The tragedy of love thwarted by fate has always intrigued writers.  In the sixteenth century, William Shakespeare took this theme and fashioned one of the world's great plays: Romeo And Juliet.  In our own time, Shakespeare's drama has been used as a basis for the overwhelmingly successful musical play West Side Story.  Though one of these works is set among the nobility of Verona, and the other among immigrant families of New York's West Side, both tell the story of the plight of young star-crossed" lovers.



As Norris Houghton writes in his introduction: "What we see is that all four young people strive to consummate the happiness at the threshold on which they stand and which they have tasted so briefly.  All four are deprived of the opportunity to do so, the Renaissance couple by the caprice of fate, today's youngsters by the prejudice and hatred engendered around them....



"Poets and playwrights will continue to write of youthful lovers whom fate drives into and out of each other's lives.  The spectacle will always trouble and move us, even as the two dramas in this volume do today."

"That year was a Christmas to remember. It must have been, because my memories are so clear even after more than seventy years ..." A little girl meets her father for the first time when he comes home from war. Later, school is a chaos of eccentric teachers and awful meals, and the first steps into adulthood are taken in the wake of a pioneering grandmother. A heartwarming memoir full of unforgettable moments in Lancashire and the Lake District

In this international bestseller from the beloved Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Audrey Hepburn, the iconic Hollywood movie star. Audrey Hepburn grew up in Arnhem in the Netherlands. After living through the hardships of World War Two, she moved to study ballet in London. She went on to star in plays and films, eventually becoming one of the most iconic actresses of all time. This moving book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the actress's life. Little People, BIG DREAMS is a best-selling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream. This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardcover versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games, and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children. Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

A lyrical evocation of Philippe Petit's 1974 tightrope walk between the World Trade Center towers.

If you love Oi Frog and Friends, you'll adore this madcap animal alphabet story, guaranteed to get kids giggling - and learning! Dog's looking for animals to star in her new alphabet book. But she doesn't want 'ordinary animals'. No cats, dogs or lions. She's looking for animals who are different. Animals who are special. Animals who have ... the ABC Factor. Stick Insect is sure he has got the ABC factor - but will Dog and her fellow judges agree? From anacondas and aye-ayes to manatees, lemmings and naked mole rats, only the weirdest and more wonderful animals need apply. Britain's Got Talent meets Oi Frog - perfect for anyone who loves hilarious picture books and TV talent shows from Strictly to X Factor! Winner of the Hampshire Picture Book Prize!

Twin brothers, Mickey and Edward, are separated at birth as their mother cannot afford to keep them both. Raised only streets apart in the heart of Liverpool, the boys' lives take two very different paths. However, following a chance meeting, the pair form an unlikely friendship. But what will happen if they ever find out the secret of their shared history?

She wears her heart on her sleeve. Parting is such sweet sorrow. Something wicked this way comes! We're all familiar with these sayings. But where did they come from? Introduce young readers to the treasures of William Shakespeare with Shakespeare Illustrated Classics. Each title tells the tale of a popular play and is sure to inspire further Shakespearian study!

Chained to the hold of a slave ship bound for the Caribbean, a terrified young girl's only comfort is the voice of a woman she can't see. She is told 'Anansi stories', tales of the crafty spider whose cunning and humorous tricks give the girl the resilience and wit she needs to survive.

The Moon and More and Just Listen, together in one volume from New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen! Sometimes you think you have it all. Great friends, a loving boyfriend, and a strong sense of personal identity. But unexpected things can happen. People come and go. The appearance of a new boy in your life can turn your world upside down. It might make you throw all caution to the wind - or bring you back closer to earth. What if he is hiding secrets of his own? Is it better to be safe than sorry? From acclaimed bestselling author Sarah Dessen, here are two books about exploring your heart, giving free reign to your emotions, and rising above the expectations of others.

This pocket-sized activity book has pages and pages of fun activities on a stage school theme. Packed into a neat, portable size, it's the ultimate hands-on book for star-struck kids who love singing, dancing and show business! It's the perfect gift to keep the little stars of tomorrow entertained for hours whilst on the move or on holiday.

Drama games are not staged plays but a dynamic form in which children explore their minds and the world around them. They can use their play-acting in sensory games, pantomimes, story games with puppets, in creating masks and costumes, and much more.

Drama games allow children to get more in touch with themselves and what they want to be, and are a delightful way to discover the freedom, creativity, and expression of acting- and living.

The "SmartFun"Activity series encourage imagination, social interaction, and self-expression in children. To make the books easy to use, games are marked according to appropriate age levels, length of play time, and group size, using helpful icons. Most games are non-competitive and none require special skills or training. The series is widely used in homes, schools, daycare centers, clubs, and summer camp.

This is the ultimate activity book for star-struck kids who love singing, dancing and show business! Ideal for the superstars of tomorrow, this book is bursting with fun activities based on a stage school theme. With drawing, colouring and doodling activities, plus games, puzzles and things to make and do, there's something creative and fun to do on every page.

Intended for students and children taking part in speech and drama competitions and exams, this book contains a range of audition speeches. It includes female, male and unisex speeches selected from both plays and children's books. Where relevant the author has indicated how a speech could be shortened for younger children. There is also an introductory section with contributions from Alan Ayckbourn, Carol Schroder (teacher and examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), Richard Carpenter (TV writer) and Ed Wilson (Director of the National Youth Theatre) and senior casting directors for the RSC, TV and film. This edition has been freshly revised to include 10 new speeches from well known recent productions as well as children's books including Harry Potter. 'A superb compilation' Amateur Stage

In his thirteenth year, Will Sparrow, liar and thief, becomes a runaway. On the road, he encounters a series of con artists--a pickpocket, a tooth puller, a pig trainer, a conjurer--and learns that others are more adept than he at lying and thieving. Then he reluctantly joins a traveling troupe of "oddities," including a dwarf and a cat-faced girl, holding himself apart from the "monsters" and resolving to be on guard against further deceptions. At last Will is forced to understand that appearances are misleading and that he has been his own worst deceiver. The rowdy world of market fairs in Elizabethan England is the colorful backdrop for Newbery medalist Cushman's new comic masterpiece.

Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do.

A vibrant and enchanting debut novel about an orphan girl who discovers a magical circus, perfect for fans of Kelly Barnhill and Rebecca Stead! Maddy Adriana knows that magic is real. All her life, her heart has pulled her towards things too perfect to be ordinary. One day, that tug leads her to a magical street circus, hidden in plain sight among the canals and boardwalks of Venice Beach. For the first time in Maddy's life, she finally feels like she belongs. But the circus is in grave danger. Maddy will need to confront the frightening side of magic, as well as her own deepest fears, if she's to have any hope of saving the place she dreams of calling home. This unforgettable debut shows readers the magic of following your heart and finding where you belong.

Matt did it! His performance at the T Factor has given him the fame he dreamed of. Kitty is getting more gigs booked in with a whole new stable of comedic acts. Unfortunately, Matt hasn't had time to come up with new jokes so it isn't long before he is greeted with the worst heckle for a comedian: 'heard it before!'. But when Kitty suggests he takes a break to work on his routine, Matt can't stand to go back to his normal life. So he signs up with the stylish Excalibur Agency, brushing his concerns (and Kitty) aside. A life of celebrity awaits! But it doesn't take long for the shine to wear off and when they try and force him on to his first Live At the Apollo, without any preparation and no new jokes, how can Matt save himself from the ultimate humiliation?

Love isn't always part of the plan . . . A charming, heartwarming story following a Miami girl who unexpectedly finds love - and herself - in a small English town. Soon to be a movie starring Heartstopper's Kit Connor and Pretty Little Liars' Maia Reficco! For Lila Reyes, a summer in England hadn't been on the cards. Certainly not one stuck in the small town of Winchester with a lack of sun and zero Miami flavour. But when Lila meets Orion Maxwell in the local tea shop, her nightmare trip starts to look up. With a bright new future suddenly on the horizon, will Lila leave behind everything she's ever planned and follow her heart? A New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA Pick. PRAISE FOR A CUBAN GIRL'S GUIDE TO TEA AND TOMORROW: 'An absolute delight' Rachael Lippincott, author of Five Feet Apart 'An utterly charming read that feels like a treasured recipe that will heal and feed a broken heart.' Nina Moreno, author of Don't Date Rosa Santos 'I could live inside Laura Taylor Namey's lush, vibrant words forever.' Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of Today Tonight Tomorrow 'This book. THIS BOOK. Laura Taylor Namey has written the coziest love story I've ever had the pleasure to read.' Erin Hahn, author of You'd Be Mine and More Than Maybe

From Allie Esiri, editor of the bestselling A Poem for Every Day of the Year and A Poem for Every Night of the Year, comes this beautiful gift anthology of Shakespeare's works. Shakespeare For Every Day of the Year is a magnificent collection of 366 extracts from Shakespeare's plays and poems. Each page of this unique book features an extract - which might be a famous poem, quote or scene - matched to the date it sits on - and an introductory paragraph which gives readers a new window into the work, time and life of the greatest writer in the English language. The book also includes synopses of each play, a comprehensive timeline covering Shakespeare's life, major historical events and offering context for his works, and an index of works which gathers the extracts under the title of the work they come from. Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year is perfect for reading or sharing and brings you Shakespeare's best-known and best-loved classics alongside lesser known extracts. Esiri's entertaining and insightful thoughts on each entry will fill your year with wonder, laughter, wisdom and wit. 'Shakespeare for Every Day of the Year is not just for Christmas, but for all time.' - Helena Bonham Carter

The next amazing book in THE DREAM TEAM series! Praise for Jaz Santos vs. The World: 'Exciting, original and heart-warming' - Jacqueline Wilson 'Priscilla Mante is an author to watch' - Aisha Bushby --- A heart-warming, inclusive and funny new story about three big F's: friends, following your dreams and football! Hi! I'm Charligh, and one day I'm going to be a big star. I'm full of PIZZAZZ after all, and everyone I've ever met tells me I'm unforgettable. In a good way, I think . . . I've always loved attention, but at the moment, there's a teeny tiny chance I'm getting it for all the wrong reasons. For starters, me and my very-nearly-world-famous team, the Bramrock Stars, are trying to win big against our rivals in the new league. But I can't stop tripping over the ball! And although I've got my dream part in the school play, the words just won't stick in my head. What's going to happen if I can't learn my lines? Luckily for me, my best friends really are the bestest, and I know they'll help me whatever it takes. It's time for me to step into the spotlight, and prove girls really can do anything!

"A picture-book account of one of the" "most famous pieces of radio history "
* "Sandwiched between a look at Depression-era radios and a set of fanciful period advertisements, McCarthy delivers a semi-serious account of the 1938 "War of the Worlds "broadcast, illustrating both passages from the script and briefly told descriptions of widespread panic with smudgy cartoon scenes featuring bug-eyed monsters and equally bug-eyed people. The author closes with a substantial note that analyzes the broadcast' immediate and long-term effects, points out that the announcers repeatedly admitted that they were presenting a drama during the broadcast, mentions several later revivals here and internationally and notes the response of H.G. Wells himself to the original production. She has also set up an invitingly designed Web site with an array of relevant links."
--"Kirkus Reviews," Starred"
An ALA-ALSC Notable Children's Book
A "School Library Journal "Best Book of the Year
An IRA-CBC Children's Choice
A "Kirkus Reviews "Editor's Choice
A 2006 New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"