Willow is shy. VERY shy. Her home is in an abandoned mailbox, and she'd rather stay put. Outside kids scream and soccer balls collide, trees look like monsters, and rain is noisy in a scary kind of way. It's much nicer to stay inside, drawing. But then a young boy drops a letter in Willow's mailbox: it's a note to the moon asking for a special favor. Willow knows that if she doesn't brave the world outside, the letter will never be delivered, and the boy will be heartbroken. Should she try? Can she? Cat Min delivers a breathtakingly illustrated story about shyness, the power of empathy, and what it means to make a friend.
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Astonishing . . . one of those hard-to-put-down-until-four-in-the morning books . . . a story with characters who enter a reader’s life, take up residence, and illuminate the myriad decisions and stories that make up human history.”—Los Angeles Times In her most powerful novel yet, acclaimed author Lisa See returns to the story of sisters Pearl and May from Shanghai Girls, and Pearl’s strong-willed nineteen-year-old daughter, Joy. Reeling from newly uncovered family secrets, Joy runs away to Shanghai in early 1957 to find her birth father—the artist Z.G. Li, with whom both May and Pearl were once in love. Dazzled by him, and blinded by idealism and defiance, Joy throws herself into the New Society of Red China, heedless of the dangers in the Communist regime. Devastated by Joy’s flight and terrified for her safety, Pearl is determined to save her daughter, no matter the personal cost. From the crowded city to remote villages, Pearl confronts old demons and almost insurmountable challenges as she follows Joy, hoping for reconciliation. Yet even as Joy’s and Pearl’s separate journeys converge, one of the most tragic episodes in China’s history threatens their very lives. BONUS: This edition contains a Dreams of Joy discussion guide. Praise for Dreams of Joy “[Lisa] See is a gifted historical novelist. . . . The real love story, the one that’s artfully shown, is between mother and daughter, and aunt and daughter, as both of the women who had a part in making Joy return to China come to her rescue. . . . [In Dreams of Joy,] there are no clear heroes or villains, just people who often take wrong turns to their own detriment but for the good of the story, leading to greater strength of character and more durable relationships.”—San Francisco Chronicle “A heartwarming story of heroic love between a mother and daughter . . . No writer has better captured the voice and heart of Chinese culture.”—Bookreporter “Once again, See’s research feels impeccable, and she has created an authentic, visually arresting world.”—The Washington Post
There's more to me than most people see. Twelve-year-old Willow would rather blend in than stick out. But she still wants to be seen for who she is. She wants her parents to notice that she is growing up. She wants her best friend to like her better than she likes a certain boy. She wants, more than anything, to mush the dogs out to her grandparents' house, by herself, with Roxy in the lead. But sometimes when it's just you, one mistake can have frightening consequences . . . And when Willow stumbles, it takes a surprising group of friends to help her make things right again. Using diamond-shaped poems inspired by forms found in polished diamond willow sticks, Helen Frost tells the moving story of Willow and her family. Hidden messages within each diamond carry the reader further, into feelings Willow doesn't reveal even to herself. Diamond Willow is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.
“Tender, comforting, and complex.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Drawn with exquisite precision and quiet dashes of humor.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A lovely, ruminative selection.” —School Library Journal (starred review) “A blueprint for mindfulness and gratitude for the homes in which we…live.” —The New York Times Book Review Deborah Freedman’s masterful new picture book is at once an introduction to the pieces of a house, a cozy story to share and explore, and a dreamy meditation on the magic of our homes and our world. Before there was this house, there were stones, and mud, and a colossal oak tree— three hugs around and as high as the blue. What was your home, once? This poetically simple, thought-provoking, and gorgeously illustrated book invites readers to think about where things come from and what nature provides.
Four women--Tess, who faces a crumbling marriage; her sister Suki, who is the victim of a dirt-digging biographer; Mara, who is seeking sanctuary; and Danae, a postmistress who guards the town's secrets--must confront their pasts before they can look to the future.
When the Burgert family moves from San Francisco to Seattle in 1852, Kathryn is convinced her father has destroyed her life, until she meets Jason, a lumberjack with dreams for a bright future. (religious fiction). Simultaneous.
Jack, Evan and Madison Bloom, descendents of Tempest Bienvenue, have recently inherited Willow House, an old Antebellum Home on the Mississippi Sound in the city of Ocean Springs, so they decide to take a family vacation and check the old place out. Little do these three know what dark secrets Willow House is keeping or what danger awaits them, in fact they had never even heard of Willow House until recently when they were informed that an old Aunt from South Carolina had passed away and left Willow House to them. According to the residents of Ocean Springs, Willow House is cursed and no one other than descendents of Tempest Bienvenue, have ever been allowed inside. The Blooms reside in Shreveport, Louisiana; however their parents were killed in an automobile accident in Ocean Springs, less than a year ago so they decide that they might as well do a little investigating of their own while they are staying at Willow House. There is much mystery surrounding Willow House and Jack, Evan and Madison are about to uncover many of its secrets as they become immersed in the most frightening adventure of their lives.
Holding out for a hero… Arabella adored the bestselling tales about Palfrey. No man she'd met in real life could quite match up to the gallant fictional hero! But she knew nothing about the author of the Palfrey stories: the man guarded his real identity fiercely. Until Hollywood made a bid to film his books and it was up to Arabella to track him down. One surprise was that Robert Lawrence turned out to be just as devilishly handsome as his character, and Arabella could have fallen for him at once! Another was that she realized Robert was someone about whom she already knew quite a lot. At best, this man of her dreams could only ever want an affair….
It’s Christmas, and the Lost and Found crew and the Dogs of War are coming together for a very special weekend. Zeke Foster has been with Ember for years now, and it’s past time to tie the knot. Can he pull off her dream wedding under her nose? John and Shannon are getting ready for baby number three in the midst of helping Zeke. She has at least a couple of weeks before Baby Palmer arrives… Aiden dotes over his daughter, but he worries about introducing her to the world. Outside forces are testing their boundaries, putting them all on edge, and Aiden is frustrated. Fortunately, Haven has traveled with them to provide extra security. Unfortunately, he may be busier than expected…
