The author reflects on memories of country life in northern Baltimore County during her early years. Her childhood is full of delightful memories. However, it was lonely living in the country and finding friends to share her childhood was challenging until a new family moved into an adjacent farm - opening a lifelong friendship. All was well until 2011. Without any reason or explanation, the author experienced a door angrily slammed in her face, thus ending a 50-year friendship. Incensed at being robbed of her dignity, she decided she was not keeping his secrets anymore and tipped the Justice Department. One thing leads to another and the author soon discovers correlations she never expected to the only unsolved hijacking in U.S. history.

From the New Yorker “20 Under 40” author of Atmospheric Disturbances comes a brain-twisting adventure story of a girl named Fred on a quest through a world of fantastical creatures, strange logic, and a powerful prejudice against growing up. Fred and her math-teacher mom are always on the move, and Fred is getting sick of it. She’s about to have yet another birthday in a new place without friends. On the eve of turning thirteen, Fred sees something strange in the living room: her mother, dressed for a party, standing in front of an enormous paper lantern—which she steps into and disappears. Fred follows her and finds herself in the Land of Impossibility—a loopily illogical place where time is outlawed, words carry dire consequences, and her unlikely allies are a depressed white elephant and a pugnacious mongoose mother of seventeen. With her new friends, Fred sets off in search of her mom, braving dungeons, Insult Fish, Fearsome Ferlings, and a mad Rat Queen. To succeed, the trio must find the solution to an ageless riddle. Gorgeously illustrated and reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Rivka Galchen’s Rat Rule 79 is an instant classic for curious readers of all ages.

Emmy was a good girl. At least she tried very hard to be good. She did her homework without being told. She ate all her vegetables, even the slimy ones. And she never talked back to her nanny, Miss Barmy, although it was almost impossible to keep quiet, some days. She really was a little too good. Which is why she liked to sit by the Rat. The Rat was not good at all . . . Hilarious, inventive, and irresistably rodent-friendly, Emmy and the Incredible Shrinking Rat is a fantastic first novel from acclaimed picture book author Lynne Jonell.

A funny, touching picture book from Children's Laureate, and Charlie and Lola creator, Lauren Child. Rat lives in dustbin Number 3, Grubby Alley. At night, when he's tucked up in his crisp packet, Rat looks up at all the cosy windows and wonders what it would be like to belong to somebody. To be an actual pet. To have a home of his own . . . Gently exploring themes of homelessness and poverty, this is the perfect way to talk about this often tricky subject with young children and encourage them to empathise with others. At least 10% of the purchase price of every copy of That Pesky Rat sold will be donated to St Mungo's Broadway, a charity providing help, support and advice to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. 'Clever, rewarding and hugely enjoyable' Guardian 'Another little masterpiece from Lauren Child' Mail on Sunday Winner of the Nestle Children's Book Prize Gold Award