Bathsheba, the sassy, clever cat who always accompanies Miss Switch everyplace she goes (Miss Switch being the witch who also doubles as an enormously popular fifth-and sixth-grade teacher at Pepperdine Elementary School) now goes on an adventure of her own. In "MISS SWITCH AND THE VILE VILLAINS" Bathsheba sees that the Cowardly Lion in the land of Oz is almost in tears over the loss of his best friend, the Hungry Tiger. Can Bathsheba do something about this? On her own? It would mean flying a broomstick. "ALONE " Has any cat in the world flown a broomstick alone? Can she actually do it?

Written in diary form, this Cinderella-themed tale is expertly woven by the master award-winning authoress, Barbara Brooks Wallace. Anderson "Andy" Lillibeth Wardell makes 25 entries in her diary, spanning 8 long months, taking place in China and the United States. It is a most unsettling and trying time for the 10-year-old, whose been nicknamed Shao Gwai (Little Devil) by her servants Andy confides in us that she wishes her newborn baby brother be whisked off to an orphanage in China, where he would only visit her to deliver presents from time-to-time. But Andy discovers you must be very careful what you wish for when her baby brother goes away forever -- taking Mummy with him. Her tribulations ratchet up whilst in the U.S., when her Daddy marries a widow with twin daughters, both of whom befriend a stuck-up girl Andy thinks stole her best friend, Donald. It all reaches a fever pitch when an older Chinese girl at school confides in Andy, entrusting her with a secret that is almost more than she can bear to know. The diary culminates with a showdown between Donald and Andy during Christmastime, under a mistletoe. Andy's adventures have ended -- but it may be the start of a whole new diary

Newly orphaned Jenny travels from China to live with a grandfather she has never met only to be condemned to a dark cellar room and a cruel servant's life. Why?

"Guaranteed chills and thrills," says "Horn Book" of "Ghosts in the Gallery," nominated by "Mystery Writers of America" for its EDGAR Award.

"Descriptions draw the reader a picture of time and place and atmosphere that is nearly perfect. Sure to be a hit," says "School Library Journal."

"Washington Parent" calls this book a "real page turner."

Colin Trevelyan, newly orphaned heir to his parents' fortune, is kidnapped in the night from his ancestral home and taken to the grim Broggin Home for Boys, where he is underfed, overworked, and destined for a short life in a deadly glass factory.

This story "immediately hooks readers, who will gobble up this satisfying fare," says "School Library Journal."

"Fully realized Victorian melodrama that would make Dickens proud," says "The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books."

A "Junior Literary Guild" selection and winner of the "Mystery Writers of America" EDGAR Award.

"How," Amelia wonders, "could four short months have such a wonderful beginning and such a grim and terrible ending?" Why must she now find herself riding to the docks of London en route to a strange new life in America, seated beside the stone-faced, bloodless, tight-lipped woman in the grim black hat? "The plot twists and turns at an alarming rate in the is story of dastardly crimes and firm friendships, and that's exactly what makes it so much fun." says "Booklist" in its starred review. "A Junior Library Guild" book, and "Mystery Writers of America EDGAR nominee."

Perfecta Jones is hemmed in by boring houses that to her are no more exciting than shoes boxes. She must obey ridiculous rules of the owner, Mr. Droopert P. Snoot, who has no use for children. On one magical night, Perfecta enters the house across the street, the only one "not" owned by Mr. Snoot. What happens to her there is an adventure that will change her life

"Characters reminiscent of Roald Dahl"-"ALA Booklist"

"Sets up nasty, convention-bound adults against the free-wheeling imagination of childhood to a surprisingly moving ending."-"Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"

."The mystery has plenty of snakes and twists as well as characters that step right off the pages."-"A Booklist Editor's Choice Book" "With a fine hand for Gothic embroidery and a nifty surprise conclusion that ties up all the loose ends, Wallace has delivered another very satisfying read."-"School Library Journal" Winner of the "Mystery Writers of America EDGAR AWARD"

This is a story about furkens, descendants of a branch of genus elf, who have lost their elfin powers of being able to vanish and now hide fearfully in human houses. They are sadly often mistaken for mice, although don't smell like mice. They smell like warm apricot jam!

They are "endearing, fully developed creatures," says Horn Book.

ALA Booklist adds, "A tale that will have readers clamoring for a sequel."

Emily Luccock thought the worst was behind her; she had survived the horrors of Sugar Hill Hall and been reunited with her beloved Aunt and Uncle Twice. Now she is devastated to be left at Mrs. Spilking's Select Academy while her aunt and uncle sail for India. But nothing can top Emily's misery once she spies the dreary school, icy Mrs. Spilking, and, once again, a bowl of tantalizing yet forbidden peppermints
Emily tries to keep her spirits up while counting the days until she can rejoin Aunt and Uncle Twice. But she soon realizes her aunt and uncle have all but forgotten her, and, worse, Mrs. Spilking's behavior grows increasingly cruel -- and suspicious. Can Emily discover what's going on at the dreadful school before her future is destroyed forever?

"Bad things always happen in threes!" If a very old person like Grandmama says it, is it not true? This is the very normal, understandable worry eight-year-old Julia has when she has knocked a burning hot iron into her little sister's hand. The first bad thing! And surely two more must follow, if Grandmama says so. What will they be? When will they happen? This is an enormous worry, indeed! Although this gentle story about a family with three little girls takes place in Russia at the turn of the twentieth century, it has universal appeal, as both family life, and eight-year-old Julia's fears and concerns are all so true and believable. Perhaps this is because they are true, inspired by the real-life experiences of the author's mother.

In a grim tenement district of New York City, before the turn of the century, young Robin decides to take his baby brother, Danny, and escape from his brutal stepfather. Surviving on the street is no easy feat, until he discovers a place called St. Something, and joins up with the tough but loyal street boys who make St. Something their home.

Robin knows he cannot hide forever -- but what he does not know is how many untold secrets lie before him, and how the answers lie with the most unlikely person....