The MoundDuring the summer between fifth and sixth grade, Ethan Hinsdale and Gavin Porter wanted to build a treehouse in a tree on elevated ground. They didn't expect to find that their choice for a location turned out to be an ancient Native American Mound. Now, three years later, Ethan and his friend Rachel, are in search of a way to return a prize-winning sheep that has gone missing. They seek the advice of Chogan, an elderly Cherokee, who says to them, "I know all the Mounds......

In the mid-1990s, a group of passionate graduate students travels to the historic San Marco Convent in Florence, Italy, to study art history and assist in restoring the sacred Fra Angelico frescoes-revered by Pope John Paul II. What begins as a journey of faith and scholarship soon becomes a life-altering experience.Within the convent's hallowed walls, a Seminarian and a Felician Sister find themselves drawn into a forbidden yet deeply uplifting romance. Their story unfolds alongsi...

Synopsis: In the mid-1990s, on a path toward living a religious life, a group of graduate students travels to the San Marco Convent in Florence, Italy, to study art history and assist in the restoration of the Fra Angelico Frescos, sacred to Pope John Paul II. What happens at San Marco Convent will change their lives forever. A Seminarian and a Felician Sister fall in love, by way of an uplifting romance. A Girolamo Savonarola letter is found in an ancient box. A lost Leonardo da Vinci mur...

Two Stones is for a 36-page picture book for a young school reader that tells a small story about how a young girl feels when her parents argue. The WC is 1190, and there are 20 photo images and 10 universal symbolic images. I partnered with NYC Photographer Todd Weinstein for the photographic images. The young girl was selected because she could be perceived as a member of any race. (she is Caucasian, Latina, and Filipino)The illustrations are made using black and white Polaroid n...

Beyond is a rich collection of young-adult metaphysical short stories that cross cultures and span settings from North America to Europe. A metaphysical and religious motif binds the stories, which are set in times ranging from 1932-when swing dancing was the rage-to a recent science competition in modern-day New Mexico.These compelling tales explore emotional depth and personal transformation:- "Play" follows a girl navigating the emotional toll of domestic violen...

Dorf is all about skateboarding and so far that's worked out fine.But now that he's in a new city, the terrain has changed. He's no longer free to skateboard where he wishes, school is more difficult, and his passion for skateboarding garners him the nickname and reputation of a freak. With daring stunts he gains the grudging respect of local troublemakers, but he needs to tap into another kind of courage to effect real change.This short novel is a high-int...

Don't miss Selznick's other novels in words and pictures, The Invention of Hugo Cabret and The Marvels, which together with Wonderstruck, form an extraordinary thematic trilogy!In this groundbreaking tour de force, Caldecott Medalist and bookmaking pioneer Brian Selznick sails into uncharted territory and takes readers on an awe-inspiring journey. Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never...

Something is wrong in Lab 6—what are Sam’s parents hiding?Sam Hughes has always been too smart for his own good. It’s in his genes—both his parents are scientists who specialize in artificial intelligence—and sometimes it gets him into trouble. Sick of the bully who always steals his computer homework, Sam gives him a disk laced with a virus as a prank. To escape the bully’s wrath, Sam runs and hides in his parents’ lab.Inside, Sam hears a voice calling to ...

I never thought about being white. I didn't have to. I was transparent--no colour at all. I hung out, was a good enough student and no one paid any special attention to me at all. Then I became a white girl.Until she was fourteen, Josie was pretty ordinary. Then her Mom meets Martin, "a real ponytail Indian," and before long, Josie finds herself living on a reserve outside town, with a new stepfather, a new stepbrother, and a new name--"Blondie." In town, white was the ambient nois...

Harold Schernoff, 14-year-old science whiz and social nerd, has a theory for every problem, from dating, to bullies, to making money, to sports, to how to buy a car when you're underage. When he and his buddy team up to put his theories to the test, nothing goes according to plan. A ski lesson becomes: Mass x Acceleration x Slope of hill = eeeAAGGHHH. As for first dates, only Harold could mastermind such disaster. Only Harold could go fishing and get caught by the fish. And only Gary Pauls...

Jayla Jones is appearing in a beauty pageant, and Kendall and Jamie have come to watch. But soon things are turning up missing. One girl's baton is gone, and Jayla's music is missing!Can Kendall and Jamie help solve the case before the pageant is finished?See if you can solve this 15-minute mystery before the Brodericks do.Similar to the old Encyclopedia Brown series, kids get to test their wits and powers of observation against our detectives.Ages 8 and up.

Chill has always been different.But the way Chill deals with his disability and his art have given him the power to survive the horrors of high school. When a new teacher arrives, determined to crush his students' spirit, Chill decides to fight back and risk everything. A story of doing the right thing and standing up for yourself—and your friends.This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, w...