Fiction

Discover 1417 amazing fiction books in our collection — page 10 of 15

All Fiction Books

1417 books — page 10 of 15
Cover of SEARCH FOR THE DEVERAUX

SEARCH FOR THE DEVERAUX

Genre

This gripping YA thriller plunges readers into a high-stakes mystery when the wealthy Devereaux family vanishes without a trace from their secluded estate, leaving behind a teenage protagonist determ...

Cover of Searching for Silverheels

Searching for Silverheels

Jeannie Mobley

In Colorado during World War I, a young, romantically minded girl and an old, bitter woman suffragist debate a local legend and examine the role of women in a time of war and prejudice.

Cover of Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

Brandon Mull

When Kendra and Seth go to stay at their grandparents' estate, they discover that it is a sanctuary for magical creatures and that a battle between good and evil is looming.

Cover of Seeds of Rebellion

Seeds of Rebellion

Brandon Mull

After Jason succeeds in finding a way back to Lyrian, he's immediately in more danger than ever. Meanwhile, Rachel and the others have made their own progress--as well as discovered new enemies. As the group ultimately rejoins, they strive to convince their most needed ally to join the war and form

Cover of SELF CARE

SELF CARE

Daryn, and their confusing relationship becomes increasingly intimate as they blur sexual boundaries. As Gloria spends her days working and nights with Daryn, she notices that Isabel is growing distant—posting provocative photos from hotel rooms and often unavailable for their gossip sessions. When an unimaginable tragedy befalls the girls, Gloria must try to hold her shattered world together as Daryn grows increasingly paranoid, angry, and abusive. Though hard to stomach at times, Smith’s writing is at its best when he’s skewering the often performative nature of sex, dating, and politics, as well as the solipsistic delusion of 21st\u002Dcentury life."

This guide to personal wellness offers young readers a thoughtful introduction to self-care practices that support mental and emotional health. Through accessible explanations and practical activitie...

Cover of Seriously, Just Go to Sleep

Seriously, Just Go to Sleep

Adam Mansbach

Go the F*** to Sleep quickly shot to the top of last year's bestseller lists thanks to its profanely hilarious style that struck a note with parents everywhere. Now that everyone has had a good laugh, parents want to let their kids in on the joke. Mansbach has cleaned up his book, without taking awa

Cover of SEVEN BLACKBIRDS

SEVEN BLACKBIRDS

Genre

This beautifully crafted counting book takes young readers on a numerical journey through nature, following seven blackbirds as they navigate their woodland world. Each page introduces a new mathemat...

Cover of SEVEN REASONS TO MURDER YOUR DINNER GUESTS

SEVEN REASONS TO MURDER YOUR DINNER GUESTS

Genre

This darkly humorous guide to hosting gone wrong offers a deliciously wicked take on dinner party etiquette, serving up seven inventive scenarios where murder becomes the main course. Each chapter pr...

Cover of Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone

Leigh Bardugo

The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series Enter the Grishaverse with Book One of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov

Cover of SHE JOURNEYS

SHE JOURNEYS

Nick’s serious injury in a helicopter crash after returning from an overseas deployment. Depressed and demoralized, Sarah returned to California. The cross\u002Dcountry trip, including reunions with family members and solo backpacking in national parks along the way, began a decade\u002Dlong journey of healing. Living with her parents on a houseboat in Newport Beach provided a safe space to begin again. Finding renewed spirituality, faith, and strength through yoga, she attained certification as a yoga instructor. During a four\u002Dyear relationship in San Diego, a class in psychic intuition led to the realization that she needed “More from [her] partner, more from life, and most of all, more from [her]self.” Therapy, exploration of transgenerational trauma, transformational breath work, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, plant medicine, and Reiki were among the methods she explored that resulted in a healthy relationship with her body and spirit and a loving, satisfying relationship with her partner, Andrew. May’s limpid writing unflinchingly recounts the crumbling relationship between her and Nick that propelled her on this journey. Acknowledging that Nick was responsible for his actions, she honestly confronts the question of why she put up with his behavior. The author’s rejection of victimhood is admirable, and her description of the hard work it takes to “heal from the inside out” will be inspirational to anyone hoping to do the same. The book’s tone is lightened by humorous asides about her enthusiasm for alternative therapies (“I burn so much sage, I set off smoke alarms”)."

This empowering collection of 40 short stories and guided journaling prompts takes young women on a transformative journey of self-discovery, weaving together wisdom from inspiring female figures wit...

Cover of Shell Games

Shell Games

Bonnie Kistler

Shortlisted for the Edgar Award for Paperback Originals Is her mother's mind slipping, or has her charming new husband spun the perfect con? ' A truly spectacular psychological thriller' Matthew Blake A dazzling thriller about a young woman whose fabulously wealthy mother might be the victim of an e

Cover of SHIFTING SANDS

SHIFTING SANDS

Genre

This gripping novel explores the turbulent landscape of teenage identity through the lens of magical realism, where shifting ground serves as both literal and metaphorical terrain. Protagonist Kai na...

Cover of Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 2

Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 2

Deon Christie

This eBook topics include Adventure, Fairy Tales, General Children’s Bedtime Stories, Imagination, and Magical Carpet Rides Over Fantasy Worlds. Everything to spark their imagination, and take them on a journey through a world of wonder. Storytelling is as old as the human race itself, and will alwa

Cover of Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 3

Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 3

Deon Christie

As someone familiar with the nuances of writing but new to this genre, you have the opportunity to blend your existing skills with the freshness and innocence required for children’s literature. Remember, the stories we hear as children can profoundly shape our view of the world, making your venture

Cover of Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 4

Short Bedtime Stories For Children - Volume 4

Deon Christie

Storytelling is as old as the human race itself, and will always be in our hearts. Was television not inspired by storytelling, what then is it other than storytelling with movies and series? Let’s just forget about the news stories, those fairy tales are often just a bit too “farfetched”. Besides,

Cover of SHROUD

SHROUD

a disaster that strands humans among dangerous aliens, concerns a repressive government whose strong resistance to an equitable first contact is met by potentially stronger resistance from the alien contactee(s). As such, it is more than a little reminiscent of the author’s Hugo\u002Dnominated Alien Clay (2024), even if the government and the alien are quite different. While it reads like a meditation on the same theme, especially in the relevance of its socioeconomic and political milieu to contemporary circumstances, it is also well crafted and full of tense moments, building up to an emotional gut punch. "

This gripping supernatural thriller plunges readers into a world where ancient secrets and modern danger collide, following a protagonist who discovers they're connected to a mysterious burial cloth ...

Cover of Siege and Storm

Siege and Storm

Leigh Bardugo

The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series Enter the Grishaverse with Book Two of the Shadow and Bone Trilogy by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov's power has grown, but n

Cover of SILENCED VOICES

SILENCED VOICES

the raging war—but everything changed with the arrival of the Guatemalan army and their brutally violent “full\u002Dblown scorched\u002Dearth operation.” Thanks to her fierce queer sister, Elena, Clara escaped, but the girls were forced to separate. Clara eventually headed to the U.S. alone. Deeply affected by their mother’s story, José and Charlie reflect on their family roots, embarking on a mission to determine their long\u002Dlost aunt’s fate. Split into four chapters that share the perspectives of the central characters, Leon’s testament to the power of historical memory movingly explores how the echoes of trauma continue to reverberate across the Guatemalan and Indigenous diasporas, often spanning generations. The unflinching, grounded artwork, which emphasizes the characters’ expressions and emotions, offers a few moments of levity amid the mostly unseen acts of violence. "

This powerful young adult novel tackles the urgent issue of censorship through the eyes of high school students whose literary magazine faces administrative shutdown over controversial content. The n...

Cover of Silver Childhood

Silver Childhood

Bajruzin Hajro Planjac

However, literature, as the domain of formative and expressive spirit, has never recognized and will never recognize the limits and restrictions imposed on it from the outside - even if it was represented from the outside by completely legitimate and indisputable experience, knowledge, and even "com

Cover of Silver on the Tree

Silver on the Tree

Susan Cooper

This is the fifth and last book in "The Dark Is Rising" sequence. The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. The servants of the light: Will Stanton, the last of the Old Ones, the mysterious Professor Merriman, and the strange albino Welsh boy, Bran, are helped by three or

Cover of Silver Shadows

Silver Shadows

Richelle Mead

In the aftermath of a tumultuous event that ripped their world apart, Sydney and her love Adrian need to make their way back to each other, but they must survive first.

Cover of SIMPLICITY

SIMPLICITY

the Van Wervel Trust, which is working to establish a museum. The evil Mr. Van Wervel is also the mayor of the NYC\u002DAST and looks like an early 1900s political cartoon of a monopolist. When Lucius arrives in Simplicity, the colors on the page transition from the gray and radioactive neon of the city to yellow sun and green plant life. The community was established in the 1970s, and it still exists in a similar form decades later, after the dissolution of the United States. Lucius is eager to interview subjects and start documenting his ethnographic findings, but the people don’t trust him at first, until he begins working the land alongside them. Although he was meant to observe, the freedom that the community members display with their feelings and bodies seduces him into becoming a participant. Lubchansky shows that nature is just as dangerous as the industrial city through the darkness of the forest and the gory violence that starts to encroach on the closed\u002Doff commune. Lucius’ relationship with one of the leaders, Amity, is thrown into jeopardy when he finds that his employer is planning to bulldoze the community in Simplicity to build the museum along with futuristic luxury apartments. Instead of returning to the city to share his findings, Lucius stays and tries to parse his dreams of a giant, Lovecraftian creature. Lucius and Amity seek out the dangers lurking in the woods around the enclave, and come across a dystopian conspiracy meant to crush their way of life. "

This counting book offers a refreshingly straightforward approach to early math concepts, presenting numbers one through ten with clean, minimalist illustrations that allow young children to focus pu...

Cover of Sir Callie and the Dragon's Roost

Sir Callie and the Dragon's Roost

Esme Symes-Smith

The battle is won, but the war is far from over. In this thrilling sequel, a twelve-year-old nonbinary hopeful knight fights for the heart of their kingdom in a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches. Thanks to Callie and their friends, Helston seems to be changing f

Cover of SISTERS OF THE JUNGLE

SISTERS OF THE JUNGLE

other female researchers, whom they saw as role models—as does the author. Although McGoogan discovered no single answer to why women have been drawn to primatology in the first place, it’s more important, she asserts, to acknowledge the ways that their discoveries and insights have decisively shaped the discipline as we know it today."

This gripping middle-grade adventure plunges readers deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, where three sisters must rely on their wits and each other to survive after a plane crash strands th...

Cover of SLASHED BEAUTIES

SLASHED BEAUTIES

a wealthy sea captain, Elizabeth is opening her own “genteel” establishment—”a sérail, no less”—offering “entertainment and fine company.” For half of what Eleanor earns “entertaining” rich men, Elizabeth will train, clothe, house, and feed her. Eleanor moves into Elizabeth’s opulently furnished King Street rooms, where she meets and develops an immediate affection for fellow new hire Emily. Needing capital, Elizabeth negotiates payment for the three of them to serve as models for wax anatomical Venuses designed to entice medical students through a local anatomist’s studio door. Meanwhile, in the present day, antiques dealer Alys acquires Elizabeth’s wax form, having already secured Eleanor’s and what remains of Emily’s. Preternaturally captivating on their own, legend has it that when united, the three “slashed beauties” assume human form, hunting and killing “any man who has dared to look at them lustfully.” Alys’ family has a “long connection” with the Venuses, and she knows it’s her destiny to destroy them\u003B however, certain diabolical forces will do whatever it takes to stop her. The first\u002Dperson, present\u002Dtense narration alternates between Eleanor and Alys, their stories informing each other while unfolding in tandem. Though the mechanics of the Venuses’ dark magic are at times confusingly vague, Rushby’s prose is lush and vivid, her characters are tragically complex, and Emily and Eleanor’s mutual devotion proves the perfect foil for the macabre tale’s more gruesome elements."

This chilling collection of horror stories reimagines classic fairy tales with a sharp, contemporary edge, delivering spine-tingling twists on familiar narratives. The author masterfully blends the c...

Cover of SLOW GODS

SLOW GODS

a star\u002Dspanning regime that purports to reward hard work with increased socioeconomic status, called Shine. In fact, those who cheat and lie get ahead—so long as they don’t get caught. When a godlike machine known as the Slow sends messengers to multiple star systems warning that they have approximately 100 years to prepare for a supernova event that will obliterate everything in its path, the corrupt leaders of Maw’s planet attempt to cover up the Slow’s warning, essentially sentencing their subjects to death. Amid the ensuing chaos, Maw is wrongfully arrested and sent off\u002Dworld to a labor camp. He volunteers to pilot a space\u002Djumping arcship, generally a short\u002Dlived job as most die shortly after interfacing with the ship’s navcomm systems. A jump goes wrong, and everyone on the ship is killed except Maw. Though completely unharmed, something is irrevocably changed deep within him\u003B he’s a copy of himself, “a monster made in the dark.” As the end of the world looms for billions of people, Maw sets out on a jaw\u002Ddropping journey of enlightenment by charging into the darkness of space and his altered mind. The character development isn’t particularly noteworthy, but adept worldbuilding, grand\u002Dscale storytelling, and philosophical speculation more than make up for it. Maw’s conversations with various characters and his thoughtful introspection about the seeming meaninglessness of it all will leave readers—somewhat surprisingly—invigorated: “We are the seeds of the forest, are we not? Where we fall, others may grow. So live…Before all is dust: live, and blaze bright.”"

This gripping YA fantasy introduces readers to a world where ancient deities move at a glacial pace, their consciousness unfolding over centuries while human civilizations rise and fall around them. ...

Cover of SMALL SCALE SINNERS

SMALL SCALE SINNERS

traditional Pakistani standards they are significant. In “Basic Training,” two world\u002Dweary sisters steal a young girl from the hospital where their mother is being treated and take her to a hellish place where homeless children are being trained for “the cause” by being randomly shot and learning to kill animals with little except their own bodies. “Children are shaped by the shape of their country,” the sisters muse, trying to excuse their behavior until a first\u002Dperson voice abruptly breaks through the “we” of the sisters’ communal voice: “I should not have to string these scenes up in front of you like this to help you understand that the word loss has a weight that cannot be borne.” Sohail takes measure of loss in story after story: about women deferring to men, about children living in the shadow of their parents’ mortality, about the burden of family and social expectations: “Everyone says women in this country are repressed,” says the daughter in “The Man Who Flew,” a woman in her 30s so frustrated by her obligations to her mother that she rebels in childish ways. “What came first, the mother or the repression?” But in other stories, like “The Park,” one of the collection’s standouts, mothers teach their daughters to be powerful, or at least not to hand over all their power to men. Sohail writes like a pointillist paints, and her stories, while emotionally heavy, lift from the page with humor and piquant details."

This gritty contemporary novel follows a group of teenagers navigating the treacherous landscape of high school social hierarchies, where seemingly minor moral compromises escalate into life-altering...

Cover of SMART YOGURT

SMART YOGURT

variations for Greek, French, and Mediterranean yogurts. Adding fruits, vegetables, herbs, powders, and juices during the yogurt\u002Dmaking process results in unusual flavors like chocolate, grape, and carrot. A section about improving yogurt’s digestibility includes two methods for making lactose\u002Dfree yogurt and discusses extended fermentation. Deeper dives into tweaking homemade yogurt include diversifying the beneficial probiotic bacteria of yogurt and using plant\u002Dbased starters, and, surprisingly, sauerkraut. After explaining how dairy\u002Dfree “yogurts” sold in stores are actually “sour pudding that’s a yogurt substitute,” a method for making true dairy\u002Dfree yogurt using soy milk finishes the book. Shepard’s writing is welcoming to the novice yogurt\u002Dmaker. Veteran yogurt\u002Dmakers who want to up their game will appreciate the later chapters. The importance of experimentation is stressed and humorously demonstrated by the author’s own experiences: “My tests with roasted cashews and roasted peanuts, for example, wound up tasting awful.” Brand names cited throughout (for example, Bubbies sauerkraut) are helpful to source ingredients, but are not imperatives, and underscore that yogurt can be made with items easily found in most grocery stores. Uncredited color photographs throughout helpfully illustrate different methods, setups, and results. An extensive index rounds out this slim but thorough book that is a must for home yogurt making."

Yogurt is the quickest and simplest of all the fermented foods you can make at home -- or it SHOULD be. More recent methods tend to complicate the process or make it less efficient. "Smart Yogurt" strips away unnecessary steps and identifies the most practical equipment, so your prep takes no more t

Cover of SMILE

SMILE

Raina Telgemeier

An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.

Cover of Smoky Night

Smoky Night

Eve Bunting

During a night of rioting, a young boy and his mother are forced to flee their apartment in this Caldecott Medal-winning book. Full color.

Cover of Snowbound Mystery

Snowbound Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner

Four brave siblings were searching for a home – and found a life of adventure! Join the Boxcar Children as they investigate the mystery of their snowbound cabin in this illustrated chapter book series beloved by generations of readers. A sudden snowstorm traps the Aldens in a mountain cabin! The cab

Cover of SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU

SOFTLY, AS I LEAVE YOU

Genre

This poignant novel explores the complex emotional landscape of terminal illness through the eyes of a teenager grappling with a parent's decline. The narrative balances raw honesty with moments of u...

Cover of SON OF THE BORDERLANDS

SON OF THE BORDERLANDS

Genre

This gritty contemporary western follows a young man grappling with his family's violent legacy along the Texas-Mexico border, where loyalty is tested and survival demands difficult choices. The narr...

Cover of Song and Dance Man

Song and Dance Man

Karen Ackerman

A beautifully nostalgic picture book about one grandfather's younger days that shows you're only as old as you feel! "In this affectionate story, three children follow their grandfather up to the attic, where he pulls out his old bowler hat, gold-tipped cane, and his tap shoes. Grandpa once danced o

Cover of SOUL MACHINE

SOUL MACHINE

MCorp’s charismatic leader, Maya, but when she gets in trouble, she’s rescued by members of the Nuspiritualist resistance group led by healer Persie. The efficient use of dialogue, especially on pages with large numbers of small panels, demonstrates the care Globerman puts into each composition. Determined to find her own path in life, Chloe eventually rejects both the self\u002Dproclaimed “girlboss” Maya and naturalist ideologue Persie. Her journey takes a particularly affecting turn during a dream sequence in which she navigates a surreal game show in search of her mother. The science behind breth and Digibreth is never fully explained, but the abstract metaphysics are a feature not a bug, inviting readers to interpret the story in ways that have “no wrong answers.” Globerman uses a strikingly different monochromatic palette for each setting, including greens, blues, pinks, and yellows, lending a distinct feel to each leg of Chloe’s (and readers’) journey. "

This gripping science fiction novel explores the dangerous intersection of artificial intelligence and human consciousness, plunging readers into a near-future world where technology threatens to era...

Cover of SPACE CASE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

SPACE CASE THE GRAPHIC NOVEL

Genre

This graphic novel adaptation brings space camp adventures to life with vibrant illustrations and witty dialogue that will immediately hook middle-grade readers. The story follows a group of young as...

Cover of SPACE VAULT

SPACE VAULT

locals, but by top government officials and powerful oligarchs. This opening storyline offers a glimpse into the book’s near\u002Dfuture world, which is dependent on the genetic modification of plants. In Iowa, Shiko Tanaka, born in a rotating space habitat and sent to Earth for his first job with GLOSCOM, an agricultural science company, soon learns his employer’s practices contribute to “environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, and socioeconomic inequalities in access to nutritious food.” Shiko starts investigating GLOSCOM’s possibly nefarious interest in planet Earth, which leads him to Lagos and NIPAH. Meanwhile, far above Earth, the Tritans, a High Council of aliens on a spaceship whose home planet is dying, must revive their planet or move to another one. They send out probes for suitable new homelands and find Earth promising. After all, the blue planet’s levels of pollution mean it will soon be uninhabitable for humans, but the land is still productive despite its many barren patches. The Tritans might also steal seeds from the seed vault, whose bioengineered plants may help restore their ailing planet. Teagan Ward, the lead, doesn’t appear until later in novel, when she’s giving birth to her baby, Diana, in California. The genetic modifications Teagan underwent in lunar prison also prepared her body for Diana, “a species designed for survival beyond Earth” with “enhanced cognitive processing, superior cellular regeneration, and resistance to radiation and extreme conditions.” From there, the disparate story lines quickly converge as Clift ramps up the action, showcasing his deftness at building suspense: “The sound grew louder, like the steady hum of machinery, blending with the rustle of the grove’s leaves. It was almost hypnotic, yet unnerving.” If the story’s scope and large cast occasionally overwhelm readers, mesmerizing worldbuilding and Teagan’s likability keep it from spinning out of control."

This action-packed science fiction adventure launches readers into a high-stakes mission to protect the galaxy's most valuable artifacts from a ruthless corporate empire. The narrative follows a dari...

Cover of SPECTRUM

SPECTRUM

anti\u002Dglobalization protesters in 1999, where teen runaway Melody Parker meets Echo, an androgynous, glam vision in spiky blond hair, white pinstripe jumpsuit with red\u002Dorange accessories, and blue lipstick and nail polish. Echo explains that Melody is actually an eons\u002Dold, reincarnating demiurge destined to settle a celestial war by restoring the primordial music of the universe. Sensing that Echo and her space\u002Dsuited minions are bent on destruction, Melody leaps off a radio tower, sprouts cicada wings, flies to Los Angeles, and meets record\u002Dshop owner Ada Latimer, whose long\u002Dlost father, Leon, a bassist in the band The Opticks, plays a murky role in the Melody\u002DEcho conflict. Fleeing Echo, Melody and Ada travel to 1936 New Orleans, where the narrative follows a noirish subplot about a love affair between a photographer and a married woman. Melody and Ada then chug off on a magical train called Glory, which is steered by songs. Ada takes a turn as a punk\u002Drock chanteuse while Melody confronts George Parker, a tweedy record producer who claims to have created her as an immortal weapon against the abyss. Melody and Ada reunite and find the dementia\u002Dstricken Leon on his deathbed—but so does Echo, now a 1,000\u002Dfoot\u002Dtall colossus\u003B she vows “to kill the infernal fridge buzz of existence” unless Ada can divine from Leon the song that will defeat her. Quinn’s kaleidoscopic narrative verges on incoherence, but the characters—especially the brassy Echo—are magnetic, and the dialogue is ardent and lyrical in its odes to the creative spirit. (“The only way to achieve transcendence is to risk madness.”) Chisholm’s artwork nicely balances throbbing color, psychedelic ambiance and off\u002Dkilter perspectives with kitchen\u002Dsink realism in quieter scenes depicting Ada’s childhood. The result is a compelling blend of tuneful mysticism and eye\u002Dpopping visuals."

This vibrant exploration of color theory and light physics transforms abstract scientific concepts into a visual feast for young minds, using stunning illustrations to demonstrate how prisms work and...

Cover of Spy Fox and Agent Feathers

Spy Fox and Agent Feathers

Dermot O’Leary

Can a crafty fox and a genius chicken complete an epic rescue mission... without one of them getting eaten? A funny action-adventure story from bestselling children's author Dermot O'Leary, with glorious illustrations from Claire Powell. Charles Redfearn is one of Britain's very best spies. He's das

Cover of Star Challengers: Moonbase Crisis

Star Challengers: Moonbase Crisis

Rebecca Moesta

In this YA adventure, student visitors to the Challenger Center are sent on a mission to the moon—where the fate of humanity hangs in the balance. After an exhilarating space simulation field trip at the local Challenger Center, a group of students are hand-picked by the mysterious Commander Zota fo

Cover of Star Challengers: Space Station Crisis

Star Challengers: Space Station Crisis

Rebecca Moesta

From two New York Times–bestselling authors, a group of talented young people heads to the International Space Station for a new mission: saving Earth from invasion . . . Now that JJ Wren, her brother Dylan, and friends King and Song-Ye have seen Earth’s dark future—facing an invasion by the hideous

Cover of Star Wars and the History of Transmedia Storytelling

Star Wars and the History of Transmedia Storytelling

Sean Guynes

This essential guide explores how Star Wars fundamentally shaped modern transmedia storytelling, tracing the franchise's evolution from a single film into a sprawling universe across multiple platfor...

Cover of Star Wars Insider: Fiction Collection Volume 2

Star Wars Insider: Fiction Collection Volume 2

John Jackson Miller

20 fully illustrated short stories. Princess Leia Organa embarks on a vital mercy mission… Obi-Wan Kenobi escorts a precious cargo to Tatooine… A journalist uncovers the sinister truth about Orson Krennic… Lando Calrissian takes a deadly gamble on Lothal… This special edition includes stories from t

Cover of Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Alien Species

Star Wars: The New Essential Guide to Alien Species

Ann Margaret Lewis

Discover who’s who and what’s what in the Star Wars universe with this beautifully illustrated guide–now in full color for the first time. When it comes to extraterrestrial life-forms, there’s more to science fiction’s most famous galaxy than just Jawas, Wookiees, Ewoks, and Hutts. From the skylanes

Cover of STARLIGHT AND CINNAMON

STARLIGHT AND CINNAMON

a lovely woman costumed as Mulan. Mulan, who’s actually Cinnamon Cheung, a counselor for stressed\u002Dout tech workers, is just as taken with Daphne, who, in a moon costume, reminds Cinnamon of starlight, “All sharp, bright shards piercing the depths of night.” Unfortunately, the nascent romance derails when a home security camera reveals that just before Cinnamon got doxxed, Daphne logged onto her computer uninvited. Burned in a previous relationship and aware that the Redgrave and Cheung families are business rivals, Cinnamon suspects the worst. But Daphne isn’t ready to give up, embarking on a risky venture that she hopes will prove her innocence. In Spears’ romance, every character, even minor ones, overflows with personality. Security expert Brad is a pretend himbo who dresses up like Thor every year. Androgynous Clarissa, Daphne’s boss, had “never outgrown their ‘Matrix’ phase.” Even Coco, the kidnapped chimp, charms, “cooing…like an old woman excited to take a field trip out of the nursing home.” In Spears’ telling, San Francisco in 2015 is an exciting time and place to be. The Supreme Court is set to rule on gay marriage, and there’s an upcoming Pride parade to get excited about. Everyone parties at The Intermittent, a building in the Castro district, that’s a “a beacon of joy.” The book, lighthearted and witty, uses frothy dialogue that continually entertains (even when the characters text), yet the serious subplot of workplace and online harassment unfolds seamlessly. Best of all, the romance feels sweet and fresh."

This enchanting middle-grade novel weaves together themes of family secrets, magical realism, and intergenerational storytelling as a young protagonist discovers her grandmother's mysterious past thr...

Cover of STARLIGHT AND MOONSHINE

STARLIGHT AND MOONSHINE

Hannah’s death: her husband, James\u003B her adult children, Mary, Colleen, and Jack\u003B and her sister\u002Din\u002Dlaw, Adelaide. Jack seems to be the favorite among everyone in the family: “It’s not right to love one more than the others, but all mothers do really, no matter what they say,” Hannah says in a flashback of sorts. Addy imagines him a “leading actor in a movie,” but he spends his days cleaning the surgical intensive care unit at a local hospital, which is viewed as a waste of his talents. He spends his evenings napping, seemingly waiting for his grief to pass. Colleen, the middle child, is an aspiring chef working as a bank teller to save money for culinary school. Her mother’s death affects her the most traditionally, and she spends the days after the tragedy crying relentlessly. Mary, the eldest, yearns for the body of her new fling, Roman, wanting to be anywhere but home. James spends his days and nights avoiding his children, seemingly too stricken with grief to interact with his family. James’ sister Addy lacks empathy, failing to understand why so much has changed in the aftermath of Hannah’s death. “And then she starts with the waterworks again, feeling sorry for herself like she’s the only one ever lost a mother,” she thinks harshly about Colleen. Each character is united in free fall, searching for whatever’s next, linked by a sadness that’s nearly palpable."

This vibrant collection of bedtime poetry weaves together celestial imagery and gentle rhythms to create the perfect literary lullaby for young readers. Each verse explores the magic of nighttime, fr...

Cover of Starting with Alice

Starting with Alice

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

This is where it all started! Eight-year-old Alice McKinley wants pierced ears, really long hair, a pet, and, most of all, a mother. Oh, and some friends would be nice. As the new girl in third grade, Alice doesn't know a single person in Takoma Park, Maryland, except for her next-door neighbor Dona

Cover of Stay Keeper's Story

Stay Keeper's Story

Lois Lowry

This is the story of a dog who tells his own tale. As a pup he is separated from his mother and siblings. This unusual dog learns about living on the dangerous streets and even makes up poetry. He finds human friends, has the chance to win fame and fortune, and is given the name Keeper. Through it a

Cover of Stealing Snow

Stealing Snow

Danielle Paige

Seventeen-year-old Snow escapes a mental hospital by racing into the woods where she finds herself in icy Algid--her true home--with witches, thieves, an alluring boy named Kai, and she discovers her royal lineage.

Cover of STITCH HEAD

STITCH HEAD

town, in the form of a sinister, scheming ringleader named Fulbert, who’s seeking new additions to his Traveling Carnival of Unnatural Wonders. After years of being ignored by his master, Stitch Head is eager to run away and join Fulbert’s coterie—but the mustachioed man has something more dastardly in mind. The setting is comedically cinematic, with a shadowy, outsize castle, endless haunted hallways, and a richly kitschy mad scientist’s laboratory. The professor’s crew of creations inhabiting the castle are colorful and imaginative—bat\u002Dwinged brains, alienlike blobs, and furry and feathered beasties. Based on Bass and Williamson’s chapter\u002Dbook series, this graphic novel adaptation benefits beautifully from the addition of the visual element—a gleeful stylistic echo of Tim Burton’s 1990s work in particular. All human and humanlike characters are pale\u002Dskinned."

This darkly humorous gothic adventure follows a mad scientist's first creation as he navigates the eerie halls of Castle Grotteskew, where bizarre experiments and monstrous companions lurk around eve...

Cover of STOLEN HISTORIES

STOLEN HISTORIES

Nuru, an ancient shapeshifter from a hidden colony, who asks them to retrieve a stolen artifact hidden in the Empire\u002Dcontrolled Archive—an ethereal realm of lost knowledge. What begins as a job for hire unfolds into a layered journey involving magic, politics, and mythic lore. Michaels crafts a vivid world where elemental magic hums through every object and ritual, and where ambient power bleeds into city streets and backroom deals. The friendship between Amari and Taliya is the novel’s emotional heart—equal parts banter, strategy, and fierce loyalty. Both characters are well developed with clear voices and complementary strengths that balance action with emotional nuance. The prose is rich and often lyrical, particularly in the worldbuilding: Castor pulses with life, from the haunted Kiyoshi Crater to floating market districts and magically enhanced restaurants: “In the Upper District, the ambient magic is a touch calmer and flows around her like a fast\u002Dmoving stream.” The magic system—based in singing, runes, and time manipulation—feels both unique and intuitive, integrated naturally into daily life. Although the novel features frequent exposition and a large cast of minor characters, it remains grounded in Amari and Taliya’s dynamic, making even the slower\u002Dpaced chapters feel purposeful. By the end, the story sets the stage for even more expansive world\u002Dsaving adventures."

This powerful work of investigative nonfiction uncovers suppressed narratives and forgotten voices from across the globe, piecing together a compelling alternative history that challenges conventiona...

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Stone Garden

Molly Moynahan

New York Times Notable Book: "Lyrical and honest. . . . a well-written story dealing with loss and coming of age reminiscent of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones." — Library Journal A smart young woman making her way through the privileged terrain of northeastern prep-school land, Alice McGuire is cer

Cover of STORYTELLER

STORYTELLER

Genre

This collection of critical reviews offers young readers and aspiring writers an insider's perspective on what makes literature compelling, examining narrative techniques, character development, and ...

Cover of Strega Nona Takes a Vacation

Strega Nona Takes a Vacation

Tomie dePaola

It has been a long time since Strega Nona had a vacation. At night she dreams she's at her Grandma Concetta's little house by the seashore. During the day she hears Grandma Concetta's voice saying, "Vieni, Nonalina, come." Soon even Big Anthony notices that Strega Nona is distracted--she gives the M

Cover of STRONG GROUND

STRONG GROUND

Wambach. Sometimes these chapters transcribe interviews, such as one with Fifth Dimensional Leadership creator Ginny Clarke, interrupted by descriptions of Brown’s psychological reactions. (“Big pause while Ginny watches me get reflective and more emotional than I thought I would.”) More often, they simply quote, paraphrase, or condense long swathes of the various authors’ books, without much explication, critical questioning, or refinement of the ideas. She also throws in, seemingly at random, poems by authors including David Whyte and Clint Smith. Sports analogies abound, whether it’s Brown recounting in detail what she learned from her physical therapist while recovering from an excruciating pickleball injury (“Use your mind and your body, Brown”) or transferring the theory of “pocket presence” from football to the boardroom. Readers who are not occupants of what Brown calls “the C\u002Dsuites” are not likely to find much of value here. Most of her assertions are so amorphous that it’s hard to argue with them. But they’re also so abstract that it’s difficult to imagine how to put them into action."

This action-packed survival adventure follows a group of teens who must rely on their wits and each other when a catastrophic earthquake strands them in the wilderness. The narrative masterfully buil...

Cover of Subtle Knife

Subtle Knife

Philip Pullman

This second volume in the His Dark Materials trilogy starts off at a heart-thumping pace and never slows down." Ages 12-up. There's a young hero--from our world--who is a match for Lyra Silvertongue and whose destiny is every bit as shattering. Like Lyra, Will Parry has spent his childhood playing g

Cover of SUDDENLY LIGHT

SUDDENLY LIGHT

Canadian author Dunic is a story collection centered on people who get tripped up while just trying to go about their lives." />

This luminous collection of poetry explores the sudden moments of clarity and transformation that illuminate our lives, offering young readers a gateway to understanding complex emotions through acce...

Cover of SUGAR SHACK

SUGAR SHACK

Genre

This vibrant picture book transports young readers to the heart of a bustling maple sugar farm, capturing the entire process from tapping the trees to pouring the sweet, sticky syrup. The narrative f...

Cover of Summary of If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

Summary of If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin

thomas francis

If He Had Been With Me "If He Had Been With Me," penned by Laura Nowlin in 2013, falls within the realm of young adult romance literature. This poignant narrative centers around the intertwined lives of Autumn and Finny as they navigate the complexities of adolescence and romantic entanglements. Bou

Cover of SUMMER PEOPLE

SUMMER PEOPLE

tragedy\u003B and various “summer people” renting out the next\u002Ddoor cottage, such as teenager Bree, whose interactions with locals have disastrous consequences. By novel’s end, Catharine follows through on a promise to a special person in her life. This latest novel by Finigan may remind readers of such short story cycles as Sherwood Anderson’s classic Winesburg, Ohio (1919) and Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge (2008), given its sweeping presentation of several characters in a small town. The narrative explores their relationships to one another in ways that are sometimes\u002Dglancing but often profound. Catharine, Tom, and Toby receive the most attention, but Finigan’s chapter on Bree, and her return later in the novel, allows for a striking demonstration of how one person’s actions can resonate across several lives. The book’s most effective element, though, is its heartbreaking portrayal of mental illness. Catharine believes that Tom is brilliant, as do his awful parents (portrayed in several memorably chilling scenes), and he experiences periods of “whirlwind of hope and possibility,” then increasingly wonders “how long he could stave off what he knew would follow. Each descent worse than the last.” A scene in which Tom holds Toby aloft as a child, during a Christmas Revels dance, serves as a well\u002Ddrawn example of how Tom’s exuberance has a dangerous edge\u003B so, too, do some of his worrying musings: “More and more his thoughts seemed to wander to the borderline, the edge of the beyond. What was out there?” His loved ones’ uncertainty about him, and his intentions, becomes a fitting element of this cross\u002Dcutting story, which effectively examines the wide\u002Dranging impact of individual actions."

This compelling novel explores the complex dynamics of a wealthy family's summer community, where the arrival of an unexpected visitor disrupts the carefully maintained social order and exposes long-...

Cover of Sunrise on the Reaping and the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Sunrise on the Reaping and the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins

Sunrise on the Reaping And The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes - 2 Bestsellers By Suzanne Collins

Cover of SUPER BOBA CAFÉ

SUPER BOBA CAFÉ

Hamada’s attractive color palette, heighten the humorous and heartfelt moments. Fascinating facts about San Francisco’s history are woven into the monster’s story. The previous book established that Aria is Taiwanese and Indian American. The ending tantalizingly sets the stage for the next series entry."

This vibrant graphic novel serves up a delightful blend of supernatural mystery and bubble tea, following a young teen who discovers her family's boba shop holds magical secrets. The story bubbles ov...

Cover of SUPER NATURAL

SUPER NATURAL

recycling their waste products. Turtles in Canada pass months on the bottom of frozen ponds without breathing. Wood frogs in Alaska freeze solid throughout the winter. Beetles and ground squirrels in Alaska survive these months but never freeze. Using antifreeze proteins and cryoprotectants, they “supercool”—their body fluids remain liquid despite temperatures far below zero. Under Antarctic ice, fish and other sea life thrive under subzero conditions. Few natural history writers fail to warn that global warming threatens a mass extinction in these waters, and Riley too sounds the alarm. Saving “extremophiles” for later pages, he delivers vivid descriptions of spectacularly normal or amazingly grotesque creatures that live in boiling hot springs, poisonous mine wastes, the stratosphere, deep inside the earth’s crust, or miles down at the bottom of the ocean. It turns out that life itself may have originally been an extremophile that appeared almost four billion years ago on a planet without oxygen and survived on heat and toxic chemicals generated deep in the ocean as the earth’s tectonic plates pulled apart, freeing superheated magma below to mix with seawater above."

This vibrant exploration of the natural world reveals the extraordinary science behind everyday phenomena, transforming ordinary observations into captivating discoveries. Young readers will uncover ...

Cover of SUPER VISIBLE

SUPER VISIBLE

Genre

This vibrant picture book offers an empowering exploration of identity and self-expression for young readers navigating the complexities of growing up. Through its compelling narrative and striking i...

Cover of SUPERPERFORMANCE

SUPERPERFORMANCE

staying focused on the things that matter, the resources at hand, and the time available rather than getting bogged down paying disproportionate amounts of attention to issues offering far less return on the time invested. He effectively illuminates these discussions with charts, illustrations, and a collection of endnotes for further reading. Some of the author’s precepts remain untenably vague even after elaboration, and he’s prone to some of the nonsense\u002Dspeak that tends to fill business books: “It’s not how you can walk the walk or how you can talk the talk. It’s how you can walk the talk.” Fortunately, Pesansky’s energetic optimism makes up for this at every turn\u003B he ultimately comes across as the kind of HR development coach you wish your company had."

This guide to peak performance psychology offers young adults practical strategies for developing mental toughness, building resilience, and achieving their personal best in academics, sports, and cr...

Cover of SURVIVING PARIS

SURVIVING PARIS

2020, she was in her fifth apartment. But her biggest challenge was medical. In 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The title Davis chose for her memoir refers to physical as well as emotional survival: nine surgical procedures over five years in a health care system that made her feel unheard, “dragged along without agency over my body, my health,” she writes. After a mastectomy, reconstruction, and removal of lymph nodes, impending chemotherapy and radiation finally incited her to speak up. Fearing that chemotherapy would compromise her fertility, she insisted on freezing her eggs. Davis also writes about dating and forging a sense of community as a Black woman in a new culture. “Living in France,” she notes, “I’d had my fair share of ‘Was this person racist to me or just rude?’—even more than I did in the US.” Still, she has persisted, determined to survive and thrive in a place she has grown to love."

This gripping young adult novel plunges readers into the chaotic aftermath of a devastating earthquake that levels the City of Light, following a group of international teens who must navigate collap...

Cover of SWALLOWS

SWALLOWS

Genre

This beautifully crafted nature guide offers young readers an intimate look into the world of swallows, exploring their migration patterns, nesting behaviors, and remarkable aerial acrobatics. Throug...

Cover of SWITCHEROO

SWITCHEROO

two brilliant but eccentric scientists who desperately wanted offspring only to disappear from their lives several years later, leaving them in the care of a radio newscaster they know as Aunt Margie. So it’s no coincidence that Fran and Ken have made a specialty of helping adoptees reconnect with their birth families. Austin Cobb, who’s on the autism spectrum, doesn’t exactly want to reconnect with his birth parents\u003B instead, he wants Fran and Ken to carry out the very specific mission of finding out whether they gave him up because of his autism. But Austin’s adoption is shrouded in mystery, and even Fran’s long\u002Destablished connections in the child welfare world can’t give her a line on who Austin’s parents were, much less why they surrendered him. The case gets curiouser and curiouser as Fran finds that a woman who might have been Austin’s mother was murdered and her husband disappeared. Add Fran and Ken’s parents’ eternal nemesis, Malcolm X. Mitchell, to the mix, and you have the kind of freewheeling nightmare only Copperman could concoct. It’s not clear whether it’s a family saga, a science\u002Dfiction tale, a murder mystery, or a love story. Even Fran and her maybe\u002Dboyfriend, NYPD Det. Richard Mankiewicz, are unclear about the latter."

This clever counting book offers young readers a delightful twist on number recognition through its engaging switcheroo concept, where familiar objects transform into unexpected items with each turn ...

Cover of Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble

William Steig

The charming Caldecott Medal–winning story about a magic pebble that makes wishes come true is now available as an adorable Classic Board Book! When Sylvester finds a magic pebble that will grant any wish, he can’t believe his luck! But after an unexpected scare on the way home, Sylvester makes a wi

Cover of SYNAP

SYNAP

Shiloh’s father, Director Raguel, oversees each new robot\u002Doperating “Driver.” Shiloh, like others before them, uses something called the Axon Connection to power the machine (or try to), but that link weakens or goes away entirely when Drivers reach the age of 25 (“Your connection is strongest before your brain finishes developing”). So, Synap must continually train new Drivers, like Shiloh’s sister Angeline, Driver Six. In the virtual reality–like Axon, Shiloh keeps seeing images of Vivian, Synap’s very first Driver. If these are just memories, how is Vivian interacting with Shiloh? Meanwhile, Earth anticipates a visitor from the sky—perhaps an alien race that wants its machine back. Moses’ story is jampacked with goodies, including dynamic characters and a vivid backstory. Readers are treated to such unforgettable scenes as Angeline in a submersible deep in the Pacific Ocean and Vanessa (another former Driver) leading a team of armed soldiers on a mission in Xinjiang. Relationships fuel the narrative of this graphic novel as Synap’s Lynne Seti actively trains Shiloh, and Angeline and Vanessa appear to have a falling out. The action and mystery pick up as the story progresses and readers learn more about the mysterious Vivian (and an even more enigmatic glowing figure that suddenly emerges). Everything leads to a stellar cliffhanger that will surely leave readers eagerly awaiting further installments. Giannini’s sleek artwork outfits the diverse cast with chicness, from the stylish Synap uniforms to Vanessa’s eyebrow slits to Vivian’s lilac hair."

This innovative guide to brain science and neural pathways offers young readers a fascinating journey into the workings of the human mind, exploring how thoughts form and memories are created through...

Cover of Tales of Love, Family and Greed

Tales of Love, Family and Greed

Baby Professor

Did you know that in Greek Mythology, there are also stories of love, family and greed? The stories are quite reflective of how mortals, like you, live your life. The difference is that Greek myths try to link natural phenomena to the gods’ emotions and personal struggles. In this ebook, you will le

Cover of TALES OF MILITANT CHEMISTRY

TALES OF MILITANT CHEMISTRY

Genre

This provocative collection of chemical warfare narratives blends scientific precision with military history, offering young readers a sobering look at how chemistry has shaped modern conflict. The s...

Cover of TALL WATER

TALL WATER

Genre

This compelling coming-of-age novel plunges readers into the turbulent world of a teenager navigating the treacherous currents of high school, family secrets, and first love. The narrative flows with...

Cover of Talons of Power (Wings of Fire #9)

Talons of Power (Wings of Fire #9)

Tui T. Sutherland

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling series soars to even greater heights with a new prophecy and five new dragonets ready to claim their destiny! The war is over. The false prophecy has been fulfilled. But the dragonets still have enemies. A dark evil, buried for centuries, is stirring.And

Cover of Talons of Power: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #9)

Talons of Power: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire Graphic Novel #9)

Tui T. Sutherland

The graphic novel adaptations of the #1 New York Times bestselling Wings of Fire series continue to set the world on fire! For every villain, there is a hero ... Turtle isn't one of the heroes he reads about in stories. If he were, he'd use his animus powers to help Pyrrhia -- instead of keeping his

Cover of Tassajara Stories

Tassajara Stories

Shunryu Suzuki, the abbot of the San Francisco Zen Center, and subsequently witnessed a revolving door of people looking for inspiration, enlightenment, or simply an alternative way of living for a while. The author walks readers through the minutiae of daily life at the monastery, which included a “complex oryoki eating ritual and chanting, which dragged the meal out to an hour with little time for the actual eating.” He also recalls various anecdotes and visitors, explaining different phrases and terminology along the way (“Kobun wore a black monastic work outfit he called samue. Samu was monastic work and ‘e’ meant clothes”). While the stories largely unfold chronologically, there is no particular thread to connect them other than their shared time and place. Chadwick uses short, choppy sentences with minimal adornment, creating a strange sense of monotony—but one that is occasionally broken up by a beautiful description of nature or a particularly memorable event. One such highlight is when the poets Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, and Daniel Moore came to meditate, read verse, sing, and chant mantras. This performance sparks what is surely one of the more delightfully bizarre sentences ever written: “Ginsberg played his harmonium with Ferlinghetti and Moore on Chinese horn and Hindu bells.” Surprisingly (and a bit disappointingly), the book’s focus consistently remains on the physical details of Tassajara and the everyday actions of its inhabitants, with very little personal or spiritual introspection. Still, the thorough and enlightening work achieves its ultimate goal of being an “oral history” by providing unparalleled access to daily life in a remarkable time and place."

This counting book offers young learners a vibrant journey through numbers with engaging illustrations and clever rhymes that make early math concepts accessible and fun. Each page introduces a new n...

Cover of TECH

TECH

striking statistics. Despite the focus on startup success, 4% of IPOs fail. Alexandre notes that “a startup is less an organization than an ethos” embedded in an “innovation\u002Dfocused culture.” Although his research includes nearly 150 interviews and a survey, the book isn’t centered on well\u002Dknown tech leaders—and many respondents chose to remain anonymous. The perspectives of workers, hiring managers, and entrepreneurs reveal a deeply secretive work environment governed by nondisclosure agreements. While organizational size—whether a nimble startup or a more established firm—clearly influences workplace culture and the practice of programming or entrepreneurship, Alexandre largely sidesteps this distinction. He embarks on a side quest into the history and culture of Burning Man, the desert festival that has significantly influenced the tech world. Nevertheless, academics and seasoned insiders will find new perspectives in studying this intricate ecosystem of blended work and leisure—a place and a culture that has created technologies with an outsize impact on our lives."

This comprehensive guide to modern technology offers young readers an accessible entry point into understanding the digital world that shapes their daily lives, covering everything from basic coding ...

Cover of TED'S TALES THREE

TED'S TALES THREE

a bunch of tentacles rather than legs.” What their actions might mean for humanity’s future is an unanswered question. In “Cured,” a narrator with a rare blood type is the subject of a future, experimental plague treatment from helpful extraterrestrials with unforeseen side effects. In “Treestones,” a virtuous young pioneer\u002Dsettler couple in the 1880s do a good turn to a Kiowa shaman, who rewards them with practically eternal life. However, the couple must deal with the fallout of remaining conspicuously unchanged. The more earthbound stories include “The Bread Problem,” in which a young Italian American proudly takes charge of the family bread\u002Dbaking business but resorts to extreme measures when faced with a mob shakedown. A similar gangland background appears in “Funny You Should Ask,” in which a former wise guy thinks, mistakenly, that he’s gotten out of the syndicate without repercussions. The narrator of “From Head to Toe,” meanwhile, escapes dire peril on a wilderness hike but is exhilarated, not traumatized, by the experience. “Making a Difference” follows the routine of a military sniper who’s recruited for the war on drugs. Not all the tales feature such deadly dramatics\u003B the protagonist of “Wound Up,” for instance, gains self\u002Dconfidence by being thrust into the unplanned role of opening for a rock band who’s late in setting up. The author calls his oeuvre “books to read before bed for grownups” though not in the bawdy sense, but rather in the notion of uncomplicated, nongraphic, plainspoken narratives that wrap up in a minimum of pages. A few of the pieces, such as “Test Day” and “Red Hot,” intriguingly have the mien of the story genre known as the conte cruel, in which nasty conclusions await main characters who don’t really seem to deserve such terrible fates. However, most of these stories in this collection don’t seem to aspire to O. Henry\u002Dstyle head\u002Dspinning twists\u003B indeed, many of them bring down the curtain as early as possible, at the point at which the reader realizes what the plot is. In the stories in the horror/SF/fantasy vein, Delgrosso most recalls an unsung and prolific short\u002Dstory master of yesteryear: William Sambrot, who was anthologized only once, in 1963’s Island of Fear and Other Science Fiction Stories, but is worth seeking out. Other works feel like flash fiction—workshop\u002Ddeveloped, bite\u002Dsized pieces—and they generally come across as the types of tale that used to fill up fiction pages when popular family magazines like The Saturday Evening Post were newsstand mainstays."

This collection of short fiction delivers a satisfying variety of speculative and contemporary tales, from alien encounters and magical curses to gritty mob dramas and wilderness survival. The storie...

Cover of Terrier

Terrier

Tamora Pierce

When sixteen-year-old Beka becomes "Puppy" to a pair of "Dogs," as the Provost's Guards are called, she uses her police training, natural abilities, and a touch of magic to help them solve the case of a murdered baby in Tortall's Lower City.

Cover of Texas Tomboy

Texas Tomboy

Lois Lenski

DIVDIVThe entire ranch is thirsty—will the rains ever come? /divDIVTomboy Charlie loves the ranch and the outdoors, especially now that she has a horse of her own and can ride like a true cowboy. She doesn’t understand why her mother keeps after her to help out in the house, too. But ranch life is h

Cover of Text Structures From Fairy Tales

Text Structures From Fairy Tales

Gretchen Bernabei

Standardized tests and college essay prompts demand that students produce quality analytical writing about abstract concepts. But how do you actually teach this kind of writing? Award-winning authors Gretchen Bernabei and Judi Reimer make it easy and fun. This book includes 35 engaging lessons that

Cover of THAT DEVIL, AMBITION

THAT DEVIL, AMBITION

Genre

This gripping exploration of ambition's double-edged sword follows a protagonist's relentless climb to the top, only to confront the moral compromises and personal costs incurred along the way. The n...

Cover of That Is Not a Good Idea!

That Is Not a Good Idea!

Mo Willems

A surprising lesson about the importance of listening to one's inner gosling ensues when a very hungry fox issues a dinner invitation to a very plump goose. By the Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! 200,000 first printing.

Cover of THE 1929 KELSEY QUILTERS

THE 1929 KELSEY QUILTERS

22 additional unsewn blocks, was discovered by the author’s family in the estate of her husband’s aunt in 2018. In tracing the mysterious origins of the quilt—both sewn and unsewn blocks featured the same eight\u002Dpoint star pattern, but with a different name embroidered on each—the narrative puts together lost pieces of both Hamberlin’s extended family history and that of an entire Southern community of families belonging to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter\u002DDay Saints. The quilt, as the author learned, was made by a tight\u002Dknit group of women who lived in the Mormon community of Kelsey, Texas. While now a ghost town, at the turn of the 20th century Kelsey served as a haven for Mormon converts from the religiously oppressive South. (Even after the church banned polygamy, which was used by its opponents as justification for their persecution, its members continued to be met with hostility.) Exploring the lives of the women who worked on the quilt in 1929, this work uncovers a rich history of Kelsey’s town life, from its public school staffed by Mormon missionaries to its stores, farms, and mills built by the faithful. The text is at times hagiographic, written by a believer in the church’s teachings (the study of Kelsey, Hamberlin notes, “has strengthened [her] testimony of [her] Savior and the Atonement”), which may not resonate with those from different faith traditions. The study nevertheless draws on an impressive array of primary sources—from family oral histories to archival materials—to paint a vibrant portrait of life in Kelsey from the perspective of its women. Supplemented by a wealth of photographs, this is an accessible, engaging local history."

This historical novel transports readers to the heart of the Great Depression, following a determined group of women in a small town who turn to quilting as a means of survival and solidarity. The na...

Cover of The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury

The 20th Century Children's Book Treasury

Janet Schulman

Unparalleled in scope and quality and designed for reading aloud and sharing, this splendid anthology brings together some of the most memorable and beloved children's books of our time. Here are classics such as Madeline and Curious George; contemporary bestsellers such as Guess How Much I Love You

Cover of THE ACADEMY

THE ACADEMY

Cunningham as co\u002Dauthor. As their delicious new book opens, it’s Move\u002DIn Day at Tiffin Academy, and Head of School Audre Robinson is warmly welcoming the returning and new students to the New England campus, the latter group including a rare midstream addition to the junior class. Brainiac Charley Hicks is transferring from public school in Maryland to a spot that opened up when one of the school’s most beloved students died by suicide the preceding year. She will be joining a large, diverse cast of adult and teenage characters—queen bees, jealous second\u002Dstringers, boozehounds young and old, secret lesbians, people chasing the wrong people chasing other wrong people—all of them royally screwed when an app called Zip Zap appears and starts blasting everyone’s secrets all over campus. How the heck…? Meanwhile, it seems so unlikely that Tiffin has jumped up to the No. 2 spot in the boarding\u002Dschool rankings that a high\u002Dprofile magazine launches an investigation, and even the head is worried that there may have been payola involved. The school has a reputation for being more social than academic, and this quality gets an exciting new exclamation point when the resident millionaire bad boy opens a high\u002Dstyle secret speakeasy for select juniors in a forgotten basement. It’s called Priorities. Exactly. One problem: Cinnamon Peters’ mysterious suicide hangs over the book in an odd way, especially since the note she left for her closest male friend is not to be opened for another year—and isn’t. This is surely a setup for a sequel, but it’s a bit frustrating here, and bobs sort of shallowly along amid the general high spirits."

This gripping YA thriller plunges readers into the cutthroat world of an elite boarding school where perfection is mandatory and secrets are deadly. When a new student arrives at the prestigious inst...

Cover of The Adventures of Bailey Wiggins

The Adventures of Bailey Wiggins

Nadeen Sakowski

Bailey went from a dog on Craig's list to an agility super star (at least in her mind). The story of how she got from Craig's list to the agility ring is the story of Bailey's adventures.

Cover of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Caldecott Medal Winner)

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend (Caldecott Medal Winner)

Dan Santat

Winner of the Caldecott Medal #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning creator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art in an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world. This magical story begins on an island far aw

Cover of The Adventures of Captain Underpants

The Adventures of Captain Underpants

Dav Pilkey

George and Harold have created the greatest superhero in the history of their school - and now they're about to bring him to life! MEET CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS! HIS TRUE IDENTITY IS SO SECRET, EVEN HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO HE IS! FIGHTING FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE AND ALL THINGS PRE-SHRUNK AND COTTONY!

Cover of The Adventures of Captain Underpants: Color Edition (Captain Underpants #1)

The Adventures of Captain Underpants: Color Edition (Captain Underpants #1)

Dav Pilkey

Fourth graders George Beard and Harold Hutchins invent the wedgie-powered superhero Captain Underpants in the first book in this #1 New York Times bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man! George and Harold are a couple of class clowns. The only thing they enjoy more t

Cover of The Adventures of Dog Man: Unleashed

The Adventures of Dog Man: Unleashed

Dav Pilkey

George and Harold have created a new super-hero who digs into deception. When Greg the police dog and his cop companion are injured on the job, a life-saving surgery changes the course of history. With the head of a dog and the body of a human, Dog Man has a nose for justice. But can he resist the c

Cover of The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby: Color Edition

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby: Color Edition

Dav Pilkey

The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, the first children's graphic novel by the global #1 bestselling author and award-winning artist Dav Pilkey, is now in full color! In this all-new color version with updated spelling and grammar, Dav Pilkey brilliantly weaves a good-hearted, action-packed story th

Cover of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn - Complete Edition

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn - Complete Edition

Mark Twain

Musaicum Books presents to you this carefully created volume of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn - Complete Edition". This ebook has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Huckleberry "Huck" Finn is a fictional charac

Cover of THE AFTERLIFE PROJECT

THE AFTERLIFE PROJECT

day. Great vees of migrating geese fill the air with their throaty honking.” The final act takes a noticeable but not entirely drastic turn, culminating in an extraordinary and befitting denouement. "

This gripping young adult novel plunges readers into a high-stakes scientific mystery when a brilliant teen coder discovers her late father's secret research: a project capable of digitally preservin...

Cover of The Amusement Park Mystery

The Amusement Park Mystery

Gertrude Chandler Warner

The Aldens search for carousel horses that have disappeared from an amusement park.

Cover of The Animals' Santa

The Animals' Santa

Jan Brett

This modern Christmas classic highlights how animals are just as curious as kids about their own Santa. When Big Snowshoe tells Little Snow that the animals’ Santa is coming with presents for everyone, Little Snow wants to know who he is. The animals say they have never seen him. Maybe he’s a badger

Cover of THE ARCHITECT'S EPIPHANY

THE ARCHITECT'S EPIPHANY

the dastardly Zhehe people, but that just means that the stage is set for a City Builder—in this case the young Ocean Hacklin, heir to the great City Builder Yishan Hacklin—to rebuild Aye\u002DShan City all over again, using his superhuman Naoyang skills. Before that can happen, however, Ocean must team up with Shaman Ling Tiber\u003B together, the duo, along with a comical company of other Aye\u002DShan City refugees, set out to locate the fabled Guardian Beast. Readers may see parallels between Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series and the story of the fallen city of Aye\u002DShan: Both set technology and the natural world at odds with each other. The Kwong brothers take the premise one step further in positing that war itself is just part of the natural cycle of things. There is a lyrical quality in both the writing (“The fighting song is loud and clear, the sound of nature changes the world”) and the illustrations. The latter seem to shift and morph into varying styles, some vibrant and colorful, others stark and black \u0026amp\u003B white. At one point, speaking through imaginative speech balloons in prose that gives it an ethereal air of nobility, the mighty Guardian Beast laments how it was overcome after the Zhehe people “tempted Aye\u002DShan people to engage in lewd acts, which generated negative energy and weakened my power.” Will the Zhehe people and the inhabitants of Aye\u002DShan City ever break free of this cycle of destruction and creation? That depends on what the Kwong brothers next have in store for readers."

This architectural adventure follows a young designer's journey through a world of impossible structures and gravity-defying forms, where buildings come alive with personality and purpose. The narrat...

Cover of The Art of DuckTales

The Art of DuckTales

Ken Plume

Scrooge McDuck and nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie are back in the 2017 remake of the classic series from Disney Television Animation, DuckTales! Now, find out about the making of DuckTales and read stories from the developers and cast covering every episode from all three seasons! Like Scrooge into

Cover of The Art of Eric Carle

The Art of Eric Carle

Eric Carle

Offers a look at what shaped the artist's life and includes essays on his work by his editors, a speech for the Library of Congress, and more than sixty illustrations

Cover of The Art of Miss Chew

The Art of Miss Chew

Patricia Polacco

After spending the summer with her artist grandmother, Trisha knows she wants to be an artist, too. She's thrilled when her sketches get her into Miss Chew's special art class at the high school. A substitute teacher tells her she's wasting time on art when she should be studying - but fortunately,