Books with author IAN THOMPSON

An inspirational illustrated book on what it means to hold onto hope.These 24 pages are full of beautiful images that move the reader alongside the inspiring corresponding words. The emphasis of this book is about what happens when you let yourself believe in hope, feed into the hope to allow it to grow, and let the hope nourish you back during difficult times.This book is appropriate for children of all ages with its simple message and artwork.The hardback makes a wonderful coffee table book to easily flip through in a short time.A wonderful gift size book for loved ones going through hard times.

Achilles is a young man with incredible strength capable of striking fear in those around him. But where does his abnormal strength come from? And why will no one, including his father, tell Achilles about his past, including whatever happened to his mother? Patroclus is a young man on the run. His only hope is to run fast enough to escape his violent past. If it were to ever catch up with him, it would surely mean his death. Together, Achilles and Patroclus are going to become unlikely companions and embark on an adventure to become friends and true heroes, but first they need to learn how. The legendary centaur, Chiron, trainer of heroes, will have to teach Achilles and Patroclus what it means to be heroic, and how to accept who they are. But will it be enough? The training will be dangerous, and it is going to push both boys to their physical limits. Achilles and Patroclus are going to have to learn to come to grips with their own pasts, and accept each other’s as well. By successfully completing Chiron’s training they will receive a final quest to see if they are ready to become heroes. If they thought the training was tough, it is nothing compared to the quests Chiron will have in store for the boys. To survive and return home as true heroes, Achilles and Patroclus are going to have to use all of their skills and abilities while completing tasks that will take them all the way to the underworld, and the river Styx.Achilles, the hero from Greek mythology is brought to life in this tale that explores his early years, before he became the hero warrior at Troy. Now find out the path Achilles and his friend Patroclus must take to become true heroes.

When a suspicious car bomb explosion murders his mother and brother, 17-year-old Duncan Banigan embarks on a quest for answers. On his mission to uncover the mystery behind their deaths, Duncan learns that sometimes you know more about the people who might want to kill you than you do about the people who love you. In his fourth novel, Thompson provides yet another wildly unique look at life as it is experienced by young people.

“Saving” The Giving TreeAs part of my Bachelor of Education degree (over twenty years ago now!) we were asked to write a children’s story. I chose to rewrite Shel Silverstein’s classic, The Giving Tree, in a brighter light. I always felt this touching story was a little too sad. I also felt it missed the opportunity to impart an important perspective; the messages of stewardship and symbiosis, central to First Nations and Aboriginal cultures the world over.This is the message I hope this book can share with new generations of young people. As a Canadian of Metis heritage, I feel it is an important message. There are other parts of First Nations culture touched upon as well. I have taken literary license in their incorporation. Tobacco and smudging are sacred rites, and they are meant to show respect, just not necessarily in the way they are portrayed here. Flutes and love songs are also a part of many cultures as are canoes and the use of lodge poles. I hope this book can also act as a springboard for further study. This story offers a different perspective on the friendship that can exist between human (the boy Meekwun) and nature (as personified through the tree). Informed from the First Nations’ perspective of stewardship over the Earth, this re-imagining is one that offers a view of interdependence and encourages young readers and adults alike to be more thoughtful in their interactions with our living home. It is meant to be read and enjoyed by individual readers and as a sharing opportunity for discussion between children and their care-givers, teachers, friends and classmates as they define their own relationship to our home. It has been particularly rewarding to use this book as a comparative literature study with my students over the years when read in contrast to Mr. Silverstein’s book as well.Sean Thompson, 2020

For Joel and Thomas Mason, a normal school project turns into an adventure that almost costs them their lives. Along with the other 5th grade students at Crozet Elementary, Thomas and Joel have the assignment of researching the abandoned train tunnels engineered by Claudius Crozet, the man for whom their school and town was named. These tunnels are over 150 years old, and one of them hides a secret that isn’t supposed to be exposed. Joel, Thomas, and their new friend, Kevin, begin their own secret investigation of these tunnels, and almost disappear forever.This story is based around the history of the Crozet, Virginia area, and the train tunnels engineered and built by Claudius Crozet in the mid-1800s. Those tunnels had been closed for over 70 years, but are now being reopened to the public for hiking and exploration.

"In the darkest of days, a mistress will come, then mortal and fairy shall flow as one."Elflink portrays the story of Faryn, the young crossbreed who discovers she alone holds the key to saving a magical garden and its mystical inhabitants from a treasonous thread weaving its way through the frayed fabric of the clan. Armed only with her newly acquired powers as Mistress, Faryn confronts the multigenerational conflict between this evil faction and her beleaguered mortal family. The enchanting tale begins millennia ago in a land much like our own. From tangled forests of ancient oaks and misty swamps, came pagan hordes to debate their uncertain future ... a future threatened by the "others." Having lost a decisive battle in Ireland, the elders placed surviving members of the clan in orbs fashioned of amber, to sleep until Eleanor; the archeologist's young botanist wife inadvertently awakens them in America. Incensed at being "kidnapped" from their ancestral home, the clan commences a mutually debilitating feud, which continues unabated until Faryn arrives with the power and resolve to reestablish a lasting peace within the mound.Elflink is suitable for readers aged 15 and above. Main characters: Faryn: Endowed with supernatural powers, Faryn, at 16, confronts the treasonous faction bent on overthrowing the fairy queen. "I wasn't trying to steal the orb . . . besides; it's none of your business what I was doing." Aelfwin: Determined to save her clan, Aelfwin joins with Faryn to confront the Aire. "You must remember, Mistress, never let go of my hand or ..." Aire: Continuously plotting to subjugate the clan, this rather pompous tyrant imprisons Faryn. "The legend must be wrong; this mere child can't be the mistress." Lexie: Courageously protecting her daughter Faryn, Lexie struggles against deadly odds to secure her future. "Mom, I'm sorry, but you'll just have to leave things to me ... it's my time." Mara: Helps the Evermore family accept Faryn's perilous otherworldly quest. "You've got an orb ... where in the world did you find it?"

Ministering to troubled youth can easily tarnish a person's reputation.Mr. Bones, always striving to reach those falling through society's cracks, often finds his head on the chopping block.He isn't stupid; he knows all too well that it only takes one false allegation to ruin his career and his reputation throughout the community. But it's worth the risk... or is it?Carlos Estrada, his newest client, is different than most of the others the young probation officer supervises. With Carlos having a history of acting out sexually, Mr. Bones must proceed with caution.It's difficult to persuade a person to change his life around when he doesn't think he's doing anything wrong. Can Mr. Bones help Carlos before Carlos gets the best of him?If you've already read the first two books in the Worthy Battle series, you won't want to miss this one! Buy your copy of Reprogramming Carlos today to see if it's possible to redeem the teen before he ruins his own life?

In 1849 miners flocked to what is now Placerville, California in search of gold. Before the prospectors arrived, the forests and streams were home to little curious gnomes. Throughout the town's history, these gnomes have hidden in plain sight and delighted in the antics of humans. In modern times, the gnomes of Placerville have come out of hiding and can be found people-watching on Main Street. The Gnomes of Placerville is a book written and illustrated by C. Thompson to work in tandem with the small clay gnomes she has hidden around Placerville, California for years. These gnomes, and their exploits can be found on social media by searching the hashtag #PVGnomey.