Jeff Greene was only seven when Melody, his mother, left him with his reserved, undemonstrative father, the Professor. So when she reenters his life years later with an invitation to spend the summer with her in Charleston, Jeff is captivated by her free spirit and warmth, and he eagerly looks forward to returning for another visit the following year. But Jeff's second summer in Charleston ends with a devastating betrayal, and he returns to his father wounded almost beyond bearing. But out of Jeff's pain grows a deepening awareness of the unexpected and complicated ways of love and loss and of family and friendship -- and the strength to understand his father, his mother, and especially himself. Jeff's mother, who deserted the family years before, reenters his life and widens the gap between Jeff and his father, a gap that only truth, love, and friendship can heal.
The history of America at sea is presented through the travelsof Seabird, a carved ivory gull.
Newbery Honor book AFTERNOON OF THE ELVES is now back in paperback with bonus After Words content Sara-Kate is known as the meanest girl in school. Her clothes don't match and her hair's a mess, and she's always stomping around in ugly, giant work boots. But Hillary isn't so sure she believes the rumors about her neighbor. If Sara-Kate is as awful as everyone says, how could she take such good care of the elf village in her backyard? Hillary and Sara-Kate spend entire afternoons fixing the tiny stick houses and miniature Ferris wheel for the elves. But the more time Hillary spends with Sara-Kate, the more mysteries there seem to be. How come they never go inside Sara-Kate's house? And why hasn't Hillary ever seen Sara-Kate's mom? Janet Taylor Lisle's captivating Newbery Honor book explores the magic and mystery of friendship between even the most unlikely of friends.
When Marty Preston comes across a young beagle in the hillsbehind his home, it's love at first sight -- and also big trouble.It turns out the dog, which Marty names Shiloh, belongs to JuddTravers, who drinks too much and has a gun -- and abuses his dogs.So when Shiloh runs away from Judd to Marty, Marty just has to hidehim and protect him from Judd. But Marty's secret becomes too bigfor him to keep to himself, and it exposes his entire family toJudd's anger. How far will Marty have to go to make Shiloh his?
