My Heart Will Not Sit Down

When Kedi hears about America’s Great Depression from her teacher, her heart will not sit down. Men and women are unable to find work. Children are going hungry. In her teacher’s village of New York City, people are starving because they do not have money to buy food. But can one small girl in Africa’s Cameroon like Kedi make a difference all the way across the great salt river in America?Inspired by true events, Mara Rockliff’s gorgeous and accessible text matched with Ann Tanksley’s vibrant and warm illustrations bring to life the remarkable story of one child’s vision, passion, and dedication to make the world a better place.

Out of the Way! Out of the Way!

A young boy spots a baby tree growing in the middle of a dusty path in his village. He carefully places rocks around it as the local mango seller rushes past shouting, ?Out of the way! Out of the way!” As the tree grows bigger, people and animals traverse the path until it becomes a lane, flowing like a river around the tree and getting out of its way. Over time, the lane becomes a road, and a young man crossing the road with his children remembers the baby tree from long ago. By the time he is an old man, the tree has become a giant. The city traffic continues to rattle past, noisier and busier than ever, but sometimes the great tree works its magic, and people just stop, and listen. In this simple, lyrical story, a wide-spreading tree and a busy road grow simultaneously, even as time passes and the footsteps of people and animals give way to speeding cars, buses and trucks.

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 5, Issue 1

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian

Artemis Fowl’s archenemy Opal Koboi has masterminded a way to simultaneously secure her release from prison and bring the human and fairyworlds to their knees.  And, unless Artimis can stop her, the evil pixie’s next move will destroy all human life on earth.  Ground zero is the Fowl estate, where Opal has reanimated fairy warriors who were buried there thousands of years ago.  Their spirits have possessed any vessels they can find–corpses, Artimis’s little brothers, assorted wildlife–and they are bound to obey Opal’s evry command.  Defeating the motley troops and their diabolical leader will require all of Artemis’s cleverness– as well asButler’s bravery, Holly’s skill, and Foaly’s gadgetry.  But if their best efforts aren’t enough, Armageddon will surely follow.

New York Times best-selling author and comic genius Eoin Colfer will leave Artemis Fowl fans gasping up to the very end of this thrilling finale to the Blockbuster series.

Florentine And Pig

After a week of rain, Florentine and Pig are ready to do something outdoors and decide to have a picnic, but getting the apples needed for Pig’s favorite treat proves to be a challenge. Includes directions for making “Pig’s Pretty Picnic Bunting” and recipes for “Apple and carrot muffins with squidgy lemon icing” and “Florentine’s home-made pink lemonade with fresh berry ice cubes “.

The Big Adventure Of The Smalls

It’s the night of the Small Hall Ball, and everyone in the Small family is getting ready for one of the BIGGEST parties of the year. Everyone, that is, except for Paul and Sally Small, who are too young to join in the fun. But when Paul’s tiny teddy bear goes missing, he and Sally have no choice but to sneak into the festivities, and nothing–not secret doors, spooky passageways, or even a swinging chandelier–will stop the smallest of the Smalls from finding Paul’s furry little friend.

The Adventures Of Sir Balin The Ill-Fated

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant knights of the roundtable.  While most of King Arthur’s knights freely chose a life of duty, for Sir Balin the Ill-Fated, destiny was foretold in a prophecy. And seriously, “ill-fated” is right there in his title, so Balin’s not surprised when things go sour. Still, no matter how dire the task, a loyal and gallant knight never refuses adventure!  Will Sir Balin finally discover his true destiny? And which ill-fated path will he have to choose? Join Balin on this, the noblest quest of all. With black-and-white drawings from acclaimed artist Aaron Renier throughout.

Burn Marks

In a modern world–where witches are burned at the stake–two lives intersect.

Glory. She’s descended from a long line of powerful witches. The power of the fae is all she’s wanted for as long as she remember.

Lucas. His father is the Chief Prosecutor for the Inquisition. All he’s ever wanted is to hunt witches.

The fae appears as a dark spot on the skin. Like a kiss from the devil. And for Glory and Lucas, it appears almost simultaneously. Lucas will report himself to the Inquisition immediately.  Glory will keep her fae a secret from the authorities. But is it illegal gangs that hold the real power over the witching world. And it is through them that Lucas and Glory will be drawn together…whether they like it or not.

A Boy And A Bear In A Boat

A boy and a bear go to sea.  They’re not going far–it really shouldn’t take long…

But then they encounter “unforeseeable anomalies”:  Turbulant stormy seas!  A terrifying sea monster!  And the rank remains of The Very Last Sandwich.  The odds are against the boy and the bear and their boat.  Will the Harriet, their trusted vessel, withstand the violent lashings of the salty waves?  And will anyone ever answer their message ina  bottle?  Charming, entertaining and utterly original, this beautiful book mapys the growth of a truly memorable friendship and tells the story of how, when all is lost, the most unexpected joys can be found.

Alek

A very small boy called Doup once came with the Crow-girl to make his home in Crow Cave, a tine community nestled by the sea.  Now he has grown and is ready to leave behind childish things: he reclaims his birth name, Alek, and travels away from Crow Cove to the fishing village of Last Harbor to visit his older brother.  One night, Alek awakens from a deep sleep to see two points of light at the end of the beach, where all should be dark.  When he investigates, he witnesses a terrible crime:  shipwreckers have lured a boat to crash upon the rocky shore and are in the process of killing all the survivors.  He is not the only witness.  A beautiful girl has escaped…at least for now.  Alek must keep her safe while waiting for the chance to bring the murders to justice.  Dramatic, poignant, and moving, this is the final book in the much-acclaimed Children of Crow Cove series.

Dragon Castle

Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his familyÑno one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko’s parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought. Master storyteller Joseph Bruchac, known for his smart, gripping Native American books, here combines his signature action and adventure with a large dose of humor, which just brings this story to a whole new level.