Ricky's an eighth grader with an amazing menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, rats, squirrels, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, grouse, groundhogs, iguanas, budgies, and a three-foot-long alligator called Ollie. It's no wonder, then, that he's a big fan of his science teacher, Mr. Johnston, who has even more animals in his classroom, including Bogart, a pet boa constrictor. When vandals wreck Mr. Johnston's classroom, leading to Bogart's death, Ricky and his best friend Augie decide that it's up to them to put things right. Their plan is to surprise Mr. Johnston with a new snake with the financial help of every kid in the school. But keeping the plan a secret isn't easy when you're dealing with a six-foot boa! Ricky is a thoroughly engaging contemporary novel that will have particular resonance with boys. Walters looks at some pretty serious issues--including how to cope with the death of a parent, the nature of friendship, learning disabilities, and teen violence--but, as always, he has a light, quirky touch and a strong sense of plot. In an afterword, Walters explains his part in his latest fiction, which will delight readers interested in what inspires their favourite writers. (Ages 8 to 12) --Jeffrey Canton

    Be able to follow the Hostettler family’s mysterious struggle against an unseen enemy from start to finish. Along the way, watch as love triumphs out of tragedy for the three Hostettler sisters, and see how God keeps His hand on the Ohio Amish family through it all.

    In this new book Hawking takes us to the cutting edge of theoretical physics, where truth is often stranger than fiction, to explain in laymen's terms the principles that control our universe. Like many in the community of theoretical physicists, Professor Hawking is seeking to uncover the grail of science - the elusive Theory of Everything that lies at the heart of the cosmos. In his accessible and often playful style, he guides us on his search to uncover the secrets of the universe - from supergravity to supersymmetry, from quantum theory to M-theory, from holography to duality. He takes us to the wild frontiers of science, where superstring theory and p-branes may hold the final clue to the puzzle. And he lets us behind the scenes of one of his most exciting intellectual adventures as he seeks "to combine Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and Richard Feynman's idea of multiple histories into one complete unified theory that will describe everything that happens in the universe." With characteristic exuberance, Professor Hawking invites us to be fellow travelers on this extraordinary voyage through space-time. Copious four-color illustrations help clarify this journey into a surreal wonderland where particles, sheets, and strings move in eleven dimensions; where black holes evaporate and disappear, taking their secret with them; and where the original cosmic seed from which our own universe sprang was a tiny nut. The Universe in a Nutshell is essential reading for all of us who want to understand the universe in which we live. Like its companion volume, A Brief History of Time, it conveys the excitement felt within the scientific community as the secrets of the cosmos reveal themselves.

    Tessa was no saint, and the rich shed crocodile tears for the departed philanthropist. Now the question Molly needs to answer isn’t who wanted Tessa dead, but who killed her—and why.Hot SchemesWhen Michael O’Hara’s favorite uncle’s boat floats into the Miami docks wired to explode, Molly DeWitt is horrified when Michael leaps aboard and speeds away from the gawking crowd. Singed by his narrow escape, Michael is burning to discover the truth. Is Uncle Miguel dead? Molly and Michael search for clues, but find themselves point-blank in the crosshairs of terror...

    Acclaimed, New York Times bestselling author Tom Angleberger delivers a captivating retelling of Star Wars: Return of the Jedi like you've never experienced before, infusing the iconic, classic tale of good versus evil with a unique perspective and narrative style that will speak directly to today's young readers while enhancing the Star Wars experience for core fans of the saga.

    

    Together, the cookbooks contain over 550 of Paula’s classic, down home, Southern recipes and this boxed set makes a tempting addition to any cookbook collection, and a great gift for friends!

    told for the first time in its entirety by NYT bestselling Star Wars author Ryder Windham.The full story of Anakin Skywalker, from his birth in slavery to his death as the powerful Darth Vader ... told for the first time in its entirety by NYT bestselling Star Wars author Ryder Windham. Spanning all six Star Wars movie and including the pieces of the story that fill in the gaps, this novel will be a must-have for any Star Wars fan.

    Two complete unabridged novels in one volume: HIDEAWAY, tells of an accident victim being miraculously resuscitated, and THE VISION is the story of a clairvoyant who can foresee murders but cannot prevent them taking place.

    The Dandy's back again for another bumper feast of comic fun! Catch up with Desperate Dan, Winker Watson, Corporal Clott, Keyhole Kate, The Jocks and the Geordies and more! Loved by the young and the young-at-heart alike, The Dandy Annual is a book for the whole family to enjoy!

    

    Granted, everyone she knows (and has birthed) is on the furry side, but so what? Weird is wonderful, especially in this wacky little place she calls home. But when a young man shows up on her doorstep claiming to be her long lost brother, his presence provokes a psychic walk down memory lane, challenging Sunny's ideas about herself and her future. Throw in exploding turkeys, time-traveling visions, and a twenty-year-old mystery… and you have a Thanksgiving that’s gonna be downright Peculiar. Peculiar Mysteries series from USA Today bestselling author Renee George are laugh-out-loud, grip the edge of your seat, and swoon as you fall in love tales of mystery, humor, and romance that take place in the small (fictional, not the actual) Ozark shifter town of Peculiar, Missouri.

    In fact, sometimes he gets teased for it. When Dad shows Jimmy how not to be afraid to try something new, that’s when the fun begins. Pick up your copy of this wonderful bedtime story today!

    This book contains the complete novels of Jane Austen.- Lady Susan- Sense and Sensibility- Pride and Prejudice- Mansfield Park- Emma- Persuasion- Northanger Abbey- Love And Friendship And Other Early Works

    But the truth is that they are merely poor serfs -- underlings to the ogres, ghouls, and sorcerers who wield power.Once upon a time, the trolls were great warriors, respected throughout the land. But then they were enslaved by a power-hungry king, and now and told terrible stories about fairies, elves, and the other creatures who live across the Great Chasm.Enter Rollo, a handsome young troll who is surprised when Stygius Rex, Bonespittle's ruler, passes through his village. Stygius is recruiting trolls to construct a bridge to span the Chasm. Rollo wants to sign on for the task -- but is he prepared for what really lies beyond the realm of the trolls?