In the summer of 1879, the young writer Robert Louis Stevenson received a telegram from America. Fanny, a dear friend in California, was ill. Stevenson packed his bags and left his home in Scotland. When the steamer reached the east coast of America, his journey had just begun. Stevenson had little money, so he traveled across America the cheapest way: he went by train. The trip from New York to Monterey, California, would take two exciting weeks. As the train chugged up mountains, through Indian territory, and over trestle bridges, Stevenson recorded his impressions of the rough, vast country and the people he met. Jim Murphy weaves a lively account of Stevenson's journey with fascinating glimpses of the construction of the transcontinental railroad. It is a vivid introduction to one of the most important chapters in the history of the American West. Richard M. Davidson's compelling narration makes the personal journey and the historical information truly accessible to young listeners.
Southern Illinois is a place of mixed emotions as the American Civil War erupts. For the Creightons, the war lures two sons to the Union army and one to the Confederacy, leaving 10-year-old Jethro to care for the family farm.
As the war rages, Jethro does whatever he can to learn about the fates of his brothers, while the Creighton family faces its own danger. Some townspeople can't forgive the Creightons for having a rebel son-and they're willing to use violence to make their feelings known.
In a state torn by conflicting loyalties, Jethro is forced to grow up quickly to preserve his family and their home. Across Five Aprils is a powerful classic from Newbery Medal-winning author Irene Hunt.
Tom Stechschulte's homespun narration brings out the spirit and courage of a boy who shoulders a tremendous load--and becomes a young man in the process.
Author Irene Hunt, who won the Newbery Medal for her novel Up a Road Slowly, went to live at her grandfather’s farm in Illinois after her father’s death in 1914. Her grandfather’s stories of his boyhood during the Civil War became the basis for this compelling novel, Across Five Aprils. Although young Jethro Creighton never witnessed a battle, his life on the family farm in southern Illinois was shattered by the Civil War. He was nine years old in 1861 and over the next five years, he would learn that war deeply affects lives well beyond its gruesome battlefields. Join with narrator Terry Bregy as he brings to life one boy’s story—how Jethro grows from a sensitive, carefree child to a man before his time, learning to face each day with courage and finally, hope.
“Outstanding”--AudioFile
Adam and Thomas is the story of two nine-year-old Jewish boys who survive World War II by banding together in the forest. They are alone, visited only furtively every few days by Mina, a mercurial girl who herself has found refuge from the war by living with a peasant family. She makes secret journeys and brings the boys parcels of food at her own risk.
Adam and Thomas must learn to survive and do. They forage and build a small tree house, although it's more like a bird's nest. Adam's family dog, Miro, manages to find his way to him, to the joy of both boys. Miro brings the warmth of home with him. Echoes of the war are felt in the forest. The boys meet fugitives fleeing for their lives and try to help them. They learn to disappear in moments of danger. And they barely survive winter's harshest weather, but when things seem to be at their worst, a miracle happens.
Newbery Award Winner
Eleven-year-old Adam loved to travel throughout thirteenth century England with his father, a wandering minstrel, and his dog, Nick. But when Nick is stolen and his father disappears, Adam suddenly finds himself alone. He searches the same roads he traveled with his father, meeting various people along the way. But will Adam ever find his father and dog and end his desperate search?
The Goonies meets Indiana Jones in Addison's second laugh-out-loud adventure! A journey through Asia in pursuit of the legendary tomb of Genghis Khan.
Fresh off of a victorious treasure hunt and rescue mission in South America, Addison Cooke just can't seem to steer clear of rogue bandits, pesky booby traps, and secret treasure troves. But it sure beats sitting around in school all day.
Addison's aunt and uncle, on the other hand, are none too happy about their habit of attracting kidnappers. When they become pawns in a dangerous gang's plan to steal the most prized possession of the notorious Mongolian leader Genghis Khan, Addison and his friends find themselves once again caught in the middle of a multi-million-dollar international heist. Armed with nothing but their wits and thirst for adventure, they travel across Asia in an attempt to rescue Addison's family and stop the treasure from falling into the wrong hands.
Brimming with round-the-clock action and tons of laughter, Addison Cooke and the Tomb of the Khan is perfect for fans of Indiana Jones, ancient history, and James Patterson's Treasure Hunters series.
Praise for Addison Cooke and the Tomb of the Khan:
"Addison Cooke is Indiana Jones and James Bond rolled intoone for the middle-grades set. Stokes' witty second adventure only improves upon the first, giving greattheatrical drama to this rollicking ride."--Booklist
Praise for Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas:
"Combines the derring-do of Indiana Jones with a genuine archaeological mystery. Stokes brings a cinematic scope to the story. This lively debut promises more seat-of-the-pants thrillsfor readers who love adventure."--Booklist
"Cinematic pacing and action drive the story, but it's Addison and his friends who will keep readers engaged. Humor is never in short supply . . . and Addison's endless optimism and irrepressible confidence in his own abilities are endearing."--School Library Journal
"Addison is often one step ahead of the adults, but his lead is constantly threatened, building steady tension throughout the novel, screenwriter Stokes's debut."--Publishers Weekly
The Goonies meets Indiana Jones and James Patterson's Treasure Hunters in this funny, action-filled adventure series!
Twelve-year-old Addison Cooke just wishes something exciting would happen to him. His aunt and uncle, both world-famous researchers, travel to the ends of the earth searching for hidden treasure, dodging dangerous robbers along the way, while Addison is stuck in school all day.
Luckily for Addison, adventure has a way of finding the Cookes. After his uncle unearths the first ancient Incan clue needed to find a vast trove of lost treasure, he is kidnapped by members of a shadowy organization intent on stealing the riches. Addison’s uncle is the bandits’ key to deciphering the ancient clues and looting the treasure . . . unless Addison and his friends can outsmart the kidnappers and crack the code first. So it’s off to South America, where the excitement, danger, gold, booby traps, and car chases are never-ending!
Full of laugh-out-loud moments and nonstop action, and perfect for fans of Indiana Jones or James Patterson’s Treasure Hunters series, Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas is sure to strike gold with kid readers.
Praise for Addison Cooke and the Treasure of the Incas
"Combines the derring-do of Indiana Jones with a genuine archaeological mystery. Stokes brings a cinematic scope to the story. This lively debut promises more seat-of-the-pants thrillsfor readers who love adventure."--Booklist
"Cinematic pacing and action drive the story, but it’s Addison and his friends who will keep readers engaged. Humor is never in short supply . . . and Addison’s endless optimism and irrepressible confidence in his own abilities are endearing. A solid start to a new series, with a conclusion that will leave readers hoping Addison and company return soon for another adventure."--School Library Journal
"Addison is often one step ahead of the adults, but his lead is constantly threatened, building steady tension throughout the novel, screenwriter Stokes’s debut."--Publishers Weekly
Three action stories for kids.
Story One: This is what the king's messenger told him. Corbin was a rebel, he was someone who wouldn't bow to the oppressive rules the dictator imposed upon his village. And because of that, he was banished. He was forgotten, but little did they realize that he would return. Hear about betrayal, revolution, and a sincere desire to liberate the people from tyranny in this book about a true warrior.
Story Two: One castle, two sides, the one white and the other black...the one gloomy and the other radiating light, each to their divorced parents' preference. In this story of two knights, Radius and Exdobor have always stuck together. They accept each other's' differences, but become suspicious when a scheming servant traps their pride with an anonymous object. The end result is a big battle and a ferocious fight between the siblings. Find out what else happens in this exciting book about two knights.
Story Three: Valentina the witch is a little dyslexic, which is why she has a hard time getting that one potion right. But when her book is snatched away by a jealous teacher, one who envies her beauty, she is determined to do something about it. Enjoy this short story about pearls, dragons, potions, beauty, enmity, and friendship. Find out what Valentina has to do to strengthen the bond between her and someone in need.
Three incredible stories for kids.
Story 1: Noob is awkward; he is weird. Everybody has always known it, but few have sympathized with his alternative brain. Even after fighting and killing a dangerous sea creature, he doesn’t get acknowledged by the crowd. But will they finally see his potential after he proves himself to be a skillful competitor as a businessperson? Will he turn his life around with his active mind-set? Learn more and read about Noob, a genius in disguise.
Story 2: Speter is a spider who hates the rain, but in the tropical climate you have to create a good web in order for it to be durable. Salem is a little confused when his web breaks. Should he go hunting without webs? Should he attack the humans? Or should he just join a group of spiders? Find out what this spider decides after being confronted with a robot, an aggressive villager, and a fellow spider who shows him the way.
Story 3: Borco and his family are in the middle of a conflict. The town of Mendy Mountain is a strange one, divided by rocks, held together by huge bridges. But when one of the corrupt magistrates finds a way to summon evil ghasts and shoot fireballs at the other civilians, revolution is bound to happen, and the brave citizens of Mendy Mountain are ready to strike back. Listen to this exciting, action-packed adventure of a real hero whose only objective is to restore the peace.
Story 1: The two brothers, Rannus and Alvus, find themselves in a maze with stony walls. Man-eating plants, explosive monsters, and other dangers haunt them, but they do not give up and make it to the palace. At the palace, however, their troubles are not over, because another evil awaits them...the very reason why they ended up in that maze in the first place.
Story 2: Two towns are competing, even with their different economies, but one of them takes the lead and forbids the other to produce a certain super substance that boosts the animals’ intelligence and strength. Will Jasper discover the big, dark secret of what is really going on? And will he defeat whoever is behind this?
Story 3: Barthor has trained for this day all his life: The day the tournament begins. The tournament consists of jousting, sword fighting, swimming, and archery. He stands a chance, because he is one of the best. But there is another character with a strong desire to win as well: Malofact, a man who holds nothing back and cheats his way through the matches. Will Barthor still be able to win, despite his cheating opponent? Start listening and find out!
A couple in danger, a quest for vengeance and protection.
When Vicente and Bethany get married, everything seems peachy. Vicente continues his job as a cobbler, and the villagers accept Bethany into their circles. But suddenly, a fire monster attacks their town and burns down their house. Desperate for protection and a little bit for revenge, the two decide to go against the popular opinion and set out on a quest to kill the blaze once and for all.
Find out more about their adventures by hearing this dramatic, thrilling story.
