When Robin Brogan comes down with chicken pox, he doesn't think it's really so terrible. After all, it gets him out of acting in the school play. And since his best friend Dan also has spots, they are staying together at Robin's house in England overlooking the ocean. When the hours begin to drag, Robin's mother tells stories about a wonderful summer she spent in their shoreline house. Bit by bit, the boys learn of a strange girl who mysteriously appeared on the beach long ago and shared her secret cave with the children playing there. But late in the summer she left suddenly, never to be heard from again. Hilary McKay has earned critical acclaim and numerous awards for her novels for children. This intriguing tale captivates readers with its appealing mix of past and present and the delightful surprise ending. Narrator Ron Keith's dramatic performance highlights the humor and poignancy, along with the frightfully delicious touch of the supernatural.
Best-selling author Tom Angleberger received widespread accolades for The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, which Publishers Weekly called a "delightful first novel." With Horton Halfpott, Angleberger offers a zany tale of dizzying hilarity. What be this? The unthinkable has happened-Lady Luggertuck has loosened her corset! Oh, this can't be good. In the wake of the Loosening, it seems anything is possible!
"Look into the tiger's eyes. I wish to show you lives different from your own," Soma-Nandi tells the boy-king Tamar. When you join Tamar on his enchanted journey, you too can look into the tiger's eyes. But beware, for along the way, nothing is as it appears to be: forest creatures speak and populate hidden kingdoms, hacked-down vines regenerate before your very eyes, and holy men spring up from ant hills. In a dream, Tamar has lost everything to the impressive King Jaya in a game of dice. Tamar feels honor bound to obey the king's command: he must give up his kingdom to travel to a Jaya's domain. His obligation is confirmed when he awakens to find an iron ring on his finger. Inspired by the classic mythology of India, virtuoso storyteller Lloyd Alexander creates dazzling visions of high adventure and deep humanity. A sprinkling of Hindi and singsong verses add spice to this epic tale. Narrator Ron Keith's clear, compelling English accent adds vivid atmosphere and makes the extraordinary real.
Born in 14th-century England, Crispin has embarked on one adventure after another since learning that he, once known only as "Asta's son," has a much grander destiny than he ever could have imagined. But his fate has taken a dark turn. The sweet and kindly Bear, his friend and protector, is dead. Crispin is thereby left to protect Troth, she of the staring eyes and broken face. Having attempted a sea voyage to France-and having their ship and most of their hopes dashed to bits in the process-Crispin and Troth are plagued by hunger and left to fend for themselves. All in all, they have much to fear . and scant prospects on which to pin their hopes. Newbery Medal-winning author Avi completes the Crispin saga with this third installment of the riveting trilogy. Voiced by widely acclaimed narrator Ron Keith, Crispin: The End of Time takes listeners on the journey of a lifetime.
Djinn twins John and Philippa Gaunt are on the trail of another magical mystery. As they travel from New York to London to Nepal to India on a whirlwind adventure, the twins try to help their friend Dybbuk find out who murdered his best friend using the venomous snakebite of the king cobra. All too soon John and Philippa find themselves caught up in the lethal world of the Cult of the Nine Cobras - only to discover that they themselves are a target of the creepy cobra cult. Now, the twins must find the invaluable Cobra King talisman and stop the cult leader's deadly plan!
It is late July in 1461 when young Joseph Charnetski and his family arrive in the great city of Krakow, with its glorious church towers and lively marketplace. The Charnetskis have come to Krakow to seek refuge with their relatives. What they find is more danger and adventure than a simple farm boy like Joseph could ever have imagined. First, a menacing stranger tries to take their pumpkin at sword point. Then a beautiful girl and her black-robed uncle befriend Joseph. Soon he and his family are caught up in the plots of alchemists, hypnotists, and a dark messenger of evil. This distinguished contribution to children's literature carries listeners to a medieval Poland shimmering with folklore and fantasy. Rich in language and detail, it is a classic adventure story that begs to be read aloud. With narrator Ron Keith's expressive, resonant voice, the effect is as stirring as the haunting hymn the trumpeter plays from the church tower.
The young orphan Crispin and his gentle, red-bearded protector Bear continue their adventures in 14th-century England. Crispin and Bear are finally free to live their lives as they choose. But they soon find that they are being hunted by members of a secret society who believe Bear is a spy. When Bear is severely wounded, Crispin must make some tough decisions, such as deciding who else to trust to help them escape their pursuers. The two make a perilous journey to Brittany-surely the edge of the world! And there they must confront death in order to find true freedom. Avi has written several books of historical fiction for which he has been showered with numerous awards, including the Newbery Medal for Crispin: Cross of Lead. He explores the themes of war, religion, and family in this suspenseful adventure. The superb reading from narrator Ron Keith will enthrall listeners.
Best-selling author P.B. Kerr wowed readers with The Akhenaten Adventure (RB# 97878), the first entry in his critically acclaimed Children of the Lamp fantasy series. In this thrilling sequel, twins John and Philippa Gaunt-descendants of a long line of djinn-face the evil and terrifying Blue Djinn of Babylon. The Solomon Grimoire-a powerful book of magic-has gone missing. When John and Philippa are chosen to retrieve it, their quest sends them trotting across the globe. But what they don't know is they are being lured into a trap by the Blue Djinn. When Philippa falls right into the trap, John must embark on a perilous adventure to save his sister. With this second effort, Kerr has established the Children of the Lamp series as a masterful saga that deserves consideration alongside the classics of fantasy fiction. Narrator Ron Keith brings Kerr's wondrous world to full and glorious life with his dynamic performance.
When 12-year-old twins John and Philippa get their wisdom teeth, they suddenly have the power to grant wishes and make things disappear. They are genies! Quickly, they learn to control their powers just before they embark on a dangerous quest that will take them into the tomb of an ancient pharaoh. Along the way, the must confront Iblis, the most evil genie in the universe! This fast-paced and funny fantasy is the first children's novel from critically acclaimed thriller writer P.B. Kerr.
The Wind in the Willows is a classic of children's literature by Kenneth Grahame, first published in 1908. Alternately slow moving and fast paced, it focuses on four anthropomorphised animal characters in a pastoral version of England. The novel is notable for its mixture of mysticism, adventure, morality, and camaraderie and celebrated for its evocation of the nature of the Thames valley.
The 15th-century Wars of the Roses serve as backdrop for this swashbuckling historical novel from the author of Kidnapped (RB# 79030) and Treasure Island (RB# 88530). In a time of shifting loyalties and trecherous alliances, young Dick Shelton is betrayed by his brutal guardian. Intent on rescuing the woman he loves, Dick joins forces with a mysterious fellowship intent on dispensing their own brand of justice. Through one trap after another, each choice Dick makes begins to have dire consequences -not only for himself, but for the fate of England!
