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In Tortall, two centuries before the Lioness rides, 16-year-old Rebakah (Beka) Cooper begins her work for the Provost’s Guard. She’s long dreamed of this position with the police, and she tells her story through the journal she keeps beginning on with her first day as a trainee or “Puppy.” She, her fellow “Dogs,” and the purple-eyed cat Pounce, work hard to make the city safer, especially the crime-ridden slums where Beka grew up.

Collard documents the efforts of naturalists to restore the prairie ecosystem at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Iowa. Collard’s beautiful color photographs complement descriptions of workers’ attempts to reintroduce bison, to develop a colony of butterflies, and to nurture native plants.

Collard profiles the wide range of research projects conducted by scientists working on a threatened reef habitat.

Luther, a high school sophomore, works for a vet who rehabilitates falcons. His work with these birds leads him to support forest preservation and puts him in conflict with his stepfather, a long-time logger.

Annyrose narrates her adventurous saga of life with a Mexican Robin Hood-like bandit as she tries to find her brother who’s off trying to get rich during the California Gold Rush. Part historical fiction, part tall tale, Annyrose is sure to delight readers of all ages.

A former American soldier stays in post World War II Europe as a ventriloquist, having little success until he meets Avrom Amos. Avrom is really a dybbuk, the ghost of a 12-year old boy killed by Nazis, back now to avenge his own and other children’s deaths.

Twelve-year old Oliver is kidnapped, pressed into service on a pirate ship, and finds adventure that includes outwitting a ghost who guards pirate treasure. Rich language is used in this fast-paced, exhilarating adventure tale.

A cabin boy winds up on an infamous pirate ship called the Giant Rat of Sumatra — and in the middle of the war with Mexico. Swashbuckling adventure moves swiftly along even as the boy yearns to return to New England and pirate Captain Gallows to leave the sea.

Three outrageous tales told by Josh McBroom, the farmer of an amazing one-acre farm, are compiled here, just right for reading and laughing out loud: “McBroom Makes Rain,” “McBroom’s Ghost,” and “McBroom’s Zoo.”

Prince Brat is a well-earned nickname; the rude, selfish royal even has a commoner to take his licks which happen daily. The prince decides to run away, taking Jemmy with him where adventures ensue and a friendship evolves. This is reminiscent of Twain’s Prince and the Pauper though clearly for younger readers.

Told with verve and humor, Newbery-winner Sid Fleischman recalls his early years in San Diego during the Depression, reveals how he became captivated by magic, theater, and story — all of which influenced the man he grew into.

Gunnar Umlaut says he only has six months to live. So eighth-grader Anthony “Antsy” Bonano does the only thing he can think of to help-he gives Gunnar a month of his own life. This symbolic gesture is soon copied by everyone at school, but will it make a difference, especially if Gunnar isn’t telling the truth?

Nick and Allie head toward the light after a head-on car accident, but the teens — strangers to each other — collide again and don’t quite make it. They end up in Everlost, and learn from other inhabitants about their ghostly new existence as Afterlights and the dangers of this alternative hereafter.

Homer Figg’s tales of his adventures are only mostly true as sometimes he tends to exaggerate. But an awfully lot of interesting and unusual things do happen to him as he sets off to find his brother Harold who has been handed over to the Union Army by their rotten Uncle Squint.

Unless you are one of the genetically improved that are permitted to live in Eden, you live in the Urb, the ragged ruins of a once great city. Spaz lives there, surviving by stealing for the gang lead by Billy Bizmo. When Spaz is ordered to rob Ryter, he gets more than the old man’s meager possessions — he finds a friend who is willing to help him help his dying sister.

A title in the Dear America historical fiction book series, The Journal of Douglas Allen Deeds tells the story of the doomed Donner Party expedition, as seen through the eyes of a fifteen-year-old orphan that survived the cold winter of starvation in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Like her brother Liefer before her, Enna has discovered the key to wielding fire as a weapon in battle. Will the power consume her? This fantasy tale is a companion to other Books of Bayern titles listed here.

When Razo, the victim of constant bullying, is selected for a special mission representing his country, he learns to appreciate himself and assumes an important role negotiating peace between warring countries. This fantasy tale is a companion to other Books of Bayern titles listed here.