Black Boy is a classic of American autobiography, a subtly crafted narrative of Richard Wright's journey from innocence to experience in the Jim Crow South. An enduring story of one young man's coming of age during a particular time and place, Black Boy remains a seminal text in our history about what it means to be a man, black, and Southern in America.

One night, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight. So begins this gentle story that shows just how far your imagination can take you. Armed only with an oversized purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of beauty and excitement. But this is no hare-brained, impulsive flight of fantasy. Cherubic, round-headed Harold conducts his adventure with the utmost prudence, letting his imagination run free, but keeping his wits about him all the while. He takes the necessary purple-crayon precautions: drawing landmarks to ensure he won't get lost; sketching a boat when he finds himself in deep water; and creating a purple pie picnic when he feels the first pangs of hunger.

One of the most influential and well-loved books of Christianity, The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis appears here in Penguin Classics in a new translation by Robert Jeffery, with an introduction by Max Von Habsburg, notes, a chronology and further reading.

The Imitation of Christ is a passionate celebration of God's love, mercy and holiness, which has stimulated religious devotion for over five hundred years. With great personal conviction and deep humanity, Thomas à Kempis demonstrates the individual's reliance on God and on the words of Christ, and the futility of a life without faith, as well as exploring the ideas such as humility, compassion, patience and tolerance.

Thomas spent some seventy years of his life in the reclusive environment of monasteries, yet in this astonishing work he demonstrates an encompassing understanding of human nature, while his writing speaks to readers of every age and every nation.

From Harper Lee comes a landmark new novel set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird. Maycomb, Alabama. Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—"Scout"—returns home from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise's homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt.

Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in a painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can be guided only by one's conscience. Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor and effortless precision—a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context, and new meaning to an American classic.

Swan Song Like the rest of his family, Louis is a trumpeter swan. But unlike his four brothers and sisters, Louis can't trumpet joyfully. In fact, he can't even make a sound. And since he can't trumpet his love, the beautiful swan Serena pays absolutely no attention to him.

Louis tries everything he can think of to win Serena's affection—he even goes to school to learn to read and write. But nothing seems to work. Then his father steals him a real brass trumpet. Is a musical instrument the key to winning Louis his love?

A Study in Scarlet is the novel which first introduced Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. Published in 1887, it was featured in Beeton's Christmas Annual and marked the beginning of the world's fascination with this enigmatic detective and his partner.

The story is told from the perspective of Dr. John Watson, who, upon returning to London after serving in Afghanistan, finds himself in need of affordable accommodation. It is then that he meets Sherlock Holmes and the two decide to share a flat. Watson is intrigued by Holmes' eccentric behavior and vast knowledge in specific areas, yet his ignorance in others. Soon, Watson learns of Holmes' profession as the first "consulting detective" and quickly becomes involved in a case with him.

The mystery starts with the discovery of a man's body in an abandoned house, bearing no signs of injury but with the word RACHE written in blood on the wall. As they delve into the investigation, they uncover a series of unexpected twists and turns.

A Tale of Two Cities is a profound historical novel set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The narrative follows the story of Dr. Manette, who is released from an 18-year imprisonment in the Bastille and reunited with his daughter Lucie in England. Their lives intertwine with those of Charles Darnay, an exiled French aristocrat, and Sydney Carton, a disreputable yet brilliant English lawyer, both of whom love Lucie.

Their destinies are woven together amidst the backdrop of revolutionary fervor and the terror that follows. As they move from the peaceful streets of London to the chaotic and bloodstained avenues of Paris, they find themselves caught in the deadly shadow of the guillotine. It is a tale of sacrifice, redemption, and the enduring power of love.

One of the most powerful and enduring of Greek tragedies, Medea centers on the myth of Jason, leader of the Argonauts, who has won the dragon-guarded treasure of the Golden Fleece with the help of the sorceress Medea. Having married Medea and fathered her two children, Jason abandons her for a more favorable match, never suspecting the terrible revenge she will take.

Euripides' masterly portrayal of the motives fiercely driving Medea's pursuit of vengeance for her husband's insult and betrayal has held theater audiences spellbound for more than twenty centuries. Rex Warner's authoritative translation brings this great classic of world literature vividly to life.

For this complete, authoritative English-language edition, D. J. Enright has revised the late Terence Kilmartin's acclaimed reworking of C. K. Scott Moncrieff's translation to take into account the new definitive French editions of À la recherche du temps perdu (the final volume of these new editions was published by the Bibliothèque de la Pléiade in 1989).

Tuck Everlasting explores the concept of immortality through the story of the Tuck family. The Tucks have a secret: they are doomed to - or perhaps blessed with - eternal life after drinking from a magic spring. They strive to live inconspicuously and comfortably, avoiding the complications of an unending existence.

When ten-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles upon their secret, the Tucks bring her into their fold and share the harsh realities of living forever at one age. The idea of eternal life might seem desirable, but the Tucks reveal why it's not as great as it appears.

The plot thickens when Winnie is pursued by a stranger with nefarious intentions. This individual has learned about the spring and sees an opportunity to exploit its powers for a fortune. The Tucks must navigate this challenging situation, protecting both their secret and Winnie.

With lovely prose and thought-provoking themes, Tuck Everlasting is a compelling tale that delves into the universal human desire for eternal life and the important lessons found in the natural cycle of life.

Charlotte's Web is a classic of children's literature that is considered "just about perfect." This edition features vibrant illustrations colorized by Rosemary Wells. The story revolves around Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These words are found in Charlotte's spiderweb, high up in Zuckerman's barn, and they tell of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend.

The novel also explores the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter. Authored by E. B. White, who also wrote Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, Charlotte's Web is a tender novel of friendship, love, life, and death that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, the highly acclaimed translators of War and Peace, Doctor Zhivago, and Anna Karenina, which was an Oprah Book Club pick and million-copy bestseller, bring their unmatched talents to The Selected Stories of Anton Chekhov, a collection of thirty of Chekhov’s best tales from the major periods of his creative life.

Considered by many the greatest short story writer, Anton Chekhov changed the genre itself with his spare, impressionistic depictions of Russian life and the human condition. From characteristically brief, evocative early pieces such as “The Huntsman” and the tour de force “A Boring Story,” to his best-known stories such as “The Lady with the Little Dog” and his own personal favorite, “The Student,” Chekhov’s short fiction possesses the transcendent power of art to awe and change the reader. This monumental edition, expertly translated, is especially faithful to the meaning of Chekhov’s prose and the unique rhythms of his writing, giving modern readers an authentic sense of his style and a true understanding of his greatness.