Engaging characters are brought to life in cheery cut-paper illustrations. This international collection of folk tales bring together six of Barbara Baumgartner’s most successful performances on one volume. For the first time ever, this well-loved storyteller has written down her stories for school-age children to enjoy at home. Engaging characters-from the clever monkey who outwits a hungry crocodile, to a magical dragon that brings secret gifts to a kind young boy-are brought to life in Judith Moffatt’s cheery cut-paper illustrations. Readers will also enjoy Bringing the Stories to Life with Stick Puppets, a special section at the end of the book. Following simple instructions for making their own puppets, children will learn how to act out the tales in the book. Through her animated stories, Barbara Baumgartner teaches young listeners the simple truths of folk tales and the wisdom that each imparts.
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Ghosts in the Fog
Few know the story of the Japanese invasion of Alaska during World War II–until now. This narrative nonfiction book for young adults tells the riveting story of how the Japanese invaded and occupied the Aleutian Islands in Alaska during World War II. This fascinating little-known piece of American history is told from the point of view of the American civilians who were captured and taken prisoner, along with the American and Japanese soldiers who fought in one of the bloodiest battles of hand-to-hand combat during the war. Complete with more than 80 photographs throughout and first person accounts of this extraordinary event.
Nowhere Girl
Luchi Ann only knows a few things about herself: she was born in a prison in Thailand. Her American mother was an inmate there. And now that her mother has died, Luchi must leave the only place she’s ever known and set out into the world. Neither at home as a Thai, because of her fair skin and blond hair, nor as a foreigner, because of her knowledge of Thai life and traditions, Luchi feels as though she belongs nowhere. But as she embarks on an amazing adventure-a journey spanning continents and customs, harrowing danger and exhilarating experiences-she will find the family, and the home, she’s always dreamed of. Weaving intricate elements of traditional Thailand into a modern-day fairy tale unique unto itself, Nowhere Girl is a beautifully rendered story of courage, resilience, and finding the one place where you truly belong.
Haunting Violet
Violet Willoughby doesn’t believe in ghosts. But they believe in her. After spending years participating in her mother’s elaborate ruse as a fraudulent medium, Violet is about as skeptical as they come in all matters supernatural. Now that she is being visited by a very persistent ghost, one who suffered a violent death, Violet can no longer ignore her unique ability. She must figure out what this ghost is trying to communicate, and quickly because the killer is still on the loose. Afraid of ruining her chance to escape her mother’s scheming through an advantageous marriage, Violet must keep her ability secret. The only person who can help her is Colin, a friend she’s known since childhood, and whom she has grown to love. He understands the true Violet, but helping her on this path means they might never be together. Can Violet find a way to help this ghost without ruining her own chance at a future free of lies?
Hades
Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xav is so good after all?
Frost
After her boyfriend Jack conjures up a record-breaking snow storm, sixteen-year-old Kat LeBlanc finds herself facing an unusual rival in the form of an environmental researcher from Greenland who is drawn to their small town of Norse Falls, Minnesota, by the storm.
Icefall
Princess Solveig and her siblings are trapped in a hidden fortress tucked between towering mountains and a frozen fjord, along with her best friend and an army of restless soldiers, all awaiting news of the king’s victory in battle, but as they wait for winter’s end and the all-encompassing ice to break, acts of treachery make it clear that a traitor lurks in their midst.
Chain Reaction
Luis Fuentes is a good boy who doesn’t live with the angst that his big brothers, Alex and Carlos, have always lived with. Luis is smart, funny, and has big dreams of becoming an astronaut. But when he falls for the wrong girl, Luis enters a dark world he’s never known, and just when he thinks he’s got life all figured out, learns some disturbing news about his family that destroys his positive outlook on life. Will that Fuentes bad boy streak come out with a vengeance and lure Luis to live on the edge like his new girlfriend and his own father?Continuing all the steamy romance of the first two books, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Simone Elkeles gives fans one more satisfying taste of the irresistible Fuentes boys.
Don’t Call Me Hero
Educator and author Ray Villareal has written another fast-paced novel for young adults about celebrity and what it means to be a “hero.”
How Tia Lola Ended Up Starting Over
Welcome to Tia Lola’s bed-and-breakfast! With the help of her niece and nephew and the three Sword sisters, Tia Lola is opening the doors of Colonel Charlesbois’s grand old Vermont house to visitors from far and near. But Tia Lola and the children soon realize that running a B & B isn’t as easy as they had initially thought–especially when it appears that someone is out to sabotage them! Will Tia Lola and the kids discover who’s behind the plot to make their B & B fail? And will Tia Lola’s family and friends be able to plan her surprise birthday party in her own B & B without her finding out?