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The Gift
by Peter DickinsonA boy with psychic powers struggles to save his loved ones When Davy’s mother deserts their family, Davy’s father packs his children into a rickety old car and takes them on a vacation. They drive to their mysterious old grandparents’ house in the sprawling Welsh countryside, a place so rural that running water is a novelty. It is there that Davy learns he has the gift. He has always seen the pictures—images in his head that tell of the future or the past—but his grandmother explains that the gift is both a remarkable power and a terrible curse. It was the gift that killed Davy’s great-uncle—and it is the gift that could save his life. Seven years later, Davy is in high school, and for the first time he can remember, life is almost normal. But when he starts having troubling visions of his father’s new employer he knows that only he can save his family from destruction. This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Peter Dickinson including rare images from the author’s collection.
In the Palace of the Khans
by Peter DickinsonIn a far-off kingdom, an English boy befriends the mad ruler’s daughter The Khan of Dirzhan is a monster. Nigel, the son of the English ambassador to a backward Asian country, is transfixed by stories of the Khan’s brutality. It is said that he had his own brother strangled, that he once shot two cabinet ministers to death during a government meeting, and that he will stop at nothing to keep his daughter safe. At first, these are nothing but stories, but when Nigel and the Khan’s daughter form an unlikely friendship, the terror of the Khan will become all too real. Enlisted by the Khan to help beautiful young Taeela with her English, Nigel gets a firsthand look at life in a palace ruled by fear. When the Khan’s enemies threaten Taeela, Nigel helps her escape. Together, they flee across a barren countryside where sheer survival is an adventure. This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Peter Dickinson including rare images from the author’s collection.
Shadow of a Hero
by Peter DickinsonTo save a country, a girl and her grandfather must learn what it means to be a hero The greatest hero in the history of Varina was baptized in a cave. Every schoolchild knows the story. His parents were on their way to the city when a storm drove them to take shelter in the mountainside, along with a priest, a bandit, and a scholar. When the storm did not abate, they asked the priest to give their child a name, and he christened the boy Restaur Vax. The boy would grow to be a warrior, a scholar, and a man of god, and his name would lead an oppressed people to independence for the first time. Alas, that liberty would not survive. Generations later, Vax’s oldest living descendant is in London, teaching the language of Varina to his inquisitive young granddaughter. When his homeland is torn apart once more by war, calls come for this man to take up the mantle of the Vax name—and become a hero for a new age. This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Peter Dickinson including rare images from the author’s collection.
Shadow of a Hero
by Peter DickinsonLetta begins to take an interest in Varina, the tiny Balkan state where her parents grew up. But after the collapse of communism the nation calls for independence, and Letta's enthusiasm for her parent's culture leads her to discover just how fragile the nation really is. A powerful and timely novel from the award-winning author of TULKU, EVA, A. K. and A BONE FROM A DRY SEA.
Monday I Love You
by Constance C. GreeneGrace has two big problems--how will she cope? Grace Schmitt is a bit of a dreamer. In her mind, she's the most popular girl in school, with flowing golden hair and too many friends to count. And let's not forget all the boys who admire her perfectly proportioned figure. Everything is, in a word, perfect. Unfortunately, Grace's life is a bit more complicated than that in reality. Going into tenth grade, her body changes rapidly, leaving her feeling ungainly, awkward, and conspicuous, mostly because of her large bust. It's become such a problem that she's begun saving money for breast-reduction surgery. Things come to a head when a circle of cruel classmates, led by Ashley, the actual most popular girl in school, decide to see if Grace's breasts are real. On the worst day of her life, it takes a miracle (in the form of Ms. Govoni, the gym teacher) to save Grace from life-altering humiliation. Little does she know, the experience will trigger an astounding series of events that test her character, bolster her self-esteem, and turn her life around.
The Golden Eagle Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #2)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.In a seaside town, Djuna discovers theft, secrets--and murder When Djuna goes to spend the summer with troubled Aunt Patty, he passes the time swimming, eating steamed clams, and catching lobsters out in the bay. But when seemingly worthless trinkets start disappearing from Aunt Patty's house, Djuna's sleuthing instincts spring into action, and he soon discovers something far more frightening than petty theft. Then Aunt Patty's fishing boat disappears from the docks. When she and Djuna discover it set adrift along the rocky coast, Djuna tries to save the ship, but it has been smashed to bits by the waves. Djuna is certain that what happened to the Patagonia was no accident. The old ship was murdered--and he will find out who did it. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills..
The Green Turtle Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #3)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.To rescue a friend's pet turtle, Djuna must solve the riddle of a haunted house His new shoeshine box under his arm, boy-sleuth Djuna is looking for customers when he meets a young reporter named Socker Furlong. Socker assigns Djuna and copyboy Ben Franklin to investigate a haunted empty house. Djuna, Ben, and Ben's pet turtle are having a lot of fun creeping around outside--until the place turns out not to be so abandoned after all. Djuna sees people inside the house, and when he knocks, a young girl answers the door--only to slam it in his face. Djuna and Ben run for help and are halfway down the block when Ben notices that his turtle is missing. To get him back, they will have to crack the mystery of the haunted house, no matter what ghosts may stand in their way. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Red Chipmunk Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #4)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.Lost in a strange town, Djuna stumbles on an adventure On his way home after a summer of fun with his friends, Djuna and his dog, Champ, take advantage of a pit stop in Thompsonville to get off the train and stretch their legs. They have just left the station when Champ slips his leash and runs off into the crowd. Djuna charges after him, but by the time he finds his little dog, the train has left without them. When he reaches for his wallet to buy a new ticket, his pocket is empty. Someone has stolen his money! Stranded, Djuna and Champ will have to think on their feet if they are to find their way home. It's less than one hundred miles to Edenboro, but getting there will mean the adventure of a lifetime. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Brown Fox Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #5)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.During a lakeside vacation, Djuna hunts a mysterious fire starter Whenever Djuna leaves the house, he seems to get into trouble. Whether it's catching bank robbers or sniffing out a ring of counterfeiters, something about this young man makes him a magnet for mystery. When Miss Annie Ellery plans a summer vacation by the shores of Silver Lake, Djuna and his friend Tommy while away their time fishing, swimming, and sleeping till noon. Djuna promises to stay out of trouble--but it isn't long before trouble finds him. Djuna's best friend at Silver Lake is Captain Ben, a fisherman who shows him the tricks of the trade. When Ben's boat and fishing shack go up in smoke, Djuna promises to find the person responsible, even if it means getting into more trouble than ever before. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The White Elephant Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #6)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.Under the big top, Djuna tangles with an unscrupulous gang of con men The circus is coming to Riverton! And even better, Djuna's friend the carpenter has four free passes--which means Djuna gets to see the show every night it's in town. The circus is more fun than Djuna ever imagined, but there is something rotten behind the scenes. The house of the former circus owner has been empty for years--so why does Djuna see an acrobat swinging through the trees in the front yard? And at the circus itself, a crew of grifters have set up shop ringside and are swindling honest audience members out of their money. Djuna will do anything to save the circus, even if it means walking a tightrope--or leaping right into the lion's den. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Yellow Cat Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #7)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.On vacation in Florida, Djuna meets a cat with a peculiar secret Djuna steps off the bus and into the Florida heat, ready for a few weeks of slow-paced Southern living with his friend Tommy, whose father recently moved to Dolphin Beach. After spending the whole summer solving mysteries, Djuna is looking forward to some peace and quiet. But trouble has a way of finding Djuna. While Tommy gives him a tour of the town, Djuna spies two men sneaking away from a strange black boat. Inspecting the ship, Djuna discovers that it has been freshly painted and that the name has recently been changed. Is it possible that smugglers are operating in Dolphin Beach? There is something about this boat that tells Djuna he's not on vacation anymore--he's on an adventure. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.atch the scoundrels.
The Blue Herring Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #8)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.An ancient whaling journal sets Djuna on course for buried treasure When old Captain Beekman was on his deathbed, he turned to his daughter and muttered, "Lift the blue herring." It's a cryptic piece of family lore--until the day Djuna pays a visit to the old captain's house. Inspecting the ship's log from Captain Beekman's final sailing voyage, the brilliant young sleuth notices something no one else ever has. A page has been torn out--and it holds the key to an adventure. Could the missing page have to do with a long-buried treasure? Where does the blue herring fit in? With his scrappy terrier, Champ, by his side, Djuna will unravel the mystery and decode the captain's last words once and for all. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Purple Bird Mystery (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #9)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.At the local golf course, Djuna discovers a century-old mystery It's the first day of summer, and the brilliant teenage sleuth Djuna is looking for a job when he meets a young boy named Jimmy, whose father is the new golf pro at the country club. While Jimmy and his dad are moving into the clubhouse, the movers drop an antique chest. When Djuna's dog, Champ, picks up a piece of the shattered wood in his mouth, they see that it has writing on it. The letters spell purp, and they are the first clue in the most dangerous mystery of Djuna's career. The chest is a century old, and the mystery stretches back to the life of Jimmy's great-great-grandfather. The dangers of the purple bird are not to be underestimated. Getting through this adventure alive will prove just as tricky as a hole in one. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's apprentice, Djuna, and his trusty Scottie, Champ, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Mystery of the Merry Magician (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #10)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.When Ellery Queen goes out of town, his nephew takes on a cosmic case For weeks, Gulliver Queen has looked forward to going on vacation with his uncle Ellery, the world-famous author and sleuth. But on the eve of their departure, Ellery is called away on government business. Gully is heartbroken--until Ellery deputizes him as his assistant, tasking him with taking down information from anyone who comes by looking to hire the great detective. There is only one rule: No solving mysteries! But Ellery hasn't been gone an hour when Gully gets a case he cannot resist. The client is Fisty Jones, a rough-and-tumble citizen of the New York docks who claims to have seen something impossible: a one-eyed, black-skinned monster direct from outer space. Gully quickly finds himself sucked into the baffling tangle of tattooed bruisers, cheerful magicians, and questionable characters who call the waterfront their home. Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's nephew, Gully, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Mystery of the Vanished Victim (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #11)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.A strange bird leads Gully to a bloody mystery at the United Nations Gully Queen is lounging around the apartment of his uncle, the world-famous sleuth Ellery Queen, when a knock comes at the door. It is Ellery's neighbor, a harmless old man, with a beautiful mynah bird perched on his shoulder. He wants Ellery to find out where the bird came from, but Ellery is out of town, so the case falls to his nephew Gully. The bird says but one thing: "Katal! Katal!" Gully is baffled-- until he learns that an Indian diplomat's bodyguard has vanished from his hotel room, and that in Hindi, katal means "kill." Searching for the bird's owner takes Gully to the United Nations, where two Indian boys join the hunt for the missing guard. Together, they will find themselves in the thick of an adventure faster than you can say katal! Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's nephew, Gully, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Spirit Window
by Joyce SweeneyOn the edge of a Florida marsh, a young girl discovers the power of nature After hours on the highway, Miranda is beginning to doubt that there is anything beautiful in Florida. But when her dad turns onto the bridge to Turtle Island and she sees the ocean for the very first time, she realizes she couldn't have been more wrong. Miranda has come here with her dad to meet her grandmother, whose cheerful energy conceals failing health. Miranda has been dreading this family vacation, but what she finds on Turtle Island will change her life forever. Her grandmother is the self-appointed guardian of the local marsh, a swampy wonderland whose very existence is in jeopardy. A passionate photographer, Miranda plans only to document the landscape. But when a mysterious young boy named Adam draws her into the fight for the marsh's future, she learns that saving the environment can be a matter of life or death.
Right Behind the Rain
by Joyce SweeneyA teenage girl fights to save her older brother from depression All her life, Carla has been happy to live in Kevin's shadow. A born performer, he has a dancer's grace and an actor's charm, and he has always been happiest in the spotlight. But when he comes home after his college graduation, his light has gone out. He's just been offered a part in a movie, but rather than being overjoyed, Kevin is quiet and withdrawn. Hoping to find out what's bothering him, Carla follows Kevin downtown one day--and watches in horror as her beloved brother buys a gun. Carla will do anything to keep Kevin from taking his own life, but no matter where she turns, she can't seem to find answers. As her brother slips deeper into the grips of depression, Carla is faced with a difficult question: How do you save someone who hasn't even asked for help?
Shadow
by Joyce SweeneyHaunted by visions, a teenage girl sees a window into what's to come When Sarah's cat, Shadow, is put to sleep, she feels the world crumbling around her. Shadow was her closest companion, and now, just like that, she's gone. Sarah's brother Patrick, in an effort to console her, digs a grave behind the house and holds a funeral. Every afternoon, Sarah sits beside the mound of earth, missing her cat so much that sometimes she feels like Shadow is curled up next to her. She's more right than she knows. When Sarah's big brother, Brian, comes home to visit, he and Patrick butt heads fiercely. As her family is thrown into chaos, Sarah begins seeing Shadow in visions--dreams that show a dark future for her family, which only Sarah can change. Her cat may be gone, but she will always be by Sarah's side.
Piano Man
by Joyce SweeneyEntranced by a neighbor's music, a teenage girl learns what it means to love At fourteen years old, Deidre is just beginning to notice boys. Her cousin Susan is about to go on her first date, with a drop-dead gorgeous sixteen-year-old, but Deidre doesn't feel ready--that is, until she hears Jeff Elliot play. She's making dinner for her mother when the sound of the piano comes down through the ceiling--a haunting melody of heartbreak and loss that fills her with a joy she never imagined. When Deidre meets Jeff by their apartment building's pool, she knows immediately that she loves him. Although he is much older than she, Deidre believes she understands him like no one else can. But as she and Susan begin to find, nothing is as blinding as love at first sight.
Center Line
by Joyce SweeneyTo escape their abusive father, five brothers take to the road Shawn and his brothers sit around the kitchen table, eating dinner and kidding around. They're just like any other teenagers having a good time--until a groan comes from the living room, and the boys go dead silent. Their father is waking up, and he is angry. When Dad finds out that one of Shawn's brothers scratched the car, he flies into a rage, slapping his son around until the boy has no tears left. It's a horrifying scene--and one they've watched a thousand times before. That night, Shawn makes a decision. He's running away, and he's taking his brothers with him. They set out on the open road with only as much as they can carry, hoping to find a better life. But as the journey becomes more and more arduous, Shawn realizes that he and his brothers will have to rely on one another if they're going to survive.
Face the Dragon
by Joyce SweeneyOn his first day of high school, a boy must confront his fears As soon as he wakes up, Eric senses doom on the horizon. A bright fourteen-year-old, he has been fast-tracked from junior high to the tenth grade, and he is terrified. The only thing saving him from panic is the knowledge that Paul, his best friend since childhood, will be by his side. Where Eric is scared of the unknown, Paul is fearless and seems capable of anything. But neither of them is ready for what's in store. Eric attempts to leave his comfort zone, trying out for sports teams and joining the debate club, but the sadistic debate coach, Mr. Drake, is intent on destroying the young boy's confidence. Eric is paralyzed by his fears until he encounters the story of the brave knight Beowulf, who encourages him to put worry aside and embrace the warrior within.
The Dream Collector
by Joyce SweeneyBe careful what you wish for . . . Becky Seville is excited when she finds her hard-to-buy-for family the perfect Christmas gift: a self-help book about using positive thinking to make dreams come true. All they have to do is write their greatest wishes at the front of the book and then follow the instructions. She even buys a copy for herself to get a date with her gorgeous new neighbor. Her family agrees that this year is going to be different; they are no longer going to let fear hold them back from achieving their goals. The Sevilles are on their way to having everything they've ever wanted--or so Becky thinks. But when everything starts going wrong, Becky realizes that just because you wish for something doesn't mean you're ready for the consequences of having it granted.
The Tiger Orchard
by Joyce SweeneyEvery night, Zack is plagued by bizarre recurring nightmares--what if his dream world is trying to tell him something? Zack has never fit in with the rest of his family, and for as long as he can remember, he has experienced strange nightmares of a shadowy man. His therapist, Nancy, says these dreams are his subconscious mind's way of trying to reveal something, but Zack isn't so sure. After all, what could nightmares filled with tigers and apple orchards possibly mean? Luckily, he has the beautiful new girl at school to take his mind off his troubles. For his final assignment in art class, Zack is tasked with showing the darkest depths of his soul, and he knows that his nightmares are the perfect subject for a painting. But when a long-repressed memory from his childhood suddenly surfaces, Zack's life is thrown into turmoil, and he discovers everything he thought about his family is based on a lie. Zack must finally confront his past before he can have a future free of the secret that haunts him.
Free Fall
by Joyce SweeneyWhen four boys decide to spend the day exploring a cave, they have no idea that their fun afternoon is about to become a fight for survival Neil and his best friend, Randy, can't wait to explore a nearby cave for the afternoon. But when Neil's little brother, David, finds out, Neil is forced to bring David and his timid friend Terry along for the ride. What starts out as an exciting expedition soon turns dangerous when the four boys get lost in the cave's labyrinth of winding passages. Neil knows it's not David's fault that they're lost, yet he still lashes out at his brother with every wrong turn, and Randy and David's constant bickering isn't helping to calm his nerves. As tension builds between the boys, Neil and David try to address what they've kept hidden for years: the truth about David that can never be forgotten--or forgiven. Hopelessly lost, angry, hungry, and terrified, the boys are willing to do just about anything to find a way out of the cave before they end up killing one another. But to escape, Neil and David are going to have to figure out a way to put the past behind them and work together.
Isabelle Shows Her Stuff: The Isabelle Series, Book Two (Isabelle #2)
by Constance C. GreeneThe irrepressible Isabelle is back, teaching new friends old tricks No one warned the new kid on the block, third grader Guy Gibbs, to watch out for a spirited, newspaper-delivering fifth grader named Isabelle. But as he helps the movers get his family's piano through the front door, there she is: the original itch herself. Before long, Isabelle makes Guy her protégé. Suddenly she's introducing him to the thrills of fighting with your best friend and wearing your mother's pantyhose while robbing a bank. Isabelle's energy is infectious, and Guy is having fun. But soon, stirring up trouble starts to feel like more effort than it's worth, and Guy must decide between being a tough kid and being himself. Isabelle Shows Her Stuff, the second in Constance C. Greene's boisterous Isabelle series, is an entertaining and lively follow-up tale for the itch's young fans.