Imprisoned in a box, Atl waits for death. He is not afraid. Anger burns too deeply within him. Then, unexpectedly, he is released. Released to deliver an urgent message. But it is not the mission that sets him running. It is the sudden chance for freedom. Nothing can stop this Jaguar Warrior. Not even the one who hunts him. Jaguar Warrior is a thrilling page-turner for younger readers by award-winning Australian author Sandy Fussell. Set in ancient Aztec times, this historical adventure novel is about a slave boy trying to protect his people from Spanish invasion, while avoiding being sacrificed himself. It was a Notable Book at the 2011 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year Awards. For more junior fiction reads check out Sandy’s other books, Polar Boy and the Samurai Kids series. “From the opening pages to the climax, Jaguar Warrior will have your heart thumping. The hunt throughout is expertly paced and well-balanced with character reveals and historical information … Fussell has a special prowess in recreating bygone civilisations and filling them with realistic, thought-provoking characters so the past leaps into life. She did it in her Samurai Kids series and achieves it well in Jaguar Warrior.” The Sun Herald “What a page-turner: Aztec blood sacrifices, a ravenous crocodile, feisty companions, secret passages and a heart-stopping pursuit. Indiana Jones move over! … It is not only the fascinating details of Aztec life in Mexica and the Spanish invasion of that civilisation that hold the reader captive – Atl and Lali are resourceful and engaging and their lively bickering provides welcome touches of humour as a counterpoint to their terror. Fussell manages to integrate facts without ever breaking the tension of the narrative. Atl and the Captain speak alternatively, their voices vivid and compelling. The language is poetic yet riveting.” Magpies magazine “Fussell, a gifted writer, has again created outstanding characters and a suspenseful, informative and well-crafted storyline.” Good Reading magazine “A gripping historical novel for children, set in Aztec times … Set in a well-researched, thoroughly believable world, this is a thrilling adventure which will appeal to upper primary and secondary readers. Brilliant.” Aussie Reviews

Nothing will stop him. Imprisoned in a box, Atl waits for death. He is not afraid. Anger burns too deeply within him. Then, unexpectedly, he is released. Released to deliver an urgent message. But it is not the mission that sets him running. It is the sudden chance for freedom. Nothing can stop this Jaguar Warrior. Not even the one who hunts him.

Read the complete trilogy of this highly additive paranormal series, by USA Today Bestselling Author, Juliana Stone. “Fantastic, fresh world–impossible to put down.” -New York Times #1 Bestselling Author, Christine Feehan "Juliana Stone is on her way to becoming a paranormal favorite." - New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon. Includes, His Darkest Hunger, His Darkest Embrace, His Darkest Salvation and a bonus chapter from Wrong Side of Hell, book one in the spin off series, League Of Guardians.

n a world on the brink of chaos, passion and vengeance collide … After six months in hell, Julian Castille has returned to the world a changed man. No longer the calm, powerful CEO, but a shifter fully embraced by the blood of his clan. Julian has one goal: find the key to the portal that stands between the human realm and unprecedented darkness—and win back the pieces of his soul. The last thing he needs is a distraction like the beautiful, enigmatic Jaden DaCosta. Three years ago, a forbidden night of passion left Jaden forever altered: mated to Julian Castille–bound to a man who despises her. But the temptation to trust this darker, more savage—and more captivating—Julian is overwhelming. And as they fight for their immortal souls, their insatiable desire for each other may prove their fatal undoing…

“Christine Feehan’s fans will devour this steamy paranormal treat. Juliana Stone rocks!” —Ann Aguirre, author of Doubleblind Debut author Juliana Stone launches her career with His Darkest Hunger, a hot new paranormal series…with a twist. His Darkest Hunger features a dark, sexy, shapeshifting hero who hungers for revenge on his ex-lover. The success of the novels of New York Times bestsellers Nailini Singh and Lora Leigh prove that shapeshifters are the next big thing—soon to rival vampires in popularity—and with this steamy tale of love on the wild side, author Stone loudly announces that she has, most emphatically, arrived.

In the picture book Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, award-winning author and illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh brings a cherished Mexican legend to life. A Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book! “A palette of earthy, evocative colors . . . A genuine triumph.” ―Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) “Use this Aztec legend to inspire readers while teaching a bit about dramatic irony.” —School Library Journal Izta was the most beautiful princess in the land, and suitors traveled from far and wide to woo her. Even though she was the daughter of the emperor, Izta had no desire to marry a man of wealth and power. Instead, she fell in love with Popoca, a brave warrior who fought in her father’s army—and a man who did not offer her riches but a promise to stay by her side forever. The emperor did not want his daughter to marry a mere warrior, but he recognized Popoca’s bravery. He offered Popoca a deal: If the warrior could defeat their enemy, Jaguar Claw, then the emperor would permit Popoca and Izta to wed. But Jaguar Claw had a plan to thwart the warrior. Would all be lost? Today two majestic volcanoes—Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl—stand overlooking Mexico City. They have been admired and revered for countless generations and have formed the basis of many origin and creation myths. The integration of Nahuatl words (defined with a pronunciation guide in the glossary) into the narrative provides a rich opportunity to introduce and explore another facet of ancient Aztec culture. Take your child on an adventure back in time to a land of color and beauty.

According to one popular image, the Aztec army was a ruthless and efficient war machine, that established an empire by convincingly overwhelming its neighbors, sacrificing thousands to bloodthirsty gods along the way. From a contrasting perspective, its native warriors were no match for the modern warring methods of Cortés' greatly outnumbered Spaniards, who decisively defeated them. The reality of the Aztec warrior's ability and effectiveness lies somewhere between those two extremes, as this title makes clear. By examining the experiences of a hypothetical individual, Cuauhtli, this meticulously researched book shows that the history of Aztec warfare is much richer and far more complex than previously understood, and reveals the close relationship between social and military matters in Aztec society.