Books with author D. Anne Love

Mouse, a timid orphan growing up in medieval England, has little happiness in the world. But then, when she comes across a puppeteer so talented that he can make the puppets talk and dance as if they were little humans, Mouse realizes that true happiness is within reach -- and the key is learning how to make the puppets dance! What she doesn't realize, however, is just how much she and her prospective mentor have in common and how much, one day, they will share.

Jessie’s not surprised when her father says they’ll be moving from their Kentucky home to a better life in Texas. But there’s no work for her father in their new small town and Jessie doesn’t know how they’ll go on when tragedy strikes their family. Jessie’s only comfort is her new friend, a Mexican girl named Angelina. Their friendship must stay secret because Jessie’s father is joining other soldiers who are against Mexico in the fight for an independent Texas. When Jessie’s father and older brother leave, she and the rest of her family run toward the safety of the fort — the Alamo. What will become of the family now?

Mouse works in the scullery at Dunston Manor, peeling onions, stirring the pots, sweeping the floors, and doing her best not to get into trouble with the fractious cook. Alone at night in the dark corner she calls home, she wishes for something wondrous to happen and dreams of a better life. But what chance does she have, a girl born with nothing, not even a proper name? Then Mouse sees a puppet play and knows at once what she must do. Somehow she must learn to make the puppets dance. Somehow she must become the puppeteer's apprentice. But the puppeteer is harboring some uncomfortable secrets, and Mouse doesn't know whether she has the courage it takes to fulfill her dreams. How Mouse finds her place in the world, and a very special name, is the heart of this thoroughly absorbing and remarkable story set in medieval England.

It's the middle of summer in Mirabeau, Texas, but already Garnet Hubbard looks forward to fall -- to entering seventh grade and becoming a teenager at last. With Opal, her beautiful and popular fourteen-year-old sister, as her guide, Garnet is sure to have a great year. But everything changes when their mother, Melanie, packs them up and heads for Nashville, determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a country singer. Almost before they know it, Melanie drops the girls at her sister's house in Oklahoma, assuring them she'll be back just as soon as she's settled in Tennessee. But when a few days turn into a few weeks and beyond, with no Melanie in sight, the girls begin to realize what has happened. While Opal soon becomes one of the most popular girls in school, her younger sister struggles. For Garnet, getting used to her new life means trying to figure out how to have pride in herself when it seems she has little to offer the world and the odds are stacked against her. With only each other to lean on, Melanie's "precious gems" must learn to live with the hand they've been dealt and to accept the changing face of their family. Set in the early 1960s and beautifully told by D. Anne Love, Semiprecious is a powerful, poignant, and often funny coming-of-age novel that will stay with readers long after the turn of the final page.

So far, life for fourteen-year-old Phoebe Trask has been picture perfect. Her parents are successful; her older sister, Shyla, is on track to becoming the youngest lawyer in Texas; and her sixteen-year-old brother, Zane, the all-American best brother ever, is a star on the high school swim team. Then Phoebe's mother, Beth, becomes the traveling spokeswoman for Bee Beautiful Cosmetics, a job that keeps her away from home indefinitely, and Phoebe's father, a respected judge, finds himself embroiled in a trial that has the whole town choosing sides. What's more, the new next-door neighbor is a gorgeous widow who seems to want to take Beth's place in the family. All of a sudden Phoebe's once-solid family is on very shaky ground. In the year that follows, Phoebe is pushed to her limit as she struggles to cope with the changes in her life that just keep coming, ready or not -- and as she learns what it really means to love...and to forgive.

The Civil War truly hits home when Susanna's father is called to help the Confederate Army. Twelve-year-old Susanna is placed in charge of the family's South Carolina plantation and her two younger brothers. Then the Yankee soldiers invade their island, forcing Susanna and her brothers Neddie and Samuel to escape to their other home in Charleston. When a fire destroys their Charleston home, Susanna decides nothing will stop them from finding their father. Throughout the dangerous journey, Susanna can't help but question the traditions her family and most Southerners have been fighting to protect. Maybe it's time to stop going with the flow, and go up against the tide.

It's the middle of summer in Mirabeau, Texas, but already Garnet Hubbard looks forward to fall -- to entering seventh grade and becoming a teenager at last. With Opal, her beautiful and popular fourteen-year-old sister, as her guide, Garnet is sure to have a great year. But everything changes when their mother, Melanie, packs them up and heads for Nashville, determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a country singer. Almost before they know it, Melanie drops the girls at her sister's house in Oklahoma, assuring them she'll be back just as soon as she's settled in Tennessee. But when a few days turn into a few weeks and beyond, with no Melanie in sight, the girls begin to realize what has happened. While Opal soon becomes one of the most popular girls in school, her younger sister struggles. For Garnet, getting used to her new life means trying to figure out how to have pride in herself when it seems she has little to offer the world and the odds are stacked against her. With only each other to lean on, Melanie's "precious gems" must learn to live with the hand they've been dealt and to accept the changing face of their family. Set in the early 1960s and beautifully told by D. Anne Love, Semiprecious is a powerful, poignant, and often funny coming-of-age novel that will stay with readers long after the turn of the final page.

For Haley Patterson, freshman year of high school boils down to having a good time with her two best friends and making a name for herself at the school newspaper. But when Haley reveals one too many juicy details in her gossip column, superdiva and queen bee Camilla Quinn makes sure that Haley's life changes...for the worse. Completely ostracized by everyone at school, including her best friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. Reprieve comes in the form of a summer job at an exclusive mountain resort, where Haley forges new friend-ships, snags a cute lifeguard, and learns how to trust again. But her newfound hope is not bought without some heartbreak. As the summer draws to a close, an unexpected confrontation with Camilla forces Haley to face her fears. Will she continue to let Camilla control her life? Or will Haley find the confidence and courage to stand her ground? From the author of Picture Perfect and Semiprecious comes an honest, poignant novel about fear, friendship, and fighting back.

ALL IS NOT WELL IN KELHADDEN.During a long-ago battle the king was killed, and his powerful amulet, which protects the kingdom from harm, was lost. Then Kelhadden fell to Ranulf, a cruel Northman, under whose regime the people are dying and the city is deteriorating. Now the only hope is that the true prince of Kelhadden will come forward, recover the amulet, and take back the kingdom.Born on the night of the red sky, Thorn is taken in by the old warrior Morwid, former counselor to the murdered king and keeper of the all-knowing Book of Ancients. Thorn knows nothing of his background until his twelfth summer, when he learns it is he who must undertake the dangerous quest for the lost amulet. Though Morwid has taught Thorn many useful skills, the tasks that lie before him seem nearly impossibe. But with the help of two remarkable companions, Thorn embarks on a journey to save the kingdom, and in the process reveals deep family secrets, leading him to his rightful place in the world.The Secret Prince is an exhilarating story filled with enchantment, high adventure, and surprises that will leave readers breathless.

Bess Morgan longs for the day when her Pa will come back home. He's been working on the Oregon Trail, bringing settlers out West, and his return is long overdue. Bess and Mama pass the time by singing, quilting, and taking care of their farm. Then disaster strikes when Bess's mama comes down with swamp fever and a collector comes for the hundred dollars Pa owes him. If Bess and her mama don't pay the money in 30 days, they'll lose the farm. Bess's only hope of getting the money is to win a quilt contest at the town fair. From that moment on, Bess works day and night on the Log Cabin quilt that could save the family farm.

For Haley Patterson, freshman year of high school boils down to having a good time with her two best friends and making a name for herself at the school newspaper. But when Haley reveals one too many juicy details in her gossip column, superdiva and queen bee Camilla Quinn makes sure that Haley's life changes...for the worse. Completely ostracized by everyone at school, including her best friends, Haley finds herself alone and miserable. Reprieve comes in the form of a summer job at an exclusive mountain resort, where Haley forges new friend-ships, snags a cute lifeguard, and learns how to trust again. But her newfound hope is not bought without some heartbreak. As the summer draws to a close, an unexpected confrontation with Camilla forces Haley to face her fears. Will she continue to let Camilla control her life? Or will Haley find the confidence and courage to stand her ground? From the author of Picture Perfect and Semiprecious comes an honest, poignant novel about fear, friendship, and fighting back.