When Zozimos is banished by an evil witch (his stepmother!) from the kingdom of Sticatha-the kingdom he was next in line to rule-he trains at battle (if you call chasing after butterflies training), travels across stormy seas (thanks for that, Poseidon), slays golems and monsters (with a lot of help), charms beautiful women (not really), and somehow (despite his own ineptitude) survives quest after quest. By the love of Zeus, though, none of it brings him any closer to home!
Intermediate (ages 9-14)
Material appropriate for intermediate age groups
Joy to the World!: Christmas Stories from around the Globe
All over the world, there is a wealth of fascinating traditions and legends surrounding the Christmas story. Here are five festive folk tales, retold by Saviour Pirotta, originating from places as far-flung as Mexico and the Middle East, Northern Europe and North Africa. Sheila Moxley’s vivid artwork adds to the seasonal spirit, making this a true celebration of Christmas, throughout the world.
Read how the lost little camel’s perseverance, resourcefulness and bravery led him back to his mother and baby Jesus’ manger; How an old Baker woman’s kindness and ingenuity saves the life of Baby Jesus and feeds a starving village; The story of a how a goatherding father and daughter, guided by angels, journey to meet the newborn Saviour and present him with weeds that have been transformed into beautiful red Christmas flowers; How selfless little Kumbi puts the needs of others before her own and is rewarded with a gourd of overflowing water to replenish supplies amid drought in her village; Lastly, a Russian variation of the Father Christmas story, where Babushka delivers presents to children from her bottomless basket of toys.
Shona
Fifty-six newly released titles that provide a fascinating portrait of the many peoples that inhabit Africa. These books have natural curriculum tie-ins with multiculturalism, geography, and social studies.
Chewa
This book presents the history, culture, art, and economics of the Chewa people of Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique.
Aesop’s Fables
A little mouse saves the life of a great lion; hungry Grasshopper, too lazy to store food, gets no mercy from the industrious ants; crafty Jackal tricks Klipspringer to escape death – but is himself tricked by the cock and the dog…. Here are 16 of Aesop’s wise, witty and timeless fables, portrayed for the first time in an African setting.
The Elephant Scientist
In the sprawling African scrub desert of Etosha National Park, they call her “the mother of all elephants.” Holding binoculars closely to her eyes, American scientist Caitlin O’Connell could not believe what she was seeing from these African elephants: as the mighty matriarch scanned the horizon, the other elephants followed suit, stopped midstride, and stood as still as statues. This observation would guide the scientist to a groundbreaking discovery about elephant communication: elephants actually listen with their limbs.
Buried Thunder
The eerie and bizarre incidents begin as soon as fourteen-year-old Maya’s family takes over the quaint old Rowen Tree Hotel. First she makes a horrific discovery in the surrounding forest. Then Maya realizes that she is being closely watched, even as she sleeps. It is all too terrifying to believe. Perhaps she’s going mad and is only imagining the sounds in the night and the feeling of being stalked. Maybe she didn’t see anything in the forest after all. Certainly the police and villagers think she is either lying or crazy. And there’s another question: what was she doing alone in the woods in the first place? All she knows is that the mesmerizing eyes of a wild fox drew her there. Those eyes will find her again.
Ravenwood
On Arborium, the last forested island in the future, fourteen-year-old Ark, who lives in a mile-high city set in the tree tops, overhears a plot to rob Arborium of its wood, a natural resource more precious than gold.
The Fire-Eaters
Despite observing his father’s illness, the suffering of the fire-eating Mr. McNulty, and the stress of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Bobby Burns and his family and friends still find reasons to rejoice in their lives and to have hope for the future.
The Missing Golden Ticket and Other Splendifourous Secrets
In Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie Bucket loves chocolate. And Mr. Willy Wonka, the most wondrous inventor in the world, is opening the gates of his amazing chocolate factory. Charlie just needs one golden ticket, and Mr. Wonka’s delicious treats could all be his. . . . But what’s missing? Who is Miranda Piker? And did Mr. Wonka really invent a spotty powder that would keep kids out of school? Find out in the top-secret chapter that was taken out of the original book!