Meghan Ball is both the most visible and the most invisible person in school. Her massive size is impossible to ignore, yet people freely spill their secrets in front of her, perhaps because they think she isn?t listening. But she is. Now her attention has turned to a new girl: Aimee Zorn, with her stick-figure body and defiant attitude. Meghan is determined to befriend Aimee, and when she ultimately succeeds, the two join forces to take down their shared enemy.
This provocative story explores the ways in which girls use food and their bodies to say what they cannot: I?m lonely.
Author Shana Burg's father was a civil rights attorney, and she grew up hearing stories about Medgar Evers, Emmett Till, and the March on Washington. Mining those stories, as well as conducting a fair amount of research and drawing upon her experiences as a teacher, paid off. Addie Ann is a courageous and memorable character--one with whom younger readers should be able identify. Her experiences can truly give readers a sense of what it might have felt like to live in those historic times. (Ages 9-12) --Heidi Broadhead
Kingfisher Knowledge: Sharks by Miranda Smith offers an extensive look at the notorious predators of the deep, providing insights on shark behavior, habitats, and the surprising variety of species that inhabit our oceans. In addition to breathtaking underwater photography, full-action computer-generated artwork brings to life the long-extinct Megalodon as it preys on a prehistoric whale, and captures the moment that a lemon shark gives birth in shallow waters. Through the fascinating text and imagery, readers will learn facts about shark attacks; discover how sharks breathe, swim, communicate, and catch their prey; and find out the latest shark news and research.
Could a "good" dragon really be evil?
Witness to the kidnapping of her younger siblings' eggs, young bronze dragon Simle has good reason to think that all humans are evil. Tatelyn, whose brother was killed by a dragon who was supposed to be good, also has good reason to distrust even metallic dragons.
But when thrown together on a mission to recover their magical powers, Tatelyn and Simle realize that they have more in common than they ever imagined.
But the new Wizard Lord has now changed the playing field by neutralizing all magic in his domain (both his own and that of the Chosen) and has successfully killed and/or blocked his adversaries and their challenges to his omnipotence. Sword (now on the run) must work alone to restore order to their fair land and unravel the mystery of the Ninth Talisman--which might be the salvation or downfall of all that is good in their well ordered land.
But the house in Sardinia beckons and she has to make a choice. Is Arden ready to jump off the high dive?
Through Time: Beijing traces the rise and fall of great dynasties and the everyday lives of the citizens who prospered or suffered under their rule. Beginning in prehistoric times, an agricultural community slowly evolves. Farming villages then come under the control of a local lord, and by the medieval period an imperial palace is taking shape. This new capital is then overthrown by invading Mongols, who destroy it and build their own city. Later, the Mongols are replaced by the Ming, who create the legendary Forbidden City and rule China for the next five hundred years. The book's fluent narrative text and beautiful illustrations tell the enthralling story of BeijingÑits triumphs, conflicts, and people--right up to the present day.
When a beautiful stranger, a fugitive from another disaster zone, arrives on the island, Perseus is smitten. But Andromeda isn’t all she seems. She must die to save her people, and a stunning, world-changing discovery will die with her, unless Perseus abandons everything to confront the Medusa quest.
In the second of his stories published in a New Yorker special fiction issue, Akpan takes us far beyond what we thought we knew about the tribal conflict in Rwanda. The story is told by a young girl, who, with her little brother, witnesses the worst possible scenario between parents. They are asked to do the previously unimaginable in order to protect their children. This singular collection will also take the reader inside Nigeria, Benin, and Ethiopia, revealing in beautiful prose the harsh consequences for children of life in Africa.
Akpan's voice is a literary miracle, rendering lives of almost unimaginable deprivation and terror into stories that are nothing short of transcendent.
After squelching an evil plot by a rotten fairy, Keelie Heartwood is ready for fun at the upcoming Wildewood Renaissance Faire. Getting to know her elf dad has been great, but camping out in his homemade RV while acting out the 16th century isn't so fab. Keelie prefers hot showers and wearing a watch, thankyouverymuch. And a cool new cell phone would be nice, too.
But with fairies turning up in the oddest places, an unfortunate misunderstanding about a credit card bill, and that nasty, stuck-up elf-girl, Elia, Keelie's plans to have a good time are all but ruined. So far, life as an elf isn't all that enchanting.
And then the unicorn shows up.
Don't miss the first book in the Faire Folk Trilogy, The Tree Shepherd's Daughter:
"One of those remarkable tales in which the reader becomes completely immersed . . . [It] will have readers eagerly anticipating books two and three in this promising trilogy."
―KLIATT
When Casey McCloy steps into the elegant Bramford building, she?s overwhelmed. Fresh from the Midwest, she?s moved to New York?s Upper East Side to live with her grandmother and attend the prestigious Meadowlark Academy. Here all that matters is who you know. The girl to know is Madison Macallister: popular, pretty, platinumblond. She?s not just Casey?s new classmate and neighbor; she?s an icon. So Casey aims to get in with Madison and her gorgeous gal-pals from the start. As the reigning queen of coolness, Madison is capable of destroying reputations with one welltimed whisper. Better to be on her good side.
But after a city-haute makeover from her new frenemy Madison, Casey is wearing the right clothes, saying the right things, and meeting the right people?including Drew, the boy-about-town who Madison thinks belongs to her and her alone.
The Reel Stuff collects thirteen memorable?and in some cases award-winning?tales from legendary names in science fiction, fantasy, and horror that inspired some of Hollywood?s greatest successes on the silver screen, or found rabid followings as cult classics.
Features the stories that inspired:
Minority Report ? Total Recall ? The Thing ? Johnny Mnemonic ? Re-animator ? Candyman ? Millennium ? Enemy Mine ? Mimic ? Screamers ? Nightflyers ? Amanda and the Alien ? The Outer Limits: Sandkings
