Milan, 1497. The height of the Renaissance. And for Giacomo, servant of the famous painter Leonardo da Vinci, it's the most difficult time of all. His Master has been working on the "Last Supper," his greatest painting ever, for nearly two years. But has he finished it? He's barely started! The all-powerful Duke of Milan is demanding that it be completed by the time the Pope visits at Easter. And Giacomo knows that if Leonardo doesn't pick up his pace, the Duke may invite a young genius -- Michelangelo -- to finish the painting instead. Which means that Leonardo won't be paid, which means that Milan's shopkeepers (to whom he owes massive amounts) will take drastic measures against him.

It's all down to Giacomo, and whether he can come up with a brilliant solution. And if he does, will his Master go for it? After all, Leonardo still doesn't seem to trust him. He refuses to teach Giacomo how to paint; he won't help him find his parents; nor will he discuss the significance of the medallion, ring, and cross that Giacomo was carrying when Leonardo found him. But with the secret arrival of a powerful stranger, Giacomo is about to discover much more than the answers he has been looking for. And he will also receive an invitation to help arrange a meeting that could change his life. . . and the future course of history.

With more twists and turns than a spiral staircase, this thriller is as unique as its two heroes -- the most celebrated artist who ever lived, and a young man without a past, who will stop at nothing to find the truth about his life.

"A lively mystery with a touch of spookiness, an intriguing setting, an appealing family dynamic, and an enterprising Latina heroine." – KIRKUS REVIEWS Legend has it: anyone who sees the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill will be cursed with bad luck. Ten-year-old Fina Mendoza just saw it. And the last thing her family needs right now is more bad luck. Fina and her older sister Gabby just moved to Washington, D.C. after the death of their mother to live fulltime with Papa, a congressman from California. After Fina encounters a mysterious creature in the Capitol Crypt, a string of disasters follows. Jars of spaghetti sauce explode. Her beloved Abuelita breaks her leg. And Fina’ s only friend in Washington, a congressional dog named Senator Something, becomes the target. The only way for Fina to save her family from future “ cat� astrophe is to solve the mystery of the Demon Cat of Capitol Hill. Fina gives us a backstage peek at life inside the U.S. Capitol - voting in Congress, the fight over amendments, and the beloved congressional dogs who come to work every day with their political owners. An introduction to civics for elementary age children. The West Wing meets Nancy Drew.

Written with great empathy and Rauf's trademark humour, The Great (Food) Bank Heist is a moving story that gives a child's-eye view of the increasing problem of food poverty. On Thursdays, Nelson, Ashley and Mum head out to the bank. But not just any old bank - the food bank. With its shining tins and packets of food stacked from floor to ceiling, Nelson thinks it's the best kind of bank there is. But there's a thief in town, and the shelves of the food bank are getting emptier each day, leaving people hungrier than ever. For the sake of his family and everyone else's, Nelson needs to make them stop. But can he and his friends really be the ones to catch the bank robber?

James Augustus Dopeyworth wants nothing more than to become a detective, just like his father and his hero Sherlock Holmes. He loves solving mysteries and can often be found with a magnifying glass in one hand and a chocolate eclair in the other. Poor old Jim, as he likes to be known, doesnt seem to have much luck. Nothing ever seems to go his way and it doesn't help that he is extremely clumsy and is always getting into the most unlikely scrapes. But one day an advert appears in the local paper that changes everything. Will Jim become the famous detective that he always dreamed of being or will it all end up as one big messy disaster? Detective Dopeyworth is a story about never giving up on your dreams, no matter what obstacles are put in your way.

From master of suspense author Margaret Peterson Haddix comes another page-turning stand-alone adventure perfect for fans of Cog and Bad Magic.

"No matter what anyone tells you, I’m real."

That’s what the note says that Max finds under his keyboard.

He knows that his best friend, Josie, wrote it. He’d know her handwriting anywhere. But why she wrote it—and what it means—remains a mystery. Ever since they met in kindergarten, Max and Josie have been inseparable. Until the summer after fifth grade, when Josie disappears, leaving only a note, and whispering something about “whatnot rules.” But why would Max ever think that Josie wasn’t real? And what are whatnots?

As Max sets to uncover what happened to Josie—and what she is or isn’t—little does he know that she’s fighting to find him again, too. But there are forces trying to keep Max and Josie from ever seeing each other again. Because Josie wasn’t supposed to be real.

This middle grade thriller from Margaret Peterson Haddix delves into the power of privilege, the importance of true friendship, and the question of humanity and identity. Because when anyone could be a whatnot, what makes a person a real friend—or real at all?

Paul en Alicia was op die verkeerde plek op die verkeerde tyd - Paul het 'n moord aanskou en Alicia het vir die eerste keer in haar lewe skool ge- bunk omdat sy ontsteld was oor iets wat gebeur het. Die twee hoërskoolleerders van Bloemfontein word saam met ander jongmense gevange gehou in 'n luukse huis vol gruwels. Uitkomkans is daar nie, maar dinge raak so erg dat hulle hul lewens gaan waag om weg te kom. 'n Spanningsvolle verhaal met temas mensehandel, dwelmhandel en moord.

In this first book in a new trilogy, Nancy, Bess, and George are spending an entire month at their friend Stacy's fabulous California beach house. But it turns out there is an ugly side to California beach life.