Throughout our lives we inevitably face difficult circumstances. They come unexpectedly, like black balloons being handed to us when we were expecting puppies and unicorns. Although the situation may not make sense to us at the time, author Kristi Cronin believes that God allows these black balloons to be handed to us in order to help us grow, pursue us, bring us to our knees, and make us in to the people he ultimately desires us to be. What’s more, he will give us everything we need to pop these black balloons and experience complete freedom, if we let him. Kristi draws on her personal experiences to reflect on how these black balloons enter our lives—and reveals how we can best deal with them. It is possible to escape from our pain and brokenness. You can be set free to walk blamelessly in Christ, and live to your full potential. This inspirational guide explores the larger purpose of trials and hardships in our lives and presents ways to use the difficulties you face to grow closer to God.

Poetry. Titles include: "When We Move Away from Here, You'll See a Clean Square of Paper Where His Picture Hung," "The Cartoon's Mother Builds a House in Hammerspace," "The Front Half and the Back Half of a Horse in Conversation," "Children with Lamps Pouring Out of Their Foreheads," and "Killed with an Apple Corer, She Asks What Does That Make Me."

The Black Balloon is a symbolic representation of the story of the Cross. It is a story of a girl finding her faith and healing from the hurts she had experienced in the past. She struggles and wavers on the edge of choosing whether or not to trust the Christian faith or choosing to believe in nobody. Someone special comes at a meaningful time to rescue her from her affliction, and she finds serenity within her soul. Vivid illustrations bring the characters to life, making it enjoyable for both adolescents and adults alike. The cover reveals a wonder in and of itself!

ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'S TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR • MAN BOOKER PRIZE FINALIST • “A gripping historical narrative exploring both the bounds of slavery and what it means to be truly free.” —Vanity Fair Eleven-year-old George Washington Black—or Wash—a field slave on a Barbados sugar plantation, is initially terrified when he is chosen as the manservant of his master’s brother. To his surprise, however, the eccentric Christopher Wilde turns out to be a naturalist, explorer, inventor, and abolitionist. Soon Wash is initiated into a world where a flying machine can carry a man across the sky, where even a boy born in chains may embrace a life of dignity and meaning, and where two people, separated by an impossible divide, can begin to see each other as human. But when a man is killed and a bounty is placed on Wash’s head, they must abandon everything and flee together. Over the course of their travels, what brings Wash and Christopher together will tear them apart, propelling Wash ever farther across the globe in search of his true self. Spanning the Caribbean to the frozen Far North, London to Morocco, Washington Black is a story of self-invention and betrayal, of love and redemption, and of a world destroyed and made whole again.

THE SELECTION OF Tales and Bedtime Stories in this book was written over the last forty years with many of them read to the author’s son, Douglas George Spencer, when a child. At times, the author tape recorded a story to be listened to by Spencer at bedtime. The stories were inspired by an incident or by a city or by a country. The longer stories, such as Willymouse, I-Caw-Caw or Freddy Singalong were read over several nights. Spencer was asked what would happen next to Willymouse, I-Caw-Caw or Freddy Singalong or what would they do. Spencer’s thoughts were often incorporated into the story before the next part was written and read to him. Creating tales or bedtime stories continued long after Spencer no longer needed them.

Disappearing coins, balloon megaphones, CD rainbows – the science of light and sound sometimes seems like magic! Readers will learn the amazing facts behind these phenomena that are more fascinating than fiction. Simple language explains the properties of light and sound, while hands-on activities give readers tangible examples to help them retain crucial science information. Helpful tips make experiments easy and safe, and step-by-step instructions with photographs ensure accessibility. Readers will love focusing light to pop balloons, talking to friends over plastic cup telephones, and other whacky adventures in scientific principles. They’ll learn incredible real-life examples of the same concepts they’re exploring at home, such as how laser beams focus light to produce heat!