Young, handsome, and full of life, David Day is ready to marry his college sweetheart. Everything is in place: he has completed his college education and launched a successful computer career. Before he can make the most important commitment of his life, however, a thief strikes, stealing his dreams. As he wrestles with severe bipolar disease, he loses first his fiancée and then his job. David’s fighting spirit gets him through law school and helps him pass the Minnesota Bar Examination. It helps him too when the Minnesota Board of Law Examiners decides his illness makes him unfit for the challenging public law career he had chosen—a decision he courageously challenges. His family has faith everything will come out right in the end. Surely David’s hard work has earned him some good luck, some happiness. He has found a medication he can tolerate and has been hospital free for three years. As they begin to relax, bipolar strikes again, fatally this time. In the aftermath of David’s death, his mother, Pat, has to decide: Is that all there was to his life? Did the thief win? Decide for yourself as you follow Pat’s compelling true-life journey. Along the way you’ll learn important information about bipolar, a disease which affects 5.7 million Americans, about how to cope with mental illness when it affects you or a loved one, and about how to move forward when, in the midst of grief and loss, God seems unavailable and uncaring. You’ll also discover the joy and peace available even in the darkest pit and the hope that can rise from the ashes of despair. This is a story you will find as intriguing as the movies and books you have seen and can’t forget. The best book I've ever read on grief. Just beautiful how the author bares her soul. A must read for anyone who has lost a child. A book to read again and again. As former manage of a Christian book store, I know the crying need for When the Thief Strikes. Marilyn Otte, Cannon Falls, MN Wow! Right from the beginning this book grabs you and takes you through the darkness of the battle to victory. You might be able to read it in one sitting (because you can't put it down), but you will want to read it again slowly chewing on the God given insights Pat shares. Whether you are going through the journey of dealing with mental illness, grief or know someone who is and want to reach out with wisdom....this book is for you. Susan Dehmlow, Vermilion, MN Even if Pat Day weren't my friend, I would love this book!!!! Pat Hanson, Randolph, MN A TREMENDOUS book. A gift of love. I have friends impacted by bipolar which has largely been a mystery to me. Because of the insights gained from Pat Day's book, I can now come along side them as a friend in their struggle with this “thief.” The end notes, bibliography, and index. make the book even more useful. The heart wrenching candor with which she recounts her story and its impact on her personal faith journey will profoundly affect you and strengthen you for your own times of trial. Beth Hagemeister, Cannon Falls, MN An Awesome book!!! Hard to put down. So far 10 people are on my waiting list to borrow it. As a nurse, I recommend doctors read it to gain insights on mental illness not found in textbooks. Cheryl Albers, Northfield, MN I loved this book! A moving story for anyone. Addresses the core of suffering and grief. A must read for anyone who has a loved one suffering with mental illness. Sheds light on subjects rarely talked about. A true gift to those who read it! Roxanne Devney, Northfield, MN This book invoked poignant memories of people I knew who died by suicide. It begs the question--when will understanding and acceptance of mental illness begin and the silence and shame end? Don Burgoyne, Cannon Falls, MN” It's hard enough for a mother to work through the

Hilde and her sister/photographer Izzy have two cases to investigate for their paper, the Orange Street News: someone is stealing vegetables from the local greenhouse, and a lot of people seem to be getting sick eating the hot dogs from a local food stand--and soon Hilde starts to believe that the two cases may be related.

Crime reporter Hilde Lysiak has to catch a thief! Pick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!Real-life crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series -- inspired by real news stories she has written! In this sixth book, tomato plants are stolen from a local garden! Hilde needs to catch the thief fast. But when she and her sister Izzy interview witnesses, they discover something strange: people all around town are getting sick! Can this real-life reporter get to the ROOT of these two mysteries? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff's personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde's adventures to life for young readers!

Real-life super-sleuth and media sensation Hilde Lysiak's reporting skills are put to the test in this fun early chapter book mystery series! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow! Nine-year-old crime reporter Hilde Lysiak is starring in her very own early chapter book series -- inspired by news stories Hilde wrote in real life! In this first book, there's been a break-in on Orange Street! Cupcakes have been stolen, and soon a pie goes missing, too. Hilde and her sister/photographer, Izzy, must interview witnesses and follow the clues. Can Hilde crack the case in time to post her news story online? Joanne Lew-Vriethoff's personality-filled illustrations appear on every page, bringing Hilde's adventures to life for young readers!

A fun rhyming Halloween book for kids 2-8 years.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME The extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times. When Death has a story to tell, you listen. It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will become busier still. Liesel Meminger is a foster girl living outside of Munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement. In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak, author of I Am the Messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. “The kind of book that can be life-changing.” —The New York Times “Deserves a place on the same shelf with The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.” —USA Today DON’T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK’S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF.

Prayers that strike the mark are specific prayers authorized by the Holy Spirit and endowed with divine power to accomplish the will of God in your life and for the needs of the world. On the cross, Jesus fulfilled the ultimate answer to all of our prayers, but He awaits our invitation to come into our situations and circumstances. When people of prayer intercede, they create a meeting place between the heavenly Father and His children. God comes upon the person who is praying and moves them from the natural to the supernatural. Empowered by God, the intercessor has the authority to cut down enemy forces and pick out "targets" for God’s lightning bolts of glory, bringing victory and breakthrough. Intercession could be called "extreme prayer” because it links extreme needs with the extraordinary power of God. Inserting ourselves into the gap between God and a need, we call upon the Holy Spirit, our Helper, who is ready to move us from finite ability to infinite ability, take hold of difficult situations, and help accomplish the will of God. We have the great honor of being called to “paint targets” on cities, churches, ministries, family members, contemporary "Sauls" (those who persecute or cause difficulty), and even ourselves. Our believing, persistent prayers will Strike the Mark! “He covers His hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark” (Job 36:32 NASB).