George Orwell's timeless fable—a parable for would-be liberators everywhere, glimpsed through the lens of our own history.As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals, and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As we witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, we begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization; and in our most charismatic leaders, the souls of our cruelest oppressors.With a foreword by Ann Patchett

Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers. In this first book, A Wizard of Earthsea readers will witness Sparrowhawk's moving rite of passage--when he discovers his true name and becomes a young man. Great challenges await Sparrowhawk, including an almost deadly battle with a sinister creature, a monster that may be his own shadow.

A Newbery Medal WinnerRichard Peck's Newbery Medal-winning sequel to A Long Way from ChicagoMary Alice's childhood summers in Grandma Dowdel's sleepy Illinois town were packed with enough drama to fill the double bill of any picture show. But now she is fifteen, and faces a whole long year with Grandma, a woman well known for shaking up her neighbors-and everyone else! All Mary Alice can know for certain is this: when trying to predict how life with Grandma might turn out . . . better not. This wry, delightful sequel to the Newbery Honor Book A Long Way from Chicago has already taken its place among the classics of children's literature."Hilarious and poignant." —Publishers Weekly, starred reviewA Newbery Medal WinnerA New York Times BestsellerAn ALA Notable BookAn ALA Best Book for Young AdultsA Booklist Best Book of the YearA School Library Journal Best Book of the Year 

No one lives the way Toby and his mother live. No One. As soon as they start to get settled in a new town, his mother always insists they pack up and move on. She changes her name, her hairstyle, and her identity. Does his mother work for the CIA? Was Toby kidnapped? Does he have a father who is alive somewhere? Over the years, Toby has learned not to ask these questions. But when they move to rural Idaho, things seem different. Until the day Toby discovers an old news item that shatters any chance he and his mother have of living a normal life. Will they ever be able to leave the past behind?