Fortune's Magic Farm takes place in the dark, dank village of Runny Cove. There, orphan Isabelle works her fingers to the bone at the Magnificently Supreme Umbrella Factory, struggling to support herself and her Grandma Maxine. That is, until Isabelle discovers that she has inherited Fortune's Farm, the last place on earth where magic grows.

Now Isabelle must use the magic to save the people of Runny Cove without spilling the secret of Fortune's Farm to the world—or worse, to the greedy factory owner, Mr. Supreme, who wants to exploit the magical fruit for his own selfish purposes.

Join Isabelle on a magical journey about loyalty, family, and the magic within, as she discovers Curative Cherry trees that can heal all kinds of sickness and Floating Fronds that make her fly. Will Isabelle be strong enough to bring back the sun and stop the despicable Mr. Supreme?

This young readers edition of the worldwide bestseller Three Cups of Tea has been specially adapted for younger readers and updated by Greg Mortenson to bring his remarkable story of humanitarianism up to date for the present.

Includes new photos and illustrations, as well as a special interview by Greg’s twelve-year-old daughter, Amira, who has traveled with her father as an advocate for the Pennies for Peace program for children.

GROUNDHOG DAY meets FLIPPED in this tale of a girl stuck in her birthday.

It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited -- after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together.

When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating itself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it? Only time, friendship, and a little luck will tell...

Collected here are all 14 Oz books written by Oz creator and visionary L. Frank Baum. These timeless original stories have been specially formatted for digital e-readers, allowing them to fit any screen size. Each and every chapter of every book in the table of contents has been linked to ease navigation throughout this mammoth anthology.

Join Dorothy, The Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the rest of the gang for a thrilling series of adventures that are sure to keep you entertained!

Collected books include:
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Marvelous Land of Oz
Ozma of Oz
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz
The Road to Oz
The Emerald City of Oz
The Patchwork Girl of Oz
Tik-Tok of Oz
The Scarecrow of Oz
Rinkitink in Oz
The Lost Princess of Oz
The Tin Woodman of Oz
The Magic of Oz
Glinda of Oz

Master storyteller and bestselling novelist Clive Barker creates an enchanting tale for both children and adults to cherish and retell. The Thief of Always tells the haunting story of Harvey, a bright 10-year-old who is suffering from the winter doldrums, and of a creature who takes him to a place where every day is filled with fun, and Christmas comes every night. Illustrated.

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a perfectly normal boy. Well, he would be perfectly normal if he didn't live in a graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the world of the dead.

There are dangers and adventures for Bod in the graveyard: the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer; a gravestone entrance to a desert that leads to the city of ghouls; friendship with a witch, and so much more. But it is in the land of the living that real danger lurks, for it is there that the man Jack lives and he has already killed Bod's family.

Freddy the Fire Hydrant is not your average fire hydrant. In this delightful tale, Freddy embarks on a journey to discover his true purpose in the world.

Join Freddy as he meets a cast of colorful characters and learns important lessons about friendship, courage, and being true to oneself.

This heartwarming story is perfect for children and adults alike, offering a message of hope and self-discovery.
Find out how Freddy transforms from feeling insignificant to realizing he plays a crucial role in his community.

Discover the magic of finding one's purpose through this charming and inspiring book.

The fearsome foursome is back in the second installment of the New York Times bestselling series praised by Rick Riordan! The Mysterious Benedict Society is up against a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search--a search to find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids' adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain.

With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all--a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.

Zoe Flynn has a secret. She used to live in California, in a big old house — the best house in the world really — at 18 Hawk Road. It rambled and creaked and was full of good hiding places. She used to have a best friend named Kellen who lived right down the road, and a dog named Merlin who loved to play with her. But now she lives in a little town in Oregon, and everything has changed.

Now, Zoe has to be careful. Careful that she doesn't tell anyone, not her friends or her teacher or especially that cop who's been watching her, that she doesn't live at 18 Hawk Road anymore. That now her family lives in an old green van that's cramped and dirty and doesn't even work all the time.

Zoe's always hoping that someday she'll find her way back home....

Lyrically written by Janet Lee Carey, The Double Life of Zoe Flynn is a moving novel about hope, family, friendship, and the true definition of a home.

Stephen Hawking, author of the multi-million copy bestselling A Brief History of Time, and his daughter Lucy explain the universe to readers of all ages. George's parents, who have always been wary of technology, warn him about their new neighbors: Eric is a scientist and his daughter, Annie, seems to be following in his footsteps.

But when George befriends them and Cosmos, their super-computer, he finds himself on a wildly fun adventure, while learning about physics, time, and the universe. With Cosmos's help, he can travel to other planets and a black hole. But what would happen if the wrong people got their hands on Cosmos?

George, Annie, and Eric aren't about to find out, and what ensues is a funny adventure that clearly explains the mysteries of science. Garry Parsons' energetic illustrations add humor and interest, and his scientific drawings add clarity; there are also eight 4-page full-color inserts of scientific photos.

Ivy and Bean might not have seemed like the perfect match at first sight, but sometimes the best friendships blossom unexpectedly. Bean never thought she'd get along with Ivy, yet when a prank on her sister, Nancy, goes awry, Ivy steps in to help.

This delightful book introduces vibrant characters and a humorous storyline that will captivate young readers. It's a charming and addictive adventure where two unlikely friends embark on a journey filled with laughter and fun. Join Ivy and Bean as they discover the joys of friendship and the thrill of unexpected alliances.

He was named Sham for the sun, this golden red stallion born in the Sultan of Morocco's stone stables. Upon his heel was a small white spot, the symbol of speed. But on his chest was the symbol of misfortune. Although he was as swift as the desert winds, Sham's proud pedigree would be scorned all his life by cruel masters and owners.

This is the classic story of Sham and his friend, the stable boy Agba. Their adventures take them from the sands of the Sahara to the royal courts of France and, finally, to the green pastures and stately homes of England. For Sham was the renowned "Godolphin Arabian" whose blood flows through the veins of almost every superior Thoroughbred. Sham's speed—like his story—has become legendary.

Embark on an enchanting journey into the heart of the jungle with Rudyard Kipling's timeless classic, The Second Jungle Book. Join Kipling as he returns to the wilds of India to spin a collection of captivating tales filled with adventure, danger, and the timeless wisdom of the jungle.

Step once more into the shoes of Mowgli, the young boy raised by wolves, as he navigates the dangers and wonders of the jungle alongside his animal friends. From encounters with cunning adversaries to tests of courage and loyalty, Mowgli's adventures will transport readers to a world where the laws of nature reign supreme.

Experience the thrill of exploration as Kipling introduces readers to a cast of unforgettable characters, from the wise old Baloo to the fearsome Shere Khan. Through their eyes, readers will witness the beauty and brutality of the jungle, and come to understand the delicate balance that exists between predator and prey.

Delve into the deeper themes and messages woven throughout The Second Jungle Book, from the importance of friendship and loyalty to the timeless struggle between civilization and the wild. With its rich symbolism and allegory, Kipling's stories offer readers a profound meditation on the nature of humanity and our place in the natural world.

The overall tone of The Second Jungle Book is one of adventure, wonder, and reverence for the untamed beauty of the jungle. With its vivid descriptions and evocative imagery, the book captures the imagination and transports readers to a world where danger and discovery await around every corner.

Since its publication, The Second Jungle Book has enchanted readers of all ages with its timeless tales of adventure and intrigue. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Kipling's masterful storytelling and his ability to capture the imagination of readers around the world.

NOW A NETFLIX ORIGINAL SERIES

Some boxes should never be opened. For the first time, the complete A Series of Unfortunate Events is available in one awful package!

We can't keep you from succumbing to this international bestselling phenomenon, but we can hide all thirteen books in a huge, elaborately illustrated, shrink-wrapped box, perfect for filling an empty shelf or deep hole.

From The Bad Beginning to The End, this box set, adorned with Brett Helquist art from front to back, is the only choice for people who simply cannot get enough of a bad thing!

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is a novel by the French professor of philosophy, Muriel Barbery. Set within an elegant hôtel particulier in Paris, the story revolves around two main characters: Renée, the concierge, who is typically short, plump, middle-aged, and inconspicuous, with an unexpected passion for art, philosophy, music, and Japanese culture; and Paloma, a twelve-year-old resident of the building, who is talented, precocious, and has decided to end her own life on her thirteenth birthday unless she can find something worth living for.

The narrative follows Renée who, despite her position, conceals a world of intellectual wealth and refined tastes beneath a veneer of simplicity. Similarly, Paloma hides her exceptional intelligence behind the facade of a mediocre pre-teen. When a wealthy Japanese man named Ozu arrives at the building, their lives begin to change as they discover kindred spirits in each other.

Humorous and full of biting wit, the story exalts the quiet victories of the inconspicuous and explores rich secret lives hidden beneath conventional exteriors, evoking a sense of kinship and understanding of human complexities.

Millie McDeevit screamed a scream
So loud it made her eyebrows steam.
She screamed so loud
Her jawbone broke,
Her tongue caught fire,
Her nostrils smoked...

Poor Screamin' Millie is just one of the unforgettable characters in this wondrous new book of poems and drawings by the creator of Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic. Here you will also meet Allison Beals and her twenty-five eels; Danny O'Dare, the dancin' bear; the Human Balloon; and Headphone Harold.

So come, wander through the Nose Garden, ride the Little Hoarse, eat in the Strange Restaurant, and let the magic of Shel Silverstein open your eyes and tickle your mind.

It’s the same thing every day for Babymouse. Where is the glamour? The excitement? The adventure? Nothing ever changes, until... Babymouse hears about Felicia Furrypaws’s exclusive slumber party. Will Babymouse get invited? Will her best friend, Wilson, forgive her if she misses their monster movie marathon?

Meet Babymouse—the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! Babymouse wants an invite to the hottest slumber party in town. But will she forget all about her plans with her best friend?

This groundbreaking young graphic novel, full of humor and fun, is the first in the bestselling series that’s sold more than three million copies!

Find out in Babymouse: Queen of the World, a graphic novel with attitude!

Naomi Soledad León Outlaw has had a lot to contend with in her young life, her name for one. Then there are her clothes (sewn in polyester by Gram), her difficulty speaking up, and her status at school as "nobody special." But according to Gram, most problems can be overcome with positive thinking.

With Gram and her little brother, Owen, Naomi's life at Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho in California is happy and peaceful... until their mother reappears after seven years of being gone, stirring up all sorts of questions and challenging Naomi to discover and proclaim who she really is.

When Naomi's absent mother resurfaces to claim her, Naomi runs away to Oaxaca, Mexico with her great-grandmother and younger brother in search of her father. This journey is filled with adventure, self-discovery, and the courage to face life's challenges.

In this fantastical novel, Disney's Magic Kingdom suddenly becomes a bit eerie. Finn Whitman and four other teens have been hired as Disney World guides, but with an odd twist: With cutting-edge technology, they have been transformed into hologram projections capable of leading guests around the park.

What begins as an exciting theme park job turns into a virtual nightmare as Finn and his pals attempt to thwart an uprising by a menacing group of Disney villains.

For Sabrina and Daphne Grimm, life has not been a fairy tale. After the mysterious disappearance of their parents, the sisters are sent to live with their grandmother--a woman they believed was dead! Granny Relda reveals that the girls have two famous ancestors, the Brothers Grimm, whose classic book of fairy tales is actually a collection of case files of magical mischief. Now the girls must take on the family responsibility of being fairy tale detectives.

The People of Sparks, the sequel to the critically acclaimed The City of Ember, continues the story of Lina and Doon, who have emerged from the underground city to the exciting new world above. When anonymous acts of vandalism push them toward violence, it's up to Lina and Doon to discover who's behind the vandalism and why.

Just when the future looks bright for the people of Ember, a new darkness lurks. This highly acclaimed adventure series is a modern-day classic—with over 4 MILLION copies sold! Lina and Doon have led the citizens of Ember to an exciting new world. They’ve been given safe haven in a small village called Sparks, a place filled with color and life. But they’re not out of danger yet. Although Sparks seems like the answer the long-suffering Emberites have been hoping for, tempers soon escalate. The villagers have never had to share their world before, and it only takes a tiny “spark” to ignite a battle between the two struggling groups. Lina and Doon will have to work together to avoid a disaster not only for their people, but also for the people of Sparks.

Max was interested in helping children understand their value - not from the world's perspective, but from God's. Wemmicksville is a land created by Eli, the "God" figure of the story. He creates each Wemmick in Wemmicksville uniquely, each with its own look and personality. Each story and video is a new adventure with the citizens of Wemmicksville. Punchinello is the central character, along with his friends Lucia, Splint, and Chip. When Punchinello strays from Eli, he begins to have problems. Only when Punchinello stays close to Eli does he clearly see how to walk through his life in Wemmicksville.

In this heartwarming tale, Eli helps Punchinello understand how special he is-no matter what other Wemmicks may think. Children will learn a vital lesson-regardless of how the world sees them, God loves each of them just as they are.

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale is a delightful children's book that combines expressive cartoon network-esque illustrations with beautiful black and white photographs of Brooklyn.

This funny story unfolds as Trixie and Knuffle Bunny accompany Dad on a trip to the laundromat. The adventure takes a turn for the worse when Trixie realizes that some bunny's been left behind! Her attempts to alert Dad on the way home are hilariously unsuccessful, until Mom points out that Knuffle Bunny is missing. The family then rushes back to the laundromat.

Fortunately, Knuffle Bunny is found safe and sound, if a little wet, bringing a happy ending to this charming tale.

After discovering that buttons look just like pigs' noses, Jillian Jiggs embarks on an extravagant pig-making enterprise. She creates pirate pigs, princess pigs, striped pigs, and plaid pigs and sells them for ten cents each.

However, Jillian's plan to sell these charming toy pigs falls through when she discovers she loves her pigs too much to give them up. Can Jillian part with her pigs so full of personality?

Like bad smells, uninvited weekend guests or very old eggs, there are some things that ought to be avoided. Snicket's saga about the charming, intelligent, and grossly unlucky Baudelaire orphans continues to alarm its distressed and suspicious fans the world over. The 10th book in this outrageous publishing effort features more than the usual dose of distressing details, such as snow gnats, an organised troupe of youngsters, an evil villain with a dastardly plan, a secret headquarters and some dangerous antics you should not try at home. With the weather turning colder, this is one chilling book you would be better off without.

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Hypnotism

Molly Moon is no ordinary orphan. Living in the dreary orphanage of Hardwick House, she discovers a mysterious old book on hypnotism that changes her life forever. With this newfound power, she can make people do whatever she wants. However, a sinister stranger is watching her every move, desperate to steal her hypnotic secret...

Journey to the River Sea is a thrilling adventure set in turn-of-the-last-century Brazil. The story follows Maia, an English orphan, who is sent to live with distant relatives along the Amazon River. Expecting a world of brightly colored macaws, enormous butterflies, and curtains of sweetly scented orchids, Maia is instead greeted by her nasty, xenophobic cousins who forbid her from venturing beyond their coiffed compound.

Resourceful and determined, Maia soon finds herself intertwined in a web of excitement she never imagined. From a mysterious "Indian" with an inheritance, to an itinerant actor dreading his impending adolescence, Maia's journey takes her on a remarkable adventure down the Amazon River in search of the legendary giant sloth.

This lush historical adventure, penned by the acclaimed author Eva Ibbotson, is reminiscent of the beloved classics of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Louisa May Alcott. Readers of every generation will treasure this vivid exploration of the Amazon, filled with memorable characters and exciting plot twists.

It all starts when Jared Grace finds their great uncle's book, Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide to the Fantastic World Around You and the Grace kids realize that they are not alone in their new house.

Now the kids want to tell their story but the faeries will do everything they can to stop them.

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as the Dragon Whisperer...but it wasn't always so. Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans.

Can Hiccup capture a dragon and train it without being torn limb from limb? Join the adventure as the small boy finds a better way to train his dragon and become a hero!

Convinced that Captain Haddock’s ancestor, Sir Francis Haddock, used a series of clever clues to describe the precise location of a priceless treasure, Tintin, Snowy, and Captain Haddock rent a boat — the Sirius — and set sail on a treasure hunt.

Without knowing it at first, the team is accompanied by an eccentric scientist called Professor Calculus. Although it is difficult to hold a meaningful conversation with the professor due to his hearing problems, Calculus more than proves his worth as an extra passenger. His ingenious mini-submarine certainly comes in very handy when searching for shipwrecks!

While the intrepid explorers search for the treasure, Tintin can’t help wondering if there’s an important clue they might have overlooked. But in the end, the big question concerns Marlinspike Hall and its place within the saga of Sir Francis Haddock!

Since we all eat, we all must poop. All of us! Everyone!

This wonderful, modern-day toddler classic presents information that children both want and need in a refreshingly honest, informative, and age-appropriate way.

Make Way for Ducklings is a classic tale that has enchanted generations of readers. This delightful story follows a pair of Mallard ducks who decide to raise their family on an island in the lagoon of the Boston Public Garden, a charming park in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The story unfolds with Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings—Jack, Kack, Lack, Nack, Ouack, Pack, and Quack—navigating the bustling streets of Boston with a little help from the kind Boston police.

The book, awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1942, is celebrated for its unusual and stunning illustrations by Robert McCloskey, capturing both the humor and beauty of the duckling family's adventure. With its fine large pictures and wealth of detail, the story is as amusing as it is heartwarming.

This book is ideal for reading aloud and deserves a place of honor on every child's bookshelf. It captures the quaint charm of a family's search for the perfect home and is a testament to the enduring appeal of McCloskey's storytelling and artistry.

Forty years after its first publication, this much-loved Child's Play classic is as popular as ever. Ingenious die-cut holes bring this iconic nursery rhyme to life, and Pam Adams' fabulous illustrations lend humor and vibrancy to the proceedings.

Bouncy images, innovative die-cutting, and favorite rhymes make Books with Holes a must for every child. Available in three formats, suitable for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and the nursery or classroom.

Ramona the Pest is the second book in the popular series about Ramona Quimby. Ramona doesn't think she's a pest—she knows she isn't one on purpose. So, how does she always end up in trouble? Why does Davy run away whenever Ramona is near, and how does she manage to disrupt the entire kindergarten class during rest time?

Join Ramona as she navigates her first few months at kindergarten, meeting interesting people like Davy, whom she keeps trying to kiss, and Susan, whose springy curls seem to ask to be pulled. This charming tale captures the innocent yet mischievous spirit of childhood.

Jonathan Kozol's books have become touchstones of the American conscience. In his most personal and optimistic book to date, Jonathan returns to the South Bronx to spend another four years with the children who have come to be his friends at P.S. 30 and St. Ann's.

A fascinating narrative of daily urban life seen through the eyes of children, Ordinary Resurrections gives a human face to Northern segregation and provides a stirring testimony to the courage and resilience of the young. Sometimes playful, sometimes jubilantly funny, and sometimes profoundly sad, these are sensitive children—complex and morally insightful. Their ethical vitality denounces and subverts the racially charged labels that the world of grown-up expertise too frequently assigns to them.

Yet another classic of unblinking social observation from one of the finest writers ever to work in the genre, this book is a piercing discernment of right and wrong, of hope and despair—from our nation's corridors of power to its poorest city streets.

When it comes to children's books, it's hard to beat the bestselling team of author Laura Numeroff and illustrator Felicia Bond for creative and captivating tales that are both fun and educational. They continue the tradition that began with such whimsical titles as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Moose a Muffin with yet another tale of actions and consequences: If You Give a Pig a Pancake.

Once again, Numeroff follows the potential effects of one creature's chaotic demands, creating a tale filled with beguiling characters, delightful anticipation, and a fun sense of adventure. In addition to being humorous and entertaining, If You Give a Pig a Pancake allows children to see how their own constant demands might frazzle their parents.

Kids should also enjoy studying the subtleties in Bond's colorful illustrations, such as the facial expressions of the book's adorable protagonist or the details found in a mountain of bubbles and the contents of a closet. Easy to understand, stimulating to both mind and eye, and irresistibly amusing, this is one book children will likely want to read over and over again.

Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears:

Click, clack, MOO.
Click, clack, MOO.
Clickety, clack, MOO.

But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes...

Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down.

Dragon Rider embarks on an adventurous journey featuring Lung, the silver dragon, his companion, the kobold girl Schwefelfell, and the orphan boy Ben. They are in search of a safe haven for Lung's kind, as the world of humans seems to have no place for them anymore. Their hopes are pinned on the legendary "Saum des Himmels", a hidden place among the peaks of the Himalayas, believed to be the original homeland of dragons.

However, the trio is unaware of a much more fearsome threat than humans - Nesselbrand the Golden, the most dangerous dragon-hunting monster the world has ever seen. And he is already on their trail...

You thought you knew the story of the The Three Little Pigs… You thought wrong.

In this hysterical and clever fractured fairy tale picture book that twists point of view and perspective, young readers will finally hear the other side of the story of The Three Little Pigs.

A Child Called "It" is a memoir by Dave Pelzer that recounts the harrowing details of his childhood, marked by extreme abuse at the hands of his alcoholic mother. The story is a testament to one child's resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. Dave's mother subjected him to a series of tortuous and unpredictable games that almost cost him his life. Stripped of his identity, he was regarded not as her son, but as a slave, and he was referred to as an "it" rather than a boy.

With his bed being an old army cot in the basement and his clothes nothing but tattered rags, Dave's existence was a living nightmare. Food was a luxury, often just spoiled scraps that even dogs would refuse. Isolated and alone, Dave's dreams and determination to find a loving family kept him alive. This memoir is not just a tale of suffering, but also a story about the power of hope and the will to survive.

The Wonderful Adventures of Nils is a captivating tale that combines fantasy and adventure in a magical journey across Sweden. Written by the gifted storyteller Selma Lagerlöf, it tells the story of Nils Holgersson, a mischievous 14-year-old boy who is transformed by an elf into a tiny being, gaining the ability to understand the speech of birds and animals.

Through a breathtaking and beautiful fable, Nils embarks on an extraordinary adventure as he is carried over the countryside on the back of a goose. From this unique vantage point, Nils witnesses a host of events, providing readers with a rich tapestry of nature, geography, folklore, and animal life.

This timeless classic, reset in easy-to-read type and enhanced with new illustrations, invites readers into the enchanting world of Nils, where fact and fiction are brilliantly woven into a tale that captivates generations.

More than a hundred years ago, Oscar Wilde created this moving story for his children. Now shimmering illustrations, as bejeweled and golden as the Prince himself, give glowing life to the many dimensions of his tale.

His story of friendship, love, and a willingness to part with one's own riches may be more important today than ever before. This enchanting story tells the tale of a majestic golden statue, once a prince, who befriends a compassionate swallow. Together, they embark on a poignant journey of selflessness, sacrifice, and love for humanity.

Wilde's eloquent prose and vivid imagination transport readers to a world where kindness and empathy triumph over materialism and indifference. The Happy Prince is a literary gem that continues to inspire readers of all ages, reminding us of the enduring power of compassion and the beauty that lies within the human heart.

Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.

But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway almost as long. Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. While Peter was too uncontrollably violent, Valentine very nearly lacks the capability for violence altogether. Neither was found suitable for the military's purpose. But they are driven by their jealousy of Ender, and by their inbred drive for power. Peter seeks to control the political process, to become a ruler. Valentine's abilities turn more toward the subtle control of the beliefs of commoner and elite alike, through powerfully convincing essays. Hiding their youth and identities behind the anonymity of the computer networks, these two begin working together to shape the destiny of Earth—an Earth that has no future at all if their brother Ender fails.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales is a unique collection that takes a playful jab at the traditional fairy tale format. With its unconventional page arrangement and eclectic, frenetic mix of text and pictures, the book is a spoof on the art of book design as well as the art of the fairy tale itself.

The individual tales, such as The Really Ugly Duckling and Little Red Running Shorts, offer a fresh and humorous take on the classic stories we all know and love. Extracted for telling aloud, these tales promise great success and laughter. This masterpiece comes from the team that brought you The True Story of the Three Little Pigs.

When lives are dominated by hunger, what becomes of love? When assaulted by daily acts of violence and untimely death, what happens to trust? Set in the lands of Northeast Brazil, this is an account of the everyday experience of scarcity, sickness, and death that centres on the lives of the women and children of a hillside favela. Bringing her readers to the impoverished slopes above the modern plantation town of Bom Jesus de Mata, where she has worked on and off for 25 years, Nancy Scheper-Hughes follows three generations of shantytown women as they struggle to survive through hard work, cunning and triage.

It is a story of class relations told at the most basic level of bodies, emotions, desires and needs. Most disturbing – and controversial – is her finding that mother love, as conventionally understood, is something of a bourgeois myth, a luxury for those who can reasonably expect, as these women cannot, that their infants will live.

Calvin and Hobbes are back! The energetic six-year-old and his sidekick tiger endure all the trials of youth and continue to endear themselves to millions of loyal readers in this latest collection of their shenanigans.

With the help of his faithful stuffed tiger companion and his alter egos—Spaceman Spiff, Stupendous Man, and Tracer Bullet—Calvin continues to navigate the tricky waters of youth.

This latest assembly of Calvin and Hobbes' adventures has never been collected in book form before.

The 26 characters in this rhythmic, rhyming baby book are a lowercase alphabet with attitude. "A told b, and b told c, 'I'll meet you at the top of the coconut tree'" — which probably seemed like a good idea until the other 23 members of the gang decided to follow suit. The palm tree, standing straight and tall on the first page, begins to groan and bend under its alphabetical burden. First, the coconuts fall off, then ("Chicka chicka... BOOM! BOOM!") all the letters also end up in a big heap underneath.

An old peddler joins Malka's family for the first night of the Hanukkah celebrations—one in which there is "just enough" food for the family, but they gladly share with him.

The next morning, they find the peddler has gone, leaving a sackful of gifts—and Malka is convinced that he was Elijah.