Outside was crazy. The thick, coming storm weighed me down. It could come any minute: thunderous, hurricane rain, followed by all kinds of hell. I dashed across the lawn, into The Lab and up the stairs. The bookcase was locked. Most of our books anyone can look at. Some, we donÕt think would be wise to let out. I fumbled the key chain, looking for the tiny key that could open the door. I managed to get it near the keyhole when the electricity died. Cara may curse my pipe, but right then, I think sheÕd have been glad I had a lighter. The lighter helped me again. The deep, old books were a window to the past. We had read few. That would entail things like dying horrible deaths. Instead, we had a collection of Òabout books, Ó essays written anywhere from last year to a thousand years ago. The one I was looking for was deep red, 'AichlanÕs Deimos.' In it I hoped to sort out how to send Xith back to wherever the hell it came from before it ate Lily Dale, or whatever it does.

Volume 5: Stories of the Enlightenment Being, Jātakas 201–250. Interpreted by Kurunegoda Piyatissa Maha Thera. Stories Retold by Stephan Hillyer Levitt. Republished by Pariyatti Publishing (2024). ------------------------ The stories published in five volumes, are compiled and interpreted by Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa and retold by Todd Anderson (Vols. 1 and 2) and Stephan Hillyer Levitt (Vols. 3,4 and 5). The stories are drawn from ancient Pali and Sinhalese sources, and have been adapted for a modern audience while preserving the original moral and ethical teachings. These stories have been used for centuries in Buddhist education and sermons to teach important values such as compassion, generosity, honesty, and the dangers of greed and craving. They cover a wide range of themes and characters, from princes and kings to animals and mythical beings. They have also influenced literature, art, and architecture across various cultures. The Buddhist Tales for Young and Old series provides a rich collection of stories that can help readers of all ages develop moral and ethical values, as well as a deeper understanding of Buddhist teachings and philosophy. The combination of engaging narratives and beautiful illustrations (Vols. 1 and 2) makes these books a valuable resource for both personal and educational purposes. Volume 1: Jātakas 1–50 Volume 2: Jātakas 51–100, 514 Volume 3: Jātakas 101–150 Volume 4: Jātakas 151–200 Volume 5: Jātakas 201–250

“Gracefully interweav[es] Arthurian legend, realistic and magical elements, humor, and heartbreak . . . an engrossing conclusion to a notable series.” —Booklist In this final installment of the Squire’s Tale series, Terence and his fellow Knights of the Round Table must come together in a last stand to save Camelot. The characters Gerald Morris has brought to life throughout his series—Terence and Gawain, Lynet and Gaheris, Luneta and Rhience, Dinadan and Palomides—each have an important role to play in this climactic final conflict. Maintaining their faith, selflessness, and honor, Arthur’s court bands together to try to defeat Morgause and Mordred and banish the dark magic from England forever. “Morris pulls off a spectacular conclusion to his humane and witty Squire’s Tales series as destructive intrigues both provide a backdrop for a fan-pleasing reunion of favorite figures from past episodes and lead up to the final battle between Arthur and his brilliant, hideously warped son Mordred . . . Well done.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “The knights’ simplicity, honor, and kitchen-table philosophizing will continue to entrance readers, straight through to the end of this thrilling, elegiac, hope-from-the-ashes saga.” —The Horn Book (starred review) “In this final title in the series, Morris once again makes the adventure, excitement, and magic of King Arthur and his court accessible to every reader . . . An excellent end to a worthwhile and well-written series that can be recommended to reluctant and skilled readers alike.” —School Library Journal

Two tales, set in a time “when animals and human beings still talked to each other,” display Thomas King’s cheeky humor and master storytelling skills. Freshly illustrated and reissued as an early chapter book, these stories are perfect for newly independent readers. In Coyote Sings to the Moon, Old Woman and the animals sing to the moon each night. Coyote attempts to join them, but his voice is so terrible they beg him to stop. He is crushed and lashes out — who needs Moon anyway? Furious, Moon dives into a pond, plunging the world into darkness. But clever Old Woman comes up with a plan to send Moon back up into the sky and, thanks to Coyote, there she stays. In Coyote’s New Suit, mischievous Raven wreaks havoc when she suggests that Coyote’s toasty brown suit is not the finest in the forest, thus prompting him to steal suits belonging to all the other animals. Meanwhile, Raven tells the other animals to borrow clothes from the humans’ camp. When Coyote finds that his closet is too full, Raven slyly suggests he hold a yard sale, then sends the human beings (in their underwear) and the animals (in their ill-fitting human clothes) along for the fun. A hilarious illustration of the consequences of wanting more than we need. Key Text Features table of contents illustrations Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action.

The battles are won. The King's returned. All's right with the world. ...Isn't it? Arguably the most eventful year in the Middle Kingdoms since the ancient downfall of the Dark has finally drawn to an end, with the defeat of the resurgent Shadow and the re-establishment of peace and the royal magics that protect humankind in the Kingdoms from evil. You could be excused for thinking that the Five most responsible for this outcome-swordsmith and Firebearer Herewiss Hearn's son, his lover Prince (now King) Freelorn of Arlen, their lady the Companion of Dragons Segnbora tai-Enraesi, the DragonChief Hasai ehs'Pheress, and the fire elemental called Sunspark-would be entitled to some time off. As if. Because in the wake of the triumph and anguish of the battles' aftermath, after the celebrations and the declarations of peace, after the enthronement of the new King-and his wedding to the rest of the Five-come the day-to-day details of working out what normal life will now become for them, and their people, in the wake of the near-destruction of their world. Now the heroes who kept the world from ending have to help build the new normal... assuming they can work out what that looks like. In the novelette The Levin-Gad, to keep his family safe at a perilous moment, Herewiss sets out alone to undertake a risky secret mission in a most unlikely venue. A dive bar in Darthis becomes the setting for a deadly struggle with an old opponent... and for the entrance of a most unexpected ally. In the novel The Landlady, Segnbora must leave the art of motherhood behind to juggle the politically and personally hazardous business of resuscitating the fortunes of her diminished noble house-and finds herself revisiting an old and dangerous role: monster-hunter... The remaining three Tales of the Five will appear during 2022. Meanwhile, welcome back to the Middle Kingdoms!

Fairy Tales and Fables have been passed down from generation to generation throughout the world for hundreds of years. But there has never been an adaptation quite like this! The Little Mermaid wants nothing more than to fall in love with a prince, but the deal she makes with a mysterious being will prove to be a terrible mistake. Then, three "blind" mice concoct a plan to outsmart an innocent old lady, but quickly learn that appearances can many times be deceiving. And, when King Midas is given the power to turn everything he touches into gold, what sounds like a blessing is really just a horrific curse! Collects issues #25-30 of the hit Grimm Fairy Tales series, complete with a bonus short story.

From the bestselling author of the Heralds of Valdemar series comes an enchanting novel. In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, if you can't carry out your legendary role, life is no fairy tale.… Elena Klovis was supposed to be her kingdom's Cinderella—until fate left her with a completely inappropriate prince! So she set out to make a new life for herself. But breaking with "The Tradition" was no easy matter—until she got a little help from her own fairy godmother. Who promptly offered Elena a most unexpected job.… Now, instead of sleeping in the chimney, she has to deal with arrogant, stuffed-shirt princes who keep trying to rise above their place in the tale. And there's one in particular who needs to be dealt with…. Sometimes a fairy godmother's work is never done….