"Listen then, and I'll tell you again of the Battle of the Rock. But none of your usual wriggling, or I'll stop before I've begun . . .
Halli loves the old stories from when the valley was a wild and dangerous place - when the twelve legendary heroes, led by his ancestor Svein, stood together to defeat the ancient enemy, the bloodthirsty Trows.
Halli longs for adventure but it seems these days the most dangerous thing in the valley is boredom. He tries to liven things up by taunting his siblings and playing practical jokes. But when one of his jokes goes too far reawakening an old blood feud Halli finds himself on a hero's quest after all. Along the way he meets a ruthless thief, a murderous rival, and a girl who may just be as fearless as he is. Halli may be about to make his own last stand and discover the truth about the legends, about his family, and about himself...
Jonathan Stroud has created an epic saga with a funny, unique spin, and an unforgettable anti-hero."
"Unable to live up to the idealised view of her missing sister, Caitlin withdraws into herself, keeping her life - and her flourishing relationship with Rogerson - a secret even from her best friend. So when Rogerson starts hitting her, she keeps it all inside, her only outlet for her pain a diary, addressed to her missing sister..."
"This title chronicles the song and dance genius of the King of Pop, whose recent death reinforced the level of his global influence and stardom. While covering controversies and oddities - from the trial on molestation charges to his cosmetic surgeries to his amusement-park house Neverland, the book also details his incredible songs, videos, work habits, childhood, and groundbreaking career. Jackson's music is still popular with young people, especially with the convenience of MP3 downloads and the enthusiasm passed down from older fans.Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company."
"This title examines the remarkable life of Barack Obama. Readers will learn about his childhood, education, community organizer work, and law career. Obama’s entry into politics is discussed in detail, including his rise from state senator to the first African-American president of the United States. Obama’s family life and societal contributions are also covered. Color photos and informative sidebars accompany easy-to-read, compelling text. Features include a timeline, facts, additional resources, web sites, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Essential Lives is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company. Grades 6-9."
"The Luxe is the first book in the New York Times bestselling Luxe series by Anna Godbersen.
Pretty girls in pretty dresses, partying until dawn.
Irresistible boys with mischievous smiles and dangerous intentions.
White lies, dark secrets, and scandalous hookups.
This is Manhattan, 1899.
Beautiful sisters Elizabeth and Diana Holland rule Manhattan's social scene. Or so it appears. When the girls discover their status among New York City's elite is far from secure, suddenly everyone—from the backstabbing socialite Penelope Hayes, to the debonair bachelor Henry Schoonmaker, to the spiteful maid Lina Broud—threatens Elizabeth's and Diana's golden future.
With the fate of the Hollands resting on her shoulders, Elizabeth must choose between family duty and true love. But when her carriage overturns near the East River, the girl whose glittering life lit up the city's gossip pages is swallowed by the rough current. As all of New York grieves, some begin to wonder whether life at the top proved too much for this ethereal beauty, or if, perhaps, someone wanted to see Manhattan's most celebrated daughter disappear...
In a world of luxury and deception, where appearance matters above everything and breaking the social code means running the risk of being ostracized forever, five teenagers lead dangerously scandalous lives. This thrilling trip to the age of innocence is anything but innocent.
Gossip Girl meets the Gilded Age in this delicious and compelling novel, the first in the New York Times bestselling series from author Anna Godbersen."
"Gossip Girl meets the Gilded Age in this delicious and compelling novel, the second in the New York Times bestselling series from author Anna Godbersen.
As old friends become rivals, Manhattan’s most dazzling socialites find their futures threatened by whispers from the past. In this delicious sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Luxe, nothing is more dangerous than a scandal...or more precious than a secret.
True love. False friends. Scandalous gossip. This is Manhattan, 1899.
After bidding good-bye to New York’s brightest star, Elizabeth Holland, rumors continue to fly about her untimely demise.
All eyes are on those closest to the dearly departed: her mischievous sister, Diana, now the family’s only hope for redemption; New York’s most notorious cad, Henry Schoonmaker, the flame Elizabeth never extinguished; the seductive Penelope Hayes, poised to claim all that her best friend left behind—including Henry; even Elizabeth’s scheming former maid, Lina Broud, who discovers that while money matters and breeding counts, gossip is the new currency.
“Mystery, romance, jealousy, betrayal, humor, and gorgeous, historically accurate details. I couldn’t put The Luxe down!” —Cecily von Ziegesar, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Gossip Girl series"
"Alone in the wilderness, Cole found peace. But he’s not alone anymore.
Cole Matthews used to be a violent kid, but a year in exile on a remote Alaskan island has a way of changing your perspective. After being mauled by a Spirit Bear, Cole started to heal. He even invited his victim, Peter Driscal, to join him on the island and they became friends.
But now their time in exil is over, and Cole and Peter are heading back to the one place they’re not sure they can handle: high school. Gangs and violence haunt the hallways, and Peter’s limp and speech impediment make him a natural target. In a school where hate and tension are getting close to the boiling point, the monster of rage hibernating inside Cole begins to stir."
"Meet the Beacon Street Girls...They're real, they're fun-they're just like you!
Love is in the air at Abigail Adams Junior High.
There’s a big dance coming up, and the BSG are having fun thinking up dream dates. But as the day of the dance approaches, things start to get complicated. Why is Dillon paying more attention to Avery than Maeve? And why is Nick spending so much time with Chelsea, when everyone knows he and Charlotte are made for each other? Who will the BSG share the last dance with?"
"When eighth-grader San Lee moves to a new town and a new school for the umpteenth time, he doesn't try to make new friends or be a loner or play cool. Instead he sits back and devises a plan to be totally different. When he accidentally answers too many questions in World History on Zen (only because he just had Ancient Religions two schools ago) all heads turn and San has his answer: he's a Zen Master. And just when he thinks everyone (including the cute girl he can't stop thinking about) is on to him, everyone believes him . . . in a major Zen way."
"The sequel to The Warrior Heir by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cinda Williams Chima.
Sixteen-year-old Seph McCauley has spent the past three years getting kicked out of one exclusive private school after another. And it's not his attitude that's the problem: it's the trail of magical accidents—lately, disasters—that follow in his wake. Seph is a wizard, orphaned and untrained, and his powers are escalating out of control.
After causing a tragic fire at an after-hours party, Seph is sent to the Havens, a secluded boys' school on the coast of Maine. At first, it seems like the answer to his prayers. Gregory Leicester, the headmaster, promises to train Seph in magic and initiate him into his mysterious order of wizards. But Seph's enthusiasm dampens when he learns that training comes at a steep cost, and that Leicester plans to use his students' powers to serve his own wicked agenda.
In this companion novel to The Warrior Heir, everyone's got a secret to keep: Jason Haley, a fellow student who's been warned to keep away from Seph; the enchanter Linda Downey, who knew his parents; the rogue wizard Leander Hastings; and the warriors Jack Swift and Ellen Stephenson. The only question is: Does Seph have the strength to survive this wizard war?"
"It sure wasn’t Ronnie’s Choice to move from the only town he had ever known and comfortable school to find himself immersed in a very different town and strange new school. Ronnie rapidly discovers that the focus is clearly on him as the new kid while he is slipping into the life of an outcast and bully target. Fortunately, fate provides an opportunity for the new kid when his average trumpet playing in the old school’s awesome band is better than this new band has ever heard and Ronnie earns a ticket to the “cool table” in his new Jr. Sr. High School band. Throw in a few crazy bike riding adventures, a fist fight in detention, an archeological discovery in the woods behind his new house, the championship football game halftime show spotlight, and Ronnie and his “Band of Friends” are set for new adventures around every corner.
Coming soon: “Band of Friends: Holiday Surprises”. Ronnie’s first holiday season in a new town has more surprises and twists than anyone could expect. You will get to know Ronnie and all of his friends better while you enjoy a thrilling ride through holiday concerts, family traditions, and a shocking discovery in the woods behind Ronnie’s house."
"Random House presents the audiobook edition of Double Cross by Malorie Blackman.
Just this once. Just this once and no more, I promise.
Please let me get away with it just this once . . .
Tobey wants a better life - for him and for Callie Rose. He wants nothing to do with the violent gangs that rule the world he lives in. But when he's offered the chance to earn some extra money, how much could it hurt to just this once say 'yes'?
Callie Rose knows all about the danger of saying 'yes'. She knows about terrible mistakes, and violence and family feuds, and the fierce divide between Noughts and Crosses.
And knowing so much about the past makes her afraid for her future.
Because sometimes, one little bad decision can change everything . . .
'Powerful'
Sunday Times
'Blackman 'gets' people . . . she 'gets' humanity as a whole, too' Guardian"
