Esther Ottens Books

When this book was written, it chronicled one death among many in the war in Eastern Ukraine. Following the events of February 24, 2022, it evolved into a narrative of a nation under severe attack. Olesya Khromeychuk recounts the story of her brother Volodymyr Pavliv, killed on the front line in 2017, from the perspective of a civilian woman, highlighting often-overlooked viewpoints in war narratives. Through a blend of personal memoir and essay, Khromeychuk connects readers to the brutal realities of war in Europe and the intimate experience of loss. This updated edition includes new chapters and a Foreword by Philippe Sands, reflecting on the broader impact of the conflict. The book resonates with anyone grappling with grief and the sudden loss of a loved one. Praise for the first edition emphasizes its emotional depth and ability to transcend individual experiences of grief, uniting readers with the collective sorrow of Ukrainians. Critics commend Khromeychuk for her intelligent exploration of complex themes, blending emotional honesty with rigorous analysis. Her vivid prose and unflinching honesty illuminate the silence surrounding the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, making her brother's story both poignant and unforgettable.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird. And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now! I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

An intelligent computer game with a disturbing agenda. When 16-year-old Nick receives a package containing the mysterious computer game Erebos, he wonders if it will explain the behavior of his classmates, who have been secretive lately. Players of the game must obey strict rules: always play alone, never talk about the game, and never tell anyone your nickname. Curious, Nick joins the game and quickly becomes addicted. But Erebos knows a lot about the players and begins to manipulate their lives. When it sends Nick on a deadly assignment, he refuses and is banished from the game. Now unable to play, Nick turns to a friend for help in finding out who controls the game. The two set off on a dangerous mission in which the border between reality and the virtual world begins to blur. This utterly convincing and suspenseful thriller originated in Germany, where it has become a runaway bestseller. Ursula Poznanski is an award-winning children’s author. She lives in Vienna, Austria.

"Beware of shaking hands with a Sterkarm!" warns a folk saying, reflecting the treachery of a 16th-century Scottish clan known for their left-handedness and hidden daggers. When a 21st-century mega-corporation opens a Time Tube to exploit the ancient English-Scottish border, the CEO's ambitions are thwarted by the fierce Sterkarms, whom he views as primitive. Meanwhile, anthropologist Andrea Mitchell is sent to live among the Sterkarms as the corporation's informant. To her surprise, she finds acceptance and admiration from the volatile yet affectionate clansmen. When her lover, Per, is severely injured during a raid, Andrea convinces Old Toorkild, the chief, to allow Per to be transported to the future for medical treatment. However, when Per awakens in the 21st century, his fear and distrust lead to a dramatic clash between advanced technology and the passionate defense of his people. This richly textured love story, filled with humor and cultural confrontation, has garnered acclaim, including the Guardian Fiction Prize, and is sure to captivate fans of teen fantasy and time travel. (Ages 12 and older)

Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep - sometimes with each other. S is back from boarding school, and if we aren't careful, she's going to win over our teachers, wear that dress we couldn't fit into, steal our boyfriends' hearts, and basically ruin our lives in a major way. I'll be watching closely. . . . You know you love me, gossip girl

De gespannen verhoudingen binnen een Brits gezin krijgen tragische gevolgen wanneer hun dorp wordt getroffen door een overstroming.

After modern science turns every human into a genetic time bomb with men dying at age twenty-five and women dying at age twenty, girls are kidnapped and married off in order to repopulate the world.

In a future where genetic engineering has cured humanity of all diseases and defects but has also produced a virus that kills all females by age 20 and all males by the age 25, teenaged Rhine escapes her forced marriage and journeys back to New York to find her twin brother.

In een wereld waarin vrouwen maar twintig jaar oud worden en mannen sterven op hun vijfentwintigste, is tijd kostbaar. In een poging om aan de boosaardige Vaughn te ontkomen, vlucht Rhine naar Reed, een excentrieke uitvinder. Ondertussen zit Rowan, Rhines tweelingbroer, diep in de problemen en Rhine moet hem stoppen voordat er dramatische dingen gebeuren. Daardoor komen lang bewaarde geheimen boven water en zal alles waarin Rhine ooit geloofde onherroepelijk verbroken worden.

Welkom aan de Upper East Side, New York, waar mijn vriendinnen en ik de royalty van onze privéscholen zijn. Onze diploma-uitreiking is natuurlijk maar een excuus om een vet feest te geven. Alsof we daar überhaupt een goede reden voor nodig hebben... We zijn bijna klaar met highschool - voorgoed. Maar voor we naar de topuniversiteit van onze keuze gaan, is er genoeg dat ons bezighoudt. B treft 5 kussend aan in de douche... met N. Over stoom gesproken! Maar zelfs B kan zien dat N en S het hotste koppel ooit zijn, toch? Neuh... B staat klaar om de catwalk van de wraak te betreden, en ik heb kaartjes voor de eerste rij. Nu maar rustig achterover zitten en de show bekijken vanachter mijn oversized Chanel-zonnebril. Stap in de wereld van Gossip Girl, een wereld waar jaloezie en verraad altijd in de mode zijn.