All Books
Synopsis: In what could be a tale from the Arabian Nights, a girl grows up in thirteenth century Persia to be so desirable that she is kidnapped several times for her beauty. She finds refuge at last in the arms of a prince, who marries her and makes her a princess. With him she rules a nation and is so wise that, on his death, the people ask her to continue as their sovereign. But at the end of her long reign, she is remembered above all for her kindness and compassion. This book brings to life the story of Qutlugh Terkan Khatun, a real and remarkable princess who brought her people a golden age of peace and prosperity.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Publication Date: 10/02/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Biography
Synopsis: Thousands of years ago, in the world of the Ancient Greeks where women were expected to obey their husbands in all matters, to play no part in public life, and to stay inside the house, a princess grew up to be not only a sailor and a ship’s captain, but a famous admiral. Her name was Artemisia, and among all the commanders fighting on the Persian side during the great Persian Wars, she alone dared to give Xerxes an honest opinion that could have saved his entire fleet. This is the story of a real and remarkable princess whose spirit prompted the Persian Great King, Xerxes, to declare, "My men have become women, and my women men!"
Publication Date: 10/02/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Educational
Synopsis: In a twist on the classic fairy tale, a princess in fifteenth century Spain refused to wait to be rescued by a prince but instead chose one for herself. Even then, she would not marry him until they’d reached an agreement that was revolutionary for her timetheir marriage would be an equal partnership captured in the motto: To stand as high, as high to stand, Isabella and Ferdinand. This book tells the real and remarkable story of the princess, Isabella of Castile. The partnership that she made with her prince was a happy and successful one. Without her, both Spain and America would not exist as we know them.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Publication Date: 10/02/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Educational
Synopsis: From the deepest heart of the Moghul palace, tucked away in purdah, her face hidden by veils, one princess came to rule all of Moghul India. She introduced efficiencies, encouraged trade, and made possible a great flowering of the arts. What gave her this power was love. This is a love story, the story of Nur Jahan, who, without breaking any of the rules, hunted tigers, rode elephants to war, commanded a nation from behind a curtain, and did many other things that girls were not expected to do.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.
Publication Date: 10/02/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Historical Nonfiction
Synopsis: Combining the romance and enchantment of princesses with a message of youthful female empowerment, these books are about girls who didn’t just sit around waiting to be rescued. Against great odds, they changed their own lives—and their worlds. Stories of princesses from different cultures and different epochs in history are richly illustrated with photographs, maps, and lovely pen-and-watercolor paintings that help bring these fascinating females to life. Bringing to life the story of a woman who boldly declared herself pharaoh, this book tells of Hatshepsut, who lived in ancient Egypt. When explorers first chipped a hole through a wall and shined a light into Tutankhamun's tomb, everything it touched glinted with gold and gleamed with silver. The boy-king so surrounded by this treasure would become one of the most famous names in history. But the less-famous princess Hatshepsut had accumulated much of the wealth that was buried in the tomb. Answering such questions as How did she make Egypt so rich? and How did she come to be buried, like Tutankhamun, in the Valley of the Kings?, this book also has sections on the clothes Hatshepsut wore, the foods she ate, and why she is remembered today.
Publication Date: 10/01/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Educational
Synopsis: The Dangerous Book for Boys with a fantasy twist!
Ever wonder how to:
Improvise a wand?
Capture a werewolf?
Make a monster-catching net?
Why wait to be accepted into wizardry school to learn the answers? Packed with easy projects using everyday materials, this fact-filled activity book shows wannabe wizards how to craft unique creations such as their own wizard robes, play games such as vampire tag, master adventuring skills like mapping a monster-filled dungeon, and follow step-by-step instructions on how to "survive" almost any monster attack.
The fantastical fun never ends in this book that will inspire hours of imaginative play!
Ever wonder how to:
Improvise a wand?
Capture a werewolf?
Make a monster-catching net?
Why wait to be accepted into wizardry school to learn the answers? Packed with easy projects using everyday materials, this fact-filled activity book shows wannabe wizards how to craft unique creations such as their own wizard robes, play games such as vampire tag, master adventuring skills like mapping a monster-filled dungeon, and follow step-by-step instructions on how to "survive" almost any monster attack.
The fantastical fun never ends in this book that will inspire hours of imaginative play!
Publication Date: 09/14/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: A breathless, high-stakes quest to save the miniature world of the Tree —and reunite loved ones lost —unfolds with wit, suspense, and startling revelations. (Ages 9 and up)
Toby’s world is under greater threat than ever before. A giant crater has been dug right into the center of the Tree, moss and lichen have invaded the branches, and one tyrant controls it all. Leo Blue, once Toby’s best friend, is holding Toby’s beloved Elisha prisoner, hunting the Grass People with merciless force, and inflicting a life of poverty and fear on the Tree People. But after several years among the Grass People, Toby has returned to fight back. And this time he’s not alone: a resistance is forming. In the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning TOBY ALONE, the compelling eco-adventure reaches its gripping conclusion.
Toby’s world is under greater threat than ever before. A giant crater has been dug right into the center of the Tree, moss and lichen have invaded the branches, and one tyrant controls it all. Leo Blue, once Toby’s best friend, is holding Toby’s beloved Elisha prisoner, hunting the Grass People with merciless force, and inflicting a life of poverty and fear on the Tree People. But after several years among the Grass People, Toby has returned to fight back. And this time he’s not alone: a resistance is forming. In the much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning TOBY ALONE, the compelling eco-adventure reaches its gripping conclusion.
Publication Date: 08/10/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fiction
Synopsis: Here's a chapter book with all the kid appeal and absurd mayhem of Louis Sachar's classic Sideways Stories from Wayside School! These hilarious fables, complete with morals, will make you wish you went to Aesop Elementary.
Welcome back to Mr. Jupiter's inimitable class in this companion to The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School. His rambunctious, special students are fifth graders now . . . and they rule the school! Bernadette Braggadoccio stirs things up when her probing investigative reporting for the school's TV station reveals some scandalous stuff. But . . . don't believe everything you hear. Is that new art teacher really a crazy lady with zillions of cats, or could there be more to this story?
So whether readers knew Mr. Jupiter's class back in fourth grade or are new to Aesop Elementary, they'll be chomping at the bit to join these fabled fifth graders for the zaniest school year ever.
Welcome back to Mr. Jupiter's inimitable class in this companion to The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School. His rambunctious, special students are fifth graders now . . . and they rule the school! Bernadette Braggadoccio stirs things up when her probing investigative reporting for the school's TV station reveals some scandalous stuff. But . . . don't believe everything you hear. Is that new art teacher really a crazy lady with zillions of cats, or could there be more to this story?
So whether readers knew Mr. Jupiter's class back in fourth grade or are new to Aesop Elementary, they'll be chomping at the bit to join these fabled fifth graders for the zaniest school year ever.
Publication Date: 08/10/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Anthology
Synopsis: What if John Henry had a son?
Twelve-year-old Ray is haunted by the strangest memories of his father, whom Ray swears could speak to animals. Now an orphan, Ray jumps from a train going through the American South and falls in with a medicine show train and its stable of sideshow performers. The performers turn out to be heroes, defenders of the wild, including the son of John Henry. They are hiding the last of the mythical Swamp Sirens from an ancient evil known as the Gog. Why the Gog wants the Siren, they can’t be sure, but they know it has something to do with rebuilding a monstrous machine that John Henry gave his life destroying years before, a machine that will allow the Gog to control the will of men and spread darkness throughout the world.
From the Hardcover edition.
Twelve-year-old Ray is haunted by the strangest memories of his father, whom Ray swears could speak to animals. Now an orphan, Ray jumps from a train going through the American South and falls in with a medicine show train and its stable of sideshow performers. The performers turn out to be heroes, defenders of the wild, including the son of John Henry. They are hiding the last of the mythical Swamp Sirens from an ancient evil known as the Gog. Why the Gog wants the Siren, they can’t be sure, but they know it has something to do with rebuilding a monstrous machine that John Henry gave his life destroying years before, a machine that will allow the Gog to control the will of men and spread darkness throughout the world.
From the Hardcover edition.
Publication Date: 08/10/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Series
Synopsis: Philippa Fisher reunites with her spunky fairy godsister in a sparkling new adventure from the creator of Emily Windsnap.
Philippa Fisher is trying to enjoy her vacation, but she’s feeling lonely. When she meets sad-eyed Robyn and her very strict dad, Philippa wonders what they could be hiding. Then fairy godsister Daisy sneaks by for a visit, but quickly flies off on a furtive mission. Philippa longs to know what's up with her friends, but friendships can be tricky when there are secrets — and unexpected danger — involved! From the author of the best-selling Emily Windsnap series comes a second Philippa Fisher tale, full of mystery, whimsy, and all the magic tween readers could wish for.
Philippa Fisher is trying to enjoy her vacation, but she’s feeling lonely. When she meets sad-eyed Robyn and her very strict dad, Philippa wonders what they could be hiding. Then fairy godsister Daisy sneaks by for a visit, but quickly flies off on a furtive mission. Philippa longs to know what's up with her friends, but friendships can be tricky when there are secrets — and unexpected danger — involved! From the author of the best-selling Emily Windsnap series comes a second Philippa Fisher tale, full of mystery, whimsy, and all the magic tween readers could wish for.
Publication Date: 08/10/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: You may not like your sister, but are you really going to fight a war against her? James and Emily never get on - always fighting and arguing! But when James wakes up one night as his tooth is stolen by a jelly monster he follows it into a weird and wonderful world. Chocolate archers come out of the walls and fly in bubble gum balloons, giant rock candy trolls roam around, icing sugar snowmen appear and disappear, all under the direction of the Candy King who is preparing a war against the tooth fairies! Soon Emily and their cat Muffins find themselves joining the fairies, with only a toothless dragon and a phoenix with hay fever to help them fight the mighty Candy Army! "The Candy King is waiting for you." CANDY WARS is suitable for all readers aged 8 and above.
Publication Date: 08/06/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Synopsis: What do you treasure and how far would you go to find it? Peter and Farren are two brothers who think adventure is sneaking into a pub or going rabbit hunting. Little do they know! Soon the youths are on a whirlwind trip of betrayal, daggers, self-discovery and a giant reticulated python! Somehow they have to find a way to stop fighting with each other, avoid a sadistic Navy Admiral and a mysterious pirate captain whilst remembering to tap the biscuits on the side of the ship - maggots are never good for breakfast! "If you came for treasure it lies within, if you did not, what you treasure lies beyond your grasp." TREASURE LOST is suitable for all readers aged 8 years and above.
Publication Date: 08/03/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Synopsis: What do you treasure and how far would you go to find it? Peter and Farren are two brothers who think adventure is sneaking into a pub or going rabbit hunting. Little do they know! Soon the youths are on a whirlwind trip of betrayal, daggers, self-discovery and a giant reticulated python! Somehow they have to find a way to stop fighting with each other, avoid a sadistic Navy Admiral and a mysterious pirate captain whilst remembering to tap the biscuits on the side of the ship - maggots are never good for breakfast! "If you came for treasure it lies within, if you did not, what you treasure lies beyond your grasp." TREASURE LOST is suitable for all readers aged 8 years and above.
Publication Date: 08/03/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Synopsis: What if you knew everything there was to know? What if the true answer to any question was ready in your mind the moment you asked for it? What if the answers always came every time, and were never wrong? What questions would you ask? What would you do with the answers? And who would you trust?
Sara Starbright has exactly that problem. Being eleven is hard enough, but not having anyone to confide in is even harder. What's the point in getting to know someone if you already know everything about them? Sure, Sara's single mom tries her best to understand her daughter, but making ends meet is about all she seems to have time for these days. And Sara has bigger problems on the way too, problems that even she can't see coming, for having all the answers is nice, but asking the right questions is the real talent.
Sara Starbright has the most important gift the universe has ever given, and all manner of creatures from all realms of the imagination want to take it for themselves. What can one small girl do to protect herself from the deadliest and most impressive force creation has ever amassed? Yet in her darkest hour, Sara may have just met the one person in the entire universe capable of being her friend. Stifled and stunted in the deepest inner chambers of the Fish Man's worldship prison colony, a boy named Jonathan Wheeler lies in a state of suspended animation. Through an unlikely twist of fate, he has found himself in the body of an ever-growing and ever-changing monster, the Chimera. With boundless energy and strength at his command, all he needs is the right bit of knowledge to get himself out of his cell and to freedom.
As they escape from one world to the next, Sara and Jonathan find that together they make a pretty good team. But when you can't trust anyone, and when the universe turns out to be quite a bit bigger than you could have ever imagined, who can you count on to guide you towards somewhere you actually want to be?
Meow.
Sara Starbright has exactly that problem. Being eleven is hard enough, but not having anyone to confide in is even harder. What's the point in getting to know someone if you already know everything about them? Sure, Sara's single mom tries her best to understand her daughter, but making ends meet is about all she seems to have time for these days. And Sara has bigger problems on the way too, problems that even she can't see coming, for having all the answers is nice, but asking the right questions is the real talent.
Sara Starbright has the most important gift the universe has ever given, and all manner of creatures from all realms of the imagination want to take it for themselves. What can one small girl do to protect herself from the deadliest and most impressive force creation has ever amassed? Yet in her darkest hour, Sara may have just met the one person in the entire universe capable of being her friend. Stifled and stunted in the deepest inner chambers of the Fish Man's worldship prison colony, a boy named Jonathan Wheeler lies in a state of suspended animation. Through an unlikely twist of fate, he has found himself in the body of an ever-growing and ever-changing monster, the Chimera. With boundless energy and strength at his command, all he needs is the right bit of knowledge to get himself out of his cell and to freedom.
As they escape from one world to the next, Sara and Jonathan find that together they make a pretty good team. But when you can't trust anyone, and when the universe turns out to be quite a bit bigger than you could have ever imagined, who can you count on to guide you towards somewhere you actually want to be?
Meow.
Publication Date: 07/27/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: "I know you are not so brave, Anna Spencerford. You will do as I say."-The savage voice haunted Anna's mind. Crammed in their old red ford escort, the five Spencerfords, Alfred, Penelope, Anna, Dick & Alex, set out for the South of England to a very quirky wedding and to visit their elderly relatives. There they will meet the Jojoes, a cheeky pair of twins that will help them escape the boring household and introduce them to the wonders of their woods, camp and hidey holes and a ruined cottage. In the midst of a family drama, Anna finds that the discovery of the cottage will lead to much more than a simple game, as the ghostly figure of the Hangman will creep slowly into her life.
Publication Date: 07/23/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Adventure
Synopsis: Tales From Gundarland, won a medal in a recent Readers Favorite competition in the scifi/fantasy category. Laughter is contagious. Enjoy some by reading this book It's filled with delightful entertainment. Without commercial interruption! Gundarland is populated by humans, dwarfs, elves and other races; it's the backdrop for unique adventures, brilliant heroes and cunning villains. You'll meet some of Shakespeare's most famous characters, a warrior-cook, vigilantes and beautiful, lusty princesses to mention just a few of the memorable characters in the stories. Here is a list of the stories and a brief synopsis of each. Romeo and Juliet: Romeo, a dwarf miner, and Juliet, the elfin daughter of a rich gem merchant, have a rocky courtship because Juliet's brothers are avowed enemies of Romeo's family. Chasing Dreams: This novella tells the story of twin yuk brothers on their journey from strong-armed thugs to highway robbers to bawdy house owners to politicians. The brothers are plagued and harassed by vigilantes. Boggerts Blue: A warrior-cook seeks to rescue a kidnapped princess. She refuses to be rescued by someone who isn't noble-born. The Big Bang: A wizard has to eliminate a dragon and his minions. On the way to complete his mission, he is tested by a shape-changer and a pair of trolls. The Queen's Hero: This novella is about a young tinker-warrior as he struggles to save his Queen from a pirate admiral trying to overthrow her and become king. The Queen's three beautiful daughters have their own plans for the young hero. Merchant of Venison: A dwarf butcher borrows money to help his best friend and soon regrets it. The dwelf money lender has bloody ideas about the default payments. Inter-Racial Musical Playoffs: A few greedy wizards attempt to fix a musical competition. Tactical Surprise: A general develops unusual tactics to defeat a rebel army.
Publication Date: 06/25/10
Age Level: 8 - 12
Genre: Short Story