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By Melanie Florence, Richard Scrimger. 2022
Two kids from different worlds form an unexpected friendship.Cody’s home life is a messy, too-often terrifying story of neglect and…
abuse. Cody himself is a smart kid, a survivor with a wicked sense of humour that helps him see past his circumstances and begin to try to get himself out.Autumn is, quite literally, on the other side of the tracks from him. Her home life is loving and secure, and she is “in” with the popular girls at school, even if she has a secret life as a glasses-wearing, self-professed comic book nerd at home. And even if the pressure to fit in at school requires hours of time spent making herself look “perfect.”Returning home from a movie one evening, Autumn comes across Cody, face down in the laneway behind her house. All Cody knows is that he can’t take another beating from his father like the one he just narrowly escaped. He can’t go home, but he doesn’t have anywhere else to go either. Autumn won’t turn her back on him, even if they never really were friends at school. She agrees to let him hide out in her dad’s art studio at night.Over the next couple of days of Autumn sneaking Cody food and bandages, his story comes out. And so does hers.Told in alternating narratives, Autumn Bird and the Runaway is a breathtaking collaboration by two of Canada’s finest writers of books for young readers. Infused with themes of identity, belonging and compassion, it’s a story that reminds us that we are all more than our circumstances, and we are all more connected than we think.By Allison Schuetzler. 2014
The First Easter Bunny! A colorful array of watercolor illustrations with scripture references brings to life the unique story of…
Jesus arriving in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to his ascension into the heavens; all through the eyes of one small rabbit named Arnebeth. Included inside is a photograph of a real Israeli rock rabbit known as a hyrax just like Arnebeth!By Thomas. 2006
To forgive may be divine . . . The daughter of two Hollywood superstars, Divine Matthews-Hardison lives the privileged life…
most fifteen-year-olds only dream of: she's all about designer clothes, awards ceremonies, parties, and having a name that opens doors. Divine could be a model, an actress, anything she wants. But when you live in the spotlight, there's nowhere to hide when your family falls apart. Her father is in trouble with the law, her mother has her own demons, and no one has room for Divine -- no one except her uncle, a Georgia pastor with a modest country home and a big heart. . . . but can Divine ever forgive? Divine can't believe she's been sent to live with her mom's family in the sticks. Doing chores, getting an allowance, and church-going are hardly what she's used to, and she lets everyone -- from her patient Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe to her cousins, Alyssa and Chance -- know she's not trading in her Gucci bags for a feedbag any time soon. But as the love and faith of a good family take hold in her heart, miraculous changes start to occur. And when the chance comes to return to her high-flying life, Divine is faced with her toughest decision: Now that she's found the one thing she's never had, could she ever leave it behind?By Jacquelin Thomas. 2007
Divine is used to getting what she wants.... Thanks to her loving Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Reed, Divine Matthews-Hardison has…
a place to call home after the Hollywood life she was accustomed to fell apart at the seams. Getting away from the spotlight that nearly destroyed her own parents, Divine has changed for the better -- though there's still enough diva in Divine to keep life in Temple, Georgia, very lively, from mall shopping with her cousin Alyssa and her fashion-challenged aunt, to worshipping at her uncle's church, to dating. But what if it's too much too soon? Divine has boys on the brain and she's itching for a social life -- at least as much as is allowed under Uncle Reed's watchful eyes. She knows she's too young for the kind of secretive drama her cousin Chance is going through with his girlfriend, but still.... Turning to the internet, Divine gets a major crush on sixteen-year-old Sean, who sounds and looks like the perfect guy. But she is about to learn a difficult -- and potentially dangerous -- lesson: Things are not always what they appear to be....By David Ritz, Willie Nelson. 2016
Willie Nelson's inspiring Christmas fable, based on his holiday classic "Pretty Paper." More than fifty years ago, Willie Nelson's beloved…
Christmas song "Pretty Paper" first hit the airwaves. And for all these years, Willie has wondered about the real-life Texas street vendor, selling wrappings and ribbons, who inspired his song. Who was this poor soul? What did his painful trials say about our loves, our hopes, our dreams in this holiday season--and in the rest of our lives?It's the early sixties and Willie Nelson is down and out, barely eking out a living as a singer-songwriter. The week before Christmas, he spots a legless man on a cart, selling wares in front of Leonard's Department Store in Fort Worth, Texas. The humble figure, by the name of Vernon Clay, piques Willie's curiosity, but Vernon is stubbornly private and--despite Willie's charming queries--has no interest in telling his story. Willie is tenacious, though, and he eventually learns that Vernon is a fellow musician, a fine guitarist and singer.When Vernon disappears, he leaves behind only a diary, which tells an epic tale of life-altering tragedies, broken hearts, and crooked record men, not to mention backroad honky-tonks, down-home cooking, and country songwriting genius. Deeply moved and spurred on by Vernon's pages, Willie aims to give the man one last shot at redemption and a chance to embody the holiday spirit.From the Hardcover edition.By E. T. Hoffman. 2018
On Christmas Eve, seven-year-old Marie and her eight-year-old brother Fritz anxiously await their Christmas gifts. When their godfather—a clock builder…
and toymaker—arrives, he unveils an ornate clockwork castle adorned with whirling figurines for the children. While Fritz plays with the clock, Marie is taken aside and given another gift—a nutcracker. After Fritz grabs the nutcracker from Marie and breaks its jaw by cracking too many nuts, their playtime ends and they head off to bed. When the clock strikes twelve, magic makes its way into this enduring tale and an epic battle ensues. This timeless classic, featuring all-new full-color and black-and-white illustrations by artist Arkady Roytman and abridged text by Gina Gold, is the perfect story to get anyone in the holiday spirit!By Brendan Powell Smith. 2017
As in all the Brick Bible books, Brendan Powell Smith creates a magical “brick” world—all in LEGOs—to illustrate stories from…
the Bible that are then photographed and accompanied by a simple text.In this book, there are many stories to tell. After being baptized, and in the company of his twelve disciples, Jesus began performing many great acts, including giving a blind man sight, raising a young girl from death, feeding five thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread, and, perhaps the most famous of all, walking on water.By Zadie Smith. 2013
Una novela magistral e íntima de la vida moderna de Londres. Los protagonistas de la historia, Leah, Natalie, Felix y…
Nathan, crecieron entre edificios de protección oficial y, ahora en la treintena, la ambición y el azar los han llevado a alcanzar posiciones sociales muy distintas. Los encuentros y desencuentros entre ellos ponen de manifiesto sus diferencias raciales, la validez del ascenso social, su actitud ante cuestiones de fondo como la maternidad, la amistad, la lealtad. Al tiempo que va desvelando los secretos de sus personajes, Zadie Smith ofrece al lector un recorrido por una zona de Londres tan cautivadora como violenta, donde las animosas avenidas enmarcan lóbregas callejas y errar el camino puede conducir a un callejón sin salida. Así pues, el incesante flujo de personas de todo tipo y color, individuos obligados a reinventarse día a día, año tras año, conforman un auténtico laboratorio de prueba de la sociedad mixta y universal que el futuro nos depara. Finalista del Premio Orange y del National Book Critics Circle Award, esta última novela de Zadie Smith viene a confirmar su sólida posición entre los autores más destacados del panorama narrativo en lengua inglesa. Dueña de una brillante combinación de sentido del humor, inteligencia y empatía, y de una especial sensibilidad para captar las facetas más peculiares de la naturaleza humana, Zadie vuelca como nadie la diversidad de voces, rostros y emociones de los habitantes del noroeste de Londres, barrio donde se crio y uno de los enclaves urbanos con mayor índice de multiculturalidad no sólo de Inglaterra, sino del mundo. Reseñas:«Esta novela es un compañero inesperado e irónico de Dientes blancos: un retrato más sombrío y matizado de la cultura multirracial.»Joyce Carol Oates «La brillante escritora Zadie Smith es la sucesora legítima de Dickens.»The Independent «Una novela excepcional, desternillante y, a veces, algo macabra. NW London es una declaración de amor, lírica y muy cómica, a la zona noroeste de Londres. Al igual que Dickens, Zadie Smith posee un don para los diálogos y para combinar la indignación social con el humor que le permite crear intensas obras literarias.»The Sunday Telegraph «Una soberbia novela, vital y airada.»The Telegraph «Una novela de amplio espectro, compleja, sobre las fuerzas que envenenan nuestros sueños de promoción económica [...]. Brillante [...], una radiografía del Londres contemporáneo.»The Washington PostBy Lili Hayward. 2016
A magical tale of Christmas and cats, perfect for everyone who loves A Street Cat Named Bob and Alfie the…
Doorstep Cat.It's nearly Christmas, and Jessamine Pike needs a serious life overhaul.Jess moves into Enysyule, a centuries-old cottage in Cornwall, and begins the process of renovating the rundown house by day and finishing her novel by night, planning to have both finished in time for the holidays. She's got good company: a beautiful, arrogant tomcat stalks around like he owns the place, and seems very skeptical of Jess' tenancy. But there's magic in the air... Local legends tell of a spirit that inhabits the area, and an ancient standing stone that keeps watch over the valley. As Christmas comes closer and closer, Jess uncovers treasures from Enysyule's past, and becomes involved in a fight for its future. For Jess has stumbled into a story that's been going on for five hundred years. A story about land, love, friendship, the Yuletide... and one remarkable cat.By Cherie Dimaline. 2019
A #1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLEROne of the most anticipated books of the summer for Time, Harper's Bazaar, Bustle and Publishers Weekly'Deftly…
written, gripping and informative. Empire of Wild is a rip-roaring read!' Margaret Atwood'Empire of Wild is doing everything I love in a contemporary novel and more. It is tough, funny, beautiful, honest and propulsive' Tommy Orange, author of There There 'Dimaline turns an old story into something newly haunting and resonant' New York Times'Close, tight, stark, beautiful - rich where richness is warranted, but spare where want and sorrow have sharpened every word. Dimaline has crafted something both current and timeless' NPR'Revelatory... Gritty and engaging, this story of a woman and her missing husband is one of candor, wit and tradition'Ms. Magazine Broken-hearted Joan has been searching for her husband, Victor, for almost a year - ever since he went missing on the night they had their first serious argument. One hung-over morning in a Walmart parking lot in a little town near Georgian Bay, she is drawn to a revival tent where the local Métis have been flocking to hear a charismatic preacher. By the time she staggers into the tent the service is over, but as she is about to leave, she hears an unmistakable voice.She turns, and there is Victor. Only he insists he is not Victor, but the Reverend Eugene Wolff, on a mission to bring his people to Jesus.With only two allies - her Johnny-Cash-loving, 12-year-old nephew Zeus, and Ajean, a foul-mouthed euchre shark with deep knowledge of the old Métis ways - Joan sets out to remind the Reverend Wolff of who he really is. If he really is Victor, his life and the life of everyone she loves, depends upon her success.Inspired by traditional Métis legends, Cherie Dimaline has created a propulsive, stunning and sensuous novel.'A must for all Mamma Mia fans!' Sue Moorcroft on My Mamma Mia SummerLaurel is finally living her own Mamma…
Mia dream.Now the owner of Villa Athena on a gorgeous Greek island, the last six months have been a whirlwind as Laurel has modernised the guesthouse, discovered how to run her own business, and learned to negotiate the demands of her new family. But as the festive season draws closer, Laurel begins to wonder if Christmas on Skopelos can ever live up to the cosy Yorkshire Christmases she spent with her beloved grandmother, Marnie. And with a travel writer arriving to review the Villa, Laurel needs a touch of festive sparkle - and a little help from some old friends... With critics to impress, Greek feasts to cook, and an ABBA-themed winter wedding on the horizon, can Laurel throw the perfect Christmas for everyone? And will she find her own romance underneath the mistletoe...?Escape to Greece this Christmas for this joyous sequel to My Mamma Mia Summer - perfect for fans of Heidi Swain, Jenny Colgan and Sarah Morgan.Readers love My Mamma Mia Summer 'I LOVED it...this book filled me with joy' 'A perfect summer read... Full of humour and emotion, this is just an all-round fabulous fun book''I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it enough!''Loved, loved this book. A real feel-good happy book''Full of hope and sunshine...a fun read which has you reaching for the ABBA CDs and booking holidays to Greece!''I loved this book...just the thing to get me in the mood for my holiday''Absolutely loved this book, couldn't put it down but didn't want it to finish''Funny, moving and pure escapism! How can you resist it?''I just loved everything about this book - it left me with the same cosy feeling as the film''A vibrant, warm and satisfying read''Loved the book and felt as if I was in the story''Will have you itching to hop on a plane to the nearest Greek island!'By Caroline Hulse. 2018
'Genuinely unputdownable books are rare in my experience. This is one. A brilliant, original comedy' Daily Mail* * * *…
*MEET THE ADULTS...Claire and Matt are divorced but decide what's best for their daughter Scarlett is to have a 'normal' family Christmas with them all together.Claire brings her new boyfriend Patrick, a seemingly eligible Iron-Man-in-Waiting. Matt brings the new love of his life Alex, funny, smart, and extremely patient. Scarlett, their daughter, brings her imaginary friend Posey. He's a rabbit.Together the five (or six?) of them grit their teeth over Organized Fun activities, drinking a little too much after bed-time, oversharing classified secrets about their pasts and, before they know it, their holiday is a powder keg that ends - where this story starts - with a tearful, frightened, call to the police...But what happened? They said they'd all be adults about this...* * * * *'I loved The Adults! Funny, dry and beautifully observed. Highly recommended' Gill Sims, #1 bestselling author of Why Mummy Drinks and Why Mummy Swears'Such a breath of fresh air! Witty, intensely human and (dare I say it) relatable ... The perfect comedy of errors' Katie Khan'The Adults is my top read of 2018 so far. Absolutely hilarious ... This one will stay with me for a long time' Cathy Bramley 'Packed with sharp wit, engaging characters and off-beat humour, this is a fresh and feisty thrill-ride of a novel' Heat'I took this book on holiday and couldn't put it down! I've never read anything quite like it' The Unmumsy Mum'Gripped me from the start. Reminiscent of Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies - a sure-fire winner' Cass Hunter, author of The After Wife'Brilliantly funny - will have you wincing in recognition' Good Housekeeping'I have a feeling Caroline Hulse might be a genius, this book is so brilliant. t's funny, clever and original - I loved every minute of reading it. Also, Posey should get a spin-off TV show' Lucy Vine, author of Hot Mess'Funny, poignant, real - a truly original book that made me laugh, cry and cringe in equal measure. I loved it' Charlotte Duckworth'Razor-sharp comedy - barbed and brilliant. The characters are totally convincing ... Sparky, heart-felt and fantastically fun, this is a fabulous debut' Sunday MirrorA magical tale of Christmas and cats, perfect for everyone who loves A Street Cat Named Bob and Alfie the…
Doorstep Cat.It's nearly Christmas, and Jessamine Pike needs a serious life overhaul.Jess moves into Enysyule, a centuries-old cottage in Cornwall, and begins the process of renovating the rundown house by day and finishing her novel by night, planning to have both finished in time for the holidays. She's got good company: a beautiful, arrogant tomcat stalks around like he owns the place, and seems very skeptical of Jess' tenancy. But there's magic in the air... Local legends tell of a spirit that inhabits the area, and an ancient standing stone that keeps watch over the valley. As Christmas comes closer and closer, Jess uncovers treasures from Enysyule's past, and becomes involved in a fight for its future. For Jess has stumbled into a story that's been going on for five hundred years. A story about land, love, friendship, the Yuletide... and one remarkable cat.By Nathacha Appanah. 2016
Marie, a nurse on the island of Mayotte, adopts an abandoned baby and names him Moïse, raising him as a…
French boy. As he grows up, Moïse struggles with his status as an "outsider" and to understand why he was abandoned as a baby. When Marie dies, he is left alone, plunged into uncertainty and turmoil, ending up in the largest and most infamous slum on Mayotte, nicknamed "Gaza".Narrated by five different characters, Tropic of Violence is an exploration of lost youth on the French island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. Shining a powerful light on problems of violence, immigration, identity, deprivation and isolation on this island that became a French département in 2011, it is a remarkable, unsettling new novel that draws on the author's own observations from her time on Mayotte.By Karen Schaler. 2018
From Karen Schaler, the award-winning writer of the Netflix viral hit A Christmas Prince, comes a Christmas story chock full…
of festive spirit! Haley 'the Grinch' Hanson's idea of the perfect Christmas is escaping into work and avoiding all the traditional distractions. Over the years, she's sacrificed her personal life to climb the ladder at a prestigious advertising agency. Now she just needs to land a coveted Christmas toy company account to make partner. But first, her boss thinks she needs a holiday attitude adjustment, so he ships her off to Christmas Camp - a mountainside retreat promising to revitalise even the most determined Scrooge's festive spirit.Arriving reluctantly at the snowy inn, Haley meets the owner's handsome son, Jeff, and feels an instant spark. Yet despite the attraction, she's determined to 'graduate' camp as fast as possible so she can get back to work.But it's impossible to resist the charm of the season and soon even Haley starts to live in the moment, growing ever closer to Jeff. Although when he discovers she's been conspiring with his dad to defeat Jeff's plans for the future, it will take all the magic of Christmas to bring these two hearts together . . .'This is the perfect grab-some-hot-chocolate, snuggle-with-a-blanket, feel good holiday story. It is positively dripping with Christmas and I love everything about it' Goodreads reviewer'Heartwarming and full of Christmas spirit!' Goodreads reviewer'The story is adorable. Also I really want to go to Christmas Camp' Goodreaders reviewerBy Thomas Ridgewell. 2018
Sam is a small child with a big problem, they HATE Santa. And so, this Christmas, it's time to embark…
on a quest to vanquish that villain once and for all. Along the way, Sam will encounter Ice Queens and evil Elves, and not a few rocket launchers and explosives, but the big question is...will they be able to rid the world of the tyranny of Santa?By Sue Farrell Holler. 2019
A stranger-than-fiction story based on the real-life experiences of a young boy who was smuggled out of Ethiopia amid political…
unrest to start a new life from nothing in Calgary, Alberta.Tesfaye lives behind the safe walls of his family’s compound in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His father is an important man, Tesfaye goes to one of the best schools in the city, his mother and older sisters keep him fed and cared for. He and his beloved brother, Ishi, can spend their time playing soccer, racing chickens and spying on the guests — as long as they stay away from the sharp horns of the family’s goat and avoid their father’s fiery temper.When rebel forces take over the capital, life becomes more complicated. Tesfaye’s father’s cousin takes him to live in the former imperial palace, and Tesfaye becomes the most favored son. His father takes him along when he gives political speeches and distributes leaflets. It is all very exciting, even if Tesfaye doesn’t pay attention to what the leaflets actually say.And then suddenly his father is arrested, and Tesfaye’s own life is in peril. His mother sends him into hiding in her father’s village, until even that is too dangerous. Tesfaye is put in the care of a human smuggler and embarks on an uncertain, confusing and terrifying journey through Kenya, Europe and finally to Canada, where he is put on a Greyhound bus with ten dollars and instructions to stay on the bus until someone tells him to get off. You are safe now, says the smuggler. You are in Canada. This country will protect you.And so begins his new life in North America, sheltered for a while by fellow expats, threatened by the authorities, shunted from a group home to foster care. But through it all he is plagued by confusion and grief, wondering whether he will ever know what has happened to the family he left behind.Key Text Featuresauthor’s notemaphistorical contextCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.By Annie O'Neil. 2020
Feel-good, funny and festive, this book is guaranteed to melt your heart this Christmas! Perfect for fans of Heidi Swain,…
Jo Thomas and Milly Johnson***'Heartwarming, funny and deliciously festive!' Debbie Johnson, author of Maybe One Day'You'll simply fall in love with this scrumptious Christmas story' Sandy Barker, author of The Christmas SwapBehind every door is a festive wish...When Jess Green arrives at her new home on Christmas Street, she quickly realises that this will be a December to remember! After the disaster of last year, she was hoping to curl up and avoid the festivities - but her new neighbours have other ideas...Together, they're creating something extraordinary: a real-life advent calendar. As each house opens its door for wreath-making, gingerbread icing or carol singing, Jess finds herself swept up in the holiday cheer. Every house, that is, except for No. 24, home to the cantakerous Mr Winters. But when disaster strikes, can Jess pull off a festive miracle - and make her own Christmas wish come true?***Your favourite authors love Miracle on Christmas Street!'The Holiday meets Love Actually . . . the warm, fuzzy, feel-good Christmas tonic we all need this year' Helly Acton, author of The Shelf'Warm, wonderfully wise and brimming with Christmas magic' Cressida McLaughlin, author of The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas'A delightful Christmas read to curl up with' Bella Osborne, author of One Family Christmas'A sparkling, funny, festive treat!' Laura Kemp, author of Bring Me Sunshine'Oozes festive fun and charm! You'll definitely want this in your Christmas stocking' Fiona Harper, author of The Memory Collector'Brimming with warmth and sparkle...Miracle on Christmas Street is sure to leave you filled with the magic of the season' Maisey YatesTHE BESTSELLING SERIES FROM THE MULTI-MILLION-COPY-SELLING AUTHOR CAROLE MATTHEWSCan friendship overcome all for The Chocolate Lovers' Club this Christmas?Christmas is…
just around the corner, but the women of The Chocolate Lovers' Club have more to worry about than shopping for presents. . .Lucy loves running the cafe, Chocolate Heaven, but she hasn't spent time with her boyfriend, Aiden, in weeks. And then her ex-fiance turns up and things become even more complicated.Nadia hasn't let herself get close to a man in a long time, yet she can't help feeling drawn to Jacob. Will he be her last chance for a happy ending?Chantal and her husband, Ted, are besotted with their baby daughter Lana - but she's not sure that's enough to base a marriage on.Autumn is dealing with a tragedy that has hit too close to home. But when she doesn't get the support she needs from her fiance, will she look elsewhere for comfort?The Chocolate Lovers' Christmas is the third novel in Carole Matthews' much-loved series, promising heart-warming friendships, breath-taking romance, and a whole lot of sweet and delicious treats! Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Sarah Morgan.YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHORS LOVE CAROLE MATTHEWS:'A life-affirming story full of joy and hope' CATHY BRAMLEY'Full of heart and fun' MILLY JOHNSON'A wonderful setting where dark clouds part to reveal a happy ending' KATIE FFORDE'An irresistibly warm-hearted story' TRISHA ASHLEY'Warm, witty and hopeful - I was charmed' SARAH MORGAN'The queen of funny, feel-good fiction' MIKE GAYLE*Don't forget to pick up the final book in the series: The Chocolate Lovers' Wedding*font>By Lisa Dickenson. 2016
Whisk yourself away to New York City this Christmas with the perfect festive romance . . .'A perfect Christmas treat'…
MIRANDA DICKINSON'Sprinkled with humour, warmth and, of course, Christmas magic' CATHY BRAMLEYOlivia has never experienced a traditional snowy Christmas before. Growing up, her family would rather escape to the sun than deck the halls, so she's not too sure what all the fuss is about. That is, until she finds herself stranded in New York City after a work trip, and begins to open up to the magic of the season . . .Olivia's friend Jon is desperate to make it home in time for his big family get-together, but determined to make the best of the situation he instead sets out to show Olivia just how enchanting Christmas can be. But when they meet handsome New Yorker Elijah along the way, it appears he's not the only one hoping to open Olivia's heart.As the 25th of December draws near, Olivia suddenly finds herself with a decision to make: who does she really want to kiss under the mistletoe this Christmas?A sparklingly festive and romantic story set in New York at Christmastime, Mistletoe on 34th Street is the perfect read to settle down with this winter. For fans of Giovanna Fletcher, Sarah Morgan and Heidi Swain.PRAISE FOR LISA DICKENSON:'A very funny and touching tale' HEAT magazine'A fun and festive sweet treat of a book' ALI MCNAMARA'You need to read this romcom! Fun, flirty and funny' FABULOUS magazine'A fun, flirty festive read full of Christmas sparkle and romance' JO THOMAS