Historical events, clashes of cultures and religions, nationalistic fervor, war. All this can be found in A Garland of Emeralds, which describes the dying days of the Dutch colonial empire.

SPECIAL 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION with exclusive extra behind-the-scenes material from the author

It is 1939. In Nazi Germany, the country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier - and will become busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed forever when she picks up a single object, abandoned in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, and this is her first act of book thievery. So begins Liesel's love affair with books and words, and soon she is stealing from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library . . . wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times, and when Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, nothing will ever be the same again.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Now a major film from Twentieth-Century Fox starring Geoffrey Rush and Emily Watson.

Enter the magical and exciting 'Room 17' and find out why this school room is so exciting and what happens to one group of kids when they enter the pod between the school rooms to work on their group history project. Long time teacher, writer and artist Paula Parton has done it again And this time she makes history come alive Find out what life lessons these fourth graders learn, and how they might have actually affected history. To say the story of 'Room 17' is awe inspiring is an understatement, and the good news is this is the first book in a brand new series of books all about the adventures of the kids in 'Room 17' Ask yourself what you would do if you had entered the pod. (And what exactly is the pod?) Better yet, join the kids of 'Room 17' and let your imagination soar through time and space as you embark upon a great and sometimes perilous adventure Paula Parton (a fourth grade teacher who just happens to teach in 'Room 17') is the author and cover illustrator of 'The Tic Chronicles.' And she absolutely swears Room 17' is pure fiction But is it? Read and decide for yourself

A re-issue of a forgotten favourite, FIREWEED is an evocative and unflinching story of wartime survival for younger readers Bill is a fifteen-year-old runaway evacuee, and he's finding that surviving on the streets of London is pretty easy, thank you very much. He's fed by a local cafe owner, he earns some cash as a barrow-boy in Covent Garden, and sleeping in the Underground air-raid shelters is cosy - if a bit smelly. Things get more complicated for Bill with the arrival of Julie. She's a runaway too, and although she's a bit posh, she's just as determined as Bill to stay free of interfering parents and 'the social'. But although it's fun for a while to duck Jerry missiles and camp out in bombed-out houses, the reality of living through the Blitz quickly begins to set in. Winter is coming, and Bill and Julie will discover that playing at being grown-ups can be a very dangerous game.... First published in 1969, and winner of the 1970's Book World Festival Award, FIREWEED evokes a time of tin Spitfires, powdered eggs, warm woollen mittens and reading by firelight. Perfect for readers young and old, this book is a beautifully written classic, full of adventure, heroism and British wartime courage.

After witnessing the murder of his parents, Prince Dionisio and Princess Carlota, brave twelve-year-old Rafael barely escapes and ends up on a ship heading out to sea. There he meets Alex, an orphan boy his own age who works on the ship. Their voyage begins in 1486, during the time when Christopher Columbus sails the ocean and discovers the New World.

In spite of their vastly different backgrounds, Rafael and Alex share a faith and grow to become fast friends in a captivating story filled with excitement and daring. The boys protect each other and dodge perilous situations by using their survival skills and being guided by their strong belief in God. Traveling to the unknown, the boys grow to become men-one yearning for the heart of a special girl, the other seeking to serve God.

Readers of all ages will go back in time as author Pat Mac Donald brings history, friendship, faith, and adventure together in "Two Orphans, Columbus, and the New World."

Early one summer morning in 935 A.D., Malcolm the Jarl's home in northern Scotland is attacked by Viking raiders led by Heidrek the Seafarer. Struck down during the brief battle that follows, Malcolm is taken captive and imprisoned on what was once his own ship. Refusing to join the murderous Vikings, he manages to escape with two of the other prisoners, only to end up lost at sea. Through a strange series of events, the three young men come upon the young queen, Gerda, who is alone and desperately in need of help. Together, the three friends, Scottish jarl, Irish prince and English thane, pledge themselves to protect Gerda and seek to restore her kingdom which has been usurped by her evil cousin Arnkel. But first they must escape from Heidrek who is pursuing them across the northern seas. Adventure and danger abound in this exciting tale of brave manly men fighting to uphold the honor of a woman.