It's Christmas Eve 1914. A group of tired soldiers start singing Stille Nacht. Soldiers the other side of No Man's Land respond with Silent Night. The next day, soldiers on both sides put down their weapons and celebrate the spirit of Christmas Day with a friendly football match. In the sequel to the hugely popular Where The Poppies Now Grow, The Christmas Truce finds soldiers Ben and Ray shaking hands in friendship with Karl and Lars, a tribute to that remarkable moment in history when, for one day, peace found a place. Ideal resource for Remembrance, PSHE and SMSC.

Carney's House Party In the summer of 1911, Caroline "Carney" Sibley is home from college and looking forward to hosting a monthlong house party--catching up with the old Crowd, including her friend Betsy Ray, and introducing them to her Vassar classmate Isobel Porteous. Romance is in the air with the return of Carney's high school sweetheart, Larry Humphreys, for whom she's pined all these years. Will she like him as well as she once did? Or will the exasperating Sam Hutchinson turn her head?

Winona's Pony Cart More than anything in the world, Winona Root wants a pony for her eighth birthday. Despite her father's insistence that it's out of the question, she's wishing so hard that she's sure she'll get one--at least, that's what she tells her friends Betsy, Tacy, and Tib. . . .

When his mother dies of influenza, a five-year-old boy is dropped off at the doorstep of Mr. Piggles, the proprietor of the York Soap Factory. Cared for by Penelope, Mr. Piggles' daughter, this green-eyed boy with red, curly hair is called Apples. Ten years old in 1812, Apples seeks to find his father; the only clue is a battered brass button.

His search leads him to a chance encounter with Major-General Isaac Brock, Canada's legendary figure assigned to protect the Canadas. Apples reveres Brock and sees him as a fearless and assertive leader.

Meanwhile in Washington, nineteen hotheaded senators determined to invade the Canadas believe the conquest will be a cakewalk, and the American army attacks. Brock acts decisively, and assassins are sent to eliminate him. Immersed in loyalty and defiance, Apples unravels the American's plot to kill Brock. His bravery saves the major-general's life.

An engaging historical narrative of adventure and bravery, "Apples and the Fallen Idols" provides a view of the times, events, and heroes of the War of 1812 as seen through the eyes of a boy soldier.

Grand finale to the prize-winning adventure series that's changed the lives of millions of readers. Breathtaking world-building on an epic scale. Pure escapism at its best. It is early spring, a turbulent, perilous time of sudden storms, frozen river fractures and drifting ice. Fleeing from a demon intent on devouring his souls, Wolf is swept out to Sea far from the Forest and his pack. The ocean too teems with danger: sea wolves, sharks and hunters of the deep, and the demon is gaining ground. Torak and Renn must race to save their pack-brother, battling the harsh, icy waves and merciless torrents. If they can't find Wolf in time, the bond between them will be severed for ever... Run wild with Wolf Brother for the last time in a Stone Age world we all want to be part of, with three-million-copy-selling author Michelle Paver, Creator of Legends. Read WOLFBANE as a standalone adventure or as part of the well-loved series. 'Can easily be read as a standalone novel, so skilful is the storytelling... Paver powerfully presents a world view that's magical but never primitive' Financial Times on Skin Taker 'Meticulously researched, atmospheric [...] and relentless... Introduces Paver to a new generation of readers' Guardian on Viper's Daughter

The year is 1642 and England is on the brink of civil war. Close friends, Harry Furness and Herbert Rippinghall, are surprised to find themselves on opposite sides. Harry, a Royalist, supports the king while Herbert, a Roundhead, supports the Parliamentarians. During the conflict they meet many historical figures including King Charles I, Prince Rupert, and Oliver Cromwell. Who will win the struggle for power? Will Harry and Herbert's friendship survive? These questions and more will be answered in Friends though Divided by G. A. Henty. Set in mid-17th century England, Ireland, and Bermuda, this book includes more than one-hundred-and-ninety geographical, historical, and explanatory footnotes to aid the modern reader.

After a two-month siege by Texan volunteers in late 1835, the Mexican Army surrendered San Antonio and retreated across the Rio Grande. Texas colonists, including fictive young diarist Belle Wood, rejoiced. No one expected more trouble from Mexico. Belle wasn't even worried when, in late January 1836, her brother, Mac, followed Colonel Travis to the Alamo. The troop build-up was ""just a precautionary measure."" Just three weeks later, Mexican General Santa Anna arrived in San Antonio with thousands of troops, taking the 150 Alamo men by surprise. When the Alamo fell, ""the news came upon me like a clap of thunder,"" Belle wrote. ""My brother, Mac, is dead."" As the colonists learned that Santa Anna was continuing his march eastward, panic ensued. All over Texas, people either joined the fight for independence or fled for safety in the mass exodus known as the Runaway Scrape. Belle's diary tells how her family joins the throng heading east for the U.S. border, walking or riding in every kind of vehicle imaginable. Theirs is a miserable, month-long journey. Belle endures rain, cold, and mud-drenched prairies. Danger and death are ever present. ""Today,"" Belle mourns, ""we watched a woman bury her baby girl. Her limp little body stayed down in the soggy grave for scarcely a moment before it bobbed back up again and floated to the top."" Extensive primary-source research forms the foundation of Belle's authentic diary account. Its historical appendix, complete with photos and map, will be useful to young readers and teachers alike.

Run wild with Wolf Brother in a Stone Age world we all want to be a part of with million-copy-selling author, Michelle Paver. Danger, magic and non-stop adventure await Torak, Renn and Wolf in a devastating Dark Time that threatens everything they know. The Clans will be tested as never before, as they battle to find ways to survive and thrive in their beloved Forest. In the Dark Time of midwinter, disaster strikes the Forest. Chaos rules. Bears woken from their dens prowl the shadowy valleys. Desperate clans battle for survival. Only demons thrive. With their world in turmoil, Torak, Renn and Wolf are tested as never before. And as a new evil haunts the devastated land, Torak must risk his sanity, his life and even his souls to save everything he loves... Skin Taker carries you back to the Stone Age, drawing you deeper into the astonishing adventure which began with Wolf Brother and has captivated millions of readers.

Mrs. Bird thought, as the Christmas music floated in upon her gentle sleep, that she had slipped into heaven with her new baby, and that angels were bidding them welcome. But the tiny bundle by her side stirred a little, though it was scarcely more than the ruffling of a feather; and she awoke, drew the baby closer, and listened to the voices outside brimming with joy:

"Carol, brothers, carol,
Carol joyfully,
Carol the good tidings,
Carol merrily "

"Why, my baby," whispered Mrs. Bird in soft surprise, "I had forgotten what day it was. You are a little Christmas child, and we will name you 'Carol' -- mother's little Christmas Carol "

Kate Douglas Wiggin (1856-1923), author of such works as "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, " "Penelope's English Experiences, " and "A Village Stradivarius," was one of America's most popular writers of books for young people.