None of them guesses it at first, but that strange blue card will be their ticket to the past--and to a future that they never imagined. In stories that range from humorous to heartbreaking, Newbery-award-winner Jerry Spinelli reveals the amazing possibilities lurking behind library doors.

    Billy Pickles has a winning way with numbers in book five in the Magical Children series.

    Cute teachers. A delinquent. And rich bitches. What exactly has Allie Heywood gotten herself into?Allie Heywood loves to play piano. Ever since she was a child, she's dreamed of being a pianist. In order to go the best music school in her state, she moves in with a family friend-- a young man who also happens to teach at the school.

    Tired of playing alone, the repentant Franklin apologizes for being bossy and gratefully agrees to play along. Full color.

    At first she's excited, but then fears of the changes middle school will bring get the best of her. *Includes Abby's own guide to sixth grade!*Abby can't believe it--sixth grade is about to begin! At first, she's excited. Being in sixth grade means moving up to middle school, having different teachers for each subject, and meeting new friends from other elementary schools. Then Abby receives "An Insider's Guide to Sixth Grade." It's all about the negative things Abby can expect -- boy-crazy friends, dating, moodiness, mean teachers, boy-girl parties, and more. Abby doesn't think she's ready for so many changes at once. When sixth grade starts, Abby realizes that some things (and people) are different, but so is she.

    William Butler Yeats' writing captures all the magic and mystery of his native Ireland, and here are some 26 of his finest, most mesmerizing verses. In "The Stolen Child," fairies come in the night to entice a boy away forever to "where the wave of moonlight glosses the dim grey sands with light." Yeats claimed that a Greek folk song inspired "The Song of Wandering Aengus": the excerpt here follows Aengus on his quest to locate an enchanted girl. Visions of a fierce and terrible battle-where "unknown perishing armies beat about my ears"--emerge in "The Valley of the Black Pig," all seen in a dream. Matching the beauty of Yeats' written images are a series of exquisite and evocative paintings, which range from panoramic natural landscapes to compelling portraits of characters both human and fantastic. And, as always, this acclaimed series features fascinating biographical information, introductions to each verse, and full annotations that define difficult unfamiliar vocabulary.

    It rolled and rolled and called to me. Come in, it said, come in. Sophie hears the sea calling, promising adventure as she sets sail for England with her three uncles and two cousins. Sophie's cousin Cody isn't sure he has the strength to prove himself to the crew and to his father. Through Sophie's and Cody's travel logs, we hear stories of the past and the daily challenges of surviving at sea as The Wanderer sails toward its destination—and its passengers search for their places in the world.

    This enlightening guide uses meaningful text, extensive illustrations and imaginative graphics to make this novel clearer, livelier, and more easily understood than ordinary literature plot summaries. An unusual feature, "Mind Map" is a diagram that summarizes and interrelates the most important details about the book that students need to understand. Appropriate for middle and high school students.

    What does strawberry yoghurt possibly have to do with Paris? Why on earth are Tim and his kid brother Nick invited to a remote Scottish island? The answer … murder! And if the Diamond Brothers don’t play their cards right, they could be next.This volume includes; The French Confection, and I Know What You Did Last Wednesday.

    In the first story she's living in a children's home but wants a real family. In the second story she is living with foster mum Cam, but all is not as well as it should be.

    Or when he got stuck to the rare sticky (and stinky) Koloff tree on a field trip. . . . Then there's his family -- busy mom, ex-pro football player dad, a bossy older sister and an adoring younger one -- and best friends (one of whom is a secret, because she's a *girl*). Life may be complicated for Bobby, but it's going to turn out just fine.

    But when Joe's father loses his job, Lassie must be sold. Three times she escapes from her new owner, and three times she returns home to Joe, until finally she is taken to the remotest part of Scotland—too far a journey for any dog to make alone.But Lassie is not just any dog.First published in 1940, Lassie Come-Home has become one of the best-loved dog stories in the world. This beautiful edition showcases the original text and illustrations within a striking new jacket.

    Going to the store, staying up late, and having a job! What will your child envision when they get bigger?

    Her runaway imagination leads her to bleach a horse, hold a very scary sleepover, and feed the hogs an unusual treat. But can she use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork?Adventure is pretty scarce in Pitchfork, Oregon. So why shouldn't Emily bleach Dad's old plow horse or try some of her other ideas? "Written with Cleary's customary warmth and humor...The time of the story, about 1920, is delightfully brought to life." -Booklist

    A storm at sea washes a young pickpocket, Hugh, and a surgeon's son, Raymond, overboard.  Landing on the strange island world of Dinotopia, Raymond and Hugh learn the meaning of real courage and true friendship, with the help of a reclusive Skybax named Windchaser.