Taken to a slave auction with his father in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1836, twelve-year-old John Wilder tensed as he heard a pregnant black teenage girl's pleas not to be separated from her son. While others in the crowd told John that black people were different from them, with different sensibilities, he knew that was not the case.

Sensing his son's consternation and being a compassionate man himself, John's father purchased the entire family at the auction, including the pregnant teenager, and her young son, a child a few years younger that John. Having already studied with the local doctor, John soon helped deliver the teen's baby and watched his mother help save its life. By the age of twenty-three, John knew that slavery could not be a part of his life's work. He left his family's home and struck out on his own.

John worked for the railroad and experienced many life-changing events in the time in which he lived, including the American Civil War. Would John's sense of loyalty sustain him through this difficult time? "In Rocking the Cradle of Liberty" explore the fascinating and unpredictable story of a man who lived more than 150 years ago.

In the chaotic last days of World War II, Jakob and Kizzy are tricked into a life or death journey. Far from home, they are attacked and only just escape. They hide in a seemingly deserted mansion, but they keep hearing strange noises... Investigating, they find it shelters not only forty abandoned horses but a small band of lost children, displaced by the war. With danger on every side, can Kizzy and Jakob keep them safe and get them all home?

Arriving home in A.D. 1366 from a meeting of Parliament in London, Sir Hugh Middleton is shocked to learn from his daughter that a neighboring monastery has laid claim to one of his fields. When Sir Hugh drives the monks from his property, his brother, a monk at the monastery, tells him that he has committed a mortal sin, however Sir Hugh steadfastly refuses to yield. He further offends the monastery by sending his younger son, Stephen, to study under Dr. John Wycliffe, who has begun to publicly question the authority of the Church to grant pardon for sin. At the same time, Sir Hugh sends his elder son, Harry, to serve as an attendant to the powerful Duke of Lancaster, who is well-known for his desire to limit the power of the Church and increase the power of the nobility. These are times of great political and religious upheaval as the desire for freedom spreads throughout England and Europe. As Wycliffe's "poor priests" begin to share the Word of God with the common people, Stephen and Harry and their sisters, Maud and Madge, all find that they have parts to play for the kingdom of God in the turbulent day in which they live.

Can you imagine a meal without condiments? Never! No Ketchup on your hamburger and fries? No way! How about condiments walking off the counter? WHAAAAT! Well, it's happening at The Diner and there's not a condiment in sight. Tripp, his dad, his sister, and all the patrons are in disbelief. Condiment complaints of misuse, prejudice, bullying and more are scrawled on paper napkins spread across the counter. Mayo asks, "Why do they hate me?" With a tear in his eye Relish sadly proclaims, "People say I'm too sweet and ignore me ...or just scrape me off." Can Management and the condiments work out their issues? If not, it will be a sad day and a dining disaster for all! S.H.Wood, first time children's author, and Nic Gregory, talented Australian illustrator and animator, carry you through The Diner showcasing the humorous and at times emotionally charged personalities of each "famous" featured condiment. Adults and children of all ages will smile and laugh as they recognize their favorite condiments come to life. From that moment on the sight of any of these condiments will undoubtedly evoke new feelings: perhaps a touch of empathy for relish? If you like The Day the Crayons Quit you may just become a fan of The Condiment Chronicles ...Please Pass the Ketchup. The back story, titled "The Condiment Chronicles ...The Family Portrait," reveals historical facts/speculations of when, where, and how each condiment arrived on our counter, our kitchen table, and in our fridge. Who would have thought condiments could stir up images of family, diversity, tolerance, competition, and individuality all resulting from an ever growing insatiable love for a variety of tastes. A 56 page book designed to delight, entertain, and educate! Without spelling it out the book shares a human emotional experience of belonging and allows people of all ages to connect with this message. Condiments and Condimentours, be on alert! Creativity is on the rise. There is always room for one more hot, spicy, sweet, or savory condiment. Experimentation is all part of self expression and being an individual. Don't hold back. Go ahead and spread that peanut butter and jelly on your hamburger ...as a condimentour that's your choice. Remember, variety is the spice (or in this case the condiment) of life. Cheers!

As World War I draws to a close in 1918, German citizens are starving and suffering under a repressive regime. Sixteen-year-old Moritz is torn. His father died in the war and his older brother still risks his life in the trenches, but his mother does not support the patriotic cause and attends subversive socialist meetings. While his mother participates in the revolution to sweep away the monarchy, Moritz falls in love with a Jewish girl who also is a socialist. When Moritz's brother returns home a bitter, maimed war veteran, ready to blame Germany's defeat on everything but the old order, Moritz must choose between his allegiance to his dangerously radicalized brother and those who usher in the new democracy.

Everything is about to change for John, a 13-year-old boy who goes to live and work on a Mennonite neighbor's farm during WWII. John's father is fighting in Europe, and John finds himself impatient with Sarah, a daughter of the family, who doesn't believe in war. To make matters worse, a group of German prisoners of war arrives to work on the farm. John always keeps a sketch pad handy for drawing whenever he has a spare moment. How can John remain loyal to his father and hold onto his anger at the enemy when a POW begins to encourage his art, noticing John's talent in a way no one ever has before? Unexpectedly, his drawings force him to make difficult decisions involving POWs, his father, and his dreams.

A riveting pirate tale set in the eighteenth century during the golden age of piracy in the Caribbean, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Jacqueline Wilson. It's 1718: pirate ships sail the oceans and brutal slave masters control the plantations. Eleven-year-old Abigail Buckler lives with her father in the Caribbean. Her clothes are made of finest muslin so she can't play in them, not that there's anyone to play with anyway. She isn't even allowed to go out alone. But when pirates attack Abigail's life will change forever. Suddenly her old certainties about right and wrong, good and bad start to unravel. Maybe Abigail doesn't have to be so ladylike after all... Packed with historical detail about the Atlantic slave trade, the ravages of empire and human cost of providing luxuries like sugar, cotton and tobacco to Europe, Blackbeard's Treasure is a page-turning, swashbuckling adventure which takes a look at the real pirates of the Caribbean.

Growing up during a war is hard enough with sudden shortages, battle noises and split loyalties. But having your father and brothers off fighting in the War make it even harder. At least it seems harder to eleven year old Elise Mc Kale, a young girl growing up in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her father and brothers are fighting alongside the Patriots. But her best friend's family has sided with the Loyalists. Where should Elise's loyalties be? When news reaches Elise and her mother, that her father and two of her brothers have been captured and her other brother is dead. Elise makes a final decision to be a Patriot. How could she side with the people who have hurt her family? But now she must make an even harder decision. Should she wait at home where it's safe and hope for the best? Or should she put a plan into action that will reunite her family? Whatever she chooses she will need all the help she can get, from her enemies

An hilarious new illustrated chapter book series featuring the hapless adventures of Leif the Unlucky Viking wolf pup, from the creator of the hugely popular Julius Zebra books! Leif is not unlucky. Yes, he does split his trousers at least once a week. And yes, he's always tripping up and falling down a hole. But he’s determined to become a true Viking hero, just like his dad. Can he unravel the riddles of a witch to find a magical shard of rock that has fallen from a shooting star and wield its mystical powers? He will have to journey deep into the heart of polar bear country, outwitting all kinds of mythological creatures along the way. Thankfully, he has Olaf, the annoying duck, Toki, the nincompoop Puffin, and Flora, the incredibly smelly Muskox, for company. He's going to need all the luck he can get!