When her mother died in a fire, eight-year-old Jerri thought life couldn't get worse. She was wrong. Sent to live with people who didn't want her, Jerri was powerless to stop her once-happy childhood from becoming a nightmare of cruelty and neglect. Only a stubborn belief in her own worth and a fierce will to live allowed her to reach adulthood physically and emotionally intact. This is a book that will inspire not only those who have been orphans or foster children, but anyone who has known the pain of being unwanted. - Back cover.

Johanna, Rasheedah, and Rachel: each became an unmarried mother while she was still in her teens. With the birth of her baby, each girl’s “ordinary" teen life was over. Johanna’s boyfriend acted happy when he heard she was pregnant. But as her pregnancy progressed, she saw less and less of him. Soon after the baby’s birth, he went to jail. How would she support a baby without even a high school degree? After Rasheedah’s baby was born, all she could do was cry. She didn’t know anything about babies. She didn’t even dare touch this screaming, demanding stranger. Her depression grew as her dreams of college vanished into thin air. Rachel wanted to be popular. Boys liked her. But she also wanted to save her reputation. When she discovered she was pregnant, she told a lie—one that would haunt her until her daughter was born. Johanna, Rasheedah, and Rachel are three of today’s teen moms. They have offered to share their stories so that other young girls won’t make the mistake of thinking, “It couldn’t happen to me."

In revolutionary Paris, a disaffected Victorian wife becomes enraptured by her husband’s mistress—a “brilliantly entertaining” historical fiction novel that was “far ahead of its time” (Guardian). “One of the great under-read British novelists of the 20th century . . . my favorite of her novels.” —Sarah Waters, author of Fingersmith Sophia Willoughby, a young Englishwoman from an aristocratic family and a person of strong opinions and even stronger will, has packed her cheating husband off to Paris. He can have his tawdry mistress. She intends to devote herself to the serious business of raising her two children in proper Tory fashion. Then tragedy strikes: the children die, and Sophia, in despair, finds her way to Paris, arriving just in time for the revolution of 1848. Before long she has formed the unlikeliest of close relations with Minna, her husband’s sometime mistress, whose dramatic recitations, based on her hair-raising childhood in czarist Russia, electrify audiences in drawing rooms and on the street alike. Minna, “magnanimous and unscrupulous, fickle, ardent, and interfering,” leads Sophia on a wild adventure through bohemian and revolutionary Paris, in a story that reaches an unforgettable conclusion amidst the bullets, bloodshed, and hope of the barricades. Sylvia Townsend Warner was one of the most original and inventive of twentieth-century English novelists. At once an adventure story, a love story, and a novel of ideas, Summer Will Show is a brilliant reimagining of the possibilities of historical fiction.

An epic quest, a dragon, a knight in shining armor—this classic children’s story is the perfect read for 3rd and 4th graders who love medieval fantasy. A magical toy castle plunges 10-year-old William into a wild fantasy adventure—where he discovers the true meaning of courage. When his beloved caretaker Mrs. Phillips tells him she's leaving, William is devastated. Not even her farewell gift of a model medieval castle helps him feel better—though he has to admit it’s fascinating. From the working drawbridge and portcullis to the fully-furnished rooms, it's perfect in every detail. It almost seems magical. And when William looks at the silver knight, the tiny figure comes to life in his hand—and tells him a tale of a wicked sorcerer, a vicious dragon, and a kingdom in need of a hero. Hoping the castle's magic will help him find a way to make his friend stay, William embarks on a daring quest with Sir Simon, the Silver Knight—but he will have to face his own doubts and regrets if he's going to succeed. William’s story continues in The Battle for the Castle, available as a redesigned companion edition.

Adrian Mole's first love, Pandora, has left him; a neighbor, Mr. Lucas, appears to be seducing his mother (and what does that mean for his father?); the BBC refuses to publish his poetry; and his dog swallowed the tree off the Christmas cake. "Why" indeed.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth is the massively funny fifth title in the highly-illustrated, bestselling and award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney. Perfect for both boys and girls of 8+, reluctant readers and all the millions of devoted Wimpy Kid fans out there. You can also discover Greg on the big screen in any one of the three Wimpy Kid Movie box office smashes.The massively funny fifth book in the bestselling and award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.Greg Heffley has always been in a hurry to grow up. But is getting older really all it's cracked up to be?Suddenly Greg is dealing with the pressures of boy-girl parties, increased responsibilities, and even the awkward changes that come with getting older. And after a fight with his best friend Rowley, it looks like Greg is going to have to face the "ugly truth" all by himself . . .Praise for Jeff Kinney and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series:'The world has gone crazy for Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid series' - Sun'Kinney is right up there with J K Rowling as one of the bestselling children's authors on the planet' - Independent'Hilarious!' - Sunday Telegraph'The most hotly anticipated children's book of the year is here - Diary of a Wimpy Kid' - The Big IssueAs well as being an international bestselling author, Jeff Kinney is also an online developer and designer. He is the creator of the children's virtual world, poptropica where you can also find the Wimpy Kid boardwalk. He was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2009. He lives with his family in Massachusetts, USA. www.wimpykidclub.co.uk

The Santa's Library: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends is a monumental anthology that weaves together a tapestry of narratives from a wide spectrum of literary traditions, highlighting the universal themes of love, generosity, and the human spirit that are particularly reflective during the Christmas season. This collection spans the gamut from the timeless eloquence of William Shakespeare to the poignant simplicity of Hans Christian Andersen, offering readers a rich variety of literary styles including the gothic, the fantastical, the poetic, and the realist. It stands as a testament to the enduring allure of Christmas storytelling, with standout pieces that encapsulate the joy, sorrow, humor, and reflection that the holiday evokes, providing a comprehensive overview of Christmas literature's evolution and its cultural significance across different periods and societies. The contributing authors and editors, renowned figures in their own rights like Charles Dickens, known for his quintessential Christmas stories, and Emily Dickinson, with her introspective poetics, represent a convergence of historical, cultural, and literary movements from Romanticism to Victorian literature, and beyond. Together, they harmonize to capture the multifaceted essence of Christmas, each contributing their unique voice to the exploration of themes such as redemption, faith, and the social injustices of their times. This anthology situates itself within a rich literary and cultural context, offering insights into how Christmas has served as a canvas for authors to project their hopes, criticisms, and dreams, thus enriching the reader's understanding of the broader human experience through the prism of Christmas narratives. The Santa's Library: 450+ Christmas Novels, Tales, Carols & Legends is an indispensable volume for anyone interested in the cultural history of Christmas, the evolution of holiday literature, and the remarkable breadth of insight such a multitude of perspectives brings to the festive season. It invites readers to delve into the depths of human emotion and societal values encapsulated in these stories, carols, and legends. This anthology is not just a celebration of Christmas but a journey through the myriad ways in which this holiday has been immortalized in print. It is an educational treasure trove that promises to enlighten, entertain, and inspire readers with the spirit of Christmas, making it a perfect addition to any literary collection.