A chance encounter with Silver's career in South Africa set Charles van Onselen on a twenty five-year obsession: a journey to reconstruct the shadowy life and times of-in some ways to match wits with-a devious master criminal. From Russian Poland in the 1860s, where Silver was born Joseph Lis, to London in the 1880s, turn-of-the-century New York, Argentina, and Africa, van Onselen recaptures the dangerous demimonde of the Atlantic world. Silver's notoriety was found among the most confidential correspondence of a dozen countries; what those in law enforcement kept to themselves, however, was how their officers had attempted to use Silver as an informer to infiltrate syndicates built on vice, only to have him outwit them as he moved in the risky space between police and prostitutes. Such is the meticulousness of van Onselen's research that The Fox and the Flies is as rich in history as it is in the detail and drama of Silver's career, as layer after layer of his life and times are revealed. And it has an extraordinary pay-off, for van Onselen contends that Joseph Silver's darkest secret of all lay in London in the autumn of 1888 when, before he embarked on his legendary life of crime, he was, indeed, Jack the Ripper.

The Catskills region of the eastern United States, just two hours northeast of New York City, was the birthplace of a uniquely American style of fly that continues to grace the bins of fly shops around the world. Mike Valla explores the essence of Catskill flies, delving into the history of the region's rivers, fly fishers, and fly tiers and blending their colorful histories with precise step-by-step tying methods. He compares the styles of all of the Catskill school of fly tiers and shares color photos of never-before-seen flies from the vaults of the Catskill Fly Fishing Museum as well as detailed tying steps for 11 Catskill-style fly patterns. This book is essential for those not only interested in learning to tie the Catskill-style flies, but also those interested in the history of American fly fishing.

Nominated for the 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal Bridie lives on the remote Scottish island of Tornish, the youngest of three sisters. Although she loves her island, with its wild seas and big skies, she guiltily nurses a secret dream of flight - to America and the freedom of the New World. But her family are struggling under the spiteful oppression of the new Laird, and it seems that even some of the Laird's own household are desperate to leave. When the Laird's full cruelty becomes apparent, there's no more time for daydreams as Bridie needs to help the people she loves escape to safety. Cover and chapter head illustrations by Jasu Hu. Map illustration by Hannah Horn. The first in a gripping, dramatic new series from much-loved author, Karen McCombie. "This involving, evocative tale, narrated by Bridie with a hint of period language, is a study of rich and poor, offering clearly-drawn characters."- Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week "There's heart in this Scottish adventure. . . This is (Karen's) best. It has a vivid setting, emotional punch and characters to really care about." - Alex O'Connell, The Times, Children's Book of the Week "It may all seem a far cry from the "slushy, gushy love songs" of Ally's World. And yet here, as there, McCombie displays her gift, which is to create a narrator who sounds thoroughly convincing, and to inhabit the consciousness of a child." Emily Bearn, The Telegraph "Little Bird Flies by Karen McCombie is the evocative and beautifully written tale of Bridie (Little Bird) who dreams of a bigger life than the one she's destined for on her tiny Scottish isle of Tornish. With themes of immigration and prejudice and characters you'll root for, this will appeal to fans of Emma Carroll and Marie-Louise Jensen." - Michelle Harrison, author of A Pinch of Magic

"Hattie the Hen spots the danger--but no none seems to care!"--Pg 4 of cover.

Learn a broad range of techniques for dry flies, streamers, and wet flies by tying the modern flies that everyone is talking about. Author Tim Cammisa teaches you how to tie these simple but effective patterns and then how to take the techniques you’ve learned and use them for most of the other core patterns—old and new—that should be in your box. Includes information on the latest materials, tying tips from other tiers, and 16 patterns with recipes and complete step-by-step instructions.

Bob E. (pronounced Bobby) Bear is anxious to go fishing with his father and grandfather. His parents have been waiting for him to be old enough to manage the ride, the worms, and the fish. He's five now and Gram P. says that's when Daddy first fished. Now we'll see if he catches anything!Bob E. Bear was born one night when I was putting my sons to bed. They always wanted a story. On a whim I just started talking about a little bear named Bob E. From there, the stories just kept coming. Bob E. learns life lessons along the way. So did my boys! Sometimes children learn better from someone more like them. These books will hopefully help your little ones grow and open dialogues about what you hold dear!