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.

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.

Until the Road Ends is the eagerly awaited new novel from the bestselling author of When the Sky Falls: The Times Children's Book of the Year, winner of a Books Are My Bag Readers Award, the British Book Award for Children’s Fiction and shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. When Peggy saves a stray dog from near-death, a beautiful friendship begins. Peggy and Beau are inseparable: the only thing that can ever come between them is war. Peggy is evacuated to the safety of the coast, but Beau is left behind in the city, where he becomes the most extraordinary and unlikely of war heroes. Night after night, as bombs rain down and communities are destroyed, Beau searches the streets, saving countless families. But then disaster strikes, changing Peggy’s life forever. With her parents killed, both she and Beau are left alone, hundreds of miles apart. But Beau has a plan to reunite them at long last . . .

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.

"This fast-moving historical fantasy by bestselling author Anne McCaffrey traces the beginnings of the British cavalry, as recounted by a boy growing up in exciting and perilous times.
After his father's death, young Galwyn Varianus is apprenticed to his uncle, who puts the boy to work on the high seas. But horses, not ships, are Galwyn's passion. Luckily, a passenger aboard, Lord Artos (later to rule as the legendary King Arthur), is bound for the great horse fair at Septimania. Risking his life, Galwyn abandons his uncle to serve the gallant leader. Galywn's calming way with horses quickly impresses Lord Artos and his men. But what no one expects is how crucial Galwyn will be to their upcoming battles--as he masters the secrets of the iron shoes that will protect the exotic horses' delicate hooves. . . .