state where every citizen is treated like a potential terrorist. He knows that no one will believe his story, which leaves him only one option: to take down the DHS himself.
Fifteen-year-old Katie Roskova tells herself she has a perfect life! She earns all A's at her private high school. And she's a figure-skating star with dreams of the Olympics. The only problem is she sometimes has trouble with her jumps. That's when Mom orders Katie to work harder and use "mind over matter." Every day Katie spends long hours practicing at the ice rink, then hurries home to study. Sometimes, she just wants to get away from all the pressure. Then an alarming thing happens-she "spaces out."
When she falls and cuts herself, she discovers a secret way to stop this scary, out-of-control feeling, but her solution is painful and frightening, too! Steven Levenkron is a best-selling author, pyschotherapist, and foremost authority on eating disorders and other clinical problems of teenage girls. He creates a suspenseful tale of a teenager coping with overwhelming pressures. With sensitivity and gentle insight, The Luckiest Girl in the World will captivate young adults and parents while it dramatically clarifies "cutting" or self mutilation.
Twelve-year-old Phoebe Callahan longs to enjoy a storybook Christmas. So after she learns that she and her three girl cousins will spend their holiday vacation in New England on their grandma's island estate, she plans the Christmas of her dreams. When she reaches Gull Island, the cold breeze and cloudy skies foster her fondest fantasy-a white Christmas. Phoebe imagines her grandma's stately three-story home with lights in every window. But after Grandma Gee's heirloom angel shatters, Phoebe learns that life's greatest joy comes from giving to others.
Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim.
For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.
Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a "Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.
