"Thirteen-year-old aspiring writer Victoria Reeves [is] coming to terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of womanhood. But the summer brings unexpected bumps along the way when Victoria develops complicated feelings about the cute boy next door and decidedly uncomplicated ones about her mom's new boyfriend."--Provided by publisher.
"When otherworldly forces descend on their town of Whispering Pines, conspiracy theorist Rae, who's searching for her lost father, and Caden, who's haunted by the ghost of his brother, must band together to save their home"--Provided by publisher.
"The Adventures of Tom & Jeff, The Cemetery" is a mind twisting mystery about an Urban Legend, a ghost that has, in fact, been seen and chased by many. Our quest will explore what's real and what's not, it will have a ripple effect starting in the past and going forward into the future. It may ultimately change the fate of all unresolved, unspeakable mysteries that some refer to as Urban Legends! "This book is about life, seen from the eyes of two young and adventurous Boys, how they were challenged with life changes, life bonds, and had to quickly acquire unthinkable coping skills". (This book is perfect for teens and anyone who likes adventure stories BUT, I will also make another edition of This Book in LARGER PRINT for those of us who have a hard time with small print)
This historical middle grade novel written in free verse, set against the backdrop of the desegregation battles that took place in Houston, Texas, in 1972, is about a young boy and his family dealing with loss and the revelation of dark family secrets. Ten-year-old Paulie Sanders hates his name because it also belonged to his daddy-his daddy who killed a fellow white man and then crashed his car. With his mama unable to cope, Paulie and his sister, Charlie, move in with their Aunt Bee and attend a new elementary school. But it's 1972, and this new school puts them right in the middle of the Houston School District's war on desegregation. Paulie soon begins to question everything. He hears his daddy's crime was a race-related one; he killed a white man defending a black man, and when Paulie starts picking fights with a black boy at school, he must face his reasons for doing so. When dark family secrets are revealed, the way forward for everyone will change the way Paulie thinks about family forever. The Colors of the Rain is an authentic, heartbreaking portrait of loss and human connection during an era fraught with racial tension set in verse from debut author R. L. Toalson.
The story behind The Magnificent Seven could have been a movie in itself. It had everything--actors' strike, writers' strike, Mexican government interference and a row between the screenwriters that left one removing his name from the credits, all under the lingering gloom of post-McCarthy era Hollywood. A flop on release, it later became a box office hit. This book tells the behind-the-scenes story: how Yul Brynner became the biggest independent producer in Hollywood; why John Sturges was not the first choice after Brynner surrendered the director's chair; why Sturges quit; the truth about the Mirisch Company (producers); the details of the film's botched release and unlikely redemption; the creation of Elmer Bernstein's classic score; and how internecine fighting prevented the making of the television series in 1963. Myths about Steve McQueen, his feud with Brynner and the scene-stealing antics of the cast are debunked. A close examination of the various screenplay drafts and the writers' source material--Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai--shows who wrote what. Extensive analysis of Sturges' directorial work is provided.
In this exuberant picture book about transformation through art, Mira lives in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and, along with his paints and brushes, brings color, joy, and hope to the neighborhood. What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration! "Simply superb.” (Kirkus) Tomás Rivera Book Award * ALA Notable Children's Book * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year * Huffington Post Best Picture Books of the Year * Kirkus Best of the Year * School Library Journal Top 10 LatinX of the Year
"A supernatural wonder of a book. This Grimm-like fantasy is vividly detailed and will appeal to young and old readers alike." --School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW) "Toalson intersperses Lenora's story with Richard's journal excerpts and an enigmatic, menacing character's first-person narrative, all of which lends context and dimension. The seamless blend of fantastical and realistic elements is particularly effective at exploring the multifaceted impact of tragedy and loss." --Booklist "Mysterious and beautifully rendered, R.L Toalson's THE WOODS is a heartbreaking story of family, magic and grief that will touch readers' hearts." --Samantha M Clark, author of THE BOY, THE BOAT, AND THE BEAST After a tragic explosion causes Lenora to lose her family, she goes to live with her estranged uncle at his estate. There, Lenora is drawn to the nearby woods and the magic she discovers within them. Can this magic reunite her with her family, or is it more sinister than she realizes? Twelve-year-old Lenora's world is turned upside down after an explosion makes her the lone surviving member of her immediate family. She has nowhere to go, until her estranged Uncle Richard shows up and takes her away to live with him in his lonely mansion. Quiet and stern, he spends most of his time in his study conducting research and experimenting. Lenora is able to explore parts of the mansion and its lovely gardens, but Uncle Richard has one rule for her: Stay out of the woods. Years ago, Lenora's cousin, Bobby went into Gilgevnah Woods and never came out. Now, Uncle Richard will do anything he can to destroy them. Lenora knows she is meant to stay away, but her grief and loneliness draw her in. Upon entering the woods, she finds a world full of enchantment and beauty. Lenora befriends Bela the Scorlaman, keeper of Gilgevnah Woods, who shows her the wonder and the mystery of the place, but also promises to reunite her with her family. Is it too good to be true? Will Lenora find peace in the magic of Gilgevnah Woods, or will she find something darker? The Woods is an entrancing magical realism novel from author R.L. Toalson that tackles profound loss, grief, and finally, acceptance.
The Best of the Rest presents the work of 77 of America's most talented local newspaper columnists from 41 states. They represent the rest because editor Sam G. Riley has excluded nationally syndicated columnists in order to expose to a wider audience many equally talented columnists whose fame generally is localized. The columnists chosen for inclusion were nominated by a nationwide panel of 100 journalism professors--two from each state. Those writers who agreed to participate either self-selected their two favorite columns or sent a larger sampling for the editor's choice. For this first such book on local columnists, Riley has concentrated on news columnists, personal or general interest columnists, and humor columnists, exempting those who write more or less exclusively on topical areas, such as sports, business and finance, fashion, or travel. In his lively and insightful introduction, Riley identifies three main characteristics of newspaper column writing much in evidence in these selections: humanity or people-centeredness, wit, and freedom of approach. He also sketches a brief history of newspaper column writing and provides a sense of what local columnists do, offering his opinion that being a columnist is the most fun a person can legally have at a newspaper. The selection of columns makes for delightful reading and will be instructive and inspiring to journalism major students and other students of writing. A selective bibliography is included.
But Wait! There's More! (maybe) is the story of how the great and glamorous American Advertising Magic Show became a $500 billion global business, doomed itself in an ocean of corporate funny money and now struggles amid mounting chaos to be born anew in the Internet-driven media revolution of the 21st Century. The authors, both veterans of Adland's Golden Age, describe and illuminate this important business evolution through the colorful history of the creation, growth and destruction of the world's seventh largest advertising agency from its amusing on-the-cuff founding through the mega-agency pig-out of the last 20 years. But Wait!, populated with a wide swath of habitués of the advertising and corporate world, tells through a fast moving narrative and a series of contemporary Conversations in famous and not-so famous Adland watering holes about what went well (great advertising), what went wrong (business judgment), and what went (advertising competence); addresses a major business upheaval that is profoundly affecting business, government and the core nature of mass communication; makes clear the need for a new business model, and explores eight possibilities (some good, some not). There are also "Lessons for the Model Ad Agency CEO" should any survive. Conclusion: Madison Avenue can be great again. (maybe)
Binky’s blast-off into outer space (outside) to battle aliens (bugs) is delayed when he realizes he’s left something behind - and it’s not the anti-gravity kitty litter.
