Books with author James Collier

Carrie has been a kitchen slave in Sam Fraunces's tavern in New York City for as long as she can remember. But after she narrowly escapes a kidnapper, Carrie becomes more curious about her mysterious past. After all, she doesn't even know her own last name.When her friend Dan Arabus comes to town, he talks about his dream of buying his mother's freedom with the Continental notes his father left him. Deciding to help Dan discover how much the notes are worth, Carrie finds herself eavesdropping on Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and President Washington himself. What's more, Carrie also stumbles upon the startling truth about her own family.

Recognition • A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Reviews "Collier's challenging novel effectively combines historical fiction with a genuinely spooky supernatural tale." -The Horn Book Guide "Lessons on the importance of not forgetting the past are included in this fast-paced novel that will hook readers with a spooky ghost story while giving them interesting historical information." -School Library Journal Hardcover Edition available: The Empty Mirror 1-58234-949-5 - $16.95

Life at Deacon Smith’s Home for Waifs would be completely dreary if it weren’t for Possum’s best friend, Billy, who “thinks up lies faster than he can talk” and provides plenty of excitement for the other boys. When Billy hears that gold is hidden in the mountains—“Great big chunks of it, some of ‘em big as your fist”—he plans to escape, taking Possum with him. The two runaways embark on a journey in search of their dream—the gold that will lead to a better life. To earn enough money for their adventure, they join Professor Alberto Santini, “savant of the healing arts,” and his road show. The professor teaches the boys how “spieling” can make a buck, but it’s only the professor who seems to be earning any money. Just as Possum and Billy realize that they’ve been conned, they get tangled up in a murder. The boys try to keep ahead of the law as they continue their search for gold, but their friendship becomes strained as Possum begins to feel more and more “different in some ways” from Billy. Is the boys’ friendship strong enough to carry them through to the end of their journey?

Centuries after the Fall, the United States has been wiped away. The crumbling remains of the great American empire are home now only to savage, lawless tribes and packs of ravening Damned—the twisted children of the apocalypse. Most of those few who survived humanity’s destruction spend their short lives in a violent struggle for survival. But some light still flickers in the darkness: the Blessed of Bountiful live in seclusion, relying on walls both physical and spiritual to protect them from the Desolation that their world has become. Among them are the Saints, those few men and women born with superhuman abilities that the Blessed see as gifts from God.The violent apostate tribes of the Northeast Kingdom have always been a danger, but up until recently its small size and the vigilance of its people have made Bountiful an unappealing target. As attacks on the community grow harsher and more frequent, however, even the steadfast Blessed are forced to start preparing for the worst.With her home’s very existence threatened, seventeen year old Ever Oaks, a Saint with the power to heal, is forced to make a difficult choice, one that may come to define her people’s future…

Built to Last was a phenomenal success: 'It is a fair assumption that as the seminal importance of this audiobook begins to permeate the upper echelons of business and business schools...Collins and Porras will emerge as the gurus to watch over the next decade.' The Director.Good to Great explores a whole new concept, backed by the rigorous research standards which gave Built to Last such an impact. 1. Good is the Enemy of Great -- the scope of the project 2. Level 5 Leadership -- the type of leader required, humble and ferocious 3. First Who ...Then What -- how companies set the foundation for their shift from good to great 4. Confront the Brutal Facts (Yet Never Lose Faith) -- the duality that leads to greatness 5.Hedgehog Concept -- how to find the one big thing your company must focus on 6. A Culture of Discipline -- the magical alchemy of great performance 7. Technology Accelerators -- technology is a trap, unless used right 8. The Flywheel and the Doom Loop -- how to build sustained momentum and avoid the 'new regime, new revolution' doom loop 9. From Good to Great to Built to Last -- how to take a company from great to enduring great. Appendices:Good to Great in: the New Economy; non-Profits; Government; Investors; outside the US.Plus four research appendices