-Titulo Original : Parker Shines On Another Extraordinary Moment (a Parker Curry Book)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with an uplifting story about Parker making a new friend and learning about self-expression, opening your heart, and helping others.Parker Curry loves being a big sister. She gets to play dress-up with her little sister, Ava, and piano with her baby brother, Cash. And Parker loves to dance, twirling and leaping and spinning in joy. But when a dancer joins her class and needs her help, Parker wonders if she has what it takes to be not only a real dancer, but a real friend. This inspirational picture book has an afterword by prima ballerina and New York Times bestselling author Misty Copeland. About the Author Parker Curry, six years old, is a New York Times bestselling author and dynamic young mind with a love for ballet and reading. Currently, Parker is in first grade, where she loves to explore art and new books. Precocious Parker lives with her mother, father, younger sister, and baby brother. Jessica Curry Morton is a New York Times bestselling author, mom-favorite blogger, and work-at-home mama who lives with her husband and three children Parker, Ava, and Cash. Jessicas blog, Happy Mama, Happy Babies, is an authentic motherhood and lifestyle platform that shares her family’s adventures, growth chronicles, and everything in between.Brittany Jackson (Bea for short) is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who attended the College for Creative Studies and is the grand prize winner and returned alumni of L. Ron Hubbard’s Illustrator of the Future Award of 2007. Bea has worked in freelance as a character and outfit designer for various social networking and gaming platforms for more than eight years, though she is most publicly known in publishing as an illustrator...

-Titulo Original : The Children Of Odin The Book Of Northern Myths-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: From master storyteller Padriac Colum, winner of a Newbery Honor for The Golden Fleece, comes a collection of fifteen timeless tales inspired by Norse mythology. Before time as we know it began, gods and goddesses lived in the city of Asgard. Odin All Father crossed the Rainbow Bridge to walk among men in Midgard. Thor defended Asgard with his mighty hammer. Mischievous Loki was constantly getting into trouble with the other gods, and dragons and giants walked free. This collection of Norse sagas retold by author Padraic Colum gives us a sense of that magical time when the world was filled with powers and wonders we can hardly imagine. About the Author Padraic Colum (1881-1972) was a poet, a playwright, and a leader of the Irish Renaissance, but he is best known for his works for children, including The Children of Odin and The Golden Fleece (a Newbery Honor Book). William Andrew (“Willy”) Pogany (August 1882-July 30, 1955) was a prolific Hungarian illustrator of children’s and other books...

-Titulo Original : The Hound Of The Baskervilles (aladdin Classics)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of master mystery writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyles most accomplished stories. Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson confront one of their most difficult cases ever: is there truly a curse on the old Baskerville estate? Is there truly a ghostly beast lurking on the dark, eerie moors? A masterful concoction of plot and mood, this story is guaranteed to give you the shivers. About the Author Arthur Conan Doyle was a British writer and physician. He is the creator of the Sherlock Holmes character, writing his debut appearance in A Study in Scarlet. Doyle wrote notable books in the fantasy and science fiction genres, as well as plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels...

-Titulo Original : The House Of Dies Drear-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A family tries to unravel the secrets of their new home which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad in this Edgar Award-winning book from Virginia Hamilton.The house held secrets, Thomas knew, even before he first saw it looming gray and massive on its ledge of rock. It had a century-old legend-two fugitive slaves had been killed by bounty hunters after leaving its passageways, and Dies Drear himself, the abolitionist who had made the house into a station on the Underground Railroad, had been murdered there. The ghosts of the three were said to walk its rooms… Review Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books A hundred years ago, Dies Drear and two slaves he was hiding in his house, an Underground Railroad station in Ohio, had been murdered. The house, huge and isolated, was fascinating, Thomas thought, but he wasnt sure he was glad Papa had bought it--funny things kept happening, frightening things... The secret of the house is revealed in an exciting final sequence that maintains beautifully the mysterious and dramatic story of a black family caught in an atmosphere of fear and danger. Written with distinction, an imaginiative and imposing book. About the Author The recipient of nearly every major award and honor in her field, including the 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Award, Virgina Hamilton was the first African American woman to be awarded the Newbery Medal, for M.C. Higgins, the Great. Renowned as a storyteller, anthologist, and lecturer as well as a novelist, Ms. Hamilton makes her home in Yellow Springs, Ohio...

-Titulo Original : Black Water (pendragon #5)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Breaking the rules Just when fifteen-year-old Bobby Pendragon thinks he understands his purpose as a Traveler -- to protect the territories of Halla from the evil Saint Dane -- he is faced with an impossible choice. The inhabitants of Eelong are in danger of being wiped out by a mysterious plague. The only way Bobby can stop it is to bring the antidote from another territory. Since moving items between territories is forbidden by the Traveler rules, if Bobby chooses to save Eelong he could endanger himself, his friends, and the future of every other being in Halla. About the Author D.J. MacHale is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Pendragon series and the Morpheus Road series. He has written, directed and produced many television series and movies for young people that have been seen on Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, HBO, Showtime, PBS, Discovery Kids, and the broadcast networks. D.J. lives with his family in Southern California. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One Acolytes.Thats what this was all about.It was also about saving humanity from being crushed by a villainous demon named Saint Dane, but that was a little much for Mark Dimond and Courtney Chetwynde to tackle right off the bat. They figured becoming acolytes was the best way to ease into the whole universe-saving thing. The two friends sat together on a musty old couch in a small New York City apartment. They were there to learn the mysterious ways of the acolytes. Not exactly dramatic surroundings, considering they were hearing words that would change their lives forever.You are the acolytes from Second Earth now, said Tom Dorney, whose apartment it was. With Press gone, Im no longer needed. It may be an easy job compared to what the Travelers do, but I think youll agree its an important one.We do. Absolutely. Yessir, Mark and Courtney assured him.Dorney turned to look out his window and frowned. He was an old guy with short-cropped gray hair and excellent posture. He was once a soldier. Old habits die hard.Is there something youre not telling us? Courtney asked.Dorney sighed and said, Its just a feeling.What? she demanded.I dont know, Dorney said, troubled. I didnt like what I heard about Veelox.Yeah, no kidding, Courtney said.What I mean to say is, be careful. Saint Dane has finally had a victory, and theres no telling whats next. From this point on, I cant guarantee that the old rules still apply.This was chilling news for Mark and Courtney on their first official day as acolytes. Dorneys ominous warning was very much on their minds as they left his apartment and took the train back to Stony Brook, Connecticut. Just before the train pulled into Stony Brook Station, Mark announced, I want to go to the flume.Why? Courtney asked.Well bring some of our clothes to leave there.But nobody told us they needed clothes, Courtney countered.I know. Just thinking ahead.Thats just an excuse to go there, isnt it? Courtney asked.Mark didnt argue. I guess I just want to see it again. To prove its real.I hear you, Courtney said. I do too.When they got off the train, they both went home and gathered up a bunch of clothes they thought a Traveler from some distant territory might need on a visit to Second Earth. Thats what acolytes did. They supported the Travelers on their mission to protect Halla. Courtney picked out a bunch of simple, functional things like jeans, T-shirts, a sweater, socks, hiking boots, and underwear. She debated about bringing one of her bras, but figured that was overkill. Mark gathered up a bunch of clothes that were totally out of style. It wasnt like he had a choice. Thats all he had. He found sweatshirts with logos that meant nothing, no-name jeans, and generic sneakers. Style was not something Mark concerned himself with. He hoped the Travelers felt the same way.Mark brought one extra item, but hoped he ...

-Titulo Original : Dragonsong (harper Hall Trilogy, Book 1)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Fifteen-year-old Menolly allies with magnificent dragons in the first book in the Harper Hall trilogy, set within science fiction legend Anne McCaffrey’s beloved and bestselling Dragonriders of Pern series.For centuries, the world of Pern has faced a destructive force known as Thread. But the number of magnificent dragons who have protected this world and the men and women who ride them are dwindling. As fewer dragons ride the winds and destruction falls from the sky, Menolly has only one dream: to sing, play, and weave the music that comes to her so easily-she wishes to become a Harper. But despite her great talents, her father believes that a young girl is unworthy of such a respected position and forbids her to pursue her dreams. So Menolly runs away, taking shelter in a cave by the sea. Miraculously, she happens upon nine fire lizards that could possibly save her world...and change her life forever. Review Suspense and continuity are...maintained through McCaffreys ability to weave deft characterizations and a good story.This is science fantasy that is cohesive and briskly paced, with sturdy characterizations and a fully-conceived society. About the Author Anne Inez McCaffrey (1926-2011) was an American-born Irish writer, best known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. Early in McCaffrey’s forty-six-year career as a writer, she became the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction and the first to win a Nebula Award. Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science fiction books to appear on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1999, she was the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring her lifetime contribution to writing for teens. In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its twenty-second Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2006...

-Titulo Original : Somewhere There Is Still A Sun A Memoir Of The Holocaust-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Resilience shines throughout Michael Gruenbaum’s “riveting memoir” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) about his time in the Terezin concentration camp during the Holocaust, in this National Jewish Book award finalist and Parents Choice Gold Medal Award-winning title, an ideal companion to the bestselling Boy on the Wooden Box.Michael “Misha” Gruenbaum enjoyed a carefree childhood playing games and taking walks through Prague with his beloved father. All of that changed forever when the Nazis invaded Prague. The Gruenbaum family was forced to move into the Jewish Ghetto in Prague. Then, after a devastating loss, Michael, his mother and sister were deported to the Terezin concentration camp. At Terezin, Misha roomed with forty other boys who became like brothers to him. Life in Terezin was a bizarre, surreal balance-some days were filled with friendship and soccer matches, while others brought mortal terror as the boys waited to hear the names on each new list of who was being sent “to the East.” Those trains were going to Auschwitz. When the day came that his family’s name appeared on a transport list, their survival called for a miracle-one that tied Michael’s fate to a carefully sewn teddy bear, and to his mother’s unshakeable determination to keep her children safe. Collaborating with acclaimed author Todd Hasak-Lowy, Michael Gruenbaum shares his inspiring story of hope in an unforgettable memoir that recreates his experiences with stunning immediacy. Michael’s story, and the many original documents and photos included alongside it, offer an essential contribution to Holocaust literature. Review Written in first-person present-tense narration, this riveting memoir traces the increasingly appalling events that took place from 1939-1945 in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, as seen through the eyes of Gruenbaum. As the book opens, 10-year-old Misha protests his growing awareness of injustice: “Every day is a new, stupid rule and worse food and no soccer.” Watching the German army enter Prague, he feels more curiosity than dread until he sees a couple jump to their death holding hands. Miseries ensue: the ghetto, yellow stars, his father’s murder, increasing danger, hunger, and humiliation-all leading to the family’s arrival in the Terezin concentration camp. There, Misha joins a group of 40 boys who live, work, and play under the stern but loving care of Franta, a young man who calls them the “Nesharim,” and demands high moral character: “We will let nothing separate us from our humanity.” The ingenuity, love, and defiant courage displayed by Misha, his parents, Franta, and others counteract incessant degradation and terror, creating an inspiring testament to human resilience. -- Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW May 25, 2015Young Misha’s narration sets this Holocaust memoir apart from others. Initially unaware of the dark implications of the events, Misha adapted to camp life, playing soccer and making new friends, until he could no longer ignore the truth. His innocence contrasts with what readers (and the adults around Misha) know is going on, which creates a foreboding tone. The use of present-tense narration contributes to the urgency of the narration, and Misha’s sense of fairness and his unfailing faith that things will improve will resonate with students. -- School Library JournalThe Holocaust’s horrors are handled delicately for middlegrade readers but never detract from the truth. Photographs and letters add to the memoir’s efficacy and poignancy. -- BooklistSomewhere There is a Sun reads like the private journal of a Czech boy and later teenager, candidly recording his innermost thoughts and feelings on the daily routines of his life from 1939 to 1945. With this book, Michael Gruenbaum has offered the current generation of young readers a very special book that will trigger both emotion and reflection; it is an extremely valuable tool for all of us who are trying to teach teen...

-Titulo Original : The Call Of The Wild (aladdin Classics)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A modern repackaging of the classic tale about an unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival.First published in 1903, The Call of the Wild is regarded as Jack Londons masterpiece. Based on Londons experiences as a gold prospector in the Canadian wilderness and his ideas about nature and the struggle for existence, The Call of the Wild is a tale about unbreakable spirit and the fight for survival in the frozen Alaskan Klondike. About the Author Jack London (1876-1916) was a prolific American novelist and short story writer. His most notable works include White Fang, The Call of the Wild, and The Sea-Wolf. He was born in San Francisco, California.Gary Paulsen (1931-2021) was one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers, author of three Newbery Honor titles, Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He wrote over 100 books for adults and young readers....

-Titulo Original : Anne Of Green Gables (aladdin Classics)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Anne Shirley is unforgettable, and this beautifully packaged edition of L.M. Montgomery’s classic novel is as memorable as its heroine.When Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, she surprises everyone: first of all, she’s a girl, even though Marilla Cuthbert and her brother Matthew specifically asked for an orphan boy to help around the farm. And second of all, she’s not just any girl: she has bright red hair, a wild imagination, and can talk a mile a minute. But she also has a sweet disposition and quick wit, and Anne (with an “e” of course-it’s so much more distinguished!) soon finds her place in Avonlea, making a friend in her neighbor Diana Barry and attending the local school, where she spurns the advances of the popular and handsome Gilbert Blythe when he commits the ultimate sin of making fun of her hair. Anne has a temper as fiery as her hair and a knack for finding trouble, and she also has a big heart and a positive attitude that affects everyone she meets. This classic and beloved story makes a wonderful gift and keepsake. About the Author Lucy Maud Montgomery (November 30, 1874-April 24, 1942) publicly known as L.M. Montgomery, was a Canadian author best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908. Anne of Green Gables was an immediate success. The central character, Anne, an orphaned girl, made Montgomery famous in her lifetime and gave her an international following. The first novel was followed by a series of sequels. Montgomery went on to publish twenty novels as well as 500 short stories and poems. Because many of the novels were set on Prince Edward Island, Canada and the Canadian province became literary landmarks. She was awarded Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1935...

-Titulo Original : Forbidden City (3) (city Spies)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: In this third installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies help a fellow agent in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.After taking down a mole within their organization, the City Spies are ready for their next mission-once again using their unique skills and ability to infiltrate places adults can’t. The sinister Umbra has their sights set on recruiting a North Korean nuclear physicist by any means necessary, and the City Spies plan to keep an eye on his son by sending Paris to the chess prodigy’s tournaments in Moscow and Beijing. Meanwhile, Sydney’s embedded as a junior reporter for a teen lifestyle site as she follows the daughter of a British billionaire on tour with the biggest act on her father’s music label to uncover what links both the band and the billionaire have to a recent threat from an old Soviet missile base. From a daring break-in at one of London’s most exclusive homes to a dangerous undercover mission to a desperate search and rescue operation on the streets of Beijing, the City Spies have their work cut out for them on their most dangerous mission yet. About the Author James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book series: the all-new City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award-winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy-nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1: Billionaires’ Row 1. Billionaires’ Row IT WAS DARK, AND AS Paris looked out at the traffic, he caught a glimpse of his own reflection in the window. There was nothing remarkable about his face. No feature or quirk someone would notice or remember. He’d been born in Rwanda, grew up in Paris, lived in Scotland, and was now in London. And in each of those locations, he’d learned to blend in and disappear. This was an important quality because Paris wasn’t just a schoolboy. He was also a spy. Blending in was essential. Unlike spies in movies, whose modes of transportation ranged from jet packs and mini-submarines to bulletproof Aston Martins tricked out with rocket launchers, he was headed to his latest mission on a city bus. The number seventy to South Kensington to be precise. That was the problem with being undercover and underage-you always needed somebody else to give you a ride. “This is pathetic,” he said, turning to Kat, who was sitting next to him. “Absolutely pathetic.” “What is?” she asked. He looked around to make sure no one was listening and then leaned in to whisper, “We’re about to break into one of the most expensive homes in London to steal a priceless work of art, and our getaway car is a bright red double-decker bus that does a max speed of five miles an hour.” Kat laughed, which only frustrated him. “First of all, we’re not stealing it, we’re returning it,” she answered in an equally hushed tone. “Or have you forgotten about the little treasure that’s been sewn into the lining of your jacket? Second, once you’ve put it back, why would anyone bother to chase us? Logic dictates that our getaway vehicle is irrelevant.” He nodded reluctantly and admitted, “Okay… you may have a point there.” “Of course I do,” she replied. “Your problem is that you think being a spy is like bei...

-Titulo Original : Golden Gate (2) (city Spies)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: In this second installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies returns for another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.After thwarting a notorious villain at an eco-summit in Paris, the City Spies are gearing up for their next mission. Operating out of a base in Scotland, this secret team of young agents working for the British Secret Intelligence Service’s MI6 division have honed their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t. Fourteen-year-old Sydney is a surfer and a rebel from Bondi Beach, Australia. She’s also a field ops specialist for the City Spies. Sydney is excited to learn that she’ll be going undercover on the marine research vessel the Sylvia Earle. But things don’t go exactly as planned, and while Sydney does find herself in the spotlight, it’s not in the way she was hoping. Meanwhile, there’s been some new intel regarding a potential mole within the organization, offering the spies a lead that takes them to San Francisco, California. But as they investigate a spy who died at the Botanical Gardens, they discover that they are also being investigated. And soon, they’re caught up in an exciting adventure filled with rogue missions and double agents! This mission is hot! The City Spies are a go! About the Author James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book series: the all-new City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award-winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy-nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti ...

-Titulo Original : Alone-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Perfect for fans of Hatchet and the I Survived series, this harrowing middle grade debut novel-in-verse from a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet tells the story of a young girl who wakes up one day to find herself utterly alone in her small Colorado town.When twelve-year-old Maddie hatches a scheme for a secret sleepover with her two best friends, she ends up waking up to a nightmare. She’s alone-left behind in a town that has been mysteriously evacuated and abandoned. With no one to rely on, no power, and no working phone lines or internet access, Maddie slowly learns to survive on her own. Her only companions are a Rottweiler named George and all the books she can read. After a rough start, Maddie learns to trust her own ingenuity and invents clever ways to survive in a place that has been deserted and forgotten. As months pass, she escapes natural disasters, looters, and wild animals. But Maddie’s most formidable enemy is the crushing loneliness she faces every day. Can Maddie’s stubborn will to survive carry her through the most frightening experience of her life? About the Author Megan E. Freeman attended an elementary school where poets visited her classroom every week, and she has been a writer ever since. She writes middle grade and young adult fiction. Megan is also a Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. An award-winning teacher with decades of classroom experience, Megan taught multiple subjects across the arts and humanities to students of all ages. She lives near Boulder, Colorado. Visit her online at MeganEFreeman ...

-Titulo Original : When The World Was Ours-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: From the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Windsnap series, Liz Kessler, comes a “brutally honest and totally believable” (Booklist, starred review) story of three young friends whose fates are intertwined during the devastation of the Holocaust-based on a true story.Three friends. One memory. Vienna. 1936. Three young friends-Leo, Elsa, and Max-spend a perfect day together, unaware that around them Europe is descending into a growing darkness and that they will soon be cruelly ripped apart from one another. With their lives taking them across Europe-to Germany, England, Prague, and Poland-will they ever find their way back to one another? Will they want to? Inspired by a true story, When the World Was Ours is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking and that shows how the bonds of love, family, and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. About the Author Liz Kessler is the author of twenty-three books for children and young adults. Her books range from Early Readers to books for Young Adults and include the internationally best-selling series about half-mermaid Emily Windsnap. She has an MA in Novel Writing from Manchester Metropolitan University and has been a full-time author for the last twenty years. Her new novel, When the World Was Ours, was inspired by her father’s childhood escape from the Nazis just before the second world war. Liz lives with her wife and their dog in rural Cheshire...

-Titulo Original : The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Bunny-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Peggy competes with her new sibling in this third story in the illustrated middle grade series about the adorable and silly Peggy the pug!Peggy the pug’s family have adopted an adorable little bunny, just in time for Easter. Peggy used to be top dog, but now she has to share their attention with this long-eared newcomer. Jealous of the new pet, Peggy decides that she must become a rabbit to compete. Can every-bunny learn to get along and realize that there’s more than enough love to go around? About the Author Bella Swift is a children’s book editor who has written many successful children’s book series under a variety of pen names. She lives in London with her husband, her two daughters, and a pet cat-but dreams about getting a dog!...

-Titulo Original : The Pug Who Wanted To Be A Bunny-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Peggy competes with her new sibling in this third story in the illustrated middle grade series about the adorable and silly Peggy the pug!Peggy the pug’s family have adopted an adorable little bunny, just in time for Easter. Peggy used to be top dog, but now she has to share their attention with this long-eared newcomer. Jealous of the new pet, Peggy decides that she must become a rabbit to compete. Can every-bunny learn to get along and realize that there’s more than enough love to go around? About the Author Bella Swift is a children’s book editor who has written many successful children’s book series under a variety of pen names. She lives in London with her husband, her two daughters, and a pet cat-but dreams about getting a dog! Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One Chapter One Sunlight streamed through the kitchen windows as Peggy the pug’s family ate their breakfast. As usual, the little dog sat by Chloe’s chair, her big brown eyes gazing up at the curly-haired girl imploringly. Peggy loved every member of her family, but Chloe was Peggy’s special friend. She was also the most likely to share her breakfast! Peggy whimpered quietly and wagged her curly tail. Chloe slipped Peggy a piece of bacon under the table, and Peggy gobbled it down. Yum! “I saw that,” Dad scolded Chloe over the top of his tablet. “You know you’re not supposed to feed Peggy from the table.” “Why not?” protested Peggy. Crispy bacon was soooo much tastier than dog food! But to her family, Peggy’s words just sounded like barking. Humans couldn’t understand animal language. “But you and Mum are always saying how important it is to share,” said Chloe, giving her dad a cheeky grin. “Anyway, I can’t help it. Peggy looks so cute.” Chloe’s little sister, Ruby, looked down at Peggy and cooed. “Who’s the cutest doggie in the whole world? Is it Peggy? Yes, it is!” Finn, Chloe’s older brother, snapped a close-up of Peggy’s face with his phone. “I’m tagging it #pugmug,” he said, sharing it on his social media. Peggy sighed happily. She loved weekends, when all three children were at home. Dad put down his tablet and smiled. “Good news! The forecast says it’s going to be sunny all weekend. I’ve got a lot to do in the garden. The spring greens are starting to come up, but I want to sow some carrots and runner beans.” “I love springtime,” said Chloe. “It’s my birthday, and then the Easter Bunny comes!” “Actually,” said Mum, sipping her coffee, “Easter comes first this year.” “But my birthday was before Easter last year,” said Chloe. “Easter isn’t on the same day every year, dummy,” said Finn. “This year your birthday is the week after Easter,” explained Dad. “That reminds me,” said Mum. “I want to make some hot cross buns for the cafe, but I was thinking of trying out some exciting flavors.” Mum had recently opened a dog-friendly cafe called Pups and Cups. “Any ideas?” “Smoky bacon flavored!” barked Peggy, though of course Mum didn’t understand her. The cafe was good for dogs, so Peggy thought the snacks should be too! “Unicorn hot cross buns,” suggested Ruby. “Interesting…,” said Mum. “You should make spicy ones,” said Finn, shaking some hot sauce onto his scrambled eggs. Lately, Finn added extra-hot spicy sauce to everything. Chloe had told Peggy that he did it because he thought it made him look tough. “Gross,” said Chloe, wrinkling her nose. “Nobody wants to eat a bun that will make their eyes water. Make triple-chocolate ones-with white, milk, and dark chocolate. Mmm.…” “Those are all great ideas,” said Mum. “I’ll test them out today.” “I’ll help!” Ruby offered eagerly. “Can I ride my bike to Ellie’s house?” asked Chloe. “She invited me and Hannah over yesterday at school. She said she had something exciting to show us.” “That’s fine,” said Mum. “What do you suppose it is?” “Ooh! Maybe she’s got a unicorn!” said Ruby. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s that,” said Finn, rolling his eyes. “Hannah a...

-Titulo Original : The Tree Is Older Than You Are A Bilingual Gathering Of Poems & Stories From Mexico With Paintings By Mexican Artists (english And Spanish Edition)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A beautiful collection of bilingual poems and stories from Mexico, paired with paintings by Mexican artists.“Remember, the tree is older than you are and you might find stories in its branches.” So begins this wondrous collection of poems and stories from Mexico that invites us to imagine a car as sweet as strawberry ice cream, skin that kisses air and breeze-waving hair, a rabbit with little ears, a frog that runs instead of hops, and taxis filled with ghosts. Richly colored paintings interspersed throughout express not just the meaning of the words, but the magic within them. From Publishers Weekly English translations appear alongside the Spanish poems and tales that explore everything from a table set for supper to a peach tree to a legend of rabbits long ears. The selections include writings by Rosario Castellanos, Jose Juan Tablada, Octavio Paz and many others. Ages 8-up. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author Naomi Shihab Nye is an award-winning writer and editor whose work has appeared widely. She edited the ALA Notable international poetry collection, This Same Sky, and The Tree Is Older Than You Are: Poems and Paintings from Mexico, as well as The Space Between Our Footsteps: Poems and Paintings from the Middle East. Her books of poems include Fuel, Red Suitcase, and Words Under the Words. A Guggenheim fellow, she is also the author of the young adult novel Habibi, which was named an ALA Notable Book, a Best Book for Young Adults, and winner of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award as well as the Book Publishers of Texas award from the Texas Institute of Letters. Naomi lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Michael, and their son, Madison...

-Titulo Original : Nightfall (6) (keeper Of The Lost Cities)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A New York Times bestselling series A USA TODAY bestselling series A California Young Reader Medal-winning series Sophie and her friends face battles unlike anything they’ve seen before in this thrilling sixth book of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series.Sophie Foster is struggling. Grieving. Scrambling. But she knows one thing: she will not be defeated. The Neverseen have had their victories-but the battle is far from over. It’s time to change tactics. Make sacrifices. Reexamine everything. Maybe even time for Sophie to trust her enemies. All paths lead to Nightfall-an ominous door to an even more ominous place-and Sophie and her friends strike a dangerous bargain to get there. But nothing can prepare them for what they discover. The problems they’re facing stretch deep into their history. And with time running out, and mistakes catching up with them, Sophie and her allies must join forces in ways they never have before. In this spectacular sixth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must uncover the truth about the Lost Cities’ insidious past, before it repeats itself and changes reality. About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One ONE YOU REMEMBER ME?” The question slipped from Sophie’s lips before she could stop it, and the weighted words seemed to hit the floor of the messy bedroom with a thud. The wide-eyed, trembling girl standing in front of her slowly nodded, and Sophie’s heart swelled even as it plummeted into the sour pit of her stomach. Her little sister shouldn’t remember her. Technically, she wasn’t even her sister-at least not genetically. Sure, they’d grown up together in the same house in San Diego, California, both believing they had the same parents-despite the fact that Sophie’s blond hair and brown eyes didn’t match her family of light-eyed brunettes. But that was before. Now they were in the after. A world where elves were real creatures-and nothing like the silly stories that humans had invented about them. They were beautiful. Powerful. Practically immortal. Living across the globe in hidden glittering cities. Ruling the earth from the shadows. And Sophie was one of them. Born from humans-but not human-as part of a rebel group’s secret genetic experiment called Project Moonlark. Her DNA had been tweaked. Her abilities enhanced and manipulated. All to mold her into something special. Something powerful. Something she still didn’t fully understand. And after years of feeling out of place-even among the family she loved-the elves finally showed Sophie the truth about her life and brought her to the Lost Cities. They’d planned to fake her death to cover her disappearance, but she’d begged to be erased instead, to spare her parents the grief of losing a child. So her family’s minds had been “washed” by specially trained Telepaths, to make them forget that Sophie had ever been born. And they’d been relocated to a new city and given new names, new jobs, even the fancy new Tudor-style house that Sophie now stood in, with its quaint windows and wood-paneled walls. But erased memories were never truly gone. All it took was the right trigger and… “I don’t...

-Titulo Original : Flashback (7) (keeper Of The Lost Cities)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: In this unforgettable seventh book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must let the past and present blur together, because the deadliest secrets are always the ones that get erased.Sophie Foster doesn’t know what-or whom-to believe. And in a game with this many players, the worst mistake can be focusing on the wrong threat. But when the Neverseen prove that Sophie’s far more vulnerable than she ever imagined, she realizes it’s time to change the rules. Her powerful abilities can only protect her so far. To face down ruthless enemies, she must learn to fight. Unfortunately, battle training can’t help a beloved friend who’s facing a whole different danger-where the only solution involves one of the biggest risks Sophie and her friends have ever taken. And the distraction might be exactly what the villains have been waiting for. About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One ONE SO IS IT STRANGE COMING here and not being the one on trial?” Keefe asked, checking his expertly styled blond hair in a shiny facet on one of the jeweled walls before he followed Sophie into Tribunal Hall. “Because I’d be happy to help you break a few laws if you’re feeling left out.” “Me too!” Ro-Keefe’s bodyguard-jumped in. Her pierced nose crinkled as she surveyed the empty auditorium, which was built entirely out of emeralds. “Ugh, you guys have really out-sparkled yourselves with this place. It’s basically begging me to smash something.” “No one will be smashing anything,” Sandor-Sophie’s bodyguard-warned. “Or causing any other problems!” The threat didn’t sound all that terrifying, thanks to Sandor’s squeaky voice. But he backed it up by being a seven-foot-tall goblin warrior-and by folding his gray arms across his bare chest and flexing some seriously impressive muscles. Ro flashed a pointy-toothed smile and patted the rows of daggers-a recent addition to her ogre arsenal-strapped to her toned thighs. “I’d like to see you try to stop us.” “Believe me, I’d enjoy every second,” Sandor growled, gripping the hilt of his giant black sword. “I still can’t believe the Council is allowing you into these proceedings.” Neither could Sophie. Then again, she hadn’t expected to be invited either. The Tribunal was supposed to be restricted to members of the Vacker family, since it was only a sentencing hearing-and mostly a formality. Alvar was already being held in the secret prison the Black Swan had designed specifically for him. The Council was simply deciding how many years he’d have to stay there. But Alden had stopped by Havenfield that morning and explained that he’d gotten permission for Sophie to attend. And when she’d light leaped to Eternalia, she’d found Keefe and Ro already waiting. Keefe looked dressier than usual, in a starched white shirt with a fitted black jerkin and an embroidered gray cape-and Sophie was relieved to see it, since she’d decided to show her support with a dusty-rose gown that was much more Biana’s fancy style than hers. She’d also used the gold-flecked eyeliner Biana had been telling her would bring out the glints in her brown eyes-even though she hated drawing more attentio...

-Titulo Original : Unlocked Book 8.5 (keeper Of The Lost Cities)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Book 8.5 in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series delivers what fans of the series have been begging for! Told in an exciting new way, the saga continues with plenty of huge reveals and shocking new twists-plus a complete series guide with beautiful color and black-and-white illustrations and other awesome bonuses!In this extra special installment of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, the story picks up right from Legacy’s particularly devastating cliffhanger. But chapters alternate between Sophie and Keefe’s perspectives to give readers deeper insights into both beloved characters. New powers will be discovered. Hard truths from the past will come to light. And all of your favorite characters will find themselves tested in ways they never imagined. And that’s not all! Unlocked also includes a comprehensive guide to the world of the Lost Cities, featuring new character and world details that have never been revealed before-plus fun bonuses like Keeper-themed recipes, a detailed map of the Lost Cities, gorgeous illustrations, and so much more! About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. The Registry The Registr...

-Titulo Original : Legacy (8) (keeper Of The Lost Cities)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Illusions shatter-and Sophie and her friends face impossible choices-in this astonishing eighth book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.Sophie Foster wants answers. But after a lifetime of lies, sometimes the truth is the most dangerous discovery. Even the smallest secret comes with terrifying new responsibilities. And Sophie’s not the only one with blank spots in her past, or mysteries surrounding her family. She and her friends are part of something much bigger than they imagined-and their roles have already been chosen for them. Every clue drags them deeper into the conspiracy. Every memory forces them to question everything-especially one another. And the harder they fight, the more the lines blur between friend and enemy. About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One ONE YOU LOOK CONFUSED,” MR. FORKLE said, and the lilt of his tone made Sophie wonder if his lips were twitching with a smile-but she couldn’t pull her eyes away from the round, gilded door he’d brought her to, tucked into the side of a rolling, grassy hill. The place reminded her of a hobbit hole. But Sophie had been living in the Lost Cities long enough to know better than to voice that observation. All it would earn her was laughter. Or perhaps some impossible-to-believe story about how Mr. Forkle had once brought J. R. R. Tolkien there and provided him with the inspiration. “I thought you were taking me to your office,” she told him, shifting her gaze toward the windblown meadow and searching the swaying wildflowers for clues as to where they were. “I did.” Sophie opened her mouth to argue-then realized what he meant. He’d brought her to his office. Not Magnate Leto’s office at Foxfire, like she’d been expecting. Which was an easy mistake to make, considering the fact that Mr. Forkle and Magnate Leto were actually the same person-and “Mr. Forkle” was his much more enigmatic side. “So, this is your secret office,” she clarified, feeling goose bumps prickle her skin at the thought. “One of them,” Mr. Forkle confirmed, winking as he shuffled his ruckleberry-bloated body closer to the door. He leaned in and licked a spot on the left side of the door, which must’ve been a camouflaged DNA sensor because a rectangular panel slid open in the center, revealing five spinning, fist-size cogs lined up in a neat row: one silver, one copper, one iron, one bronze, and one steel. “Did Tinker design this place?” Sophie asked, remembering the abundance of gleaming gears she’d seen decorating the walls of Widgetmoor, as well as the Technopath’s clear fondness for the number five. But that wasn’t the question she should’ve been focusing on, so she quickly added, “And why are we here?” Mr. Forkle twisted the cogs one by one, entering some sort of complicated combination. “You said we needed to talk. Isn’t that why you requested this meeting?” “It is, but…” Sophie’s words trailed off as the last cog clicked into place, making the ground rumble and the golden door sink into a slit that appeared in the damp earth. Cold air blasted her face from the dark room beyond, blowing strands of her blond hair into her eyes as she took an eager...

-Titulo Original : City Spies (1)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A New York Times bestseller! A GMA3 Summer Reading Squad Selection! “Ingeniously plotted, and a grin-inducing delight.” -People “Will keep young readers glued to the page…So when do I get the sequel?” -Beth McMullen, author of Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls In this thrilling new series that Stuart Gibbs called “a must-read,” Edgar Award winner James Ponti brings together five kids from all over the world and transforms them into real-life spies-perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls.Sara Martinez is a hacker. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency. Operating out of a base in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from various parts of the world. When they’re not attending the local boarding school, they’re honing their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t. Before she knows what she’s doing, Sara is heading to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team. No one said saving the world was easy… About the Author James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of three middle grade book series: the all-new City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award-winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy-nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter 1: A Man Called Mother 1. A Man Called Mother SARA LOOKED AT THE WATER stain on the wall and imagined it was an island. She wasn’t sure if that was because it actually looked like one or just because she so desperately wished she were in some tropical paradise far from Brooklyn and this tiny room on the eighth floor of Kings County Family Court. She sat across the table from her public defender, a massive man in a rumpled suit named Randall Stubbs. His bulky frame hunched over as he scanned her file. “This doesn’t look good,” he muttered, because stating the obvious was apparently something they taught in law school. “You’re lucky they’ve made such a generous offer.” “They have?” Sara asked, surprised. “What is it?” He looked up from the file and said, “You plead guilty to all charges and get thirty months in juvenile detention.” Two and a half years in juvie didn’t sound generous to Sara, but it probably wasn’t much worse than her last few foster homes. She was tough for a twelve-year-old. She could handle it. “And, of course,” he added, “you won’t be allowed near a computer.” This, however, was unacceptable. “For how long?” “For the duration of your sentence. Maybe longer as a condition of your release. That’ll be up to the judge.” “But all I did was-” “What?” he interrupted. “Hack into the computer network for the entire juvenil...

-Titulo Original : Mrs. Frisby And The Rats Of Nimh-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: Some extraordinary rats come to the aid of a mouse family in this Newbery Medal Award-winning classic by notable children’s author Robert C. O’Brien.Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service. From the Publisher Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma. And Mrs. Frisby in turn renders them a great service.END About the Author Robert C. O’Brien was born in Brooklyn, New York. He attended Williams College and graduated from the University of Rochester. He was a writer and editor for Newsweek, National Geographic, and other publications. He lived in New York City and then in Washington, DC, with his wife and four children. Z for Zachariah-which is now a major motion picture starring Margot Robbie, Chris Pine, and Chiwetel Ejiofor-was completed by his wife and daughter, with the help of his notes, after his death in 1973. He is also the author of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH and The Silver Crown.Zena Bernstein has a BFA from Syracuse University. She began her career as a book illustrator in New York City. Zena uses a combination of watercolor and acrylics in her work. Through a meticulous process, she carefully places several layers of dots of pure color to suggest subtle tones and shades. She refers to her creative work as a labor of love. Her drawings range from the natural world of mushrooms and insects to the unseen world of fairies and gnomes. She’s perhaps best known for illustrating the children’s book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Zena currently calls Canada home; it’s also the home of the fairies she draws and writes about...

-Titulo Original : Keeper Of The Lost Cities-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A New York Times bestselling series A USA TODAY bestselling series A California Young Reader Medal-winning series In this riveting series opener, a telepathic girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world before the wrong person finds the answer first.Twelve-year-old Sophie has never quite fit into her life. She’s skipped multiple grades and doesn’t really connect with the older kids at school, but she’s not comfortable with her family, either. The reason? Sophie’s a Telepath, someone who can read minds. No one knows her secret-at least, that’s what she thinks… But the day Sophie meets Fitz, a mysterious (and adorable) boy, she learns she’s not alone. He’s a Telepath too, and it turns out the reason she has never felt at home is that, well…she isn’t. Fitz opens Sophie’s eyes to a shocking truth, and she is forced to leave behind her family for a new life in a place that is vastly different from what she has ever known. But Sophie still has secrets, and they’re buried deep in her memory for good reason: The answers are dangerous and in high-demand. What is her true identity, and why was she hidden among humans? The truth could mean life or death-and time is running out. Review “A delightful and dangerous adventure with complex characters and relationships youll root for to the end of time.” -Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of THE UNWANTEDS Keeper of the Lost Cities is a little bit Alices Adventures in Wonderland, a little bit Lord of the Rings, and a little bit Harry Potter. And its all fun! -New York Times bestselling author Michael Buckley “A large and varied cast of supporting characters and an intriguing premise contribute to make this an exciting start to a promising series.” -Booklist “A slew of interesting and well-drawn characters, careful plotting, and just plain good storytelling will have readers racing through the pages.” -School Library Journal About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger ...

-Titulo Original : Neverseen (4) (keeper Of The Lost Cities)-Fabricante : Aladdin-Descripcion Original: A New York Times bestselling series A USA TODAY bestselling series A California Young Reader Medal-winning series Sophie battles the rebels-and recovers dark memories from her past-in this jaw-dropping fourth book in the bestselling Keeper of the Lost Cities series.Sophie Foster is on the run-but at least she’s not alone. Her closest friends from the Lost Cities have gone with her to join the Black Swan. They still have doubts about the shadowy organization, but the only way to find answers is to start working with them. And as they settle into their new lives, they uncover secrets bigger than anything they’d imagined. But their enemies are far from done, and unleash a terrifying plague that threatens the safety of an entire species. Sophie and her friends fight with everything they have-with new allies joining them-but every choice has consequences. And trusting the wrong person could prove deadly. In this game-changing fourth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Sophie must question everything to find a truth that will either save her world-or shatter it. About the Author Shannon Messenger graduated from the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where she learned-among other things-that she liked watching movies much better than making them. She’s studied art, screenwriting, and film production, but she realized her real passion was writing stories for children. She’s the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the award-winning middle grade series, Keeper of the Lost Cities, as well as the Sky Fall series for young adults. Her books have been featured on multiple state reading lists, published in numerous countries, and translated into many different languages. She lives in Southern California with her family-and an embarrassing number of cats. Find her online at ShannonMessenger . Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter One ONE WE HAVE TO GO,” FITZ said, bursting through the doors of Everglen’s upstairs guest room. He found Sophie sitting alone on the edge of the giant canopy bed, already dressed in some of her old human clothes. “I thought we were waiting another hour?” she asked, glancing out the window at the endless black sky. “We can’t. The Council is already convening to vote on our punishments.” Sophie took a slow breath, letting the words pulse through her veins, steeling her nerves as she reached for her purple backpack. It was the same bag she’d used when she’d left her human life nearly a year earlier. And now she would use it again to leave the Lost Cities. “Is everyone ready?” she asked, proud of her voice for not shaking. She also resisted the urge to tug out an itchy eyelash. This was not a time for nervous habits. It was time to be brave. The Council had vowed to punish anyone associated with the Black Swan-the mysterious organization responsible for Sophie’s existence. But Sophie and her friends knew the real villains were a group called the Neverseen. Fitz, Keefe, and Biana had even tried to help the Black Swan catch the rebels on Mount Everest. But the Neverseen guessed their plan and turned the mission into an ambush. Sophie had discovered the trap in time to warn her friends, and they’d escaped with their lives-and managed to capture one prisoner. But they’d each broken numerous laws in the process. Their safest option now was to flee to the Black Swan and go into hiding. But Sophie had mixed feelings about getting up close and personal with her creators. The Black Swan had tweaked her genes to enhance her abilities as part of their Project Moonlark-but they’d never given her any clue as to why. They’d also never told her who her genetic parents were, and Sophie had no idea if she’d finally have to meet them. “?’Bout time you got here,” Keefe said as Sophie followed Fitz down the twisting silver staircase. He stood next to Dex in Everglen’s glittering round foyer, both of them looking very human in hoodies and dark je...