Before Salim Ali was a world-famous ornithologist, he was a boy curious about the mysteries around him. Especially the mysteries of birds.

Before Bachendri Pal became the first Indian woman to climb Mt Everest, she was a little girl with dreams as big as the sky.

When she turned thirteen years old, Anne received a gift that would change her life: a personal diary. In it, she expressed her desires, fears and hopes while living in confinement with her family during World War II. After the war, despite her early death, her diary became a shocking testimony about the persecution of Jewish people, and an invaluable contribution to the fight for human rights.

Growing up in communist Romania in the 1980s to atheist parents, Balazs never even heard Christianity spoken about. However, this was not the end of his story. Qualified for Heaven tracks his journey to Christ from meeting some Christian girls in school to wrestling with his need for cleansing and forgiveness. Written for youths, but encouraging to all!

Who are the people that inspired Bear Grylls to become one of the world's toughest adventurers? From famous explorers whose never-say-die attitude led them to achieve astonishing feats, to everyday people unexpectedly caught up in life-threatening situations, True Grit is a collection of some of the toughest feats of survival ever accomplished. Learn what it takes to make it through alive in some of the planet's most dangerous locations from these exciting tales of death-defying resilience. Abridged for younger readers.

In his History of Early Rome, the ancient historian Livy tells the story of a Roman girl named Cloelia who was taken prisoner by Larth Porsena, the king of the Etruscans. Cloelia came up with a daring plan of escape from her Etruscan captors and in the process won the admiration of all Rome and of the Etruscan king himself, who freed her. For saving her city, a grateful Rome set up a statue in her honor, the first such ever to be put on the Sacred Way. Jane Louise Curry tells this exciting and true story in Brave Cloelia, beautifully illustrated by Jeff Crosby. Jane Louise Curry is the author of many books for young people, most recently Hold Up the Sky and Other Indian Tales of Texas and the Southwest and The Egyptian Box. Brave Cloelia is his sixth children's book.

1814: Mary Godwin, the 16-year-old daughter of radical socialist and feminist writers, runs away with a dangerously charming young poet—Percy Bysshe Shelley. From there, the two young lovers travel a Europe in the throes of revolutionary change, through high and low society, tragedy and passion, where they will be drawn into the orbit of the mad and bad Lord Byron. But Mary and Percy are not alone: they bring Jane, Mary's young step-sister. And she knows the biggest secrets of them all . . . Told from Mary and Jane's perspectives, Monsters is a novel about radical ideas, rule-breaking love, dangerous Romantics, and the creation of the greatest Gothic novel of them all: Frankenstein.

Leon "Locksmith" Rolle is one-quarter of the phenomenally successful band Rudimental. In this book, he shares his aspirational story. With chapters on mindset, self-belief and confidence, Leon encourages you to find balance and happiness, no matter what life throws at you. Leon grew up in Hackney, where he played semi-professional football and went on to form Rudimental with three childhood friends. He says: "Things weren't always easy for me growing up, and I made a lot of mistakes. But I don't regret any of it, because everything that's happened has made me Locksmith, and that makes me proud. I want you to be proud of yourself too. You have the power to be great, and successes, mistakes and failures are all just a part of life. It's the journey that counts, because that's what makes you who you are." Let Leon's story inspire you to embrace life and fulfil your incredible potential.

Learn how the top football stars of all time grew up and conquered the sport. This guide follows fourteen of the best men's and women's players from their first childhood encounter with association football - whether at the school gym or a pickup game in a vacant lot - to their first appearance in a top-division match or their first international cap. For every one of them, it was a journey with its share of both tragedy and triumph. Did you know that . . . . . . as a boy, Pele practiced with a newspaper-stuffed sock or a grapefruit, because he couldn't afford a proper football?. . . Mia Hamm discovered the sport of football as a toddler in Florence, Italy, where her father, a U.S. Air Force pilot, was stationed? . . . at age ten, Messi was diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency that threatened to end his football career - until Barca offered to pay for his treatment? Illustrated with rare photos of stars-to-be on and off the field, Before They Were Stars is sure to entertain and inspire any budding soccer legend. Fans can learn more about their favourite players with other World Soccer Legends series books, such as Stars of Women's Soccer: 2nd Edition, Stars of World Soccer, Neymar, Messi, and Alex Morgan.

Plowing a potato field in 1920, a 14-year-old farm boy from Idaho saw in the parallel rows of overturned earth a way to 'make pictures fly through the air.' This boy was not a magician; he was a scientific genius and just 8 years later he made his brainstorm in the potato field a reality by transmitting the world's first television image.

In this endearing picture book series about dogs with jobs, you'll join real-life therapy dog Willow as she aids her community and brings smiles to people everywhere. Good dog, Willow!

Sometimes it takes a dog to get the job done! Meet helping hound Willow and follow her as she spends an exciting day at work. Gorgeous photography brings to life the true stories of sweet Willow's role as a therapy dog in Washington, D.C. Simple, lyrical text lets readers journey along as Willow visits patients at a hospital, helps children read at a library pajama party, and brings smiles to people who need them. Young readers will fall for this witty and daring tale of heroism, along with aww-worthy photographs sure to make dog lovers out of us all.

Jordan, 1970. After a summer spent with her family, fifteen-year-old Anna is travelling back to her English boarding school alone. But her plane never makes it home. Anna's flight is hijacked by Palestinian guerrillas. They land the plane in the Jordanian desert, switch off the engines and issue their demands. If these are not met within three days, they will blow up the plane, killing all the hostages. The heat on board becomes unbearable; food and water supplies dwindle. Anna begins to face the possibility she may never see her family again. Time is running out . . . Based on true events, this is a story about ordinary people facing agonizing horror, of courage and resilience.

Winner of the 2012 Batchelder Award Based on a real series of events that happened during World War II, Soldier Bear tells the story of an orphaned bear cub adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. The soldiers raise the bear and eventually enlist him as a soldier to ensure that he stays with the company. He travels with them from Iran to Italy, and then on to Scotland. Voytek's mischief gets him into trouble along with way, but he also provides some unexpected encouragement for the soldiers amidst the reality of war: Voytek learns to carry bombs for the company, saves the camp from a spy, and keeps them constantly entertained with his antics.Always powerful and surprising, Bibi Dumon Tak's story offers readers a glimpse at this fascinating piece of history.

Raised in a desperately poor village during the height of China's Cultural Revolution, Li Cunxin's childhood revolved around the commune, his family and Chairman Mao's Little Red Book. Until, that is, Madame Mao's cultural delegates came in search of young peasants to study ballet at the academy in Beijing and he was thrust into a completely unfamiliar world. When a trip to Texas as part of a rare cultural exchange opened his eyes to life and love beyond China's borders, he defected to the United States in an extraordinary and dramatic tale of Cold War intrigue. Told in his own distinctive voice, this is Li's inspirational story of how he came to be Mao's last dancer, and one of the world's greatest ballet dancers.

Elon Musk is definitely one to watch - he's a multi-billionaire, mega-brain entrepreneur who's building the world's biggest space rocket and some awesome electric cars too. And those are just a couple of Mr Musk's many projects. Find out what drove him to shovel gloop, how parties helped fund his college years and why he wants to move millions of people to Mars. Get to know Elon on first name terms! Before every great person made their wonderful achievements, they were just like you and me. First Names is a series of fun, lively and highly illustrated biographies that introduces some truly amazing individuals who lived incredible lives, to an audience of young readers.

This pack contains a book and an audio CD. Porter has been touring her stories about victims and bullies for over seven years. These stories are first person accounts by both victims and bullies. The victims try to change the situation and usually, but not always, succeed. The stories are descriptive narratives of what happens to real people. They are based on Porter's observations, countless interviews, personal experience, and imagination. The book explores the idea that victims and bullies are two sides of the same coin and that the healing of both lies in dealing with this paradox. There is not a lot of real violence in these stories; there is some, and much of it is implied in threats, taunts, gossip, e-mails, gestures, and language. Most of the bullying is teasing and it is always designed to torment and ridicule. "The Bully and Me" also refers to biblical and folk tales in the comments showing how bullying is not a new problem. This is not a self-help book; it is about listening to and thinking about the stories of bullying that happen everyday in our homes, our schools, and our communities.

_______________ 'A very touching and honest story ... Rico and Nick make a great team!' - Jacqueline Wilson _______________ An empowering adoption story by eleven-year-old Premier League Young Writer of the Year Rico Hinson-King, illustrated by the award-winning Nick Sharratt There is a kid. Let's call him Charlie. On the outside he looks like every other football-mad boy of his age. But he isn't ... A story of hope and resilience, this gentle, inspiring picture book tells the tale of Charlie, a little boy who was taken into care when he was very small. Charlie dreams of finding his forever home to share with his sisters. Sometimes he feels scared. Sometimes he wants to scream and cry (and he does, just a little). But he is strong. He is tough. Strong and Tough is by the amazingly talented ten-year-old Rico Hinson-King. Rico, like Charlie, found strength and resilience along the journey to find his forever family (and played lots of football along the way!). Rico is a Junior Premier League footballer with a knack for words too, who wrote his story so that other children going through similar circumstances can feel less alone, and to encourage empathy in others. His moving and powerful words are paired with warm, friendly illustrations by the award-winning Nick Sharratt, who famously illustrated many of Jacqueline Wilson's books including the Tracy Beaker series.

Scarlett Johansson captivated audiences as Marvel's Black Widow. With compelling images, fun facts, and an Inside Hollywood special feature, this book provides an engaging overview of Johansson's life, acting career, and experience playing Black Widow.

Brie Larson captivated audiences as Marvel's Captain Marvel. With compelling images, fun facts, and an Inside Hollywood special feature, this book provides an engaging overview of Larson's life, acting career, and experience playing Captain Marvel.

'Significantly more engaging and inspiring than the rival Rebel Girls' GUARDIAN 'It's hard to imagine any group of primary-aged children who wouldn't be inspired' BOOKSELLER 'An absolute must-have for every young person's bookshelf' HUFFINGTON POST The eagerly anticipated follow up to Kate Pankhurst's hugely successful Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, number one best-selling children's non-fiction title. Kate Pankhurst, descendent of suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, has created a wildly wonderful and accessible book about the accomplishments and adventures of many more brilliant women from throughout history. * Travel through the Underground Railroad with the brave and courageous Harriet Tubman * Turn the pages of the hauntingly brilliant Frankenstein with the incredibly talented Mary Shelley * Blast into space with astronaut Valentina Tereshkova * Become a mighty Egyptian pharaoh with the powerful Hatshepsut Overflowing with vibrant and beautiful illustrations, and wonderfully engaging text, Fantastically Great Women Who Made History is a celebration of just some of the inspirational women who put their mark on the world we live in. A fantastic gift for girls and boys alike! List of women featured: Elizabeth Blackwell, Qiu Jin, Boudicca, Flora Drummond, Pocahontas, Noor Inayat Khan, Harriet Tubman, Valentina Tereshkova, Ada Lovelace, Sayyida al-Hurra, Hatshepsut, Josephine Baker, Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley

Describes the travels and adventures of Arctic and Antarctic explorers throughout history, from Eric the Red in 981 or 982 to Gretel Ehrlich in 2000.