Books with author Joni Kelly

Poor old Ming was a very old clam indeed! This book introduces young audiences to the fascinating story of Ming the Quahog clam, whose story is a lesson in life cycles, ecology, climate change, environmentalism, responsible science, and much more. The best part is, all of these complex science concepts are made easy for young readers. By communicating this tale of marine science with accessible language and vivid, full-color photography, readers are sure to be bitten by the science bug, and inspired to learn more.

A magisterial account of one of the worst disasters to strike humankind--the Great Irish Potato Famine--conveyed as lyrical narrative history from the acclaimed author of The Great MortalityDeeply researched, compelling in its details, and startling in its conclusions about the appalling decisions behind a tragedy of epic proportions, John Kelly's retelling of the awful story of Ireland's great hunger will resonate today as history that speaks to our own times.It started in 1845 and before it was over more than one million men, women, and children would die and another two million would flee the country. Measured in terms of mortality, the Great Irish Potato Famine was the worst disaster in the nineteenth century--it claimed twice as many lives as the American Civil War. A perfect storm of bacterial infection, political greed, and religious intolerance sparked this catastrophe. But even more extraordinary than its scope were its political underpinnings, and The Graves Are Walking provides fresh material and analysis on the role that Britain's nation-building policies played in exacerbating the devastation by attempting to use the famine to reshape Irish society and character. Religious dogma, anti-relief sentiment, and racial and political ideology combined to result in an almost inconceivable disaster of human suffering. This is ultimately a story of triumph over perceived destiny: for fifty million Americans of Irish heritage, the saga of a broken people fleeing crushing starvation and remaking themselves in a new land is an inspiring story of revival. Based on extensive research and written with novelistic flair, The Graves Are Walking draws a portrait that is both intimate and panoramic, that captures the drama of individual lives caught up in an unimaginable tragedy, while imparting a new understanding of the famine's causes and consequences.

Fans of Patrice Kindl’s Keeping the Castle or Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer’s Sorcery and Cecelia will adore this funny Regency-era mystery about a determined young woman with a magical trick up her sleeve . . . The year is 1818, the city is London, and 16-year-old Annis Whitworth has just learned that her father is dead and all his money is missing. And so, of course, she decides to become a spy. Annis always suspected that her father was himself a spy, and following in his footsteps to unmask his killer makes perfect sense. Alas, it does not make sense to England’s current spymasters—not even when Annis reveals that she has the rare magical ability to sew glamours: garments that can disguise the wearer completely. Well, if the spies are too pigheaded to take on a young woman of quality, then Annis will take them on. And so she crafts a new double life for herself. Miss Annis Whitworth will appear to live a quiet life in a country cottage with her aunt, and Annis-in-disguise as Madame Martine, glamour artist, will open a magical dressmaking shop. That way she can earn a living, maintain her social standing, and, in her spare time, follow the coded clues her father left behind and unmask his killer. It can’t be any harder than navigating the London social season, can it?“Murder, Magic, and What We Wore blew my bonnet off. Kelly Jones has found a fresh way to share the delights of the magical regency. I truly love this book!” —Caroline Stevermer, coauthor of Sorcery & Cecilia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot “A deliciously enchanting adventure full of magic, mystery and delight.” —Stephanie Burgis, author of Kat, Incorrigible

Flamingos are a ubiquitous, pink symbol that appears everywhere, clothing, school supplies, logos, lawns, and in zoos across the country. With vibrant, full-color photography and lively but accessible writing, this volume gives young readers a chance to learn about that animal they no doubt recognize. As one of the longest-living birds on Earth, the story of the flamingo provides a firsthand account of how life cycles, ecosystems, and the animal kingdom work. There's no better way to expose young readers to curriculum-specific science topics than to illuminate the life of the world's most recognizable, distinct bird with this fun, age-appropriate book.

Most people know kois as vibrant, colorful fish swimming slowly through a serene Japanese pond setting, transfixing passers-by. Most people don't know that they're some of the oldest living fish in the world. Young readers will love reading the story of Hanako, the 226-year-old, scarlet-colored koi that lived in Japan for centuries. Through vivid color photography and clean, age-appropriate writing, readers will learn about not only kois, but ecosystems, life cycles, environments, and other key science curriculum concepts.

"This book goes beyond basic shark 101 information. Now it's possible for young readers to step into the wild, wonderful life cycle of the Greenland shark, the longest-living vertebrate in the world. Early elementary readers are sure to enjoy the colorful photography of this captivating text, and won't even notice that they're learning key science concepts, like ecosystems and food chains, along the way"--Provided by publisher.

Tube worms are some of the strangest-looking creatures of the deep sea, not to mention they live in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Young readers will love discovering just how these freaky animals not only live, but thrive for centuries. Discoveries are happening constantly these days, as new technologies finally allow scientists to explore the deep sea's cold seeps and hydrothermal vents. Any library or classroom will have a home for this dynamic, accessible, age-appropriate volume filled with brilliant color photography of these freaky ocean worms.

The masked avenger of the cartoon spaceways has been a popular character since his introduction to television in 1966. Since then, people have wondered who he is, how he got those power bands and why he protects the galaxy from evil. Now his story is told for the first time ever. Learn the tragic circumstances that led to his donning a cowl and his first battle with arch nemesis Zorak.

Ivy Pocket is a twelve-year-old maid of no importance, with a very lofty opinion of herself. Dumped in Paris by the Countess Carbunkle, who would rather run away to South America than continue in Ivy's companionship, our young heroine (of sorts) finds herself with no money and no home to go to ... until she is summoned to the bedside of the dying Duchess of Trinity. For the princely sum of £500 (enough to buy a carriage, and possibly a monkey), Ivy agrees to courier the Duchess's most precious possession – the Clock Diamond – to England, and to put it around the neck of the revolting Matilda Butterfield on her twelfth birthday. It's not long before Ivy finds herself at the heart of a conspiracy involving mischief, mayhem and murder.Illustrated in humorous gothic detail by John Kelly, Anyone But Ivy Pocket is just the beginning of one girl's deadly comic journey to discover who she really is ...

The pig lives all alone in a house on top of a hill. He's very happy with his quiet life. He has his books, his tidy tidy house and a lovely view. Until one morning he opens the curtains to find a duck has taken up residence on the tiny pinnacle of rock outside his window. Much to the pigs annoyance the excessively friendly duck likes the spot and decides to build a house there. With a swimming pool. And a garden and patio. The duck tries to be friendly. He's very confident and outgoing. It seems he's been everywhere (unlike the pig), done everything; skiing, mountain climbing, parachuting, scuba-diving, even brain surgery. The pig just wants to be left alone. Eventually, after a particularly loud party, the pig shouts at the duck, and the next morning finds a note pinned to the duck's front door. It reads: GONE AWAY. At first the pig is pleased. But gradually realises that his life without the duck is quiet and slightly dull. He comes to miss the duck and regrets rejecting him. One day there is a knock on the door and the pig opens it to find the duck wearing a som- brero and carrying a pinata. He'd only been on holiday in the South. He does it every year. Maybe next year the pig will join him.