This author unearths profound truths about the human experience through her writing. Her works often delve into themes of childhood, growth, and the power of human connection, explored with sensitivity and insight. Through vivid language and compelling characters, the author invites readers into worlds that resonate with empathy and reflection. Her writing stands as a testament to the enduring power of stories and their capacity to mirror and shape our own lives.
Angel has been abandoned; suddenly she's in charge - not just of her little brother, but of her stubborn great-grandma too. In a dreary and lonely world there is only one bright spot - a mysterious stranger who appears on clear nights to teach Angel all about the stars. family, responsibility, coming of age, friendship, cultural differencesTeaching * Strong character development with opportunity for drama activities* Rich in language work, especially American English* Skilled use of tension and suspense links to chapters and drives plot* Strong but subtle development of major themesRecommended for students in Years 7 and 8
Jess Aarons' greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He's been practicing all summer and can't wait to see his classmates' faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys' side and outruns everyone. That's not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imaginations set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.
Eleven-year-old Gilly has been stuck in more foster families than she can remember, and she's disliked them all. She has a county-wide reputation for being brash, brilliant, and completely unmanageable. So when she's sent to live with the Trotters -- by far the strangest family yet -- Gilly decides to put her sharp mind to work. Before long she's devised an elaborate scheme to get her real mother to come rescue her. But the rescue doesn't work out, and the great Gilly Hopkins is left thinking that maybe life with the Trotters wasn't so bad ...
Who is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.Meamwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret....
Esau have I hated . . . Sara Louise Bradshaw is sick and tired of her beautiful twin Caroline. Ever since they were born, Caroline has been the pretty one, the talented one, the better sister. Even now, Caroline seems to take everything: Louise's friends, their parents' love, her dreams for the future. For once in her life, Louise wants to be the special one. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is . . . and find a way to make a place for herself outside her sister's shadow.
A ten-year-old girl grapples with faith and fear as her father prepares for another deployment to Iraq. Struggling with her emotions, Birdie questions God and the state of the world, wishing for a return to pre-9/11 innocence. She faces the challenges of moving in with her grandmother and starting a new school, where she feels isolated except for one new friend. The narrative explores themes of loss, belief, and resilience, resonating especially with children from military families as Birdie seeks understanding and connection in a turbulent time.
Twins Joe and Nancy were raised in a circus but on their eleventh birthday they learn their parents are still alive and need their help, so they set out on an quest filled with many extraordinary beings and adventures. Consists of twenty-seven episodes by nineteen authors and pictures by five illustrators.
In the Newbery Medalist's first book, Muna searches for his father, a samurai warrior, in 12th-century Japan. Muna has never known his father—a samurai, a noble warrior. But Muna's mother has told Muna how he will know him one by the sign of the chrysanthemum. When his mother dies, Muna travels to the capital of twelfth-century Japan, a bewildering city on the verge of revolution. He finds a haven there, as servant to the great swordsmith, Fukuji. But Muna cannot forget his He must find his father. Only then will he have power and a name to be reckoned with. His desperate search for the father he has never seen leads thirteen-year-old Muna to danger and adventure in the crowded, colorful capital city of twelfth-century Japan. But where should he look for him? And how will he recognize him? His father left before Muna was born—and his mother is now dead. All that the boy knows of his father is that he is a great warrior, a samurai...and that he bears on his shoulder a chrysanthemum tattoo. Wars between two powerful clans divide the city, making his search more difficult and dangerous. Muna is torn between his respect for Fukuji, the brilliant swordsmith who takes him into his home, and his loyalty to Takanobu, a former samurai who is now an outlaw. Tempered by fire and sword, Muna finally discovers who he really is.
Set in post-war Germany, the story follows Jella, a Jewish woman who fled the Nazis and is committed to creating a sanctuary of imagination for war-affected children. Faced with numerous challenges, she gathers a remarkable collection of 4,000 children's books through collaboration with publishers and children globally. Her mission is to restore joy and promote peace in a world marked by conflict, showcasing the transformative power of literature in healing and nurturing the next generation.
