![]() ![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Did you know that fairies don't have bellybuttons? Did you know that fairies could transform themselves (and humans) into animals or objects? Did you know that a fairy's wand is her most prized possession or that fairies wear fancy ball dresses made of spider webs and raincoats made of bat wings? This colourful, illustrated book describes everything there is to know about fairies and fairy life. It explains the different kinds of fairies, what they wear, what they eat (complete with a recipe for fairy cakes with cream icing), what special powers they have, where they live and who their relatives are (e.g., pixies, goblins, elves, fairy godmothers and leprechauns). Most importantly, this book gives you instructions on how to see a fairy and how to attract them to your garden. The Secret Life of Fairies concludes with a traditional fairy tale. SG
The Demon has arrived on earth, along with four of her evil servants, called thugs. Their mission is to destroy Miranda, a seemingly normal 10-year-old girl who lives with her mother in the Ottawa neighbourhood of New Edinburgh. Before the thugs get to her, the mysterious Druid Naim convinces Miranda of the danger she is in, and together they flee Miranda's home in the middle of the night. Entering a portal in the Library of Parliament, they are transported via gelatin-filled sacs to a parallel world, the land of elves. There, Miranda learns that not only is she an elf, but that she alone can capture the Serpent's Egg, which holds the magic needed to save the two worlds from the Demon. What follows is a frightening and fantastic voyage into strange lands inhabited by even stranger beings: dragons, wizards and, of course, the Demon and her underlings. Fortunately, Miranda is accompanied by three friends whose ties grow stronger and who individually grow more courageous with each new battle in the never-ending war between good and evil. RM
Ariban is a beautiful island where life is good. Nobody is ever hungry or has less than his or her neighbours. It could well be the best place in the world. But the elders on Ariban forbid the telling of stories. It is a sin to remember tradition or to share dreams. One day, a foreigner by the name of Jennifer is washed ashore during a storm. Sixteen-year-old Colin saves her from death, only to find out that she is not welcome in his community. Jennifer is a storyteller and she has a story box dearer to her than gold or jewels. Shortly after her arrival, Jennifer is accused of causing two unfortunate deaths in the village. The villagers demand that two lives be ended in exchange for the two lives that have been lost. What is to happen to Colin and Jennifer? In this tale of totalitarianism and fear, we witness Colin's transformation as he begins a voyage of self-discovery and truth. Jennifer's plight reminds us to cherish our freedom and imagination, as well as our past, our stories and our memories. ACM
Available in French under the title: Sur la piste de la magie (Markham, Ont.: Éditions Scholastic, 2001) Books are floating off the shelves, through the air and out the doors of the library, and Giles, Tina and Kevin are determined to get to the bottom of it. Tina's ghostometer isn't picking up any ghost activity at the library. Giles, however, has discovered that the books are all on the same subject - magic - and they are being borrowed by Vikram Kapoor. An apprentice magician, Vikram Kapoor performed a disappearing act and now can't seem to make himself visible again. Tina sets about perfecting her energy ray, a machine that she believes will be able to make Mr. Kapoor reappear. Unfortunately, while the energy ray is impressive, it never quite makes test objects reappear in the same condition as they were originally, so it can't be used on a live subject. Giles' common sense and sensitivity win the day. He recognizes that the magician's inability to reappear is due to a lack of confidence. While light and comical, this story stresses the value of acting on one's own convictions and that sensitivity and compassion are more important than logic. RM
The Turning Time is the third book of the Freyan trilogy by Linda Smith. It recounts the adventures of Kerstin Speller, an 18-year-old apprentice sorcerer from the Kingdom of Freya. In this instalment, Kerstin and Alaric, her father's apprentice, enrol in the Freyan College of Wizards. They hope to help smooth the way for new students from the land of Uglessia, a former enemy of Freya. Kerstin is secretly in love with Alaric, while he, in turn, loves Redelle, one of the Uglessian students. At the College, the Uglessians are met with much hostility from both students and teachers. Tensions between the two nations escalate when Redelle is attacked and almost killed by a mob of Freyans. In the hopes of averting the outbreak of a new war, Kerstin, Alaric and their friends embark on a perilous journey to Uglessia. The Turning Time contains a synopsis of the previous two books of the trilogy. MF
As summer approaches, Emma's parents convince her to take a job looking after old Albert Maxim. Emma agrees, though reluctantly. After all, shouldn't she stay closer to home to keep an eye on Summer, her little sister whose mysterious illnesses keep getting worse rather than better? Emma and her family have recently moved back to their old homestead, the deceased Grandpa MacFey's farm. There are other newcomers to town, including Emma's classmate Tom Krift, who, for some strange reason, makes Emma feel uneasy. In fact, a lot of things seem strange and inexplicable to Emma: her instinctive need to overprotect Summer, a feeling that she doesn't quite fit in with her family, and the suspicious attitude of the neighbours toward her and her family. Then the strange daydreams start, and Emma begins to realize that she is not who she thinks she is and neither are the others around her. With the aid and insight of her surprising new ally, Tom Krift, Emma must embark on a dangerous and challenging mission if she wants to save what matters most to her: Summer. MM
Sequel to Dragonfire (Toronto: HarperCollins, ©1997) Cataryn, the Seer of Taun, and Dahl, the King of Taun, must once again battle the evil Usurper to protect the hard-won peace and prosperity in the realm of Taun. This is a tale about a revenge-seeking villain and the enduring love between Cataryn and Dahl, a love that is tinged with jealousy and mistrust. The sequel to Karleen Bradford's award winning book Dragonfire. MMS |