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Dimensions (Overall): 8.3 Inches (H) x 5.7 Inches (W) x 1.3 Inches (D)Weight: 1.27 PoundsNumber of Pages: 471Genre: Fiction + Literature GenresSub-Genre: Social Issues / Friendship, Social Issues / Adolescence, Girls + Women, Science Fiction + Fantasy + Magic, Action + Adventure / GeneralSeries Title: GracelingFormat: HardcoverPublisher: Houghton Mifflin HarcourtAuthor: Kristin CashoreAge Range: TeenLanguage: English About the Book With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, a debut author creates a mesmerizing medieval world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will captivate readers. Book Synopsis Discover the Graceling Realm in this unforgettable, award-winning novel from bestselling author Kristin Cashore A New York Times bestseller ALA Best Book for Young Adults Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature Winner Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, and BCCB Best Book of the Year "Rageful, exhilarating, wistful in turns" (The New York Times Book Review) with "a knee weakening romance" (LA Times). Graceling is a thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure that will resonate deeply with anyone trying to find their way in the world. Graceling tells the story of the vulnerable-yet-strong Katsa, who is smart and beautiful and lives in the Seven Kingdoms where selected people are born with a Grace, a special talent that can be anything at all. Katsa's Grace is killing. As the king's niece, she is forced to use her extreme skills as his brutal enforcer. Until the day she meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, and Katsa's life begins to change. She never expects to become Po's friend. She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace--or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone. And don't miss the sequel Fire and companion Bitterblue, both award-winning, New York Times bestsellers, and full of Kristin Cashore's elegant, evocative prose and unforgettable characters. Review Quotes "In this debut fantasy, Cashore treats readers to compelling and eminently likeable characters and a story that draws them in from the first paragraph. . . . This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled." --School Library Journal, starred review "Katsa is an ideal adolescent heroine, simultaneously confident of her strengths yet unsure of her place in the world. Every character is crafted with the same meticulous devotion to human comprehensibility, making the villain all the more appalling in his understated, twisted madness. In a tale filled with graphic violence and subtle heartbreak, gentle passion and savage kindness, matter-of-fact heroics and bleak beauty, no defeat is ever total and no triumph comes without cost. Grace-full, in every sense." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Intrigue, death, love, a little sex, and pitched battles create a sure winner for mature fantasy fans."--VOYA (4Q, 4P)"With a butt-kicking but emotionally vulnerable heroine, [Graceling] should appeal to fans of recent girl-power urban fantasies, as well as readers who've graduated from Tamora Pierce's Tortall series."--Horn Book"Cashore strikes a strong balance between adventure, drama and romance--bloody battles and sexual tension co-exist in equal measure--and Katsa's combination of pride in her unique talents and vulnerability in her self-doubts make her a strongly sympathetic character. Readers will identify closely with this young woman, whose coming of age also involves coming to terms with a talent that is both a blessing and a curse."--BookPage, November 2008"Graceling is the wonderful new book by Kristin Cashore about a girl with grace, but who is no Audrey Hepburn. Katsa's extreme special skill, her 'grace, ' is that she's able to kill people with her bare hands (ouch). In a world of seven kingdoms, Katsa is certainly considered a bad-ass and is respectably feared. Ultimately though, the graceling ends up being shamelessly used by her own family to fight and torture their enemies... until she meets Po . . . There's been a ton of early praise about this debut novel -- so much so that I think it's safe to say there's an official buzz."--Ypulse"However, as in every season, a few other titles have risen to the surface as potential hits, based on pre-pub buzz, online chatter and word-of-mouth. We've singled out four for particular notice: three are inventive fantasy novels, and one is a harrowing memoir. Publishers and booksellers alike believe these books have what it takes to cut through the noise of a very full season."--Publishers Weekly online"The teenage characters in this novel, like those we may know in life, grow into their graces. They realize that their monstrous individuality is not so monstrous afterall."--The New York Times Book Review"Discovering one's true identity and powers is a common theme in young adult literature, but Kristin Cashore, with compelling characters and an ease in combining genres--fantasy, mystery, adventure, romance--develops this theme with enormous freshness."--Newsday" 'Graceling' offers a fresh view of the process of learning self-mastery and has a knee-weakening romance that easily rivals that of 'Twilight'."--LA TimesADVANCE PRAISE FOR Graceling: "Here's a WOW of a book! Seeing half-wild Katsa learn humanity as she battles soldiers, storms, and her own obsessive nature--I HAD to know how it ended!" --Tamora Pierce"Katsa and Po are wonderful: They make me want to cheer. Due to a strong heroine, a supportive hero, political intrigue, and action throughout, this is a book I'll share with my daughter." --Melissa Marr, author of Wicked Lovely"I can't remember when I last was this impressed by a new fantasy. Kristin Cashore's voice is fresh and fluent...the end result is a story that you tear through so that you can immediately start again at the beginning and read it with the care it deserves. A truly spectacular novel." --Susan Hirschman, founder of Greenwillow BooksFROM THE AUTHOR: "I've always been a daydreamer; as a child I always lived far from school, and distinctly remember cherishing the long drive, because it was good daydreaming time. Graceling grew from daydreams I had about a girl with extraordinary fighting powers who loved a boy with whom she was insurmountably incompatible." --Kristin Cashore Cashore strikes a strong balance between adventure, drama and romance--bloody battles and sexual tension co-exist in equal measure--and Katsa's combination of pride in her unique talents and vulnerability in her self-doubts make her a strongly sympathetic character. Readers will identify closely with this young woman, whose coming of age also involves coming to terms with a talent that is both a blessing and a curse.--BookPage, November 2008-- "BookPage" (11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) "A brilliant, unforgettable story. I consumed Graceling in one sitting, awed by its originality, breadth, and humanity. For a first novel - for any novel - this book is extraordinary." --Catherine Gilbert Murdock, author of Dairy Queen-- "Catherine Gilbert Murdock" "I can't remember when I last was this impressed by a new fantasy. Kristin Cashore's voice is fresh and fluent. The characters are memorable, the plot filled with surprises--all of which are entirely plausible--and the end result is a story that you tear through so that you can immediately start again at the beginning and read it with the care it deserves. A truly spectacular novel."--Susan Hirschman, Founder of Greenwillow Books-- "Susan Hirschman" "Katsa and Po are wonderful: They make me want to cheer. Due to a strong heroine, a supportive hero, political intrigue, and action throughout, this is a book I'll share with my daughter." --Melissa Marr, author of Wicked Lovely-- "Melissa Marr" «"An impressive first novel, this well crafted and rewarding fantasy will leave readers hoping for more." Booklist (starred review)-- "Booklist" (9/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) «"Katsa is an ideal adolescent heroine, simultaneously confident of her strengths yet unsure of her place in the world. . . . In a tale filled with graphic violence and subtle heartbreak, gentle passion and savage kindness, matter-of-fact heroics and bleak beauty, no defeat is ever total and no triumph comes without cost. Grace-full, in every sense." Kirkus Reviews, starred review ( 9/01/08)-- "Kirkus Reviews" (9/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) «"This is gorgeous storytelling: exciting, stirring, and accessible. Fantasy and romance readers will be thrilled."--School Library Journal (starred review)-- "School Library Journal" (10/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) «With this riveting debut, Cashore has set the bar exceedingly high. --Publishers Weekly, starred review-- "Publishers Weekly" (7/21/2008 12:00:00 AM) With a butt-kicking but emotionally vulnerable heroine, [Graceling] should appeal to fans of recent girl-power urban fantasies. . . . -- "The Horn Book Magazine" (11/1/2008 12:00:00 AM) About The Author KRISTIN CASHORE has written for The Horn Book Guide, The Looking Glass: An Online Children's Literature Journal, and Children's Literature in Education. She received a master's degree in children's literature from Simmons College. Graceling is Ms.Cashore's first novel. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida.

Graceling ( Graceling) (Hardcover) by Kristin Cashore

$ 12.72 ~~$ 13.11~~

Dimensions (Overall): 6.7 Inches (H) x 4.9 Inches (W) x .6 Inches (D)Weight: .35 PoundsNumber of Pages: 175Genre: Juvenile FictionSub-Genre: Mysteries + Detective Stories, Social Issues / Adolescence, Science Fiction + Fantasy + MagicSeries Title: Dead IsFormat: PaperbackPublisher: Houghton Mifflin HarcourtAuthor: Marlene PerezAge Range: TeenLanguage: English About the Book There's a gorgeous new guy at Nightshade High: Duke Sherrad, a fortune-teller. Even though she's psychic herself, Daisy is skeptical of Duke's powers. But when a teacher who was the subject of one of his predictions ends up dead, she begins to wonder if Duke is the real deal. Book Synopsis A creepy, campy new mystery series Welcome to Nightshade, California--a small town full of secrets. It's home to the psychic Giordano sisters, who have a way of getting mixed up in mysteries. During their investigations, they run across everything from pom-pom-shaking vampires to shape-shifting boyfriends to a clue-spewing jukebox. With their psychic powers and some sisterly support, they can crack any case! There's a gorgeous new guy at Nightshade High: Duke Sherrad, a fortune-teller claiming to have descended from Gypsies. Even though she's psychic herself, Daisy is skeptical of Duke's powers. But when a teacher who was the subject of one of his predictions ends up dead, she begins to wonder if Duke is the real deal after all. Maybe if Daisy can track down the teacher's killer, she can find out the truth. The only trouble is, all signs point to the murderer being of the furry persuasion. Is Daisy any match for a werewolf? Maybe she is . . . in more ways than she bargained for! Review Quotes Praise for the Dead Is series[Perez] delivers a wise-cracking, boy-lusting, determined sleuth of a high school protagonist . . . this quick, lighter-than-air spoof of the undead, cheerleaders and popularity is pure pleasure.--Publishers WeeklyA fun ride from start to finish. Perez's smart and sassy style soars.--Mary E. Pearson, author of the Jenna Fox Chronicles[A] quick, lively romp. . . . Teens looking for a breezy read will find plenty to like here.--BooklistThis super supernatural murder mystery is sassy, romantic, and spooky-fun!--Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of TantalizeLight romance and a paranormal plot are more tongue-in-cheek than scary, making this series a good introduction to the genre for younger readers.--BooklistBreezy style and comic-book plot. . . . Fun.--Kirkus

Dead Is a State of Mind ( Dead Is) (Paperback) by Marlene Perez

$ 8.35 ~~$ 8.79~~

Dimensions (Overall): 9.48 Inches (H) x 11.04 Inches (W) x .39 Inches (D)Weight: .98 PoundsNumber of Pages: 40Genre: Juvenile FictionSub-Genre: Bedtime + DreamsFormat: HardcoverPublisher: Houghton Mifflin HarcourtAuthor: Mem FoxAge Range: Baby - 3 YearsLanguage: English About the Book In their first-ever collaboration, two of today's most gifted picture book creators deliver a gorgeously simple book that celebrates baby fingers, baby toes, and the joy they--and the babies they belong to--bring to everyone. Book Synopsis As everyone knows, nothing is sweeter than tiny baby fingers and chubby baby toes. . . . And here, from two of the most gifted picture-book creators of our time, is a celebration of baby fingers, baby toes, and the joy they--and the babies they belong to--bring to everyone, everywhere, all over the world! This is a gorgeously simple picture book for very young children, and once you finish the rhythmic, rhyming text, all you'll want to do is go back to the beginning . . . and read it again! The luminous watercolor illustrations of these roly-poly little ones from a variety of backgrounds are adorable, quirky, and true to life, right down to the wrinkles, dimples, and pudges in their completely squishable arms, legs, and tummies. Review Quotes This gently lilting read-aloud is just right for bedtime, or anytime your child could use a little extra comfort. You'll go ga-ga yourself over the adorable watercolors of babies around the world. --Parenting, September 2008Put two titans of kids' books together for the first time, and what do you get (besides the urge to shout, What took you so long?)? The answer: an instant classic . . . there's real magic at work here.--Publishers Weekly, starred reviewTen Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes gently presents--but never preaches--a satisfying lesson about humanity and international harmony.--BookPageA standout for its beautiful simplicity, this picture-book collaboration between Fox and Oxenbury aims a message of diversity and tolerance at very young children. . . . Clusters of adorable mulitcultural babies from around the world toddle across the pages until just one child receives three kisses on the nose from her loving mom, a sweet gesture that parents will want to act out with their own children. A gentle, joyous offering.--Booklist, starred reviewFox's lilting verse just has to be read aloud, and preschoolers will quickly pick up on and join in on the anticipated refrain. Oxenbury's spacious illustrations, featuring her irresistible round-headed tots (and, of course, plenty of chubby baby digits), emphasize the babies' differences and will engage even the youngest listeners in the on-page action.--The Horn Book Magazine, starred reviewIn 'Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, ' two beloved picture-book creators -- the storyteller Mem Fox and the artist Helen Oxenbury -- merge their talents in a winsome look at babies around the world.--The New York Times Book ReviewA witty and winsome look at babies around the world that has a toe-tapping refrain: the words sound easy and familiar, as though they have been handed down to children forever. And the story ends with a pitch-perfect moment: one little baby who is 'mine, all mine.' --The New York Times Book Review, Notable Children's Books of 2008'Light as air and sweet as honey' might be a way to describe this delectable confection about babies, here, there and everywhere.--The Globe and MailWichita Eagle, Great Gift Recommendations 2008 "Blonde top-knots, springy black curls, haystack red straw and sleek black hair surround smiling, frowning, sneezing or contemplative baby faces. Anyone who has ever tweaked a little piggy will quickly start chanting the infectious refrain from this 'digital' romp." --Washington Post Book World, September 7, 2008-- "Washington Post Book World" (9/7/2008 12:00:00 AM)