Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction

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Book SynopsisAlone and poverty-stricken, sixteen-year-old Zéphyrine is quickly lured in by the ideals of the city's radical new government, and she finds herself swept away by its promises of freedom, hope, equality and rights for women. But she is about to be seduced for a second time, following a fateful encounter with a young violinist.Trade Review...a thrilling, daring love story... Known for bringing neglected historical periods to life for her teenage audience, Syson's passionate account of the lives of four youths during those dramatic seventy-two days in 1871 is a riveting yarn. * BookSlut *It's impressively thorough and informed by her own fair-minded feminism... The writing is powerful, the events terrifying. * The Bookbag *This is an excellent history lesson, mixed with romance. * Bookwitch *Romantic, fascinating and terrifying * Teach Secondary *Thoroughly researched and beautifully written * The Guardian (Praise for A WORLD BETWEEN US) *Syson brings history alive through careful detail * The Observer (Praise for A WORLD BETWEEN US) *An impressive cross-over at many levels -- Peter Andrews * School Library Association *This is historical fiction at its best: opening a window on the past and showing a moment that has echoes and resonances with our own troubled times * Awfully Big Reviews *

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Book Synopsis1960 in America and thirteen-year-old Sophie is frustrated. Her mother has sent her to spend summer with Grandmama on their family's old estate in the sweltering bayous of southern Louisiana. Once a grand plantation, a hive of activity, it is now ramshackle, run down and all-but abandoned.Bored, lonely and far too hot, Sophie starts exploring. When she discovers an overgrown maze, she makes her way inside, and lost among its pathways she finds a magical creature who promises her the adventure of a lifetime . . .Sophie is transported a hundred years into the past to the Oak River plantation in its heyday. Her own ancestors mistake her for a slave girl and set her to work alongside the hundreds of other slaves who tend to the fields, the house, and the white family's every whim. As the reality of slave life becomes horribly clear, Sophie starts to wonder how long she'll survive; and how or if she will ever get back home.Both exciting and truly heart-breakingTrade ReviewIn 1960 Sophie's wish unexpectedly results in her trip back in time to her family's plantation in 1860 . . . This is a riveting, edge-of-the-seat story. Delia Sherman is a brilliant writer, and this book is the most recent proof of that. -- Tamora PierceI think younger readers and adults alike will be completely riveted by her magical journey into her own family’s double-edged past. -- N. K. Jemisin, author of The Hundred Thousand KingdomsThe Freedom Maze will entrap young readers and deliver them, at the story’s end, that little bit older and wiser. -- Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Out of OzA subtle and haunting book that examines what it means to be who we are. -- Holly Black

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewBryan gives voices to the voiceless and presents the dreams of slaves who went to the grave without living them.Using historical slave documents from the 1820s to the 1860s, Bryan brings to life 11 slaves who once belonged to Cado Fairchilds. When Fairchilds dies, his British-born wife decides to sell off the slaves and move back to England. Each of the 11 is given two double-page spreads to speak in. Accompanied by a free-verse first-person narrative, an illustration of each slave's portrait appears in a varied palette of warm browns against a backdrop of documents related to historical slave sales. On the page adjacent to this illustration, the slave tells of the special skill he or she possesses that enriches the Fairchilds plantation. But on the following two pages, that same person explains what he or she dreams of doing with that talent. In contrast to the dull initial portrait, the second set of pages for each slave appears in full color and shows the speaker fully immersed in a caring community. The speakers' talents include carpentry, music, sewing, cooking, and more. After including the price under each slave's picture, Bryan offers a final tally for the completed sale, humans, livestock, and goods: $3,476.05. Bryan makes real and palpable what chattel slavery meant and how it affected those who were enslaved; every child who studies American slavery would benefit from experiencing this historically grounded web of narratives. (author's note) (Picture book/poetry. 6-10) -- Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW * 7/15/16 *Using a document from 1828 that lists the value of a U.S. landowner’s 11 slaves, Bryan (Sail Away) creates distinct personalities and voices for each, painting their portraits and imagining their dreams. He starts with the wife of the slave owner, who felt her husband was good to their slaves (“He never hired an overseer”). But it’s quickly clear that “good” slave ownership is an oxymoron: “I work hard—all profit to the estate,” their cook Peggy observes. Bryan shows that the enslaved had secret lives of their own: “Years ago blacksmith Bacus and I/ ‘jumped the broom’—/ the slave custom for marriage. No legal form for slaves.” They cherish their traditions, call each other by their African names (“I am Bisa, ‘Greatly Loved’ ”), dream of escape, and long for freedom. His portraits show the men, women, and children gazing out at readers, the contours of their faces traced as if carved from wood, while strong rhythmic outlines mimic stained glass, echoing the sense of sacred memory. There are few first-person accounts of slaves, and these imagined words will strike a chord with even the youngest readers. Ages 6–10.Using a document from 1828 that lists the value of a U.S. landowner’s 11 slaves, Bryan (Sail Away) creates distinct personalities and voices for each, painting their portraits and imagining their dreams. He starts with the wife of the slave owner, who felt her husband was good to their slaves (“He never hired an overseer”). But it’s quickly clear that “good” slave ownership is an oxymoron: “I work hard—all profit to the estate,” their cook Peggy observes. Bryan shows that the enslaved had secret lives of their own: “Years ago blacksmith Bacus and I/ ‘jumped the broom’—/ the slave custom for marriage. No legal form for slaves.” They cherish their traditions, call each other by their African names (“I am Bisa, ‘Greatly Loved’ ”), dream of escape, and long for freedom. His portraits show the men, women, and children gazing out at readers, the contours of their faces traced as if carved from wood, while strong rhythmic outlines mimic stained glass, echoing the sense of sacred memory. There are few first-person accounts of slaves, and these imagined words will strike a chord with even the youngest readers. -- Publishers Weekly *STARRED* * July 4, 2016 *Inspired by a document appraising the value of 11 enslaved people (along with livestock and cotton) in an estate for sale in the antebellum South, this exceptional book presents the imagined faces and voices of individuals whose society, against all reason, regarded them as less than human. Each person appears in a four-page section, opening with a page of free-verse text opposite a riveting head-and-shoulders portrait with a grim collage background of slavery-related documents. A banner reveals the person’s appraised value, master-imposed slave name, and age. In the text, these individuals introduce themselves, their roles on the estate, and the skills (cooking, blacksmithing, sewing) they take pride in. On the second doublepage spread, a verse text offers more personal reflections on their African roots, their love of family, and their dreams, while a more detailed, colorful painting expresses their heritage, their strength, and their rich inner lives. Their humanity shines through, showing the tragedy of their status and the gross absurdity of assigning prices to people. Longing for freedom is a constant theme, made all the more poignant by the appraisal document’s date: 1828, decades before emancipation. Clean and spare, the verse brings the characters to life, while in the radiant artwork, their spirits soar. Rooted in history, this powerful, imaginative book honors those who endured slavery in America. — Carolyn Phelan -- Booklist, STARRED REVIEW * August 1, 2016 *In 1828, Mrs. Mary Fairchilds, now widowed, tired of life in America and decided to return home to Britain, which means selling her American estate—including eleven slaves. Each of those slaves is given voice by Bryan, with two free-verse poems apiece; one focusing on the speaker’s life and another on the speaker’s dreams. The poems focus on the subjects’ strong ties to their African heritage (most are charac- terized as first generation slaves who themselves traveled the middle passage), the meaning they find in the human connections they’ve made and their skilled work, and on the economic value that work brings to their owner. Those verses operate in stark, even shocking contrast to the portraits captioned with each subject’s sale price as well as name and age. The portraits, created with heavy use of black line for shaping that gives the carved detail of wood sculpture, are eloquent and individual; they gain even more power from another layer of irony as collage backgrounds of legal paperwork and newspaper items about slave ownership and auctions contrast the slaves’ humanly rich lives with the cruelly summary discourse. Like McKissack’s Never Forgotten (BCCB 11/11), this is a story that links enslaved people to their African past and their accomplished workmanship, and it’s a high-impact treatment in a compact and accessible format that may inspire creative works in response as well as reflective discussion. End matter includes an author’s note about Bryan’s intentions and his historical collection of slavery-related documents and adds information about the spiritual from which the title is drawn. -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books * October 2016 *A historical document dated July 5, 1828, lists the property to be sold from the Fairchilds’ estate. Hogs. Cattle. A handmill. Men. Women. Children. While no information beyond the gender and name—and price—of each of the eleven enslaved people is noted in the appraisal of the estate, Bryan lovingly restores their humanity and dignity, giving them ages, true African names, relationships, talents, hopes, and dreams. Here is the account of eleven human beings, all of whom are aware of what they contribute to the Fairchilds plantation and, more importantly, what they would like to contribute to the world. Each slave is afforded two double-page spreads of poetry: the first spread serves as his or her introduction; the second is devoted to his or her dreams. We meet Peggy, the Fairchilds’ cook, who is praised by the Fairchilds for the spices she adds to meals at the Big House. In “Peggy Dreams,” she remembers her life in Africa and reveals that she’s proud of her ability to heal injured fellow slaves through her work with roots and herbs. Bacus is known for his metalwork in fencing the Big House, but his dream admits that the pounding of the metal is “an outlet for anger, for rage…a blow for justice…a cry for respect.” Bryan’s art is just as intentional. Facsimiles of the historical document serve as background for each slave’s introduction page, portraits of their faces taking precedence as they gaze out at the reader. The portraits are etched in a manner similar to wood carvings, suggesting the mask each slave wears for day-to-day life on the plantation. In contrast to the dry, parchment-like tones of the introductions, the dream spreads are in gloriously brilliant colors, as bold as the aspirations of the individuals themselves. -- Horn Book Magazine *Starred Review* * November/December 2016 *

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Book SynopsisAfter saving the Grand Duchy of Elffinberg from the jaws of a dragon in The Last Duchess, Pattern has been recruited by The Silver Service Agency to help solve supernatural mysteries. Pattern is dispatched undercover to the Island of Cull as a housemaid to the mysterious Lady Hawk, to investigate the disappearance of a young man called Henry.She quickly discovers that the Isle of Cull has some strange and magical properties, including an unseasonably tropical climate and a party of house guests who seem entirely in thrall to Lady Hawk and her beautiful daughter. Pattern and her new friend Nate are the only ones immune to the spell Lady Hawk has cast, but as the male house guests begin to disappear one by one, they find themselves in a race against time to solve the mystery of the island’s magic.Join Pattern on another dangerous and spellbinding adventure in The Lost Island, the second Silver-Service Mystery from Laura Powell, illustrated by Sarah Gibb.Trade ReviewSarah Gibb’s intricate black and white silhouette illustrations add visual charm to the action and Powell’s references to The Complete Servant by Samuel and Sarah Adams, an 1825 guide to ‘the Peculiar Duties and Business of All Descriptions of Servants,’ bring authenticity and extra polish to this new Silver Service Mystery. * Lancashire Evening Post *Superbly descriptive and with a varied cast of characters, readers will be drawn into this mystery * Parents in Touch *

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Book SynopsisAn instant #1 New York Times bestseller! Shanghai is under siege in this “tightly paced” (School Library Journal, starred review) and searingly romantic sequel to These Violent Delights, which New York Times bestselling author Natasha Ngan calls “deliciously dark.”The year is 1927, and Shanghai teeters on the edge of revolution. After sacrificing her relationship with Roma to protect him from the blood feud, Juliette has been a girl on a mission. One wrong move, and her cousin will step in to usurp her place as the Scarlet Gang’s heir. The only way to save the boy she loves from the wrath of the Scarlets is to have him want her dead for murdering his best friend in cold blood. If Juliette were actually guilty of the crime Roma believes she committed, his rejection might sting less. Roma is still reeling from Marshall’s death, and his cousin Benedikt will barely speak to him. Roma knows it’s his fault for letting the ruthless Juliette back into his life, and he’s determined to set things right—even if that means killing the girl he hates and loves with equal measure. Then a new monstrous danger emerges in the city, and though secrets keep them apart, Juliette must secure Roma’s cooperation if they are to end this threat once and for all. Shanghai is already at a boiling point: The Nationalists are marching in, whispers of civil war brew louder every day, and gangster rule faces complete annihilation. Roma and Juliette must put aside their differences to combat monsters and politics, but they aren’t prepared for the biggest threat of all: protecting their hearts from each other.

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Book SynopsisThe Boon family story and their indefatigable gallows humor are Benny Lindelauf's literary memorial to those persecuted by history. A ghost story, a fantasy, a historical novel, and literary fiction all wrapped into one, this highly awarded novel for young readers begins with the Boon family's move to an isolated, dilapidated house. Is it the site of a haunting tragedy, as one of the daughters believes, or an end to all their worries, as their father hopes? The novel's gripping language, enriched by Yiddish, German, and Dutch dialect, plunges the reader into the world of a large, colorful, motherless family.Trade ReviewA 2015 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book "Every element of the tale has a purpose, and in the end, the multiple layers of past and present separate and come together in surprising, often discomfiting twists and turns... A challenging and entirely unique Dutch import." -- STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews "Nine Open Arms is welcome proof that young adult publishers recognise the value of translated fiction, too. Originally published in 2003, Nine Open Arms has won several esteemed awards in its native Holland." -- Emily Gale, Readings "Delightfully wild and incredibly quirky, this book is one of a kind... Beautifully written, magnificently crafted, this Dutch novel is like nothing you have read before." -- Waking Brain Cells "Lindelauf's masterful rendering of fraught yet loving sisterly ties, snappy dialogue, graveyard mysteries, and "traces of a tragical tragedy" from generations past combine to humorous and poignant effect in this gripping tale of eclectic families and inveterate wanderers in search of a welcoming home." -- STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "A family of nine moves into the titular rundown brick house in 1930s Holland and tries to figure out its mysteries, including the tombstone in the cellar, a forbidden room, and the homeless man who moves into the hedge." -- The Horn Book "Ultimately, this is a story about storytelling, and it's sure to appeal to readers who dote on Roald Dahl or Polly Horvath and are willing to go further abroad." -- Francisca Goldsmith, Booklist

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Book SynopsisCan Martha dodge the slave catchers and bring her brother home to safety?

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Book SynopsisIt's Opening Day! Yankee Stadium towers grand, gleaming, and ready! On April 18, 1923, the New York Yankees played against the Boston Red Sox in their very first game in the brand-new Yankee Stadium. All the key players were there-future Hall of Famers Babe Ruth, Waite Hoyt, Bob Shawkey, Miller Huggins-and so were the supporters-Eddie Bennett, the legendary Yankee batboy; Jack Lenz, Yankee Stadium's first public announcer; five-year-old Little Ray Kelly, Babe's lucky charm; and more than 70,000 fans! Every person in the stadium on opening day was part of this legendary event, and now you can be too. With beautiful, true-to-event illustrations reminiscent of Norman Rockwell, and with facts on every page about the stadium, the teams, and that very first fateful game that christened the original Yankee Stadium, The House That Ruth Built is the perfect book for kids and baseball fans everywhere. Take a step into the past and watch the baseball greats make history!

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Book SynopsisWhen a mysterious girl attempts to stake her claim to the Snowcroft family fortune, Myrtle Hardcastle's father, a lawyer, is asked to help prove-or disprove-the girl's identity. Is she truly Ethel Snowcroft, believed to be lost at sea with her parents, or is she a con artist chasing a windfall? Myrtle is enthralled by the case, but Mr. Hardcastle's investigation takes a detour when he's hospitalized for a tonsillectomy-and then witnesses a murder. Or does he?With Mr. Hardcastle incapacitated and possibly hallucinating, Myrtle must step into the breach, and find the murder victim and the real Miss Snowcroft before the killer comes after her father.With stakes this high, sleuthing puts Myrtle, her family, and the patients and staff of the hospital all In Myrtle Peril.

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Book SynopsisFrom the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the “fast-paced…impressive” (Kirkus Reviews) second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.Winter is drawing thick in 1932 Shanghai, as is the ever-nearing threat of a Japanese invasion. Rosalind Lang has suffered the worst possible fate for a national spy: she’s been exposed. With the media storm camped outside her apartment for the infamous Lady Fortune, she’s barely left her bedroom in weeks, plotting her next course of action after Orion was taken and his memories of Rosalind wiped. Though their marriage might have been a sham, his absence hurts her more than any physical wound. She won’t rest until she gets him back. But with her identity in the open, the task is near impossible. The only way to leave the city and rescue Orion is under the guise of a national tour. It’s easy to convince her superiors that the countryside needs unity more than ever, and who better than an immortal girl to stir pride and strength into the people? When the tour goes wrong, however, everything Rosalind once knew is thrown up in the air. Taking refuge outside Shanghai, old ghosts come into the open and adversaries turn to allies. To save Orion, they must find a cure to his mother’s traitorous invention and take this dangerous chemical weapon away from impending foreign invasion—but the clock is ticking, and if Rosalind fails, it’s not only Orion she loses, but her nation itself.

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Book SynopsisFrom #1 New York Times bestselling author Chloe Gong comes two captivating new novellas surrounding the events of Foul Lady Fortune and following a familiar cast of characters from the These Violent Delights Duet!In A Foul Thing, Roma and Juliette have established themselves as the heads of an underground weapons ring in Zhouzhuang, making a living the way they do best while remaining anonymous in their peaceful, quiet life. But when they hear about several Russian girls showing up dead in nearby towns, they decide to investigate—and ultimately discover that this mystery is much closer to home than they ever imagined. In This Foul Murder, Benedikt and Marshall have been summoned by Roma to find the elusive scientist, Lourens, and bring him to Zhouzhuang. Time is of the essence aboard the week-long Trans-Siberian Express, but when someone is murdered on board, Benedikt and Marshall convince the officer in charge not to stop the train so that they aren’t thrown off-schedule. Instead, they pretend that they are investigators and promise they can solve the murder, but as they dig deeper, they realize that the murder might having surprising ties to their own mission…

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Book SynopsisSay your name with pride!Trudie Hamburger is the only Jewish kid living in the small southern town of Colburn in 1962. Nobody else at her school has a father who speaks with a German accent or a last name that means chopped meat. Trudie doesn''t want to be the girl who cries when Daniel Reynolds teases her. Or the girl who hides in the library to avoid singing Christian songs in music class. She doesn''t want to be different. But over the course of a few pivotal months, as Trudie confronts her fears and embraces what she loves?including things that make her different from her classmates?she finally finds a way to say her name with pride.

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Book SynopsisThe provocative fictional memoir of a boy actor in Shakespearian London.In Shakespeare’s time, women were not allowed to appear on stage, and so female parts were played by boy actors. In I Was Cleopatra, readers meet John Rice — perhaps the most beautiful and acclaimed boy actor of them all. It is believed by many that John Rice originated the roles of Lady Macbeth, Cleopatra and Cordelia, and this fictional memoir explores his life both on and off the stage. With graceful prose and an encyclopedic knowledge of the period, Dennis Abrams invites readers to experience gender fluidity and sexuality through the fictional recollections of a fascinating historical figure as he reflects on his life in this “farewell” to his theatrical past.The story follows John from the age of thirteen, when he leaves his family in Reading to join the King’s Men theater troupe in London as an apprentice boy actor. Over the course of the next few years, John eagerly hones the acting skills necessary to portray female roles. He memorizes lines, reads all the plays he can get his hands on, and works on imitating female gestures and mannerisms. He becomes a friend, and eventually a lover, of Alexander, a boy actor who is getting too old to play female roles. And he works closely with Shakespeare himself, who coaches him through the roles of Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra, among others.But around the time he turns sixteen, John starts to worry about inevitably becoming too old to convincingly portray women onstage, which leads to some unsettling choices.Key Text Featuresliterary referencesauthor’s noteCorrelates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.Trade Review. . . a poignant coming-of-age tale that explores the complexities of youth and gender performance. . . . A thought-provoking work that will encourage readers to learn more about the world of Elizabethan theater. * Kirkus Reviews *An impeccably researched and precisely told foray into the days of Shakespeare. * Booklist *Abrams’s discussion of gender fluidity and sexuality are among the novel’s most intriguing aspects. * Publisher's Weekly *In this fictional memoir of John Rice, an Elizabethan child actor, readers are given a glimpse into what life was like as he honed his stagecraft. * Literacy Daily *

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Book Synopsis"This adaptation for younger readers (Key Stage 2) will introduce them to this classic of world literature and to Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." —The School Run "In a time where we are even more aware of the need for diversity and understanding of other traditions, this will make an excellent addition to any school library." —Margaret Pemberton "This dynamic retelling of the memoirs of Babur, founder of the Mughal empire and Uzbek national hero, features the triumphs and reverses of his military and political career, with richly coloured illustrations." —The Guardian "A perfect introduction to the Baburnama for young readers giving them a flavour of this classic of world literature and Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." —Outside in World The memoirs of Babur (1483–1530), descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamburlaine) and founder of the mighty Mughal Empire, enjoy worldwide renown as the first true autobiography in Islamic literature and an absorbing account of conquest and wise rule, composed by a man whose erudition and statecraft have elevated him to the status of a national hero in the countries of Central Asia. Babur’s narrative describes not only the battles that propelled him to power, but the people, flora and fauna of the lands he ruled – taking us from Samarkand to Kabul to northern India. Anuradha's lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers, for whom the story of Babur will serve as both a thrilling adventure and an exemplary tale. The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage is published as the Republic of Uzbekistan undertakes an extensive programme of promoting and communicating its rich cultural heritage both within its own borders and to the rest of the world. The book’s publication will coincide with an exhibition on the Boburid dynasty of the Mughal Empire at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC. This new children’s edition will be available in English, Russian and Uzbek versions, as well as in Braille editions of all three languages. For ages 7-11 years.Trade ReviewThe Guardian has recommended The Story of Babur in their section "Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels"- quite a coup in the competitive children’s market. - The Guardian"The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage’, written by Nepalese children’s author Anuradha, and illustrated by award-winning artist Jane Ray, is a lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama, the first true autobiography in Islamic literature, originally penned by the mighty Central Asian king, Babur (1485–1530) also the founder of the Moghul Empire." - Asian Voice"This adaptation for younger readers (Key Stage 2) will introduce them to this classic of world literature and to Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." - The School Run"In a time where we are even more aware of the need for diversity and understanding of other traditions, this will make an excellent addition to any school library." - Margaret Pemberton"This adaptation for youngsters will introduce them to this classic of World Literature." - Asian Leader"This dynamic retelling of the memoirs of Babur, founder of the Mughal empire and Uzbek national hero, features the triumphs and reverses of his military and political career, with richly coloured illustrations." - The Guardian"It is a very accessible read, full of details of interest to a child reader. Babur’s is a story that deserves to be more widely known, and there are many lessons and discussions that can come out of a reading of this book." - International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)"A perfect introduction to the Baburnama for young readers, giving them a flavour of this classic of world literature and Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." - Outside in WorldInterview with illustrator Jane Ray. - Books for Keeps"The Story of Babur, a new book with illustrations by Jane Ray, has been released by Scala Arts & Heritage to great reviews." - the Agency"There are aspects which resonate strongly today; for example, the setting in the beautiful cities of Afghanistan has a disturbing poignancy." - The School Librarian"Babur is a crucial figure in Central Asian history, and this book plays a valuable role in introducing his story to a wider audience. This book seems most appropriate for KS2 children, who could either read this book independently or explore it with a teacher while studying the history of this region. A glossary helps to explain unfamiliar vocabulary and Jane Ray’s vibrant illustrations convey the richness of this culture." - Just Imagine

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Book Synopsis"This adaptation for younger readers (Key Stage 2) will introduce them to this classic of world literature and to Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." — The School Run "In a time where we are even more aware of the need for diversity and understanding of other traditions, this will make an excellent addition to any school library." — Margaret Pemberton "This dynamic retelling of the memoirs of Babur, founder of the Mughal empire and Uzbek national hero, features the triumphs and reverses of his military and political career, with richly coloured illustrations." — The Guardian "A perfect introduction to the Baburnama for young readers giving them a flavour of this classic of world literature and Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." — Outside in World The memoirs of Babur (1483–1530), descendant of Genghis Khan and Timur (Tamburlaine) and founder of the mighty Mughal Empire, enjoy worldwide renown as the first true autobiography in Islamic literature and an absorbing account of conquest and wise rule, composed by a man whose erudition and statecraft have elevated him to the status of a national hero in the countries of Central Asia. Babur’s narrative describes not only the battles that propelled him to power, but the people, flora and fauna of the lands he ruled – taking us from Samarkand to Kabul to northern India. Anuradha's lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama will introduce this classic of world literature to a new generation of young readers, for whom the story of Babur will serve as both a thrilling adventure and an exemplary tale. The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage is published as the Republic of Uzbekistan undertakes an extensive programme of promoting and communicating its rich cultural heritage both within its own borders and to the rest of the world. The book’s publication will coincide with an exhibition on the Boburid dynasty of the Mughal Empire at the Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC. For ages 7-11 years. Text in French. Trade ReviewThe Guardian has recommended The Story of Babur in their section "Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels"- quite a coup in the competitive children’s market. - The Guardian"The Story of Babur: Prince, Emperor, Sage’, written by Nepalese children’s author Anuradha, and illustrated by award-winning artist Jane Ray, is a lucid and lively retelling of the Baburnama, the first true autobiography in Islamic literature, originally penned by the mighty Central Asian king, Babur (1485–1530) also the founder of the Moghul Empire." - Asian Voice"This adaptation for younger readers (Key Stage 2) will introduce them to this classic of world literature and to Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." - The School Run"In a time where we are even more aware of the need for diversity and understanding of other traditions, this will make an excellent addition to any school library." - Margaret Pemberton"This adaptation for youngsters will introduce them to this classic of World Literature." - Asian Leader"This dynamic retelling of the memoirs of Babur, founder of the Mughal empire and Uzbek national hero, features the triumphs and reverses of his military and political career, with richly coloured illustrations." - The Guardian"It is a very accessible read, full of details of interest to a child reader. Babur’s is a story that deserves to be more widely known, and there are many lessons and discussions that can come out of a reading of this book." - International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)"A perfect introduction to the Baburnama for young readers, giving them a flavour of this classic of world literature and Babur’s exciting adventures of discovery and conquest." - Outside in WorldInterview with illustrator Jane Ray. - Books for Keeps

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Book SynopsisA darkly comic Dickensian ghost story from Blue Peter Award winner Gareth P. Jones: it's not the dead you'll need to worry about!Sam Toop lives in a funeral parlour, blessed (or cursed) with an unusual gift. While his father buries the dead, Sam is haunted by their constant demands for attention. Trouble is afoot on the 'other side' - there is a horrible disease that is mysteriously imprisoning ghosts into empty houses in the world of the living. And Sam is caught in the middle - will he be able to bring himself to help?Blue Peter Award winner Gareth P. Jones has woven a darkly comic story, a wonderfully funny adventure that roams the grimy streets of Victorian London.Trade ReviewFunny, gruesome and scary, with the great setting of a funeral parlour, this is an action packed adventure full of the darker and dirtier details of life in Victorian London. * Lovereading4kids *With an appealingly gothic setting, this pacey and exciting mystery perfectly blends comedy with the dark, spooky and supernatural. There are plenty of funny and gruesome moments that will appeal to young readers; but this is also a well-researched, thoughtful and compassionate novel, that takes inspiration from the Victorian preoccupation with mourning and death. Jones skilfully manages a complex series of interlocking storylines and an engaging cast of characters in this witty, action-packed and hugely entertaining ghost story. * Booktrust *This is a wonderful tale of crime, retribution and spiritualism, set in a richly historical London full of Fagin-like thieves and bent policemen. Jones balances the razor-sharp wit and huge cast of characters with a genuinely gory and chilling underbelly that asks questions about life and death. And is very funny... * Daily Mail *Constable & Toop is the perfect blend of belly laughs and supernatural scares * The Week Junior *Lost Stars is a really lovely, sweet book which I recommend for anyone looking for a reminder of what it was like to be a teenager in the 1980's but also, on a more serious note, a book about the tragedy of death and loss in the family unit and how we choose to deal with it * Swirl and Thread *

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Book SynopsisAn ordinary girl - an extraordinary adventure in timeIn twenty-first century New York, peculiar things are happening to Katie. Strange figures are appearing to her: first, a girl with long red hair, then a pale man in a black silk top hat. And then Katie receives a mysterious note, which sends her hurtling back through time!In nineteenth-century London, Queen Victoria is on the throne and England is on the brink of war with Russia. Behind the scenes, a greater battle is about to be fought - one that could decide the fate of the whole world. Everyone is looking to Katie to save the day.But for a traveller in time, Katie's is fast running out...Trade ReviewA magical, time-travel adventure in the mould of E Nesbit. * The Times *Exasperated by life at home and school, Katie discovers the solace of reading and writing her diary while hiding under her bed... and wakes up in Buckingham Palace in 1851. Humorous, historical, time-travelling adventure. * Guardian *Completely gripping, this rollercoaster time travel adventure takes Katie, a contemporary New York teenager, back right into the heart of Queen Victoria's reign. Landing unexpectedly in the Buckingham Palace bedroom of Alice, Queen Victoria's younger daughter, Katie is swiftly caught up in a terrifying world of dishonest courtiers plotting unspeakable acts with the help of powerful helpers with extra powers. The details of the life of the Victorian Royals are brilliantly evoked while the adventure spearheaded by three exuberant children rattles along at a cracking pace. * Lovereading4Kids.co.uk *One of the best books I have ever read. * Sophie O’Loughlin, 10 years old, Mslexia *

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Book SynopsisSeparated from his parents who are deported by the Nazis, David struggles to survive, alone, hungry and scared, until he eventually finds his way to the city of Warsaw. There he learns from other Jewish boys how to work in the black market, dodging the police and the Gestapo until the eventual day comes when the ghetto is cleared and everyone is herded into trains for the long trip to the camps. Will David survive? Can he outwit them one more time? Shortlisted for The Marsh Award for Children's Literature in Translation.Trade Review“How was it possible for Stig Dalager to write about the last years of the story of David in such a shocking and convincing way that one should think that this was written by Isaac B. Singer or one of the other Polish-Jewish geniuses?” Jewish Information Magazine “Dalager has written a shockingly relevant historical novel, a taut story of international standing and appeal. A monument to our own shame, at that time and now.” Politiken Newspaper, Denmark

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Book SynopsisThis series of hilarious fictional diaries put us inside the heads of hapless figures from history in frazzling situations. Alexander is a fourteen-year-old boy living in Athens in the 5th century BC. He wants to be a great warrior like his father, but he can barely lift a spear. When he’s tasked with accompanying a great Greek warrior, Dracon, to the Olympic Games in Oympia, he might just get his chance to prove himself in the sporting arena instead of on the battlefield. Will he become an Olympian legend or will the Greek poets be composing songs about how terrible he is? ‘Get Real’ fact boxes feature throughout, providing historical context and further information, as well as a timeline, historical biographies and a glossary in the endmatter.

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