When Roland's teacher gives him an unusual assignment instead of a punishment for shoplifting, he thinks he is home free. All he has to do is find out what he can about a classmate, Jess Ferret, and report back to his teacher. But there is something less than straightforward about this request, and the more Roland learns about Jess, the more confused he becomes. Her house is too tidy, her parents are never home, strange books line the bookshelves, and, most intriguing of all, Jess is studying alchemy.
Roland struggles with these questions -- and with a sense that if he doesn't uncover the answers soon, something drastic will happen. When a sinister magician from Roland's past gets involved in the mystery, Roland realizes that he is trapped in a dangerous web of magic, power, and greed -- and there might be no way out.
]]>In a post-apocalyptic time, Garland's family's traveling circus troop,
Maddigan's Fantasia, leaves the city of Solis once a year to perform and
earn a living. However, this year Solis has given the Fantasia the crucial
task of obtaining a new solar converter, the only power source in Solis,
because the old one is failing.
Misfortune finds the Fantasia in their travels, and Garland's father dies
in an attack by Road Rats. Then suddenly two mysterious boys, Timon and
Eden, appear with their baby sister, claiming to be from the future -- a
world in which the Fantasia has failed in its mission and the evil Nennog
has taken power. The boys have come to help the Fantasia, but danger has
followed them across time. Can the Fantasia protect Timon and Eden, and
succeed in their quest to save their world?
Internationally renowned author Margaret Mahy spins a vivid tale of time
travel, adventure, and magic that no reader will soon forget.
]]>When a dashing dog gets into messy mischief, his family is exasperated. Then baby Betty falls off the jetty, and it's up to the brave dashing dog to save the day. Can this bedraggled puppy prove that looks aren't everything?
Award-winning author Margaret Mahy's canine caper will tickle young readers until they sit up and beg for more!
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