The book is a collection of thoughts and poems about life and living. I have included some observations on how to live a loving, caring life. There is a short story about my generation. It is my hope that the reader will find this book as a thought inspirer and maybe a way of life changer.

Fifteen-year-old Jennifer Brice Hamilton has been subjected to her mother’s new way of life ever since her parents’ divorce two years earlier - a move to a lower tax bracket in Chicago, an undesirable school, and her mother’s newest boyfriend: Phil. Jennifer rebels. Her mother’s answer to the “handful-slash-Jennifer” is to pack her up and send her to her grandma’s, whom Jennifer has not seen in almost three years. Her mother’s lusty plan is for Jennifer to reside there 'til Christmas. Jennifer captures her life in Flamingo Junction, Florida, with her grandmother in an ongoing diary of sorts - a sketchbook that she has titled Jenniferology - The Study of Jennifer. Jennifer’s grandmother, Mama Rudeen, lives in a retirement community called Camelot in North Florida. Mama Rudeen is not what Jennifer expected, nor are her grandmother’s friends - the gals: Miss Maggie Pearl, Miss Addie, and Miss Gaynell...and the guy - Sir Stuckie. Jennifer envisioned octogenarians sitting around waiting to take their last breath. She discovers that retirees have a zest for life. And, more importantly, they define to Jennifer what unconditional love truly means. Maybe it takes a retirement village to raise a child.

Brookside Musings is a carefully edited compilation of poems and short stories in English by British, American and Indian writers. The poems and short stories vary in content, style and purpose and thereby introduce students to a wide range of writing in English. Extracts from longer works have been avoided as a matter of principle and the poems and stories selected, though representative of the writers and their periods, have been kept short in order that they have a wholeness of appeal. Efforts have been made to make reading as pleasurable an experience as possible while opening up to the students the major developments in literature written in English. Meanings and explanations have been provided to guide students through the texts as well as introductions to the authors and the poems or short stories and comprehension sections.

'If Trash Could Talk' represents Jacquie Ottman's personal experiences and insights woven into thought-provoking poetry, stories and musings. Designed to amuse, entertain, and inspire conversations and change, the sixty entries in the book were created over the course of Ottman's lifelong journey, beginning at age four when she rescued board games from the neighbor's trash. Reflecting conversations with conversed with fellow waste-haters, consumers, and visitors to Ottman's WeHateToWaste.com global platform, combined with a laser-like focus on New York City's trash culture, the book is packed with insights into why we waste and what we can do to avoid it. Readers will discover new ways to use things up, use stuff longer, pass stuff along, and pass things up altogether in the name of reducing waste. They will smile at their own 'trashy' eccentricities, reflected in Ottman's experiences, shared with humor and self-deprecation. They will see waste through a new set of eyes and be inspired to share with others what it is that they do to cut down on waste. Influencers and teachers looking to catalyze meaningful conversations in their own schools, churches and communities can use these poems, stories and musings as a springboard for discussion, as well as inspiration when creating their own. As Ottman hopes, 'by starting to talk about what we all can do to save a little this, spare a little that, readers will take the first meaningful steps towards making real changes in consumption culture that can eventually help everyone live a whole lot better.' What Readers Say about "If Trash Can Talk" "Jacquie makes poetry fun. It was great hearing the stories of a like-minded person, and I learned so many things too!" "I'm energized and full of new ideas to create community and cut down on waste through sharing." "In these times when backward-looking people now hold power, to make policy around what Jacquelyn has to say takes on great importance. Shes tells us that we can do something. That we can make a difference. That we can be the powers that be. Few understandings are more important."

In the midst of the hurt and the mundane, the questions and the not yets, you can forget just how far you have come. This illustrated collection of poetry and essays invites you to reclaim moments of brokenness, division, and pain and re-envision them as experiences of reconciliation, unity, and hope. Popular Instagram poet and bestselling author Morgan Harper Nichols weaves together personal reflections through her signature poems, reflecting on the moments that shaped her. She invites you to: Awaken your heart and recognize how your own story has made you who you are today Enter into a deeper understanding of pressing on and pressing in, of transformation and surrender Discover meaning in the losses and embrace anticipation for the splendor ahead Become who you are in the moment you hold right now How Far You Have Come is an excellent gift for college and high school graduations, celebrations and anniversaries, life transitions, and birthdays or simply a gift for yourself. Follow Morgan on Instagram @morganharpernicols (along with her millions of followers), and look for more beautiful, thought-provoking poetry in her other collections: All Along You Were Blooming You Are Only Just Beginning

Enormous Smallness is a nonfiction picture book about the poet E.E. cummings. Here E.E.'s life is presented in a way that will make children curious about him and will lead them to play with words and ask plenty of questions as well. Lively and informative, the book also presents some of Cummings's most wonderful poems, integrating them seamlessly into the story to give the reader the music of his voice and a spirited, sensitive introduction to his poetry. In keeping with the epigraph of the book -- "It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are," Matthew Burgess's narrative emphasizes the bravery it takes to follow one's own vision and the encouragement E.E. received to do just that. Matthew Burgess teaches creative writing and composition at Brooklyn College. He is also a writer-in-residence with Teachers & Writers Collaborative, leading poetry workshops in early elementary classrooms since 2001. He was awarded a MacArthur Scholarship while working on his MFA, and he received a grant from The Fund for Poetry. Matthew's poems and essays have appeared in various journals, and his debut collection, Slippers for Elsewhere, was published by UpSet Press. His doctoral dissertation explores childhood spaces in twentieth century autobiography, and he completed his PhD at the CUNY Graduate Center in June 2014. Kris Di Giacomo is an American who has lived in France since childhood. She has illustrated over twenty-five books for French publishers, which have been translated into many languages. This is her sixth book to be published by Enchanted Lion Books. The others are My Dad Is Big And Strong, But . . . , Brief Thief, Me First , The Day I Lost My Superpowers, and