Books with author Francis B.

When high school freshman Lindy O'Brian sees a go-kart in action she dreams of building her own machine. Only a few minor details stand in her way -- she's broke, most of her friends think she's nuts, and enemies she didn't even know existed are out to get her. The technical hurdles are nothing compared to the crime she and her friend Burt must solve on their way to building… "A Kart for Lindy"

Life is a party. We are thrust into this world with no idea what we are supposed to do or where to go. What we think we want is not always what's right for us. And yet we ride the rollercoaster of life. Might as well have fun and enjoy the party. The Prince of Undies follows the tale of a young man and his coming-of-age journey through a new lifestyle filled with sex, booze, drugs, and of course, UNDIES.

Jack Hart is severely burnt and his mother and sister perish when their house is destroyed by a German V1 flying bomb. Jack spends 6 months in hospital. Jack’s Father is a POW of the Japanese in Malaya; Jack has no one to care for him. On discharge from hospital, he is sent to Hastings as an evacuee. It is early 1945 and the children evacuation programme from London is almost at an end. Jack is sent anyway. The authorities believe that the relaxed atmosphere of the seaside will ease the trauma he has experienced. Jack meets Ben and they become good friends, enjoying together the adventures that only two eleven year old boys can. However, all good things must come to an end and Jack and Ben are returned to their local areas in London. On his return from being a prisoner of war, Jack’s father is a broken man. In spite of Jack’s efforts to help him, his Father can’t cope and eventually succumbs to the brutality of the Japanese on the Burma railway. This is Jack’s story of his search for love and about the people he meets on the way.

Captain Morgana Mason is a young girl living in Key West, Florida, who becomes the "captain" of the family sponge boat by default when her grandfather has a heart attack and is forced to take to his bed. It is a challenge for the young lady, and her younger brother, who feel abandoned by their mother and are desperate to hold things together for their family by succeeding at sponging. Morgana and her brother Seth grow up a few notches during the summer, and learn that things and people are not always as they seem. -- Reviews --"Morgana, age 13, and her younger brother Seth, must assume many adult responsibilities when their grandfather, with whom they live, becomes ill and is unable to continue his sponge fishing business. Grandfather’s housekeeper keeps telling Morgana to have confidence in herself and trust her own intuition and everything will be all right. This is an excellent character sketch of a young girl’s doubts and resolutions. It is also a very good description of the area and way of living on Florida’s West Coast."Elaine Haynes, Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group "A clear picture of sponge fishing is given. Also the ability of 12 and 13 year olds to accept responsibility and act is clearly pointed out. The plot is well done and characters completely believable." R. Louise Roth, Lakeland, Florida School District, I.U. #19 "This story is outstanding in plot organization, character development, and description, helping readers build a positive attitude. Morgana and Seth live with their grandfather, a sponger. When he becomes ill, they try to run the sponge business. He dies after imparting his philosophy of life." Librarian, Northeast Area Media Examination Center, Kingston, PA. "The illness of her grandfather forces thirteen-year-old Morgana and her younger brother, to carry on his sponge diving business in Florida. The story has a lot of local color and unusual characters, as well as a believable and thought provoking solution." Ingeborg Uncia, Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA "It is important for children to develop a more global look at their world and to realize there are many young people who exist with different customs in different cultures. Yet, they must also understand that human emotions are universal among people and something that we share in common. Very nice job of accomplishing the above stated concepts." Rebecca Jesinski, District Media Center, Osseo, Minnesota. Awards:- Listed as one of New York's 1983 Children's Books of the Year.- Selected as "Best Children’s Book of 1983 Incorporating Florida Background and History" by the Florida State Historical Society

Dragons and Druids live and walk among us today. They are unseen and in human form, trying to live ordinary lives. They have to keep their alternate personas secret, to avoid being persecuted and hunted by those whose mission it is to destroy them.When Alex (15) and Hannah (16) fall into a mysterious cavern at their new home and discover strange artifacts within, they find themselves unwitting members of this secret group. As they practice their powers, their talents come to the attention of a secret religious sect that is sworn to eradicate their kind, in order to conceal awkward truths about Christianity. They are enrolled in a secret school under the protection of the CIA, meet others with similar stories and soon enjoy the freedom to develop their Dragon and Druidic talents. Soon questions begin to be asked about who is friend and who is foe. Suspicions also increase as to the motives of the CIA team protecting them, and what price they will ultimately pay. They also learn the extent to which their enemies will go to hunt them down, including the kidnap and enslavement of the mythical Baba Yaga, the Keeper of Souls.Ignoring warnings of danger, Alex and Hannah decide to take their destiny into their own hands, and use their new-found skills to mete out their own brand of justice……