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When no one stands up to a bully, can anyone be truly safe? "Weaves together a tender and poignant coming-of-age story with a powerful narrative." --Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener Tormented at school, ten-year-old Jane wants a best friend more than anything. Her wish is answered when Acacia moves in next door, and a carefree summer break beckons. Yet as their friendship blossoms and secrets are shared, Acacia remains stubbornly guarded about her home life, especially when it comes to her mother's new boyfriend Daryl, a Harley-riding ladies' man. At a neighborhood party, Jane stumbles onto a disturbing scene involving Daryl and is coerced into silence. Frightened and confused, she stays quiet, but when sounds of violence start emerging from Acacia's house, she hopes an adult will intervene. Instead, everyone turns a blind eye. Jane's own family seems to be deteriorating into chaos too, as if the darkness in Acacia's house is spreading like ripples in a pond. It will end in disaster if no one acts, and it may end in tragedy if someone does . . . "A brave and hugely necessary book." --Tabitha Bird, author of The Emporium of Imagination
Fergus is different to other dragons. But when people make fun of him, he has an ear-splitting, eye-watering, toe-curling, stink-making response. He farts! When a cheeky knight in a fire-proof suit steals a precious dragon egg, the other dragons are at a loss. It's left to Fergus to get the egg back from the thieving knight. A rhyming story that celebrates difference in an entertaining way, Fergus the Farting Dragon is set to delight adults and children.
A life-shattering tragedy threatens to tear apart chef Amy Bennet's marriage. Desperate to save it, she moves with her husband Matt to Blackwood, a country town where no one knows who they are.Forced to deal with her crumbling marriage and the crippling grief that follows her wherever she goes, Amy turns to what she knows best: cooking. She opens a café showcasing regional seasonal produce, and forms the Around the World Supper Club, serving mouth-watering feasts to new friends. As her passion for food returns, she finds a place for herself in Blackwood. But when a Pandora's Box of shame and blame is unlocked, Matt gives Amy an ultimatum that takes their marriage to the edge.
Dancing with the vacuum cleaner ... making my dinner into funny faces. My mum is so silly she drives me nuts! Sometimes I wish my mum wasn't so silly ... or do I? With delightful illustrations and a hearty sprinkling of humour, My Silly Mum captures the eye-rolling, face-palming moments of growing up with a mother who still remembers what it's like to be a child.
Alexandra Rose has ice-cold toes and she knows the best way to warm them up. But will her family like her foot-warming, wake-up-fast idea as much as she does? Fergus the Farting Dragon and My Silly Mum author Monique Mulligan returns with another delightfully mischievous tale for children of all ages. Complemented by vibrant, funny illustrations, this cheeky story is perfect for reading aloud, with or without socks on.
A brilliant first novel of profound depth, startling originality and breathtaking talent. A child is imprisoned in a house by her reclusive religious parents. Hester has never seen the outside world; her companions are Cat, Spoon, Door, Handle, Broom, and they all speak to her. Her imagination is informed by one book, an illustrated child`s bible, and its imagery forms the sole basis for her capacity to make poetic connection. One day Hester takes a brave Alice in Wonderland trip into the forbidden outside (at the behest of Handle `turn me turn me`), and this overwhelming encounter with light and sky and sunshine is a marvel to her. From this moment on, Hester learns the concept of the secret, and not telling, and the world becomes something that fills her with feeling as if she is a vessel, empty and bottomless for need of it.
When no one stands up to a bully, can anyone be truly safe? “Weaves together a tender and poignant coming-of-age story with a powerful narrative.” —Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener Tormented at school, ten-year-old Jane wants a best friend more than anything. Her wish is answered when Acacia moves in next door, and a carefree summer break beckons. Yet as their friendship blossoms and secrets are shared, Acacia remains stubbornly guarded about her home life, especially when it comes to her mother’s new boyfriend Daryl, a Harley-riding ladies’ man. At a neighborhood party, Jane stumbles onto a disturbing scene involving Daryl and is coerced into silence. Frightened and confused, she stays quiet, but when sounds of violence start emerging from Acacia’s house, she hopes an adult will intervene. Instead, everyone turns a blind eye. Jane’s own family seems to be deteriorating into chaos too, as if the darkness in Acacia’s house is spreading like ripples in a pond. It will end in disaster if no one acts, and it may end in tragedy if someone does . . . “A brave and hugely necessary book.” —Tabitha Bird, author of The Emporium of Imagination
Orphan Rock is a complex and richly detailed story of secrets and heartbreak that will take you from the back streets of Sydney’s slums to the wide avenues of the City of Lights. The late 1800s was a time when women were meant to know their place. But when Bessie starts to work for Louisa Lawson at The Dawn, she comes to realise there’s more to a woman’s place than servitude to a husband. Years later her daughter Kathleen flees to Paris to escape a secret she cannot accept. But World War One intervenes, exposing her to both the best and the worst of humanity. Masterful and epic, this book is both a splendid evocation of early Sydney, and a truly powerful story about how women and minorities fought against being silenced. ‘Her writing is finely crafted, her prose poetic and subtle, and a joy to read.’ — Monique Mulligan
A young biracial girl looks around her world for her color. She finally chooses her own, and creates a new word for herself—honeysmoke. Simone wants a color. She asks Mama, “Am I black or white?” “Boo,” Mama says, just like mamas do, “a color is just a word.” She asks Daddy, “Am I black or white?” “Well,” Daddy says, just like daddies do, “you’re a little bit of both.” For multiracial children, and all children everywhere, this picture book offers a universal message that empowers young people to create their own self-identity. Simone knows her color—she is honeysmoke. An Imprint Book "This will appeal to so many biracial kids looking for a way to embrace every part of themselves." —NBCNews.com "A terrific addition to the WeNeedDiverseBooks canon, where it joins such books as Selina Alko's I’m Your Peanut Butter Big Brother and Taye Diggs' Mixed Me!." —Booklist
Once upon a time, these stories of magical transformation were told to young women by their mothers and grandmothers and the wise women of the clan. The heroines of these old tales set out on a difficult road of trials to discover their true destiny. And marrying a prince was not the only goal. These ancient tales of wonder and adventure are about learning to be strong, brave, kind and true-hearted, and trusting in yourself to change the world for the better. -- Back cover.