A story by Nobel Prize-winning writer Jose Saramago, gorgeously illustrated in woodcuts by one of Brazil's most famous artists. When a lizard appears in the neighborhood of Chiado, in Lisbon, it surprises passers-by, and mobilizes firefighters and the army. With a clear and precise style, the fable offers a multitude of senses, reaching audiences of all ages. "The Lizard" is a short story included in A Bagagem do Viajante (1973), a volume that brought together the Saramago chronicles for the newspaper A Capital and the weekly Jornal do Fundão between 1971 and 1972. Translated by Nick Caistor and Lucia Caistor, The Lizard, is an illustrated version of the chronicle by J. Borges.

Mankind and lizard men have been at war for many years. Recently, there has been a truce, but peace is a brittle thing, and there are those who will not accept it. When a camp of lizards hunts too close to the humans, all hell breaks loose. An act of fear leads to a massacre of lizards and men alike. Fires burn the dead, and a lone Journeyman is sent to assess the damage. Teleth is older in years than many of his compatriots, but he is smart, brave, and has a good heart. He’s horrified when he comes upon the many, many dead but takes pause when he finds a small, abandoned lizard child. Despite its initial hostility, the lizard warms to Teleth, so he names his little friend Vankor, which means “fearsome champion.” It’s not normal for a human to befriend a lizard, so Teleth worries what will become of them both as they travel lands rife with prejudice. Seeing no other option, Teleth decides to raise young Vankor. Perhaps, their dedication to each other will change the world—or perhaps, the bloodthirsty world is not yet ready to find love amidst the hate.

When a young warrior witnesses the coming of beings he considers gods, his life and the lives of those around him are changed forever. But the story of these beings of tremendous power is only half of the truth. Witness what happens when myth and legend meets fact, and discover the truth behind those who have come From the Sky

A heart-racing middle-grade adventure mystery set on the streets of Singapore against the backdrop of World War II, exploring issues of belonging, race and diversity