When the dead whisper, chaos follows. Gabby thought she had faced it all: raising a baby, working through grad school, and dealing with cadaver exhibits. But when a silent cadaver unexpectedly stirs, her world doesn’t just shift – it shatters. Once quiet ghosts scream into the night. Buried secrets claw to the surface. And a dark and ancient force sets its sights on Gabby and those she loves. With her family in danger and her sanity hanging by a thread, Gabby isn’t just fighting for survival but for the essence of her very being. Can she uncover the truth behind the supernatural forces besieging her, or will the darkness consume everything she’s fought to protect? The Sweet Skull is the second book in Manuel Ruiz’s The Sugar Skull series.

The secrets hidden within the Sugar Skull have the power to protect… or destroy. 17-year-old Ricky Luna is trapped in a home that feels more like a prison than a refuge. Each night, he dreams of escaping, of finishing school, and skipping town with the girl he loves. But each morning brings him crashing back to reality. Life seems hopeless – until a mysterious midnight visitor arrives and opens Ricky’s eyes to the magic surrounding his world, leaving him with only a warning of dark things to come. Days later, Ricky comes into possession of an enchanted sugar skull. Desperate for change, he opens himself to the dark powers lurking inside the sugar skull. Objects begin to move, untouched. Bad luck follows Ricky wherever he goes. And a mysterious death divides his family. As the evil inside the sugar skull grows, it threatens to consume everything. Ricky must uncover the truth behind the sugar skull’s power before it destroys everything he cares about. The Sugar Skull is the first book in Manuel Ruiz’s The Sugar Skull series.

To save a life, she must embrace the darkness. Mia Morales has never been ordinary. Beneath her sweet, trusting demeanor, she hides an extraordinary ability: she can manipulate liquid. As a botany student, she uses her talent to bring dead plants back to life. She plans to keep her ability a secret. But secrets have a way of getting out. A mysterious stranger appears, drawn to Mia’s unique gifts. He offers her a chance to master her abilities and use them for a higher purpose. If she succeeds, she might be able to save an innocent child’s life. If she fails… The darkness of the underground holds the secret to mastering her abilities. But other things lurk in the shadows. Relentless demons. Ricky and Gabby, two demon hunters with secrets of their own. And a dark individual with an even darker plan. As The Day of the Dead approaches, the line between the living and the dead blurs. If Mia’s not ready, the child she’s trying to save won’t be the only one who loses their life. The Shattered Skull is the third and final book in Manuel Ruiz’s The Sugar Skull series.

Following up his hit 505 Unbelievably Stupid Web Pages, Dan Crowley again takes on the Web's weirdest and wildest in 505 Weirdest Online Stores. This is the ultimate guide to the Internet's strangest stores, where you can spend your time and money in pursuit of dehydrated water, duct tape fashion and a corporate hairball. For all those who love eBay but are tired of products that have actual uses, check out these sites: The Childhood Goat Trauma Foundation (www.goat-trauma.org) Political Talking Action Figures (www.prankplace.com/politics.htm) Lunar Land Owner (www.lunarlandowner.com) Air Sickness Bags (www.airsicknessbags.com) Michael Jackson Artwork (www.helenakadlcikova.com/michael_jackson.htm)

The Day of the Dead is the most important annual celebration in Oaxaca, Mexico. Skillfully combining textual information and photographic imagery, this book begins with a discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life, and their way of looking at the world. It then takes the reader through the celebration from the preparations that can begin months in advance through to the private gatherings in homes and finally to the cemetery where the villagers celebrate together -- both the living and the dead. The voices in the book are of those people who have participated in the Day of the Dead for as long as they can remember. There are no ghosts here. Only the souls of loved ones who have gone to the Village of the Dead and who are allowed to return once a year to be with their family. Very readable and beautifully illustrated, this book provides an extensive discussion of the people of Oaxaca, their way of life and their beliefs, which make the Day of the Dead logical and easily comprehensible.

Lobo Coronado is about to have the most exciting day of his mundane life. Kidnapped by night shadows and introduced to his long-lost grandfather, he is transported to another realm where he meets a queen, a vampire scribe, and a little angel with a big attitude problem. Lobo learns that an unknown enemy with a demon army and ties to his late father is endangering multiple worlds. Is Lobo the key to unlocking the truth? Teamed with his new companions, this Freaksome Threesome must work together to unleash the full potential of Lobo’s famous bloodline and prevent the annihilation of Earth and the Celestial Realms. Lobo Coronado and The Legacy of The Wolf by Manuel Ruiz is for young readers who enjoy adventure filled with action, magic, and humor, such as the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series and Artemis Fowl.