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A Cake for Gran: Independent Reading Blue 4 (Reading Champion #467)
by Damian HarveyThis story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE)For Gran's birthday, Asha decides to make a cake from Dad's cookbook, but it doesn't go to plan ...Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills.Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.
The Cake the Wolf and the Witch
by Maudie SmithMax doesn't believe in happy endings. He doesn't even like stories. So when he finds himself whisked away in a giant cake to The Land of Ever After, Max is NOT impressed. But the people of Ever After are in trouble, and they need Max's help. Will Max agree to go on a dangerous quest to save their world? And if he doesn't, how will he and his brand new brother and sister ever get home?A mixed-up and fresh take on the fairy tale, with a sprinkle of Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Kessler, and perfect for fans of Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree.'Endlessly inventive' - Piers Torday, award-winning author of The Last Wild.
The Cake the Wolf and the Witch
by Maudie SmithMax doesn't believe in happy endings. He doesn't even like stories. So when he finds himself whisked away in a giant cake to The Land of Ever After, Max is NOT impressed. But the people of Ever After are in trouble, and they need Max's help. Will Max agree to go on a dangerous quest to save their world? And if he doesn't, how will he and his brand new brother and sister ever get home?A mixed-up and fresh take on the fairy tale, with a sprinkle of Jacqueline Wilson and Liz Kessler, and perfect for fans of Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree.'Endlessly inventive' - Piers Torday, award-winning author of The Last Wild.
Cakewalk: A Memoir
by Kate MosesFrom the author of the internationally acclaimed Wintering: A Novel of Sylvia Plath comes a funny, touching memoir of a crummy—and crumby—childhood.Growing up in the 1960s and ’70s, Kate Moses was surrounded by sugar: Twinkies in the basement freezer, honey on the fried chicken, Baby Ruth bars in her father’s sock drawer. But sweetness of the more intangible variety was harder to come by. Her parents were disastrously mismatched, far too preoccupied with their mutual misery to notice its effects on their kids. A frustrated artist, Kate’s beautiful, capricious mother lived in a constant state of creative and marital emergency, enlisting Kate as her confidante—“We’re the girls, we have to stick together”—and instructing her three children to refer to her in public as their babysitter. Kate’s father was aloof, ambitious, and prone to blasts of withering abuse increasingly directed at the daughter who found herself standing between her embattled parents. Kate looked for comfort in the imaginary worlds of books and found refuge in the kitchen, where she taught herself to bake and entered the one realm where she was able to wield control.Telling her own story with the same lyricism, compassion, and eye for lush detail she brings to her fiction, coupled with the candor and humor she is known for in her personal essays, Kate Moses leavens each tale of her coming-of-age in Cakewalk with a recipe from her lifetime of confectionary obsession. There is the mysteriously erotic German Chocolate Cake implicated in a birds-and-bees speech when Kate was seven, the gingerbread people her mother baked for Christmas the year Kate officially realized she was fat, the chocolate chip cookies Kate used to curry favor during a hilariously gruesome adolescence, and the brownies she baked for her idol, the legendary M.F.K. Fisher, who pronounced them “delicious.”Filled with the abundance and joy that were so lacking in Kate’s youth, Cakewalk is a wise, loving tribute to life in all its sweetness as well as its bitterness and, ultimately, a recipe for forgiveness.From the Hardcover edition.
The Calamity Janes: Do You Take This Rebel? Courting The Enemy (The\calamity Janes Ser. #1)
by Sherryl WoodsIn these two classic tales, #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods revisits the lives of the Calamity Janes, a group of best friends that lean on each other through thick and thin.Do You Take This Rebel? Cassie Collins fled Winding River, Wyoming when she discovered she was pregnant. Now, ten years later and stronger, she's been drawn back to town for a reunion with her friends, the Calamity Janes. But is she strong enough to stand up to Cole Davis, the wealthy father of her child who has the power to take away her son? Or can they finally become the family she's always dreamed of? Courting the Enemy Karen Hanson's oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, are urging her to sell her struggling ranch to the brooding, enigmatic Grady Blackhawk. But how can she possibly sell out to her late husband's worst enemy? Spending time with her handsome adversary could cost Karen a lot more than her ranch. Grady's suddenly far less interested in the land than he is in claiming Karen herself!
Calamity Janes Collection Volume 1 (The Calamity Janes)
by Sherryl WoodsFive women…five dreams…a lifetime of friendship…revisit the beloved stories of the Calamity Janes by #1 New York Times bestseller Sherryl Woods!WINDING RIVER REUNIONPregnant and unmarried, she left town...now, Cassie Collins has returned to reconnect with her oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, and put her troubles behind her. But the father of her child, Cole Davis, gives her two choices: marriage or lose her son. Could she rekindle their long-lost love, and unite Cole, herself, and their son in the precious bonds of family?ONE LAST CHANCEKaren Hanson’s oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, urged her to sell her struggling ranch and pursue her lifelong dreams of travel. But the only bidder for her land was brooding, enigmatic Grady Blackhawk — her late husband’s worst enemy. How could she sell the land to him? Spending time with him might cost Karen a lot more than her ranch because Mr. Blackhawk was becoming less interested in claiming her land...and more intent on claiming her heart.HOME TO STAYGina Petrillo thought she was on the run from her troubles...but they followed her home to Winding River, Wyoming. City-slicker lawyer Rafe O’Donnell is in hot pursuit of Gina, and he doesn’t intend to let his suspect out of his sight, even though Gina’s mouthwatering kisses are irresistible. And while Rafe is out to catch a thief - she just might steal his heart!Titles originally published in 2001 as Do You Take This Rebel?, Courting the Enemy, and To Catch a Thief.
The Calamity Janes: Gina & Emma
by Sherryl WoodsFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods. In these two enthralling tales of the Calamity Janes, fierce friends face challenges in life and love.To Catch a Thief Gina Petrillo thought she was on the run from her troubles… but they followed her home to Winding River, Wyoming. City-slicker lawyer Rafe O'Donnell is in hot pursuit of Gina, and he doesn't intend to let his suspect out of his sight, even though Gina's mouthwatering kisses are irresistible. And while Rafe is out to catch a thief—she just might steal his heart! The Calamity Janes Struggling with single-motherhood and career pressures, Denver attorney Emma Rogers comes home for a reunion with the Calamity Janes in desperate need of their support. Can they—and her young daughter—possibly be right that sexy journalist Ford Hamilton, the biggest thorn in her side, is actually the answer to her prayers?
Caleb's Story (Sarah, Plain and Tall #3)
by Patricia MaclachlanThe stranger lurking on the Witting family prairie farm turns out to be their long-lost grandfather whose presence along with some prodding from Caleb forces Jacob to deal with his past. Sequel to Sarah Plain and Tall.
The Calendar Mums: A wonderfully laugh-out-loud novel of motherhood and friendship
by Lauren K. McKellarMeet single mum Samantha, entrepreneur Rhea, and first-time mother Tahlie, all from different walks of life, brought together by their weekly mum and baby group in the town of Hickory Creek. Here they all find support - and a moment's peace - in the haze of raising their new-borns. But when the group is cancelled due to a lack of funds, it looks like the invaluable support they received will be no more. Until they decide to band together to save the community centre, their group and a whole host of other services that keep Hickory Creek running. Their plan? Create a fundraiser calendar featuring themselves... in the nude.Baring all for charity requires bravery at the best of times, but as all of them have given birth in the last few months it feels unthinkable. Which is exactly why they decide to do it. They will challenge not only what is celebrated about women's bodies but what each of them think they are capable of.Circle the date on your calendars because for these women, and their town, nothing will ever be the same again...
The Calendar Mums: A wonderfully laugh-out-loud novel of motherhood and friendship
by Lauren K. McKellar'I got to the end of this novel with a big smile on my face and I just wanted to give it and all the characters a big hug... It was such an emotional read, I laughed and cried along with the women... An absolutely beautiful story' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Meet single mum Samantha, entrepreneur Rhea, and first-time mother Tahlie, all from different walks of life, brought together by their weekly mum and baby group in the town of Hickory Creek. Here they all find support - and a moment's peace - in the haze of raising their newborns. But when the group is cancelled due to a lack of funds, it looks like the invaluable support they received will be no more. Until they decide to band together to save the community centre, their group and a whole host of other services that keep Hickory Creek running. Their plan? Create a fundraiser calendar featuring themselves... in the nude.Baring all for charity requires bravery at the best of times, but as all of them have given birth in the last few months it feels unthinkable. Which is exactly why they decide to do it. They will challenge not only what is celebrated about women's bodies but what each of them think they are capable of.Circle the date on your calendars because for these women, and their town, nothing will ever be the same again... A laugh-out-loud, hilarious, heartfelt and unflinchingly honest exploration of new motherhood, friendship and the hidden strength within us all. This contemporary take on the classic Calendar Girls is perfect for fans of Why Mummy Drinks, Alexandra Potter and Fiona Gibson. Readers are falling in love with The Calendar Mums:'Wow! I'm riding the newborn wave at the moment and The Calendar Mums hit me in all the feels. It's a beautiful story of mother- and womanhood, identity and the power of community' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A funny, heartfelt, and empowering debut novel that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of motherhood and friendship... This story has it all: humour, heartache, resilience, and most importantly, hope... If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and remind you of the strength within, The Calendar Mums is a must-read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Heartwarming and humorous... It's a real page-turner that makes you want to read it in one sitting, but at the same time, you don't want it to end... Definitely a must-read!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A beautiful story where you wish you had these strong women as your friends' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A real page turner and hard to put down... Heartwarming and inspiring... a beautiful story with laughs, love and hope to counterbalance the drama. I really recommend this book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's light-hearted and entertaining while also handling difficult themes with care and tenderness' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Great easy read! Hard to put down... Loved all the different characters, I'm sure anyone reading this book could find one character relatable... All of the feels with this book, I laughed, I cried... Great book for parents/soon to be parents, the perfect book for book club' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Calendar Mums: A wonderfully laugh-out-loud novel of motherhood and friendship
by Lauren K. McKellar'I got to the end of this novel with a big smile on my face and I just wanted to give it and all the characters a big hug... It was such an emotional read, I laughed and cried along with the women... An absolutely beautiful story' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Meet single mum Samantha, entrepreneur Rhea, and first-time mother Tahlie, all from different walks of life, brought together by their weekly mum and baby group in the town of Hickory Creek. Here they all find support - and a moment's peace - in the haze of raising their newborns. But when the group is cancelled due to a lack of funds, it looks like the invaluable support they received will be no more. Until they decide to band together to save the community centre, their group and a whole host of other services that keep Hickory Creek running. Their plan? Create a fundraiser calendar featuring themselves... in the nude.Baring all for charity requires bravery at the best of times, but as all of them have given birth in the last few months it feels unthinkable. Which is exactly why they decide to do it. They will challenge not only what is celebrated about women's bodies but what each of them think they are capable of.Circle the date on your calendars because for these women, and their town, nothing will ever be the same again... A laugh-out-loud, hilarious, heartfelt and unflinchingly honest exploration of new motherhood, friendship and the hidden strength within us all. This contemporary take on the classic Calendar Girls is perfect for fans of Why Mummy Drinks, Alexandra Potter and Fiona Gibson. Readers are falling in love with The Calendar Mums:'Wow! I'm riding the newborn wave at the moment and The Calendar Mums hit me in all the feels. It's a beautiful story of mother- and womanhood, identity and the power of community' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A funny, heartfelt, and empowering debut novel that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the power of motherhood and friendship... This story has it all: humour, heartache, resilience, and most importantly, hope... If you're looking for a book that will touch your heart and remind you of the strength within, The Calendar Mums is a must-read' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Heartwarming and humorous... It's a real page-turner that makes you want to read it in one sitting, but at the same time, you don't want it to end... Definitely a must-read!' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A beautiful story where you wish you had these strong women as your friends' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'A real page turner and hard to put down... Heartwarming and inspiring... a beautiful story with laughs, love and hope to counterbalance the drama. I really recommend this book' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'I REALLY enjoyed this book. It's light-hearted and entertaining while also handling difficult themes with care and tenderness' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Great easy read! Hard to put down... Loved all the different characters, I'm sure anyone reading this book could find one character relatable... All of the feels with this book, I laughed, I cried... Great book for parents/soon to be parents, the perfect book for book club' Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Calendar Mysteries #6: June Jam (Calendar Mysteries #6)
by Ron RoyIt's a mystery every month from popular A to Z Mysteries author Ron Roy! With the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries kids!June is for Jam...In the sixth book of the Calendar Mysteries - an early chapter book mystery series - Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy want to make homemade strawberry jam for Father's Day. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as it first seems. Some sneaky creature is taking bites of their strawberries. Polly the pony, Pal the dog, and Josh the older brother are all suspects. If the kids can't protect the strawberry patch from the mystery chomper, they might be in a real jam!Parents, teachers, and Librarians agree that these highly collectible chapter books are perfect for emerging readers and any kid who loves mysteries!
Calendars For Students With Multiple Impairments Including Deafblindness
by Robbie BlahaDeafblindness is a relatively rare condition in Texas. The children, families and staff are spread across 1,063 school districts. Since calendars are an essential part of instruction and intervention for students with deafblindness, it is important that families and support staff have access to information regarding calendar development and use. This resource guide is an attempt to organize existing information into a simple guide. I hope this guide makes it easier to design and implement the correct calendar in school, home and community settings for individuals with deafblindness.
Calico Girl
by Jerdine NolenFrom the award-winning author of Eliza’s Freedom Road comes the powerful tale of a slave girls’ triumphant journey to freedom with her family during the Civil War.Twelve-year-old Callie Wilcomb and her family are slaves, and the Civil War gives them hope that freedom may be on the horizon. On May 23, 1861, the State of Virginia ratified their vote to secede from the Union. In Virginia, a window was opened where the laws of the land no longer applied. Because of the Contraband Law, slaves no longer had to be returned to their owners, granting them a measure of protection and safety. With the possibility of Callie and her family escaping their bonds forever, Callie is eager to learn and become educated and hopes to teach others one day. Through hardship and loss—with love and strong family ties—Callie proves that freedom is in her stars.
Calico Horses and the Patchwork Trail
by Lorraine TurnerWhen the Spirit of Horse speaks to a ten-year-old girl through her dreams and calico patches magically appear as if from nowhere, the residents of Saddlecrest, Nevada, have a genuine mystery on their hands.It's the story of how a girl ripped apart by divorce helps the wild mustangs torn from the range. Together they face uncertainties brought on by the decisions of others.Carrie's mom decides to uproot her from their familiar Jersey Shore home and move to the dusty deserts of Nevada. The move is as prickly to Carrie as the cactus beside her new home. But something mysterious greets her when she closes her eyes each night--like a winding path, her dreams guide her to the horses of the Calico Mountains. Are her developing psychic abilities bringing visits from horse spirits or is her troubled mind playing tricks on her? Her new friend Milla has nightmares of her own--she's the daughter of a government official known as "the Horse Killer."How can a few children make a difference to the plight of the foals snatched from their homes without warning? Like the tiny patches of cloth that adorn a calico quilt, the clues draw them all together. Follow the Calico horses as they lead us down the trail of adversity to the peaceful pastures found by helping one another.
California: A Novel
by Edan Lepucki<P><P>The world Cal and Frida have always known is gone, and they've left the crumbling city of Los Angeles far behind them. They now live in a shack in the wilderness, working side-by-side to make their days tolerable in the face of hardship and isolation. Mourning a past they can't reclaim, they seek solace in each other. <P><P>But the tentative existence they've built for themselves is thrown into doubt when Frida finds out she's pregnant. Terrified of the unknown and unsure of their ability to raise a child alone, Cal and Frida set out for the nearest settlement, a guarded and paranoid community with dark secrets. These people can offer them security, but Cal and Frida soon realize this community poses dangers of its own. <P><P>In this unfamiliar world, where everything and everyone can be perceived as a threat, the couple must quickly decide whom to trust.A gripping and provocative debut novel by a stunning new talent, California imagines a frighteningly realistic near future, in which clashes between mankind's dark nature and deep-seated resilience force us to question how far we will go to protect the ones we love.
California
by Edan LepuckiThe highly acclaimed, instant New York Times bestseller that '[gives] expression to a generational anxiety about the near future, one rooted in the threat of environmental crisis...The experience of reading California brings validation to anyone who sits upright in the middle of the night struck with the instability of the human project on this planet: others are awake, too' GuardianThe sunshine state lies in darkness.Los Angeles is in ruins, left to the angels now.And the world Cal and Frida have always known is gone.Cal and Frida have left the crumbling city of Los Angeles far behind them. They now live in a shack in the wilderness, working side-by-side to make their days tolerable despite the isolation and hardships they face. Consumed by fear of the future and mourning for a past they can't reclaim, they seek comfort and solace in one other. But the tentative existence they've built for themselves is thrown into doubt when Frida finds out she's pregnant. Terrified of the unknown but unsure of their ability to raise a child alone, Cal and Frida set out for the nearest settlement, a guarded and paranoid community with dark secrets. These people can offer them security, but Cal and Frida soon realise this community poses its own dangers. In this unfamiliar world, where everything and everyone can be perceived as a threat, the couple must quickly decide whom to trust.A gripping and provocative debut novel by a stunning new talent,California imagines a frighteningly realistic near future, in which clashes between mankind's dark nature and irrepressible resilience force us to question how far we will go to protect the ones we love.
California
by Edan LepuckiThe sunshine state lies in darkness.Los Angeles is in ruins, left to the angels now.And the world Cal and Frida have always known is gone.Cal and Frida have left the crumbling city of Los Angeles far behind them. They now live in a shack in the wilderness, working side-by-side to make their days tolerable despite the isolation and hardships they face. Consumed by fear of the future and mourning for a past they can't reclaim, they seek comfort and solace in one other. But the tentative existence they've built for themselves is thrown into doubt when Frida finds out she's pregnant. Terrified of the unknown but unsure of their ability to raise a child alone, Cal and Frida set out for the nearest settlement, a guarded and paranoid community with dark secrets. These people can offer them security, but Cal and Frida soon realise this community poses its own dangers. In this unfamiliar world, where everything and everyone can be perceived as a threat, the couple must quickly decide whom to trust.A gripping and provocative debut novel by a stunning new talent, California imagines a frighteningly realistic near future, in which clashes between mankind's dark nature and irrepressible resilience force us to question how far we will go to protect the ones we love.
The California Dreamers: A Novel
by Amy Mason DoanA group of siblings captured in an iconic beach nostalgia photo reunite on a sunny California island, where they're forced to face the fallout of their unconventional upbringing—and the golden secret that has been simmering ever since...&“A love story to an era of sun, salt air, and freedom. I promise, you will devour this novel.&” —Julie Clark, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Flight&“Doan&’s latest pulls you straight to the end like a powerful riptide. Unforgettable!&” —Jessica Anya Blau, bestselling author of Mary JaneIt&’s 1980s California, and everyone&’s dreaming of the endless summer: sun-drenched beaches, infinite waves, and most of all, beautiful, beautiful freedom. For the Merrick siblings, this idyllic vision is their reality, as they travel up and down the coast with their parents in a van year-round, surfing and swimming their days away. But when a photographer secretly snaps a stunning photo of the family with their boards in the sand, and the image ripples across the country, the only life they&’ve ever known is put at risk.Decades after, the now-distant siblings gather on a gorgeous, wild island to honor their late father. But their reunion is complicated when a journalist, eager for the truth behind the famous photo, discovers their identity and tracks them down. As the siblings reckon with the possibility that more of their lives could be shared, a revelation about their past forces them to confront long-held heartaches. Together, they&’ll have to decide whether to let the same tensions rip them apart again—or if telling their story on their own terms might just be the way to recapture the family magic.Also by Amy Mason Doan: Lady Sunshine Summer Hours The Summer List
California Girl: A Novel
by T. Jefferson Parker“Love, lust, murder, betrayal, suffering, and redemption all parade by as a brilliant tale-spinner once again has his way with us.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Edgar Award–Winner, Best Novel of the YearThe Orange County, California, that the Becker brothers knew as boys is no more—unrecognizably altered since the afternoon in 1954 when Nick, Clay, David, and Andy rumbled with the lowlife Vonns, while five-year-old Janelle Vonn watched from the sidelines. The new decade has ushered in the era of Johnson, hippies, John Birchers, and LSD. Clay becomes a casualty of a far-off jungle war. Nick becomes a cop, Andy a reporter, David a minister. And a terrible crime touches them all in ways they could never have anticipated when the mutilated corpse of teenage beauty queen Janelle Vonn is discovered in an abandoned warehouse.“Parker’s drum-tight prose and richly layered characters borrow a bit from Raymond Chandler’s hard-boiled L.A. noirs as well as the more psychologically lurid novels of Dennis Lehane, but California Girl easily earns Parker his own spot on the shelf between these two masters.” —Entertainment Weekly, Editor’s Choice“A masterpiece filled with intriguing, multidimensional characters, an enthralling, sweeping plot, and some of the finest writing you’ll ever read.” —Chicago Sun-Times“Subtle—and effective . . . as much a family saga as it is a crime novel . . . an abundance of richly drawn characters.” —San Francisco Chronicle“An evocative trip back to the days of sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll, hippies, LSD, Charles Manson, peace protests, and the rising anger against the war in Vietnam. Parker perfectly captures the turbulence of the times.” —Orlando Sentinel
California Girls
by Susan MalleryThe California sunshine’s not quite so bright for three sisterswho get dumped in the same week… <P><P>Finola, a popular LA morning-show host, is famously upbeat until she’s blindsided on live TV by the news that her husband is sleeping with a young pop sensation who has set their affair to music. While avoiding the tabloids and pretending she’s just fine, she’s crumbling inside, desperate for him to come to his senses and for life to go back to normal. <P><P>Zennie’s breakup is no big loss. Although the world insists she pair up, she’d rather be surfing. So agreeing to be the surrogate for her best friend is a no-brainer—after all, she has an available womb and no other attachments to worry about. Except…when everyone else, including her big sister, thinks she’s making a huge mistake, being pregnant is a lot lonelier—and more complicated—than she imagined. <P><P>Never the tallest, thinnest or prettiest sister, Ali is used to being overlooked, but when her fiancé sends his disapproving brother to call off the wedding, it’s a new low. And yet Daniel continues to turn up “for support,” making Ali wonder if maybe—for once—someone sees her in a way no one ever has. <P><P>But side by side by side, these sisters will start over and rebuild their lives with all the affection, charm and laugh-out-loud humor that is classic Susan Mallery. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
California Pizza Kitchen Family Cookbook
by Larry Flax Rick RosenfieldFrom the founders of the popular pizza restaurant chain, recipes for meals to make at home for the whole family to enjoy.Bring the California Pizza Kitchen experience to your home with nearly fifry recipes and inspiring color photographs found in the California Pizza Kitchen Family Cookbook, which shows you how to make popular dishes from the restaurant known for its eclectic pizzas. Crowd-pleasing recipes that are easy to make and appeal to both adults and children include pizza like Jamaican Jerk Chicken and other favorites like Thai Crunch Salad. This book will show you how to make three kinds of pizza dough with step-by-step instructions, and it even presents ideas for create-your-own pizza parties.
The Californios: A Novel
by Louis L'AmourCaptain Sean Mulkerin comes home from the sea to find his family's Malibu ranch in jeopardy. The death of Sean's father has pushed his mother to the edge of financial ruin, and now it's up to Sean to find a way out. The rumor is that the elder Mulkerin found gold in the wild and haunted California hills, but the only clue to its whereabouts lies with an ancient, enigmatic Indian.When Sean and his brother set forth to retrace their father's footsteps, they know they are in search of a questionable treasure--with creditors, greedy neighbors, and ruthless gunmen watching every move they make. Before they reach their destination, the Mulkerins will test both the limits of their faith and the laws of nature as they seek salvation in a landscape where reality can blur like sand and sky in a desert mirage.From the Paperback edition.
Californium: A Novel of Punk Rock, Growing Up, and Other Dangerous Things
by R. Dean JohnsonA coming-of-age crossover novel about growing up, selling out, and fitting in.It's late summer 1982 when the Houghton family uproots from Paterson, New Jersey and moves to Yorba Linda, California--the self-anointed "Land of Gracious Living." Fourteen year-old Reece is trying his best to believe his family has come to California for the opportunities it affords and not to outrun a shared family secret, but he's beginning to realize that even his heroes have flaws, everybody lies, and starting a band may be his only chance at salvation. With a bullhorn, a borrowed guitar, and his new best friends--Keith, a know-it-all who knows very little; and Treat, a mohawked kid obsessed with obscure albums--Reece starts a punk group of his own. While Reece's relationship with his parents suffers under the strain of new jobs, new friends, new crushes, and old secrets, his confidence soars. Even without a gig or a song they can play the same way twice, the buzz about the band is swirling, and it's not until the night of the band's first gig that Reece will fully understand how much of his new home is authentic, how much is artificial, and how some things, like the chemical element Californium, can be both at the same time.From the Trade Paperback edition.
The Call: A Novel
by Yannick Murphy“Yannick Murphy, while being one of our most daring and original writers, is first and foremost an exquisitely attuned observer of human behavior. . . . Murphy’s work provides pretty much unexceeded reading pleasure.” —Dave EggersThe warm, wry, and patient voice of a veterinarian father tells the heartfelt story of his young New England family enduring a moving trial of loyalty, hope, and faith after they are confronted with an unthinkable crisis. Acclaimed author Yannick Murphy’s intimate narrative style and lovely prose will enthrall readers of Rivka Galchen, Padgett Powell, and Murphy’s own Signed, Mata Hari. The Call is a “triumph of quiet humor and understated beauty” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) from an author that the New York Times Book Review calls “an extraordinarily gifted fabulist.”