Bright Sparks Literacy Project is a set of reading materials that provide staged opportunities for the progressive acquisition of literacy skills in the early years of schooling. Each title draws on a broad base of literacy skills, yet focuses on one or two skills, enabling teachers to appropriately select texts according to student's perceived need. Readers are exposed to a range of appropriate text types and language structures. Texts and activities have been developed around common themes explored in contemporary classrooms, allowing teachers to capitalise on the use of context when reading and writing.
Over a decade since its publication, Ann Jaramillo's heartbreaking middle grade novel La Linea—about crossing the Mexican border into the US—is more timely than ever. Miguel has dreamed of joining his parents in California since the day they left him behind in Mexico six years, eleven months, and twelve days ago. On the morning of his fifteenth birthday, Miguel's wait is over. Or so he thinks. The trip north to the border—la línea—is fraught with dangers. Thieves. Border guards. And a grueling, two-day trek across the desert. It would be hard enough to survive alone. But it's almost impossible with his tagalong sister in tow. Their money gone and their hopes nearly dashed, Miguel and his sister have no choice but to hop the infamous mata gente as it races toward the border. As they cling to the roof of the speeding train, they hold onto each other, and to their dreams. But they quickly learn that you can't always count on dreams—even the ones that come true.
It's Pinkalicious meets Fear Factor in this nonfiction picture book introducing the weirdest, wildest, pinkest critters in the animal kingdom! Some people think pink is a pretty color. A fluffy, sparkly, princess-y color. But it's so much more. Sure, pink is the color of princesses and bubblegum, but it's also the color of monster slugs and poisonous insects. Not to mention ultra-intelligent dolphins, naked mole rats and bizarre, bloated blobfish. Isn't it about time to rethink pink? Slip on your rose-colored glasses and take a walk on the wild side with zoologist Jess Keating, whose other books in the World of Weird Animals series include What Makes a Monster? and Cute as an Axolotl. A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016 "The 2016 Ambassador to Young People’s Science and Nature books is unquestionably the blobfish." —Shelftalker "Readers will never look at pink the same way." —Publishers Weekly
Book One - The Age of Shadows Series Elissa comes from hard and desperate beginnings on the streets of Galadrid. After falling foul of the City Watch and being thrown into the dungeons, she is suddenly thrust into the world of royalty and of magic. It is revealed she possesses a rare gift - the power of a Gold mage. Arina, the Queen, and one of the greatest Mages in her own right, quickly recognizes her power and commits to mentor and guide the young girl. Arth, an enigmatic Swordmaster, recently having lost his dear friend and liege, gets a message from across the veil to go to the west and find the one he is meant to protect. Arth soon reaches Galadrid and discovers Elissa and thus begins his connection as both a friend and as a master. As she trains under Arina & Arth's guidance, Elissa makes an unlikely friend in Thahim, a young lord. But her new life is far from safe. A strange enemy starts to arise to plague both the people of Galadrid and the greater kingdom. Arth, Elissa and the crown struggle to understand this rising enemy and to protect its people from the evils and destruction it heralds. Meanwhile, an ancient evil stir in the shadows, its insidious power growing. Elissa discovers that a Gold Mage is a sign of an impending age of turmoil. History has shown that, in such an age, chaos soon follows, and of impending battles between the light and dark forces. The more she learns the more she fears for the future. As Elissa wrestles with her newfound powers and responsibilities she encounters intrigue and politics swirling around her. She is confronted by the intrigues of the court and the tenuous relationship of the King, Drathren and the Guild of Mages. The realization that enemies of the crown exist within the very members of the court. Some challenge the authority of the Crown with Elissa finding herself unwittingly at the center of the resulting storm. When Elissa and Thahim make a startling discovery deep in the city, they unwittingly trigger lethal intentions. Betrayals and danger follow their every step, leading to Elissa facing her darkest hour. To save her friends and defeat the diabolical evil she discovers, she must accept her destiny and master the full might of her golden light. But even victories come at a terrible price. A wordless threat reveals greater shadows yet to come, and Elissa realizes her training has only just begun. The fate of the realm now rests on her shoulders in an epic struggle that will test the limits of her power - and her soul. Gripping from the first page to the chilling cliffhanger's end, The Rise of the Othari spins an epic tale of magic, mystery, and courage against overwhelming evil. Perfect for fans of character driven fantasy, this is the debut of an exciting new voice in epic fantasy. The Age of Shadows has only just begun.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? There is clearly someone in the Office of the Witchfinder General who is working for or with English Wizardry, and Danesh and the Crow are determined to track them down. It might even be one of the Lord High Witchfinders. Who can they trust? Can Danesh even trust the Crow? To ensure the traitor is not alerted, Danesh conducts an off-the-books investigation under cover of an inquiry into a cold case. But not all cold cases stay cold; not all dead witches stay dead; and not all traitors stay hidden… … and what is the significance of the goat’s skull? Cover design: Alison Buck
