- Table View
- List View
The Mystery of the Vanished Victim (The Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories #11)
by Ellery Queen Jr. Jr.A strange bird leads Gully to a bloody mystery at the United Nations Gully Queen is lounging around the apartment of his uncle, the world-famous sleuth Ellery Queen, when a knock comes at the door. It is Ellery's neighbor, a harmless old man, with a beautiful mynah bird perched on his shoulder. He wants Ellery to find out where the bird came from, but Ellery is out of town, so the case falls to his nephew Gully. The bird says but one thing: "Katal! Katal!" Gully is baffled-- until he learns that an Indian diplomat's bodyguard has vanished from his hotel room, and that in Hindi, katal means "kill." Searching for the bird's owner takes Gully to the United Nations, where two Indian boys join the hunt for the missing guard. Together, they will find themselves in the thick of an adventure faster than you can say katal! Ellery Queen is one of the world's finest detectives, but his adventures are nothing compared to the Ellery Queen Jr. Mystery Stories. Join Queen's nephew, Gully, on adventures filled with danger, suspense, and thrills.
The Spirit Window
by Joyce SweeneyOn the edge of a Florida marsh, a young girl discovers the power of nature After hours on the highway, Miranda is beginning to doubt that there is anything beautiful in Florida. But when her dad turns onto the bridge to Turtle Island and she sees the ocean for the very first time, she realizes she couldn't have been more wrong. Miranda has come here with her dad to meet her grandmother, whose cheerful energy conceals failing health. Miranda has been dreading this family vacation, but what she finds on Turtle Island will change her life forever. Her grandmother is the self-appointed guardian of the local marsh, a swampy wonderland whose very existence is in jeopardy. A passionate photographer, Miranda plans only to document the landscape. But when a mysterious young boy named Adam draws her into the fight for the marsh's future, she learns that saving the environment can be a matter of life or death.
Right Behind the Rain
by Joyce SweeneyA teenage girl fights to save her older brother from depression All her life, Carla has been happy to live in Kevin's shadow. A born performer, he has a dancer's grace and an actor's charm, and he has always been happiest in the spotlight. But when he comes home after his college graduation, his light has gone out. He's just been offered a part in a movie, but rather than being overjoyed, Kevin is quiet and withdrawn. Hoping to find out what's bothering him, Carla follows Kevin downtown one day--and watches in horror as her beloved brother buys a gun. Carla will do anything to keep Kevin from taking his own life, but no matter where she turns, she can't seem to find answers. As her brother slips deeper into the grips of depression, Carla is faced with a difficult question: How do you save someone who hasn't even asked for help?
Shadow
by Joyce SweeneyHaunted by visions, a teenage girl sees a window into what's to come When Sarah's cat, Shadow, is put to sleep, she feels the world crumbling around her. Shadow was her closest companion, and now, just like that, she's gone. Sarah's brother Patrick, in an effort to console her, digs a grave behind the house and holds a funeral. Every afternoon, Sarah sits beside the mound of earth, missing her cat so much that sometimes she feels like Shadow is curled up next to her. She's more right than she knows. When Sarah's big brother, Brian, comes home to visit, he and Patrick butt heads fiercely. As her family is thrown into chaos, Sarah begins seeing Shadow in visions--dreams that show a dark future for her family, which only Sarah can change. Her cat may be gone, but she will always be by Sarah's side.
Piano Man
by Joyce SweeneyEntranced by a neighbor's music, a teenage girl learns what it means to love At fourteen years old, Deidre is just beginning to notice boys. Her cousin Susan is about to go on her first date, with a drop-dead gorgeous sixteen-year-old, but Deidre doesn't feel ready--that is, until she hears Jeff Elliot play. She's making dinner for her mother when the sound of the piano comes down through the ceiling--a haunting melody of heartbreak and loss that fills her with a joy she never imagined. When Deidre meets Jeff by their apartment building's pool, she knows immediately that she loves him. Although he is much older than she, Deidre believes she understands him like no one else can. But as she and Susan begin to find, nothing is as blinding as love at first sight.
Center Line
by Joyce SweeneyTo escape their abusive father, five brothers take to the road Shawn and his brothers sit around the kitchen table, eating dinner and kidding around. They're just like any other teenagers having a good time--until a groan comes from the living room, and the boys go dead silent. Their father is waking up, and he is angry. When Dad finds out that one of Shawn's brothers scratched the car, he flies into a rage, slapping his son around until the boy has no tears left. It's a horrifying scene--and one they've watched a thousand times before. That night, Shawn makes a decision. He's running away, and he's taking his brothers with him. They set out on the open road with only as much as they can carry, hoping to find a better life. But as the journey becomes more and more arduous, Shawn realizes that he and his brothers will have to rely on one another if they're going to survive.
Face the Dragon
by Joyce SweeneyOn his first day of high school, a boy must confront his fears As soon as he wakes up, Eric senses doom on the horizon. A bright fourteen-year-old, he has been fast-tracked from junior high to the tenth grade, and he is terrified. The only thing saving him from panic is the knowledge that Paul, his best friend since childhood, will be by his side. Where Eric is scared of the unknown, Paul is fearless and seems capable of anything. But neither of them is ready for what's in store. Eric attempts to leave his comfort zone, trying out for sports teams and joining the debate club, but the sadistic debate coach, Mr. Drake, is intent on destroying the young boy's confidence. Eric is paralyzed by his fears until he encounters the story of the brave knight Beowulf, who encourages him to put worry aside and embrace the warrior within.
The Dream Collector
by Joyce SweeneyBe careful what you wish for . . . Becky Seville is excited when she finds her hard-to-buy-for family the perfect Christmas gift: a self-help book about using positive thinking to make dreams come true. All they have to do is write their greatest wishes at the front of the book and then follow the instructions. She even buys a copy for herself to get a date with her gorgeous new neighbor. Her family agrees that this year is going to be different; they are no longer going to let fear hold them back from achieving their goals. The Sevilles are on their way to having everything they've ever wanted--or so Becky thinks. But when everything starts going wrong, Becky realizes that just because you wish for something doesn't mean you're ready for the consequences of having it granted.
The Tiger Orchard
by Joyce SweeneyEvery night, Zack is plagued by bizarre recurring nightmares--what if his dream world is trying to tell him something? Zack has never fit in with the rest of his family, and for as long as he can remember, he has experienced strange nightmares of a shadowy man. His therapist, Nancy, says these dreams are his subconscious mind's way of trying to reveal something, but Zack isn't so sure. After all, what could nightmares filled with tigers and apple orchards possibly mean? Luckily, he has the beautiful new girl at school to take his mind off his troubles. For his final assignment in art class, Zack is tasked with showing the darkest depths of his soul, and he knows that his nightmares are the perfect subject for a painting. But when a long-repressed memory from his childhood suddenly surfaces, Zack's life is thrown into turmoil, and he discovers everything he thought about his family is based on a lie. Zack must finally confront his past before he can have a future free of the secret that haunts him.
Free Fall
by Joyce SweeneyWhen four boys decide to spend the day exploring a cave, they have no idea that their fun afternoon is about to become a fight for survival Neil and his best friend, Randy, can't wait to explore a nearby cave for the afternoon. But when Neil's little brother, David, finds out, Neil is forced to bring David and his timid friend Terry along for the ride. What starts out as an exciting expedition soon turns dangerous when the four boys get lost in the cave's labyrinth of winding passages. Neil knows it's not David's fault that they're lost, yet he still lashes out at his brother with every wrong turn, and Randy and David's constant bickering isn't helping to calm his nerves. As tension builds between the boys, Neil and David try to address what they've kept hidden for years: the truth about David that can never be forgotten--or forgiven. Hopelessly lost, angry, hungry, and terrified, the boys are willing to do just about anything to find a way out of the cave before they end up killing one another. But to escape, Neil and David are going to have to figure out a way to put the past behind them and work together.
Isabelle Shows Her Stuff: The Isabelle Series, Book Two (Isabelle #2)
by Constance C. GreeneThe irrepressible Isabelle is back, teaching new friends old tricks No one warned the new kid on the block, third grader Guy Gibbs, to watch out for a spirited, newspaper-delivering fifth grader named Isabelle. But as he helps the movers get his family's piano through the front door, there she is: the original itch herself. Before long, Isabelle makes Guy her protégé. Suddenly she's introducing him to the thrills of fighting with your best friend and wearing your mother's pantyhose while robbing a bank. Isabelle's energy is infectious, and Guy is having fun. But soon, stirring up trouble starts to feel like more effort than it's worth, and Guy must decide between being a tough kid and being himself. Isabelle Shows Her Stuff, the second in Constance C. Greene's boisterous Isabelle series, is an entertaining and lively follow-up tale for the itch's young fans.
Isabelle and Little Orphan Frannie: The Isabelle Series, Book Three (Isabelle #3)
by Constance C. GreeneIt's up to Isabelle, Guy, and Herbie to show Little "Norphan" Frannie why reading is so much fun Meet Frannie, a "norphan. " It's what Frannie says you call a kid who lost her daddy and then her mommy (when mom left to go find a new dad). Frannie is staying with her "aunt," a waitress at the local café who brings home leftover pancakes for dinner. When Isabelle the irrepressible itch discovers that Frannie can't read, she gets right to work. Reading is her favorite thing in the world, and she's pulling out all the stops to help her new friend learn how to do it. With familiar characters like Guy and Herbie as well as the perennial antagonist Mary Eliza along for Isabelle's continued adventures, Isabelle and Little Orphan Frannie, the third book in Constance C. Greene's Isabelle series, offers a fun, engaging read for Isabelle's young fans.
Isabelle the Itch: The Isabelle Series, Book One (Isabelle #1)
by Constance C. GreeneMeet Isabelle, the original itch Isabelle is an itch. She can't sit still and is always jumping from one thing to another. Being an itch means that she plans, jokes, plots, and schemes her way through life. Isabelle fights her best friend, Herbie, every day after school, and she's probably the fastest girl in her class, especially now that she has her new Adidas sneakers. Isabelle's dad says she could climb a mountain if she could just focus on one thing at a time. But why do one thing when you could do ten? When her older brother needs a substitute for his morning paper route, Isabelle has a chance to prove to everyone, especially herself, that she can channel her energy into something useful. In this, the first in Constance C. Greene's rollicking Isabelle series, readers will discover that a little determination can make all the difference.
The Ears of Louis
by Constance C. GreeneThe tale of a boy, his ears, and one little change that makes a world of difference Louis is a talented kid with many great qualities. He plays a mean hand of poker and can crack his knuckles louder than any other kid in his class. He's even trusted to walk his kid brother home from school. But looking at Louis, most people don't notice these excellent qualities. They don't see his kind eyes or his strong legs. Instead, all they see is two big ears. Louis has been called every insulting name in the book: Dumbo, Elephant Ears, even just plain Ears. He is the target of the school's worst bullies, especially skinny Ernie. It seems as if every day, Louis flees from one antagonist to another. Then one day, Louis's poker partner and good friend, Mrs. Beeble, gives him a good-luck charm--and Louis starts to believe it might actually be working. All of a sudden, he doesn't mind the bullies so much. Could Louis's transformation be real? Are his ears somehow shrinking? Or is his newfound swagger helping him grow? Constance C. Greene's heartwarming tale tells the story of one boy's quest for self-discovery, courage, and happiness--and the ears that make his journey possible.
A Girl Called Al: The Al Series, Book One (Al #1)
by Constance C. GreeneHer name is Al, not Alexandra! Al's real name is Alexandra, but she hates it. She has always considered herself a nonconformist--she is the only girl in the entire school who wears pigtails, and when all the other girls take the cooking and sewing class, Al wants to take shop. There's just one problem: Girls aren't allowed. Al is determined only to learn useful things, like making bookshelves. With the help of her new best friend, a seventh grader who lives down the hall from her, and their building's kind superintendent, Mr. Richards, she just might get her wish.
I Know You, Al: The Al Series, Book Two (Al #2)
by Constance C. GreeneAl's father decides to visit her for the first time in years--but does Al really want him back in her life? Al has always marched to the beat of her own drum--and that includes never letting anyone call her by her real name, Alexandra. But now Al's mom is dating a strange man from work, and her dad is coming to visit for the first time in six years. As her whole world is thrown into turmoil, Al doesn't know what to do. What if her mom marries this new man? And should she agree to see her father, who walked out on their family years ago? In this heartwarming sequel to A Girl Called Al, Al learns that although families can be confusing, hers is irreplaceable.
Your Old Pal, Al: The Al Series, Book Three (Al #3)
by Constance C. GreeneUnwilling to wait for a boy to write to her, Al takes the reins Al has two big problems in her life, and both have to do with her mailbox--or more specifically, her empty mailbox. A few months ago, her father's new wife promised that Al could spend the summer with them, but Al still hasn't received a written invitation. Even worse, the cute boy she met at her father's wedding said he would write, but Al hasn't even gotten a short note from him. What's a girl to do when she's waiting to hear from a boy? For a girl like Al, it's easy: She'll write to him! But writing a letter to a boy turns out to be harder than she thought. She can't let him know that she likes him, so signing the letter Your old pal, Al should do the trick, right? Now if she could only work up the courage to send the letter . . .
Al (Al #4)
by Constance C. GreeneAn exciting summer with Al's father awaits--but when her mom gets sick, Al has to decide what's most important Al can't wait to visit her father's family for an entire month. They've promised her homemade ice cream and a barn dance that even the boy she likes is coming to! Nothing can stop her from having the best summer of her life--that is, if she can quit worrying about leaving her mother, who hasn't been feeling well for weeks. Al wants to be a good daughter to both parents, but who will take care of her mother while she's gone? Life is about to get a little complicated, but deep down, Al knows what she has to do.
Just Plain Al: The Al Series, Book Five (Al #5)
by Constance C. GreeneAl is finally turning fourteen, and this birthday is going to bring a lot of changes--starting with a new name! Al has reached the most important point in her life: her fourteenth birthday. Her biggest worry is how boring her life has been so far--nothing exciting has ever happened to her. What if nothing ever does? What's more, she no longer feels like an Al, but she still hates her real name, Alexandra. She needs to find a more dignified name--and fast--so that she can unveil the new her in time for her birthday. With her new name and her newfound adulthood, Al wants to start leading a meaningful life. But it turns out that saving the world is a little harder than it sounds--even for a girl like Al.
Al's Blind Date: The Al Series, Book Six (Al #6)
by Constance C. GreeneAl has not one but two blind dates--what if they both go terribly wrong? When it comes to boys, fourteen-year-old Al is the first to admit she isn't exactly an expert. Even Brian, the boy she met at her father's wedding, has only ever sent her one letter. Just when she's starting to wonder if any boy could ever really like her, she suddenly finds herself with two blind dates in one week. Al isn't sure if she's ready to take this next step. What if the boys are boring, or strange, or really short? Or what if they abandon her to dance with other girls? The more Al thinks about her upcoming dates, the worse they sound. Dating is scary enough, but blind dating? That's enough to terrify even a girl as brave as Al.
The Prince and the Pauper: A Tale For Young People Of All Ages (Barnes And Noble Classics Ser.)
by Mark TwainMark Twain's historical fable explores what happens when the Prince of Wales changes places with a young beggar Set in sixteenth-century England, The Prince and the Pauper follows two boys with vastly different lives: Tom Canty, the indigent child of an abusive, roustabout thief, and Prince Edward, the son of King Henry VIII and heir to the throne. One day, daydreaming while wandering near the king's palace, Canty catches sight of the prince--and nearly catches a brutal beating from the royal guards. Prince Edward commands them to stop and invites the street urchin into his immaculate home. Both fascinated by their strikingly similar appearances, the two boys craft a plot that could unwittingly upend the monarchy: to temporarily switch clothes, thereby swapping lives. Through first-hand experience--and a series of humorous follies--the two discover that neither life is as carefree as they expected. In The Prince and the Pauper, Twain elevates the classic theme of mistaken identity with his inimitable storytelling to create something uniquely American: a historical fable. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
The Half-Life of Planets
by Brendan Halpin Emily FranklinLianna is an aspiring planetary scientist and also a kissing addict. This summer, though, she plans to spend every kiss-worthy hour in the lab, studying stars. Hank has never been kissed. He's smart and funny and very socially awkward, because he's got Asperger's syndrome. Hank's plan for the summer is to work at a music store and save enough to buy his beloved Fender Jazzmaster. What neither Liana nor Hank plan for is their fateful meeting. . . in the women's bathroom at the hospital. But their star-crossed encounter could be the very best kind. Two veteran YA authors tell, from alternating perspecitives, the story of two kids who discover that the best parts of people can't be summed up easily.
How Ya Like Me Now
by Brendan HalpinSince his dad died, Eddie's mom has spent all her time getting high on OxyContin, leaving Eddie to take care of himself. When Eddie's mom goes into rehab and his aunt and uncle take him away to Boston, everything changes. His new school, which he attends with his cousin Alex, is experimental: there's a CEO instead of a principal, classes are held in an office building, and the students, all sporting business-casual looks, are the only urban kids Eddie has ever seen outside of a rap video. As for Alex, it's bad enough that he has to share his bedroom with Eddie, but his parents are on his case about including his quiet cousin in his social life as well. Alex wants to do the right thing, but between talking to girls, playing video games, thinking about girls, laughing with his friends, and looking at girls, when is he supposed to find time to help Eddie and "work up to his potential" in school? Two boys find that they have a lot to learn from each other in this touching, funny novel about finding your place and looking out for your friends.
Shutout
by Brendan HalpinAmanda and Lena have been soccer stars and best friends for years, but now, when Amanda makes the junior varsity team and Lena makes the varsity, Amanda finds herself increasingly shut out of her friend’s life. Suddenly, everything Amanda took for granted is changing--but she's about to discover that might not be bad. Brendan Halpin’s new novel is about friendship, family, soccer, and the confusing time when everything that used to feel simple suddenly feels complicated.
Disappear Home
by Laura HurwitzIn 1970, as the hippie movement is losing its innocence, Shoshanna and her six-year-old sister, Mara, escape from Sweet Earth Farm, a declining commune, run by their tyrannical and abusive father, Adam. Their mother, Ella, takes them to San Francisco, where they meet one of her old friends, Judy, and the four of them decide to head off and try to make a life together. Finding a safe haven at the farm of kind, elderly Avery Elliot, the four of them find some measure of peace and stability. Then their mother's crippling depression returns. Confused and paranoid, Ella is convinced that she and the girls must leave before Adam finds them and exacts revenge. The girls don't wish to leave the only stable home they've ever had. But as Ella grows worse and worse, events conspire to leave them to face a choice they never could have imagined. Shoshanna has always watched over her sister and once again she has to watch over her ailing mother. Will she ever live a "normal" life?