Books with author Cynthia

A comical, fantastical and witty re-imagining of the Tudor world, perfect for fans of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Lady Jane Grey, sixteen, is about to be married to a total stranger – and caught up in an insidious plot to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But that’s the least of Jane’s problems. She’s about to become Queen of England. Like that could go wrong.

"A glowing book...An enthralling journey to a gratifying end."THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEWThe Tillerman kids' mother just left them one day in a car in a mall parking lot. Their father, too, had left them a long time ago. So, as usual, it was up to thirteen-year-old Dicey, the eldest of four, to take care of everything, make all the decisions, feed them, find places to sleep. But above all, Dicey would have to make sure to avoid the authorities who would split them up and place them in foster homes. Deep down, she hoped they could find an adult they could trust, someone who would take them in and love them. But she was afraid it was too much to hope for...."Fantastic...Dicey's strength and courage carry the story."THE BALTIMORE SUN

"False, they were all of them false, the stories; as false as the stories of fairies dancing in moonlight glades on Midsummer Night." But they served a purpose. In a distant time and far-off kingdom, life is hard. People don't have enough to eat, and winter is upon them. There's little that offers hope, and many turn to the legends of Jackaroo -- the masked outlaw hero who rides at night giving aid to the helpless and coin to the destitute -- for solace. But Gwyn, the Innkeeper's daughter -- sensitive, industrious, and independent -- is too practical to believe such tales. But when a snowstorm forces her and a young Lordling to seek refuge in an abandoned house, Gwyn wonders if perhaps she has been too cynical. Hidden away in an old forgotten cupboard, Gwyn discovers a package -- a cloak, a mask, a sword....Jackaroo? Could the stories be true? It takes a shock and a devastating betrayal for Gwyn to begin to understand what -- and who -- Jackaroo really is. And she comes to know what part she will play in discovering the truth, such as it may be, behind the legends.

In the beginning, there's a boy standing in the trees . . . .Clara Gardner has recently learned that she's part angel. Having angel blood run through her veins not only makes her smarter, stronger, and faster than humans (a word, she realizes, that no longer applies to her), but it means she has a purpose, something she was put on this earth to do. Figuring out what that is, though, isn't easy. Her visions of a raging forest fire and an alluring stranger lead her to a new school in a new town. When she meets Christian, who turns out to be the boy of her dreams (literally), everything seems to fall into place—and out of place at the same time. Because there's another guy, Tucker, who appeals to Clara's less angelic side.As Clara tries to find her way in a world she no longer understands, she encounters unseen dangers and choices she never thought she'd have to make—between honesty and deceit, love and duty, good and evil. When the fire from her vision finally ignites, will Clara be ready to face her destiny?Unearthly is a moving tale of love and fate, and the struggle between following the rules and following your heart.

Eighteen-year-old Brie Birlow is mourning the death of her mother while trying desperately to stay strong for her younger sister, Alex. But a near death experience, an apparition that seems to want her dead and the awakening of inexplicable feelings make her question her own sanity. With time running out, Brie must unravel her family’s legacy in order to escape the inevitable darkness that awaits her.

Hamster and Dog are back to celebrate Hamster's birthday! Pink cake, blue cake, chocolate through-and-through cake. Short cake, tall cake, cannot-eat-it-all cake. WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling illustrator Derek Anderson return with a tale chock-full of fun rhymes and hilarious artwork about Hamster's favorite day: his birthday! But is it possible that Dog and his friends have forgotten all about it? Not a chance. Join them as they plan the best surprise birthday party ever!

Secrets will be revealed! Fondest wishes will be fulfilled! Permacrud will be . . . what the heck is permacrud, anyway? Find out in Dog Goner, the second book in the hilarious Kibble Talk series. Tawny and Jenny, along with their dogs Dinky and Gunner, have set themselves on a mission - or really, three missions. Gunner just wants to be clean, but it’s not as easy as it seems. Jenny is determined to find out the secret to Kibble Talking, and she’s prepared to feed kibble to the whole fourth grade if need be. Tawny wants a little brother or sister to make her family complete. But there’s someone else with a fondest wish, and they’ll do anything to get it. Can Dinky save the day before he becomes a dog goner? Dog Goner is a fast moving and funny fiction story perfect for readers aged 7 to 12 or as a read-a-loud.

Winston Churchill is considered one of the greatest men of the twentieth century. As Prime Minister, he helped lead Great Britain through the darkest hours of World War II. He was a statesman, author, painter, and an inspiring speaker. Born into an aristocratic British family with an American mother, he considered the United States his second home. At a young age, Churchill was an army officer, and a celebrated war correspondent. For most of his long life, he served in various political positions, most famously as Prime Minister. He is known for his defiant resolve against Nazi aggression and encouragement to the British population during dark periods of WWII. Known worldwide for his great leadership, his speeches and clever sayings are still quoted today.

Once Tawny decides to do something, there’s no holding her back. So when her best friend Jenny dares her to eat dog kibble, down it goes. Little does she know how that dusty, tasteless lump will change her life. Suddenly she can hear what dogs have to say and talk back to them too! This might not be such a big deal, except that her own pet, an enormous Great Dane named Dinky, has a LOT to say. He lets her know right away that his fondest wish is to be a teeny tiny lap dog with all the sparkly accessories. Tawny promises to help him, and her life nearly goes to the dogs. A funny book for boys and girls or adults who love dog stories, you will never look at your dog the same way again! Book 1 in the Kibble Talk Series.

The Newbery-winning novel in Cynthia Voigt’s timeless series is repackaged with a modern look.When Momma abandoned Dicey Tillerman and her three siblings in a mall parking lot and was later traced to an asylum where she lay unrecognizing, unknowing, she left her four children no choice but to get on by themselves. They set off alone on foot over hundreds of miles until they finally found someone to take them in. Gram’s rundown farm isn’t perfect, but they can stay together as a family—which is all Dicey really wanted.But after watching over the others for so long, it’s hard for Dicey to know what to do now. Her own identity has been so wrapped up in being the caretaker, navigator, penny counter, and decision maker that she’s not sure how to let go of some responsibilities while still keeping a sense of herself. But when the past comes back with devastating force, Dicey sees just how necessary—and painful—letting go can be.