Elena Rudina lives in the impoverished Russian countryside. Her father has been dead for years. One of her brothers has been conscripted into the Tsar’s army, the other taken as a servant in the house of the local landowner. Her mother is dying, slowly, in their tiny cabin. And there is no food. But then a train arrives in the village, a train carrying untold wealth, a cornucopia of food, and a noble family destined to visit the Tsar in Saint Petersburg — a family that includes Ekaterina, a girl of Elena’s age. When the two girls’ lives collide, an adventure is set in motion, an escapade that includes mistaken identity, a monk locked in a tower, a prince traveling incognito, and — in a starring role only Gregory Maguire could have conjured — Baba Yaga, witch of Russian folklore, in her ambulatory house perched on chicken legs.
bravery
The Cucuy Stole My Cascarones/El Coco Me Rob Los Cascarones
Mighty Monster Mysteries! Roberto and his mother made thirty dozen confetti-filled eggs, or cascarones, for his birthday party. Roberto can’t wait to crack the hollowed, painted and confetti-stuffed eggs over his friends’ heads. But, when he goes to the kitchen to get the cascarones, they’re gone! The only clue they ever existed is a trail of confetti that leads to a shadow.
Rose under Fire
When young American pilot Rose Justice is captured by Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women’s concentration camp, she finds hope in the impossible through the loyalty, bravery, and friendship of her fellow prisoners.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 7, Issue 1
Martin the Warrior: A Tale from Redwall
As a child, Martin was brought to the stronghold of Badrang the Tyrant, forced into enslavement behind its massive walls. But he was strong. He was brave. And mere escape was not his plan, as long as his father’s sword rested in Badrang’s ruthless fist.
Muncle Trogg
Bullied and despised for being human-sized, a young giant demonstrates his bravery and cleverness in a series of adventures.
Brave Squish Rabbit
Squish, a little rabbit who is afraid of nearly everything, ventures into the night during a storm to find his friend, Twitch, who he fears may have encountered chickens.
Joan of Arc
A biography of the fifteenth-century peasant girl who led a French army to victory against the English and was burned at the stake for witchcraft.
The Scariest Thing Of All
Pip the rabbit may be little. But the list of things he’s afraid of is very, very large. Life the gobbler…or the wood troll…or the leggy wiggler! Until one day, Pip gets lost in the woods and is forced to face his fears. What is the Scariest Thing of All? And can little Pip stand up to it?
From the beloved author and illustrator of No Matter What comes a reassuring and gentle tale of finding bravery in the most unexpected place–inside yourself.
Joan of Arc
The life of a major figure in Frances history who is now one of its patron saints.
Shadows on the Moon
Trained in the magical art of shadow-weaving, sixteen-year-old Suzume, who is able to re-create herself in any form, is destined to use her skills to steal the heart of a prince in a revenge pot.