It is 1933 and the Great Depression has ravaged the nation. Millions of people are out of work; thousands of families are struggling to keep a roof overhead and food on the table. But Momma still finds ways to count her blessings (lucky stars) from Ruth's new shoes to Poppa's new job. But where Momma sees the 'bright,' Ruth only sees the dark. Her shoes are hand-me-downs from a neighbor and Poppa's new job keeps him away from home for months. And now their town can't afford to keep the school open. Ruth will not be going to fourth grade even though she's one of the brightest students in her class. How can anyone find the good in that? But when Ruth stops thinking of her own problems and focuses on someone else's, she realizes that being a lucky star is the best way to start seeing your own lucky stars.In addition to writing children's books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and Lazy Days of Summer. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. This is Chris Ellison's third book in the Tales of Young Americans series. He also illustrated Rudy Rides the Rails and Pappy's Handkerchief. His first book with Sleeping Bear Press, Let Them Play, was named a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Chris lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The National Book Award winning author returns to his original fictional territory--the lives of the dispossessed in San Francisco--with a parable about the limitations of desire and life at the margins of society In such earlier works of fiction as The Rainbow Stories and The Royal Family, William T. Vollmann wrote of pimps, prostitutes, addicts and homeless dreamers in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. In this new novel, Vollmann returns there with a story that centers around a woman with magical powers whom everyone loves, and who has to love them all back. After being initiated into a coven of island witches, Neva begins to fulfill her fate in a Tenderloin dive bar. Her worshippers include Richard, the introverted, alcoholic, occasionally omniscient narrator; a profane, aggressive transgender sex worker named Shantelle; the brisk but motherly barmaid Francine; and the former Frank, who has renamed herself after her idol Judy Garland. When Judy starts to love Neva too much, Judy's retired policeman boyfriend embarks on a mission of exposure and destruction. Crafted out of language by turns spiritual and sexually graphic, The Lucky Star aches with compassion as it explores celebrity culture, gender identity, incest, Christian sacrifice and, most of all, the quotidian and sometimes faltering heroism of marginalized people who in the face of humiliation and outright violence seek to love in their own way, and stand up for who they are.

In this hilarious, laser-sharp comedy, the Emmy-winning writer and producer of Frasier sends up Hollywood pretense higher than it's ever been sent before.

"Dedicated to the unknown British Army officer who saved her life in Bergen-Belsen in April 1945, this is the memoir of Zdenka Fantlova, who shares in her direct, unsentimental style day-to-day life during the rise of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. Fantlova's astonishing memory and remarkable love of life combine to produce a historical document that will edify and inspire its readers." "My Lucky Star is also a reflection on the magical power of true love, a paean to the triumph of calmness and compassion over the machinery of hatred and murder, and a testament to the strength of the human spirit as it approaches death, struggles to survive, and is reborn."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

The discovery of a stash of letters stamped with swastikas opens clues to an untold family history spanning multiple generations in The Book of Joseph – the gripping true story of resilience and truth-tracking determination spanning Baltimore and beyond. Richard Hollander’s book Every Day Lasts a Year: A Jewish Family’s Correspondence from Poland is brought to the stage in this mesmerizing new adaptation that restores a family’s uncharted legacy – celebrated by revelation and remembrance.

On Cassie's seventh birthday she learns she is a Lucky Star, someone who makes wishes come true.

While Cat is doing her best to land herself in trouble, Mouse is trying to do the opposite. When they meet by chance they thank their lucky stars. Weird and wonderful things happen when they are together, but how long will it last?