The island of New Guinea has long been a land shrouded in mystery, living up to its ominous reputation as the "Land of the Unexpected." When Joel Kramer and Aaron Lippard, two young explorers from Salt Lake City, Utah, set out on their own to cross the entire island of New Guinea without the use of motors, almost everyone said it was impossible and that they would surely die. To fulfill their dream, Kramer and Lippard must depart from Wewak on the north side of the island and travel in a tiny inflatable kayak over remote rivers and swamps and hike over rugged interior mountains, covered in dense jungle. They must face ferocious man-eating crocodiles that can sneak up on and ravage a man in a death twirl in a matter of seconds; a relentless onslaught of blood-sucking leeches, deadly malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and black flies; raging whitewater rivers and whirlpools; and a Stone Age tribe of cannibals before they reach their destination of Daru on New Guinea's southern coast. The young men begin their journey as complete strangers. Learning to travel with one another under such extreme conditions at times seems less bearable to them than the chronic life-or-death situation at hand. However, what they learn about themselves, one another, and the human capacity for survival will change them indelibly and take them to an extraordinary emotional and physical place beyond their fears.

An abridged retelling of the adventures of Mowgli, a boy reared by a pack of wolves, and the wild animals of the jungle. Includes discussion questions.

The Wonderful Land of Bed-Time Stories stands as a monumental anthology that gathers under its wings an illustrious array of tales that have enchanted young hearts and minds over generations. This collection boasts an exceptional diversity in storytelling, ranging from the whimsical adventures in fairylands to the profound moral tales that have shaped childhood ethos across cultures. The anthology encapsulates the essence of literary traditions from the fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen to the daring narratives of Jack London, and the whimsical worlds created by L. Frank Baum and J.M. Barrie, making it a treasure trove of literary styles and themes. Its significance lies not only in the collective cultural memory it represents but also in its capacity to inspire imagination and impart timeless wisdom. The contributing authors and editors bring with them rich backgrounds that span continents, centuries, and realms of imagination. From the Victorian enchantments of Lewis Carroll and Oscar Wilde to the pioneering spirit of American letters embodied by Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott, this anthology is a cross-cultural dialogue in narrative richness. These authors, belonging to various literary movementsRomanticism, the Golden Age of Children's Literature, and early Modernismcome together to provide a panoramic view of the landscape of children's literature, their collective works echoing the universal truths and fantasies that have historically connected human experiences. For readers seeking an adventure into the heart of childhood's most beloved stories, The Wonderful Land of Bed-Time Stories offers an unparalleled journey. This anthology is not just a collection but an opportunity to explore the breadth and depth of literary craftsmanship across different eras and ideologies. It invites educators, students, and aficionados of classic literature to delve into its pages, to appreciate the nuances of each tale, and to celebrate the enduring power of storytelling. This compilation is an essential addition to any library, promising both the joy of discovery and the comfort of familiar tales retold for generations to come.

Two adventurers, prospecting for gold in the jungles of Mexico, stumble across a lost Aztec city and cause an ancient evil to be unleashed. An early science fiction masterpiece written by Gertrude Barrows Bennett, writing as Francis Stevens. Discovering a lost city in the Mexican jungle, two adventurers embark on a terrifying journey. Disturbing ancient gods and nightmare creatures, they find a hidden civilization of Aztecs and bring dark magic into the modern world. With a potent cocktail of romance, revenge and swampish evil this book is one of the earliest examples of fantasy and remains an enthralling read. Gertrude Barrows Bennett, writing as Francis Stevens, is often regarded as the founder of dark fantasy and was admired by H.P. Lovecraft amongst many, with some ranking her alongside Mary Shelley in impact and imaginative power. Foundations of Feminist Fiction. The early 1900s saw a quiet revolution in literature dominated by male adventure heroes. Both men and women moved beyond the norms of the male gaze to write from a different gender perspective, sometimes with female protagonists, but also expressing the universal freedom to write on any subject whatsoever.