Adventure
" The True Secrets of the Greaser HotelThe Greaser Hotel is an eyesore even by eyesores’ standards. A long forgotten place, it sits dilapidated and mostly vacant amid a sea of Baltimore vacancies. But this building, this former lap of luxury, is much more than it appears. The Greaser Hotel is a place of magic and of secrets peopled by masters of secret-keeping. And soon, for one kidnapped little girl―Allie to her friends and Allie Rat to her kidnappers― it’s about to become a place of the past.In a world of deep friendships, powerful magic, wicked deceptions, and devilish crime, a young girl must fight for her freedom and wrestle with the frightening truths of her past.Early Praise for a Very Special Book""The Mystery of the Greaser Hotel is an Industrial-Gothic fantasy thriller that kept me turning pages late into the night. J. Scott Fuqua’s finely-drawn pencil illustrations capture his characters and the setting with creepiness and élan.""? PAUL O. ZELINSKY, WORLD FAMOUS AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR, RECEIVED THE CALDECOTT MEDAL FOR RAPUNZEL, AND CALDECOTT HONORS FOR: HANSEL AND GRETEL, RUMPELSTILTSKIN, AND SWAMP ANGEL“When evil commerce, dangerous magic, and shape-shifting felines converge, readers have the determined and dedicated guidance of the heroine, Miss Allie Argos, to take them on a heart-stopping adventure to right the wrongs long forgotten by many. Mr. Fuqua’s dark, edgy, yet delightfully whimsical pencil and ink drawings, spread liberally throughout the book, not only compliment this story, but are accompanied by moments of levity and humor during some of the story’s darker, more troubling situations. You'll be rooting for Allie (a terrific cross between little Orphan Annie and Katniss Everdeen) and her colorful assortment of heroes from page one right on through the sequel, which I’m very much looking forward to!”?DAVID L. PATERSON, AWARD-WINNING SCREENWRITER OF BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA; LOVE, LUDLOW; OPEN AIR; AND THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS (COMING SOON)About the AuthorJ. Scott Fuqua is the author of four multi award-winning young adult novels (The Reappearance of Sam Webber, Darby, The Willoughby Spit Wonder, and King of the Pygmies). He has also written two highly acclaimed literary novels (In the Wake of the Boatman, and Gone and Back Again) and the award-winning graphic novel In the Shadow of Edgar Allan Poe.He’s penned and illustrated a children’s book on the history of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. For elementary students, he wrote the graphic chapter book Catie and Josephine.His most recent children’s book, Calvert the Raven in the Battle of Baltimore, was the Library of Congress’ National Book Festival Selection for Maryland as well as Maryland’s Center for the Book’s 2013 Selection for kids, and has been written into the Maryland State elementary school social studies curriculum.Born in Germany, Scott grew up and went to college in Virginia (College of William & Mary) before moving to Baltimore, MD as an adult, and has been here ever since, living with his wife and two children. He teaches at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), including his new specialty, Illustrated Narratives.
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Charlotte Andrews
Fifty years after the war that changed everything and deemed technology illegal, Jenny Williams enjoys her simple life as a teenager on her grandpa's ranch. She goes to school, helps out on the ranch, and even sells her grandpa's cheese at the local market.But when Jenny goes to town for the Fifty Years of Peace Festival, a strange boy and a catastrophic event makes her question whether her idyllic life is really as perfect as she thought.Now, in order to save herself, her grandpa, and her town from an impending war, Jenny must decide if she should trust Jacob, her handsome friend of many years, or the strange, but intriguing boy who seems to know more than he's letting on.This dystopian adventure is part 1 of the 3-part Abrupt Dissent Series. Burning Bridges: Part 2 of the Abrupt Dissent Series is Now Available!
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Some might say he’s courageous, while others would say he’s daring, maybe even a little crazy. But when Joe Dearborne risked his life and ran into a burning building to save a puppy, the local newspaper referred to him as “fearless”—and that’s a pretty big title for a sixth-grader to live up to. Plus, Joe already has plenty else to worry about. After other daring feats in the past, Joe promised his father he wouldn’t do anything dangerous again, and, alas, he’s just broken that promise. But whatever trouble he expects to get into with his father, and despite the dangers he’s triumphed over in the past, nothing could prepare Joe for what he’s about to encounter when a cold, bitterness creeps into his home. A mysterious and peculiar woman named Mrs. Chill has just been hired to care for Joe while his father is away on business. In no time, however, Joe discovers that she’s up to more than cooking and cleaning, and she has plans to destroy his family. Joe’s effort to save them results in perilous, sometimes humorous, encounters, and leads him on a journey through the threatening wilderness where he faces his greatest challenge yet.
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A Bowl Full of Nails
Finalist, Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged FictionBronze Medal, Independent Publishers Book AwardsFinalist, Foreword Reviews IndieFab Book of the Year AwardsBERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, May 15, 1969 -- Fiery young Gus Bessemer vows to stop the war in Vietnam. His weapon of choice? Guerrilla street theater. But when a Berkeley riot squad escalates from teargas to shotguns, Gus' defiant art attack screeches to a halt. Injured, outraged, and on the lam -- Gus splits for the Colorado Rockies to work with his hands and get his head together. Ironically, Gus' quest for inner peace brings him face-to-face with a Rocky Mountain counterculture full of colorful communards, FBI snitches, stolen dynamite, and a dead body in the National Forest. A Bowl Full of Nails offers the reader a suspense-filled tale bursting with humor, espionage, and rebellion while the author explores Gus' dance between personal demons and political resistance. [SCROLL DOWN to read Editorial Reviews for A Bowl Full of Nails.]
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Kian lost his mother, and in the grip of grief, in many ways, he'd lost his father too. When his mother's horse, Raven, runs off in a storm, Kian believes finding him will help his father get past his grief.
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CHRISSIE'S RUN
In the repressive New Republic, the right to life does not exist. Such life matters are decided at special clinics called Parlors where abortion is mandatory if the unborn baby is a second daughter or is deemed defective in any way. Chrissie, sixteen and unwed, receives the terrible news from the Parlor. 'It is deformed, dear," the redheaded woman with green eyes tells Chrissie, as if she is giving her the time of day. 'It is missing its right foot, part of its right hand, and it probably has a mental deficiency.' That means mandatory abortion for Daniel, and sterilization for Chrissie and her boyfriend, Jason. Chrissie knows that Daniel is her baby's name. He is Daniel in the lion's den, because: 'That is what the voice calls him, the voice that whispers to me in my mind late at night when I am drifting away into sleep. I try to picture what a lion's den might look like. If it is as bad as what I picture, Daniel is definitely in it.' Tomorrow is abortion day for Chrissie and she decides, like her aunt before her, to run. That will make her an enemy of the state (it does not even help that her father is high up in the government) and, if she survives, an imprisoned felon. Chrissie will stop at nothing to save her baby. She searches for a mysterious place called Haven. Government police and specialists known as closers relentlessly hunt for her. But she will have unexpected help. Guides will appear to help her, with names like Moses, Samson, Angel and Dragon. These guides are gifted in many different ways, exceptional deadly fighters, and willing to risk everything to lead runners to safety. The closers are just as gifted in their own way, Hydra, Medusa, Medea, Goliath and: 'His name is Stingray, Chrissie,' Moses whispers with fear in his eyes as they hide in the mangroves along the beach, 'he is a very special closer, the baddest of the bad, and he's here for you!' What follows is an incredible action filled escape where Chrissie must come of age and stand by her choice to save her baby. Prepare to be swept toward an unimaginable conclusion in this non-stop, page turning thriller.
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The Dragon Dreamer
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A dying dragon and an undersea misfit. Bullied as a worthless dreamer, Arak flies away on a dangerous quest and crashes at sea. A fearless, shapeshifter octopus named Scree heals the young dragon, and a great friendship begins. But a terrible illness strikes the dragon clan. Then an undersea volcano erupts, which triggers a towering tsunami and a deadly chain of events! How can two unlikely friends combine their unique talents to save the dragons?Dive into a new fantasy world! "The Dragon Dreamer"is stand-alone book I of the award-winning Dragon Dreamer series: Science Fantasy Adventure with dragons and an undersea world. "The Dragon Dreamer" won IAN First Place for Best First Novel. It's also an IAN Finalist for Best Science Fiction and for Best Fantasy Book. This series is science-based fantasy for young adults 9 to 99. What reviewers are saying about "The Dragon Dreamer" by J.S. Burke:This Book is a Real Page Turner"This book is a real page turner. As for the writing, I was amazed...crafted so well you feel as if you are in this world...I will personally recommend this book to all readers." ~ Amazon ReviewerUnique Book with Highly Imagined Dragon World "This is an extremely unique book that combines action and adventure with a deep understanding of real ocean life and a highly imagined dragon world. For anyone who has ever been curious about the mysteries of the depths or enchanted with dragons, this book will engage you. If you are drawn to both, the Dragon Dreamer will become your favorite book ever." ~ Amazon ReviewerFantastic Tale for All Ages "A fantastic tale woven with dynamic characters and brilliant scenery. This book is one for all ages, you can read it yourself, with your children or with your grandchildren. It is a fantasy built for all ages." ~ Amazon Reviewer
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Cale Thornsbe had always known he was adopted under the most mysterious circumstances. Although he loved his new parents very much, he treasured the only link he ever had to his true identity - a blurred out golden seal. Throughout his childhood he was teased for his unusual accent, snow white hair and thick glasses only to find out what they really meant as his thirteenth birthday approached. He was the last seer of two worlds and the only barrier left to keep the evil King Etmus from taking over this world by force as he had done in his own. From the tallest invisible bull to the smallest forest pixie, Cale must learn who he can trust as his senses and visions heighten. His lovable and completely clueless parents are kidnapped, but who really has them? Cale Thornsbe has no choice but to find the answers as the seal begins to reveal itself and the journey never taken is brought to his doorstep.
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