Books with author Megan Meredith

Note: if I can give my children nothing else, I would endeavor to make them heirs to hope. From the pen of the author of Concrete Jungle is perhaps his most compassionate and revealing story yet, a novel of overwhelming candor and beauty, where triumph is illuminated through the poetry of tragedy, comedy, bitterness, and hope. In the dying light of the day, the kingdom is forced to realize that life is too short, time is too precious, and the stakes are too high to doubt the crucial caveats that give the last unanswerable word on the poverty of helplessness-a princess forced into a nightmarish journey of despair by the desperation, circumstance and the predatory will of deceitful villains, and by legends conceived in fairytale and flowered in evil. Each character reflects a visual pageantry that speaks through the quiet elegance of an example isolated in the indulgence of possibility. Here is a refreshing story of mythical forests, storybook kingdoms and fascinating lands that stretches the imagination around an unforgettable tale of hope and faith and the audacity to believe in a dream come true.

This is an essential reference tool for anyone wanting to learn about faiths from around the world. This is a balanced exploration of the beliefs, history and customs of all the major world religions, as well as many lesser-known faiths. Beautiful photographs and engaging illustrations complement the informative thought-provoking text. This title is presented with fully-updated internet links.

Why do teenagers use drugs, what happens to them when they do, and what can we do about it? Venturing into uncharted territory, mother and award-winning journalist Meredith Maran takes us inside teenagers' hearts, minds, and central nervous systems to explore the causes and consequences of our nation's drug crisis. In these pages we get to know the kids, the parents, the therapists, and the drug treatment programs at their best and worst. We're face-to-face with seventeen-year-old Mike, whose life revolves around selling, smoking, and snorting speed; fifteen-year-old Tristan -- the boy next door -- who can't get enough pot, pills, or vodka; and sixteen-year-old Zalika, a runaway, crack dealer, and prostitute since the age of twelve. In their relapses and rebounds we witness the anguish and resilience of teenagers in trouble -- a fact of life for far too many American families today.Combining powerful on-the-street reporting, groundbreaking research, and Maran's own mothering story, Dirty is essential reading for every parent and professional who works with or cares about children or teenagers.