Books with author Charlotte Alder

Channie is a lovable teenage mage that lives a simple but magical life with her clannish community deep in the Ozark Mountains. She’s blessed with the ability to enchant those around her, charming not only her family and friends, but any boy with a pulse that doesn’t know how to shield himself against her magic. When her father’s gambling addiction earns the wrath of a powerful mage, the family is forced to flee for their lives. They escape to the suburbs of Colorado hoping to hide amongst Magically Disabled people (like you and me). Channie’s parents are overwhelmed by the modern world and panic when they catch her flirting with a group of “dirty-minded, non-magical city-boys.” They strip away her power of enchantment and replace it with a chastity curse that automatically zaps any boy foolish, or courageous, enough to pursue her. Josh Abrim -- a BMX racer with a killer smile, Olympic dreams and dangerous secrets of his own -- is exactly that kind of boy. When he and Channie realize their interest in each other is more than just friendship, she turns to dark and forbidden magic, determined to break the curse keeping them apart. Her inexperience makes matters infinitely worse and unleashes a malevolent force with the power to destroy everything they love … including each other.

In this second installment of The Channie Series, Josh and Channie learn that there is more to a relationship than just love. They are tested physically and emotionally as the tough choices they are forced to make affect not only their future together but their very existence. With a war brewing, Josh is expected to fight and claim his rightful place as a leader of the clans, as foretold in The Book of the Dead. Channie doesn’t want him to risk his life fighting a war he doesn’t believe in. But the fate of all mages will be determined during the final battle. Will they take the path that was fated for them or will they run? The risks are high but the rewards are even higher.

This is a story about a girl who wants to understand what it takes to make history. She learns that for the Pilgrims it took guts, grit, and gumption in the midst of danger and hardship, and that it also takes a lot of faith, patience, and conviction to endure such harsh reality. "I have a lot of respect for [the Pilgrims], now knowing what they had to go through." -Charlotte Archer "Charlotte sleepily watched the butter drip off of her bagel when a flash of beige flew by with her new soccer cleat. The bagel dropped to the plate as she started running. Her sister, Annabel, nearly careened into her as she joined in the chase with their brother, William, who ran from the bathroom with toothpaste foam sliding down his chin." "Charlotte did not want to open her eyes. She realized that she was cold as a shiver went up her spine. Freezing dampness coupled with the hardness of the floor made it hard to for her to feel her own fingers." " Our hearts sank into our stomachs as we watched the mast disappear into that cold, dark, stormy, night. I felt a mixture of panic and despair as the soldiers on horseback came for all of us women and children, who had been left behind on the beach. We all boarded onto boats as the king’s men rowed us all to the city to be put in prison." "'Charlotte politely brought it up to her mouth and took a sip. She tried not to make a face as she gulped down the bitter taste. 'What sort of drink is this?' 'It’s beer,' Mary said with a smile. 'BEER?!' Charlotte asked. 'I’m not allowed to drink beer!' 'But that’s what we all drink,” Mary laughed.'"

Book 3 of The Channie Series Josh awakes with no recollection of the previous six months of his life, including his relationship with Channie. Not only is it hard for him to believe that he's married and his wife was kidnapped, but accepting that he is a mage and prophecies of the Book of the Dead are almost impossible. Will he be able to save Channie from her mother's dark magic before she is sacrificed? And more importantly, will he live up to his power-name and find Valor in time to save all the clans? Not suitable for young teens.

Cinderella hits the beach in this colorful and fun retelling of the classic fairy story. And yes-she has crystal flip-flops! Ella has to use her awesome surfing skills to catch the eye of famous surf star Willie Prince, while keeping her nasty stepmom out of the way. It's girl power at the beach as she becomes Surferella (with the help of a fairy god-dolphin, no less!). A great beach read or an inspiration for young water lovers.

Sex Education: A Young Person's Guide is targeted to teenagers and pre-teens, beginning around age 11 when they are first introduced to sex education in the UK school system. It is written in plain language at a reading level geared to the target age group. The book's premise is to provide information before the readers are sexually active. This way they will be armed ahead with the information and later, when choices present themselves, may possibly be able call on the decision-making skills introduced. The book is designed to be read by pre-teens and teens alone or together with an adult, or possibly in the context of a sex education class. To facilitate cross-generational discussion, each chapter includes a list of discussion points readers may want address with key adults in their lives. The book is in two parts. The facts section covers basic information about the physical changes of puberty, as well as reproduction, sexually transmitted infections, and safe sex practices. The choices section covers the emotional changes of puberty and the challenges of adolescence. It offers straightforward suggestions for dealing with dating situations and responsible sexual actions.