Embarrassed by her free-spirited parents and lonely when her best friend moves away, a self-conscious eleven-year-old girl named Philippa summons a wish-granting fairy godmother, with unexpected results.
Philippa Fisher’s Fairy Godsister
Intermediate (ages 9-14)
Material appropriate for intermediate age groups
Solving the Mysteries of Stonehenge (Digging into History)
Examines the site of the ancient megalithic monument Stonehenge, discussing theories behind its construction and use.
The City (Life In The Medieval Muslim World)
Presents a social history of the Islamic world from the eighth through the mid-thirteenth century, with a focus on life in the cities.
Iran (Global Hotspots)
Introduces Iran, discussing its history, the Islamic government which currently controls the country, and the turbulent relationship the country has with the Western powers over its support of terrorism and its development of nuclear power.
Solving the Mysteries of the Pyramids (Digging into History)
Describes the pyramids of Egypt, including the materials used to build them, their design, location, and the role they played in ancient Egyptian religion and culture.
Iraq (Global Hotspots)
Introduces Iraq, discussing its history, the wars and political conflicts of the twentieth century, invasion by foreign powers, and the ethnic and religious divisions that contribute to its current instability.
The Swineherd
Lisbeth Zwerger, winner of the 1990 Hans Christian Andersen Medal, brings her distinctive talent to this classic Andersen fairy tale of a foolish Prince who seeks to marry the Emperor’s daughter, and the even more foolish Princess who fails to recognize his true worth. When the Princess refuses him, he disguises himself as a swineherd and plays her favorite songs. By the time she warms up to him it’s too late; he reveals his true identity and leaves her all alone.
Marco Polo
Marco Polo’s adventures as he travels from Venice to Beijing.
Nathan Fox: Dangerous Times
Sir Francis Walsingham, England’s spymaster general, has eyes and ears all over the world. His secret service protects Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth—and ensures the might of all of England. Now he has a new recruit. Fourteen-year-old Nathan Fox is an actor in the same company as young Will Shakespeare. His life in the theater has taught him a thing or two about disguises and deception. But nothing can prepare Nathan for the shadowy world he’s about to enter now. Nathan is trained in swordplay and street fighting, code breaking and escapes. Then he’s paired with fearless spy John Pearce for his first mission: a journey to Venice to forge an alliance against the powerful King of Spain. Posing as master and servant, Nathan and Pearce move smoothly through Venetian society… until they cross paths with the great General Othello. Soon they become entangled in his tragic love affair with a young noblewoman, Desdemona. Nathan’s new life holds more action and more drama than he ever saw on a stage. But will he ever survive to tell Will Shakespeare this tale?
My One Hundred Adventures
Twelve-year-old Jane, who lives at the beach in a run-down old house with her mother, two brothers, and sister, has an eventful summer accompanying her pastor on bible deliveries, meeting former boyfriends of her mother’s, and being coerced into babysitting for a family of ill-mannered children.