The majestic Osprey is an endangered bird that hasn’t been seen in Scotland for years, so when Iona McNair locates an Osprey nest, she’s desperate to keep the bird safe from poachers. She shares her secret with her classmate Callum, and the two become friends as they work to save the Osprey they’ve named Isis. They’re able to get the bird tagged by a preservationist, but after Isis flies to Africa for the winter, her signal becomes stagnant, then lost. Spurred by a promise to Iona, who has fallen ill, Callum is determined to track and save Isis, and a leap of faith and the magic of e-mail connects him with a girl in Gambia who can help him make good—in more ways than one. Set against the dramatic landscapes of Scotland and West Africa, this is a timeless tale of hope and friendship—a heartwarming novel infused with the beauty of nature.
Scotland (UK)
Materials from Scotland (UK)
Lewis Clowns Around
Poor Lewis hates being a puffin. His brother Harris is great at catching fish, flying and doing puffin things, but Lewis just doesn’t fit in. He longs for a different life, far away from the crashing waves and tall cliffs of the Firth of Forth. Lewis finds the answer, and heads off to the circus to become a clown. He meets many incredible creatures: Carla Koala, Zorro the Highwire Cat, the Flying Blue Monkeys and Daredevil Pat. But when his act goes terribly wrong, can Lewis overcome his fears, find some confidence and save the day? A charming and hilarious rhyming picture book about a young misfit puffin who learns that it’s okay to be different.
Kiss of Death
Scarlett thought Dan McAndrew’s murder was long behind her, but when she and her classmates arrive in Edinburgh for a weeklong field trip, she’s startled to be joined by her old St. Tabby’s cohorts–and enemies–who are visiting the area on a field trip as well. Even more startling, Callum, Dan’s surviving twin, is in the area–and his cold treatment leaves Scarlett wondering what’s changed, especially when a series of attacks makes her believe that someone’s out to get her for her past mistakes. Would Callum ever hurt her, though? And what’s Scarlett to make of her conflicting feelings for Callum, now that Jase isn’t around? Even more upsetting, why is her most trusted confidante, Taylor, acting distant and dismissive?
I’m Me!
Little Imogen doesn’t want to play princess or pirate! Why pretend? Being herself is the most fun of all! The story of a girl who knows who she is: “I’m Me!” Grown-ups! Always telling kids what to do, how to act, and who to be! Imogen is excited to spend the day with her Auntie Sara, but which dress-up game does she want to play? Who is Imogen today? Is she a frilly princess in a poufy gown? A knight in shining armor, taming a flying dragon? An astronaut blasting off into space? “No, no, no!” Imogen sings, with a shake of her pigtails. She doesn’t want to be any of those things! “Well,” Auntie Sara asks, “if you’re not a princess or a knight or an astronaut, who are you?” “I’m me!” Imogen declares. And that’s the best role of all.
Last Song
Beautiful watercolor paintings add rich layers of mood and feeling to an old Scottish poem, depicting a squirrel family spending the day together—waking, playing, and nestling down to sleep under the eye of watchful parent.
Ivy Loves To Give
Ivy loves to give gifts, even though she doesn’t always give the right present to the right person. (The dog doesn’t need glasses! The cat doesn’t need a pacifier!) And Ivy finds that sometimes it’s hard to give BACK something you’ve borrowed and fallen in love with. But in the end, everyone is matched up with the right present, Ivy gets to keep the thing she likes best, and gives her sister the best gift of all: a big, warm hug!
Love Puppies And Corner Kicks
What’s a girl to do when Mom and Dad announce that the whole family is moving to Scotland for a yearlong teacher exchange? Can you spell d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r? When Andrea gets there, she finds she and her family are living with the principal and she is being pestered by the ultraweird Jasmin. But then she finds an amazing girls’ soccer league and a cute boy named Stewart. Will Andrea’s new tough soccer girls accept that she is crushing on a boy from a rival team and not totally devoted to winning a championship? Perfect for fans of Lauren Myracle.
Henny Penny
Everyone has heard the story of Henny Penny, and how her foolishness led her to a terrible end. But that is the version from the fox’s point of view. In this beautifully illustrated retelling, readers will enjoy a cheery new take on the tale of Henny Penny, who may have been smarter than anyone previously thought. The familiar repetition of silly names and the even sillier antics of the animal characters will win over readers as they have for generations, while Sophie Windham’s gorgeous illustrations bring a fresh new perspective to this heroic hen’s tale.
B Is For Bagpipes
This newest entry in our Discover the World series reveals the treasures of Scotland– from Edinburgh’s castles to the stories of Robert Louis Stevenson to the gloomy waters of Loch Ness and its fabled Nessie. Learn about haggis, tatties and neeps and other great traditions from the country that invented golf.
Too Many Fairies: A Celtic Tale
An old woman is at her wits end when a troop of fairies won’t stop cleaning her house