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.

North Carolina, 1863. As the American Civil War rages on, the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke Island is blossoming, a haven for the recently emancipated. Black folk have begun building a community of their own, a refuge from the shadow of the 'old life.' It is where the March family has finally been able to safely put down roots with four young daughters: Meg, a teacher who longs to find love and start a family of her own. Jo, a writer whose words are too powerful to be contained. Beth, a talented seamstress searching for a higher purpose. Amy, a dancer eager to explore life outside her family's home. As the four March sisters come into their own as independent young women, they will face first love, health struggles, heartbreak, and new horizons. But they will face it all together.

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

Codebreaker. Friend. Spy? A thrilling, nail-biting YA mystery with themes of friendship, loyalty, secrets, and a dash of romance. 'The appealing setting, nuanced and flawed heroines and engaging plot make this a gripping read' THE IRISH TIMES 'A tense and gripping period piece.' CHRIS SOUL 'Absolutely brilliant' FIONA SHARP, Waterstones Bookseller Wartime. Pearl and Ellen work at top-secret codebreaking HQ, Bletchley Park. Pearl is the youngest. A messenger at sixteen, she's untidy, lively, bright, and half in love with the wrong boy, Richard. Her circle of friends overlaps with his - the dashing young men on their motorcycles who courier the secrets that Bletchley deciphers. Ellen is a codebreaker. Reserved, analytical and beautiful. She never expected to get close to a girl like Pearl - or fall for a chap like Dennis. But when tragedy strikes, their logical world is upended, with both friends caught in a spy plot that rocks the very heart of the war effort. Who can they turn to now? Who can they trust? And above all, can they unmask the traitor in their midst before it's too late? Follows two young women, Pearl and Ellen, who are recruited to work at Bletchley Park during the Second World War Set in atmospheric 1940s England, The Secrets Act also explores serious historical themes Perfect for fans of Code Name Verity

Bestselling author Holly Webb revisits the much-loved classic A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is 1913, nine years after the end of A Little Princess saw Sara Crewe escape Miss Minchin's orphanage. Lottie, the smallest girl from the original story, learns about the Suffragette movement from Sara, who returns to visit from time to time. Soon Lottie finds herself sneaking out of the orphanage to attend a demonstration, in defiance of her cold, distant father. A father who has a secret to hide about her own missing mother... It's a story about lost mothers turning up in unexpected situations, the power of friendship and female empowerment. Revisit beloved characters and meet some new ones in this retelling of the classic story, A Little Princess. The original book by Frances Hodgson Burnett is one of the most loved children's classics of all time. Holly Webb has previously published a sequel to the classic novel The Secret Garden called Return to the Secret Garden.

A wonderfully murky, carnivalesque world of intrigue, unexpected friendships and mysteries solved. Sheba the wolf girl joins an unusual troupe of performers that includes Pyewacket, a witch's imp; Gigantus the giant and Sister Moon, a knife thrower. For the first time in her life she feels she might make true friends, and learn a real stage craft. But soon that's not all she has to think about . . . Children are being sucked into the Thames and there have been strange sightings of a mechanical monster. The carnival troupe know first-hand that looks only tell half a story - they become determined to find these forgotten children. Perhaps they will unravel the mystery that has defied even the law! Illustrated with black and white artwork from superstar illustrator, Sam Usher, and the first in a brand new series! 'Thrilling, original, full of zest and wit.' The London Times 'An atmospheric and exciting read.' BookTrust 'A page-turning adventure.' The Daily Mirror

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."

From the author of the bestselling THE GIRL OF INK & STARS comes a moving, enthralling and heartbreaking tale of finding your way home ... WINNER OF THE HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION YOUNG QUILLS AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA BOOK AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARD 'The Island at the End of Everything is such a fiercely kind and generous book, and so finely-wrought and so full of light ... brilliant.' KATHERINE RUNDELL 'Kiran Millwood Hargrave is the new big gun in children's fiction ... This is an enchanting book by a writer who fully deserves the fuss that's being made of her.' TELEGRAPH 'A lyrical, magical book' METRO 'An instant classic' BOOKTRUST Amihan lives on Culion Island, where some of the inhabitants - including her mother - have leprosy. Ami loves her home - with its blue seas and lush forests, Culion is all she has ever known. But the arrival of malicious government official Mr Zamora changes her world forever: islanders untouched by sickness are forced to leave. Banished across the sea, she's desperate to return, and finds a strange and fragile hope in a colony of butterflies. Can they lead her home before it's too late? The fourth children's novel by Times number one bestselling author Kiran Millwood Hargrave, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year From the author of A Secret of Birds & Bone, The Way Past Winter, Julia and the Shark and The Mercies - chosen for the Richard & Judy Book Club An irresistibly poetic, bittersweet and heartbreaking tale of a girl finding her way back to her mother MORE PRAISE FOR THE ISLAND AT THE END OF EVERYTHING: 'A gripping adventure' GUARDIAN 'A beautiful, haunting tale of leprosy, lepidoptery and loyalty' FRANCES HARDINGE 'Exquisite' EMMA CARROLL 'Truly a stunning book' PETER BUNZL 'A breathtaking read' SALLY GARDNER