Star Rise

      Kathryn Lasky
     Star Rise

Get ready for a wild ride in book two of bestselling author Kathryn Lasky's brand-new middle grade animal fantasy series. For the filly Estrella, nothing is more precious than freedom. She was born at sea, chattel to men sailing to the New World in search of gold. But Estrella and her herd escaped the conquerors and embarked on a journey across thousands of miles -- braving harsh terrains and fierce predators -- to a land where they can finally run wild. But now, an unforeseen danger threatens to destroy the pack. A boy with a special gift is lost in the wilderness, and only the horses can keep him alive. But to save the boy, the herd will have to abandon their quest, and risk galloping straight back into the hands-and harnesses- of their captors. And so, it's up to Estrella, the herd's unlikely leader, to make a life-changing decision. Should the horses accept the orphan boy as one of their own? How do you choose between freedom and friendship?

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    The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization

      Daniel Pinkwater
     The Neddiad: How Neddie Took the Train, Went to Hollywood, and Saved Civilization

The old powers try to come back, and the planet is plunged into chaos, and civilization is destroyed, and it gets all violent and evil...the old legends tell that a hero...with the sacred turtle, always... Los Angeles, California. Neddie Wentworthstein is the guy with the turtle. Sandor Eucalyptus is the guy with the jellybean. Sholmos Bunyip wants the turtle...and he'll stop at nothing to get it. This is the story of how Neddie, three good friends, a shaman, a ghost, and a little maneuver known as the French substitution determine the fate of the world.

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    The Rise of a Warrior

      Harvey Stanbrough
     The Rise of a Warrior

Wes Crowley and Otis "Mac" McFadden are teenagers in Watson, a town north of Amarillo in the heart of the traditional Comanche homeland. An impressive group of Texas Rangers ride in to the local livery stable to swap horses. After he overhears the Ranger corporal's description of Iron Bear and his trespasses, and Mac decides on the spot he has to join the Rangers.The Rise of a Warrior is the first prequel and Book 1 in the Wes Crowley novel series. Although the titles eventually will be arranged chronologically, each is a stand-alone novel. In The Rise of a Warrior, Wes Crowley and Otis "Mac" McFadden are teenagers in Watson, Texas, a town some distance north of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle and the heart of Comancheria, the traditional Comanche homeland. An impressive group of Texas Rangers ride in to the local livery stable to swap horses. To convince the owner of the livery stable of the necessity of the trade, the ranking Ranger, Corporal Connolly, describes in detail what the Comanches are capable of when they raid. A few minutes later the Rangers ride out on fresh mounts. The corporal nods at Mac on their way out of town, and Mac decides on the spot he has to join the Rangers. Wes goes along for the ride. What else should a partner do? At what is eventually dubbed The Battle of Boquillas Draw, the Rangers take down one of the more dangerous renegade Comanche war chiefs and all but one of his raiding party. But that one is unique among the Comanches. He bears the sacred number in his name and is destined to become one of the greatest Comanche war chiefs ever known... at the ripe old age of fourteen. Come along to witness the advent of Wes and Mac as Texas Rangers, and the rise of a Comanche warrior, Four Crows.

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    Noble House

      James Clavell
     Noble House

The setting is Hong Kong, 1963. The action spans scarcely more than a week, but these are days of high adventure: from kidnapping and murder to financial double-dealing and natural catastrophes–fire, flood, landslide. Yet they are days filled as well with all the mystery and romance of Hong Kong–the heart of Asia–rich in every trade…money, flesh, opium, power. From the Paperback edition.

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    A Voyage in a Balloon

      Jules Verne
     A Voyage in a Balloon

Pioneering science-fiction writer Jules Verne is the second most translated author of all time (after Agatha Christie.) This translation of his short story A Voyage in a Balloon first appeared in Sartain's Union Magazine of Literature and Art in a May 1852 edition, making it the first of the French writer's stories to be published in English. As Verne writes in this story: "May this terrific recital, while it instructs those who read it, not discourage the explorers of the routes of air."

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    Beatrice and Virgil

      Yann Martel
     Beatrice and Virgil

Fate takes many forms. . . . When Henry receives a letter from an elderly taxidermist, it poses a puzzle that he cannot resist. As he is pulled further into the world of this strange and calculating man, Henry becomes increasingly involved with the lives of a donkey and a howler monkey—named **Beatrice and Virgil**—and the epic journey they undertake together. With all the spirit and originality that made *Life of Pi* so beloved, this brilliant new novel takes the reader on a haunting odyssey. On the way Martel asks profound questions about life and art, truth and deception, responsibility and complicity. **

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    Prospero's Cell

      Lawrence Durrell
     Prospero's Cell

A guide to the landscape and manners of the island of Corfu. 'One of Lawrence Durrell's best books - indeed, in its gem-like miniature quality, among the best books ever written.' Freya Stark 'This charming idyll depicts the country life and cosmopolitan society of Corfu in the years immediately before the war . . . The matter of it is as sound as the story is delightful.' Sunday Times 'Corfu, that Ionian island whose idyllic yet blood-stained history goes back the best part of a thousand years, could not have found a fitter chronicler than Mr Durrell. For he is a poet, with all a poet's sensibility, and a humanist to boot, with a keen eye for character and a scholar's reverence for antiquity.' Daily Telegraph

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    Goon Squad 2014 Summer Special

      Jonathan L. Howard
     Goon Squad 2014 Summer Special

The FREE Goon Squad 2014 Summer Special contains four short stories: "Red Wolf, Red Wolf, Does Whatever a Red Wolf Can," "Changes," "No-No Dojo," and "Tale of Terror." Join Puppet Girl, the Revenant, Red Wolf, and Talos as they protect the fairly innocent, are sharply critical about modern newspapers, talk to a door in Salford, and recount the day their city nearly blew up.Just what do superheroes get up to when they're not fighting the forces of evil? If they're the GOON SQUAD, they patrol the city, chat, train, and chat some more. The FREE Goon Squad 2014 Summer Special contains an introduction to the Squad, and four short stories: "Red Wolf, Red Wolf, Does Whatever a Red Wolf Can," "Changes," "No-No Dojo," and "Tale of Terror." Join Puppet Girl, the Revenant, Red Wolf, and Talos as they protect the fairly innocent, are sharply critical about modern newspapers, talk to a door in Salford, and recount the day the city nearly blew up. GOON SQUAD is an ongoing "prose comicbook," available through this retailer.

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    Sargasso Skies

      Allan Frewin Jones
     Sargasso Skies

Many a windship has foundered on the deadly skyreef known as Sargasso Skies. Our three brave adventurers are on their way to Hammerland, home of the sinister steammoles, to find the fifth lost crown: the Crown of Wood. But now they're trapped, at the mercy of savage beasts and the eccentric Count Leopold.

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    Down and Out in Paris and London

      George Orwell
     Down and Out in Paris and London

This unusual fictional account - in good part autobiographical - narrates without self-pity and often with humor the adventures of a penniless British writer among the down-and-out of two great cities. The Parisian episode is fascinating for its expose of the kitchens of posh French restaurants, where the narrator works at the bottom of the culinary echelon as dishwasher, or plongeur. In London, while waiting for a job, he experiences the world of tramps, street people, and free lodging houses. In the tales of both cities we learn some sobering Orwellian truths about poverty and society.

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    Two-Hundred Steps Home Volume One

      Amanda Martin
     Two-Hundred Steps Home Volume One

Claire's life revolves around Starbucks, stilettos and her career. Until her boss decrees she must visit every British YHA hostel as part of a marketing campaign. used to five-star spa resorts than 'flea-infested hostels' Claire only takes the assignment to fund a much-needed vacation to the Maldives.'Two-Hundred Steps Home Vol 1' contains 31 instalments of the daily blog by WriterMummy"Claire's life revolves around Starbucks, stilettos and her career as an Advertising Account Director for AJC. That is until her boss Carl decides to send her on a mission to visit every one of the 200 YHA hostel in England and Wales as part of a marketing campaign. More used to five-star spa resorts than 'flea-infested hostels' Claire only takes the assignment to save face. It becomes clear to her the 'mission' is a ruse to make her resign.Together with her hated 1980s Skoda Estelle - another part of the assignment - Claire sets off for Berwick-Upon-Tweed and a new way of life. Will Claire get used to sharing a room, going without skinny lattes and travelling in an Eastern European rust bucket. More importantly, will travelling the length and breadth of her home country enable Claire to forget her lost love Michael?"Volume 1 of 'Two-Hundred Steps Home' contains the first 31 instalments of Amanda Martin's daily challenge on her WriterMummy blog. February's instalments will be published as Volume 2 in March 2013.

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    Beyond the Grave

      Jude Watson
     Beyond the Grave

Betrayed by their cousins, abandoned by their uncle, and with only the slimmest hint to guide them, fourteen-year old Amy Cahill and her younger brother, Dan, rush off to Egypt on the hunt for 39 Clues that lead to a source of unimaginable power. But when they arrive, Amy and Dan get something completely unexpected - a message from their dead grandmother, Grace. Did Grace set out to help the two orphans . . . ore are Amy and Dan heading for the most devastating betrayal of them all?

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