Janie Down, unsophisticated, small town, sixteen-year-old, sees the magazine ad and knows it's the "something exciting" she's been waiting for! She begins writing secretly to Duke McCoy and pretends she's all the things he wants.
//*// Finalist for the 2022 International Book Awards in Children's Picture Book and Children's Religious categories \\*\\ To: Santa From: Anna My new dad and stepbrother celebrate Christmas, so you’re coming to my house for the very first time. And I think you must be REALLY tired of cookies. I’m going to leave you the best Santa treat ever. Anna is excited that Santa will be visiting her house for the first time, and she wants to leave Santa a treat that blends the holidays her new family celebrates: Christmas and Hanukkah. She expresses this idea to her stepbrother, Michael, who insists that Santa doesn't need anything but his sugar cookies. Anna imagines Santa has to be bored with cookies by now and is determined to find a Jewish recipe that he'll enjoy. The catch? It has to be something easy for Santa to grab and go. It can't be matzo ball soup—soup in a sleigh with galloping reindeer will never do. It can't be noodle kugel—imagine that by the handful. What a mess! And as certain as Anna is that Santa would devour tzimmes, she knows he just doesn't have the time to sit and enjoy a hearty stew on Christmas Eve. Anna retreats to her thinking corner to figure out the perfect finger food for Santa, not wanting to disappoint him on his very first visit to her house. In this humorous and endearing picture book, blending both Christmas and Hannukah, a little girl and her stepbrother compete to leave Santa the best treats ever. Latkes for Santa Claus concludes with Anna and Michael's winning recipes, ready for children to replicate for Santa in their own kitchens.
In these personal stories, 45 Ohio mothers open their hearts and share what it feels like when your son or daughter leaves home to fight a war.Some were stunned to learn one sunny afternoon that their "baby" had enlisted in the Marines. Others had long been familiar with military life. But all knew their life had just changed the day their child called and said, "Mom, I'm being deployed . . ." They discovered the strange mix of pride and fear. The anxiety of not knowing exactly where in Iraq or Afghanistan your son is, whether your daughter is facing mortar fire or enduring heat and boredom. Elation at the arrival of the briefest postcard or email message. The daily dread, when returning home from work or a trip to the grocery store, of seeing a government car in the driveway and two soldiers at the door . . .Any parent who reads these stories will feel their power--and will gain a greater understanding of the sacrifice made by parents as well as their children in our military service.
No one ever paid attention to the faces of missing children on milk cartons. But as Janie Johnson glanced at the face of the little girl who had been taken twelve years ago, she recognized that little girl--it was herself. The mystery of the kidnapping is unraveled, but the nightmare is not over. The Spring family wants justice, but who is to blame? It's difficult to figure out what's best for everyone. Janie Johnson or Jennie Spring? There's enough love for everyone, but how can the two separate families live happily ever after?
In this riveting and emotional conclusion to the thriller-romance Janie series, that started with The Face on the Milk Carton, all will be revealed as readers find out if Janie and Reeve's love has endured, and whether or not the person who brought Janie and her family so much emotional pain and suffering is brought to justice.
September would forever be a cruelly remembered month. The accident, the funeral, the seemingly everlasting loneliness that began on the 29th seemed unbearable for Janie Michaels. Having admired her soulmate Thomas since primary school, how could she possibly live without him? Her heart ached immensely. Making her way painfully through the reality of her loving husband's death, Janie was entertaining ideas of joining him. She was uncertain if she could survive alone, without the love of her life. Unexpectedly reuniting with an old pal, she hadn't seen since high school, seems to help somewhat. Martin had been a mutual friend of the once merry couple before moving away over a decade before. Now his return wasn't all he had been wishing for. When a kindly, yet bewildering, stranger appears at Janie's place of employment, her life takes a major turn. However, through any means necessary, Thomas would try to make it home to his wife and his old life...By Any Means Necessary...