Great Books

Newly orphaned Jenny travels from China to live with a grandfather she has never met only to be condemned to a dark cellar room and a cruel servant’s life. Why? “Guaranteed chills and thrills,” says Horn Book of Ghosts in the Gallery, nominated by Mystery Writers of America for its EDGAR Award. “Descriptions draw the reader a picture of time and place and atmosphere that is nearly perfect. Sure to be a hit,” says School Library Journal. Washington Parent calls this book a “real page turner.”

How, Amelia wonders, could four short months have such a wonderful beginning and such a grim and terrible ending? Why must she now find herself riding to the docks of London en route to a strange new life in America, seated beside the stone-faced, bloodless, tight-lipped woman in the grim black hat? “The plot twists and turns at an alarming rate in the is story of dastardly crimes and firm friendships, and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun…” says Booklist in its starred review. A Junior Library Guild book, and Mystery Writers of America EDGAR nominee.

Emily Luccock thought the worst was behind her; she had survived the horrors of Sugar Hill Hall and been reunited with her beloved Aunt and Uncle Twice. Now she is devastated to be left at Mrs. Spilking's Select Academy while her aunt and uncle sail for India. But nothing can top Emily's misery once she spies the dreary school, icy Mrs. Spilking, and, once again, a bowl of tantalizing yet forbidden peppermints! Emily tries to keep her spirits up while counting the days until she can rejoin Aunt and Uncle Twice. But she soon realizes her aunt and uncle have all but forgotten her, and, worse, Mrs. Spilking's behavior grows increasingly cruel -- and suspicious. Can Emily discover what's going on at the dreadful school before her future is destroyed forever?

This book is a comic-satiric fable about the blessing of anonymity and the pitfalls of fame. Argyle the sheep finds comfort in belonging but also requires time away from the flock. After his wool changes into colourful strips - caused be devouring delicious flowers - his enterprising owners use his unique fleece not only to create Scotland's first pair of plaid socks but also to establish a prosperous business. But fame is fleeting.

Fifth grade was a year full of flying brooms, spells-gone-wrong, and general craziness for Rupert P. Brown III. Sixth grade should be a little more normal, right? Wrong! Sixth grade brings a new teacher named Miss Blossom, a principal who is every girl's crush, a bird who's got a thing for math, and a whacked-out computer that leads Rupert to a Web site called computowitch.com -- with a password that's also the name of an evil witch from Rupert's past! As clever as he is, Rupert can probably use some help -- and who better to assist than his favorite bewitching teacher, Miss Switch?

Is your child afraid? There are many traumatic experiences that cause a child to become scared—from divorce to the death of a loved one, from natural disasters to abuse. Even a disturbing news event that a child only sees on television or hears about but does not experience, such as the Oklahoma City bombing or the classroom massacre in Scotland, can make a child fearful or sad. No matter what causes the situation, childhood trauma is common and should be dealt with quickly and effectively. Dr. Barbara Brooks, a psychologist who has successfully helped kids through all types of traumatic situations, provides you with the knowledge you need to put the child you love back on the path to a full and happy life. Kids don't always know how to react to feelings of distress. If these scared feelings are not expressed in a positive way, they can surface later in life when dealing with them becomes more difficult. Here are detailed instructions, based on professional techniques, to encourage kids of any age—from toddler to teenager—to reveal their feelings through words, drawings, and role playing with step-by-step advice for reassuring them and helping them let go of their fear.

In her three popular Claudia books, Barbara Brooks Wallace has created stories that have appealed to boys and girls alike. Misunderstood by her parents, snubbed by a former best friend, on the “outs” at school because of unjust rumors, and finally, forbidden by her family from playing with her only remaining friend, Claudia’s story comes to such a satisfying conclusion kids have written that they wish this would happen to them! “Funny all the way through—dialogue, situations, descriptions.”—Young Readers ReviewNLAPW Children’s Book AwardInternational Youth Library “Best of the Best”

In 1918 a legendary shootout in Arizona made headlines in newspapers across the nation. According to the press, German sympathizers had murdered a federal posse in the Galiuro Mountains in Graham County. Misinformation on the case reported in print would fill volumes, but four men died in that gun battle, and the bitter anger that followed reintroduced the death penalty to Arizona and divided the state for nearly a century. After ten years spent searching old files and unearthing previously unexplored information, author Barbara Brooks Wolfe presents a riveting account of this controversial case.