John is a child convict, transported to New South Wales for stealing a shirt. Life is grim in the fledgling colony and when food runs short, John once again has to steal to survive. Starving and alone, he is taken in by Australia's first schoolteacher, Isabella Rosson. In her simple classroom, John learns to read and write and soon becomes her star pupil - until he is discovered by the soldiers and again sent away in chains. Yet John never forgets Isabella's lessons, the power of words - and the hope for a brighter future. Inspired by the life of convict Isabella Rosson, the first teacher in the colony at Port Jackson, and John Hudson, the youngest First Fleet convict, this touching story is illustrated with Mark Wilson's vividly realistic and evocative artwork.

"Hope cannot even stay safe in her own college dorm room. While she is desperately trying to free herself of an abusive relationship, she encounters her assailant on every corner. Her traumatic past becomes uncovered as she experiences a vicious cycle of abuse, giving her clues on how to fight for her life ... Refusing to stay quiet, she embarks on a cross-country adventure to not only change her present, but also to discover her past which will affect her future. A story of love, loss, immigration, and identity, Hope must use the help of new and old friends to determine if she will survive"--

The book is a story of the author's orphaned survival of Auschwitz at the age of 14, and his solitary struggle to prevail in a lonely world. The writer narrates his life-story in a series of flashbacks that will hopefully inspire the reader to never give up hope when facing obstacles, no matter how tough they may seem. In further parts of the book, the author offers a reader-friendly rendition of the book of Psalms, exampled by real life, thought-provoking episodes worthy of reflection and meditation.

P.S. Never Give Up Hope chronicles the lives of 10 current and former youthful offenders as they candidly share details of the mistakes, consequences, and regrets surrounding the irreversible crimes they committed. Although their crimes ranges from drug abuse to robbery and murder, each inmate has one thing in common: They were all teenagers when they were arrested and sentenced to their respective terms in prison. This book provides them with an opportunity to deliver a firsthand account of the crimes they were charged with, along with a request for forgiveness from those who were deeply affected by their actions. P.S. Never Give Up Hope serves as a form of redemption for these condemned criminals. It allows them to humbly and truthfully share their side of the story to prevent others from making the same mistakes, even if their freedom is countless years away.

"In Hopeless, Sky left no secret unearthed, no feeling unshared and no memory forgotten, but Holder's past remains a mystery. He is haunted by the little girl he let walk away from him and he has spent his entire life searching for her. He had hoped that he would finally gain closure and be able to rid himself of his guilt the moment they were reconnected. But he could not have anticipated that the exact opposite would occur and even more guilt and regret would be thrust upon him. Sometimes in life, if we wish to move forward we must first dig deep into our past and make amends with it. In Losing Hope, readers will learn what was going on inside Holder's head during all those moments that left him feeling hopeless and see whether he can perhaps gain the peace he desperately needs"--

In Don't Lose Your Hope, Vernell Davis presents spiritual strategies for overcoming feelings of defeat and despairs; confronting obstacles and disappointment. This powerful book provides words of comfort that can transform you to experience a healthy level of hope when confronting discouragement and hopelessness. She encourages readers to incorporate prayer, trust in God amid rejecting feelings of defeat and insecurity. Vernell embraces the concept of the confident assurance of what is hoped for is intertwined with faith. This emotional read will evoke tears, smiles, and motivations to deepen your, commitment to healthy physical and spiritual health.

Elizabeth Smart follows up her #1 New York Times bestseller (October 2013), My Story—about being held in captivity as a teenager, and how she managed to survive—with a powerful and inspiring book about what it takes to overcome trauma, find the strength to move on, and reclaim one’s life. Author. Activist. Victim—no more. In her fearless memoir, My Story—the basis of the Lifetime Original movie I Am Elizabeth Smart—Elizabeth detailed, for the first time, the horror behind the headlines of her abduction by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Since then, she’s married, become a mother, and travelled the world as the president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, sharing her story with the intent of helping others along the way. Over and over, Elizabeth is asked the same question: How do you find the hope to go on? In this book, Elizabeth returns to the horrific experiences she endured, and the hard-won lessons she learned, to provide answers. She also calls upon others who have dealt with adversity—victims of violence, disease, war, and loss—to explore the pathways toward hope. Through conversations with such well-known voices as Anne Romney, Diane von Furstenburg, and Mandy Patinkin to spiritual leaders Archbishop John C. Wester and Elder Richard Hinckley to her own parents, Elizabeth uncovers an even greater sense of solace and understanding. Where There’s Hope is the result of Elizabeth’s mission: It is both an up-close-and-personal glimpse into her healing process and a heartfelt how-to guide for readers to make peace with the past and embrace the future. From the book: “I was not willing to accept that my fate was to live unhappily ever after. Everything—my family, my home, my chance to go to school—had been given back to me, and I didn’t want to miss a second chance of living my own life.” —Elizabeth Smart “There are two types of survivors: the ones who did not die, and the ones who live. There will be those who will always remember and be the victim, and ones who just won’t. You have to go on, you have to learn, and you have to heal.” —Diane von Furstenberg