Ah, Christmas! Gemma Doyle is looking forward to a holiday from Spence Academy, spending time with her friends in the city, attending ritzy balls, and on a somber note, tending to her ailing father. As she prepares to ring in the New Year, 1896, a handsome young man, Lord Denby, has set his sights on Gemma, or so it seems. Yet amidst the distractions of London, Gemma’s visions intensify–visions of three girls dressed in white, to whom something horrific has happened, something only the realms can explain. . . . The lure is strong, and before long, Gemma, Felicity, and Ann are turning flowers into butterflies in the enchanted world of the realms that Gemma alone can bring them to. To the girls’ great joy, their beloved Pippa is there as well, eager to complete their circle of friendship. But all is not well in the realms–or out. The mysterious Kartik has reappeared, telling Gemma she must find the Temple and bind the magic, else great disaster will befall her. Gemma’s willing to do his intrusive bidding, despite the dangers it brings, for it means she will meet up with her mother’s greatest friend–and now her foe, Circe. Until Circe is destroyed, Gemma cannot live out her destiny. But finding Circe proves a most perilous task.From the Hardcover edition.

Thirteen-year-olds Paige and Kate find themselves competing for the same worship-music contest and the same $500 prize. Each girl is so sure she will win that each has already promised the prize money to a favorite worthy cause. Via the contest's Web site, Paige and Kate meet and begin a friendship that will make both girls examine their ideas about their faith and what worship really is. They realize that, like a single chopstick, the body of Christ cannot work well alone. Each girl decides to share a bit of her strongest gift with the other, thereby increasing the chances that one of them--but only one of them--will win. Friends For a Season Book 2.

Time Period:  1903  When her parents died, young Maureen O'Callaghan was sent from Ireland to the United States to begin a new life in the Stevenson family. At age eleven, she's ready to become a U.S. citizen-just as soon as she can solve the case of who's stealing artwork from her employer's mansion. Maureen the Detective is an exciting mystery and an intriguing look at what drew, and continues to draw, so many people to the shores of America. Using actual historical events to tell a compelling fictional story, the Sisters in Time series is perfect for personal reading, church libraries, or home schooling.

Time Period:  1744  Slavery confuses Maggie Baldwin. It's 1744, and the tenderhearted twelve-year-old can't understand why her friend was given a young female slave as a Christmas present-or why her friend mistreats the miserable Caribbean girl. When a major spiritual revival breaks out, Maggie is convinced she must dare to help the slave. Using actual historical events to tell a compelling fictional story, Maggie's Dare explores both the Great Awakening and the early stirrings of the abolition movement, while showing young readers that they, too, can serve God by serving others. Sisters in Time books offer learning and fun, at a great price!