Books with author Roslyn Oades

A gripping upper-middle-grade fantasy set in Bronze-Age Crete from Nim's Island author Wendy OrrThe girl has had many selves in her short life. The first she remembers is Aissa, the daughter of Mama and Dada, sister to Zufi who watched the goats. Then the Bull King's raiders came, and Mama said, "Don't make a sound till I come back." And when the villagers found her she was silent as stone, because Mama never came back again.So the villagers cursed her as back luck and made her No-Name, lowest of the servants to the Lady, the island's priestess. But there were whispers, as she grew, of another self: of the Lady's rejected first daughter, born imperfect with two extra thumbs. The silent girl looks at the scars on her wrists and wonders, but she has more pressing concerns. The villagers blame her bad luck for the tribute the Bull King now demands of them: two youths given each spring to dance with his bulls and die for his god's glory. And the servants hate and fear the unnatural way the animals all come to her. For Aissa, though, this bond with creatures of fur and scale is the first clue in finding the true self that no one else can give to her, or take away.Wendy Orr, the author of Nim's Island, introduces a resourceful and resilient heroine for slightly older readers. Inspired by an archeological trip to the island of Crete, where frescoes show figures leaping over the backs of bulls, Orr weaves an intriguing mythological portrayal of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization. Lyrically written and refreshingly unpredictable, Dragonfly Song suggests a fascinating origin for the legend of the Minotaur and his dark tribute.

A gripping upper-middle-grade fantasy set in Bronze-Age Crete from Nim's Island author Wendy OrrThe girl has had many selves in her short life. The first she remembers is Aissa, the daughter of Mama and Dada, sister to Zufi who watched the goats. Then the Bull King's raiders came, and Mama said, "Don't make a sound till I come back." And when the villagers found her she was silent as stone, because Mama never came back again.So the villagers cursed her as back luck and made her No-Name, lowest of the servants to the Lady, the island's priestess. But there were whispers, as she grew, of another self: of the Lady's rejected first daughter, born imperfect with two extra thumbs. The silent girl looks at the scars on her wrists and wonders, but she has more pressing concerns. The villagers blame her bad luck for the tribute the Bull King now demands of them: two youths given each spring to dance with his bulls and die for his god's glory. And the servants hate and fear the unnatural way the animals all come to her. For Aissa, though, this bond with creatures of fur and scale is the first clue in finding the true self that no one else can give to her, or take away.Wendy Orr, the author of Nim's Island, introduces a resourceful and resilient heroine for slightly older readers. Inspired by an archeological trip to the island of Crete, where frescoes show figures leaping over the backs of bulls, Orr weaves an intriguing mythological portrayal of the Bronze Age Minoan civilization. Lyrically written and refreshingly unpredictable, Dragonfly Song suggests a fascinating origin for the legend of the Minotaur and his dark tribute.

Tabby and the Catfish:Princess Tabby is no scaredy-cat! The day of the Peace Parade has finally arrived, and Princess Tabby can't wait to ride on the Royal Boat! But when King Gorgonzola steals the Torch of Peace, Tabby and her brothers must go underwater to find it. While in the lake, the Whiskered Wonders find the Torch – and catfish! The creatures just might be able to help. Will Tabby and her new friends be able to bring peace back to Mewtopia?Tabby Takes the Crown:The Founding Day Festival has arrived, and Princess Tabby can't wait! But when King Gorgonzola threatens to ruin it, Tabby must act fast to save the festival.Will the Whiskered Wonders be able to save Mewtopia, or will Tabby's plan be less than purr-fect?

Tabby's First Quest Princess Tabby loves playing in the palace with her brothers and reading about brave kitty heroes. When Tabby and her brothers accidentally give away a magic scroll to the evil King Gorgonzola, they must leave the safety of their castle to get it back.But reading about adventures and going on a real quest are two very different things. Tabby's never been afraid before, but suddenly she doesn't feel so brave. Will she be able to find her courage and save Mewtopia?Tabby and the Pup PrincePrincess Tabby must be on her best behaviour for the upcoming visit with the royal hounds of Barkshire. She can't wait to play with Prince Buddy, the pup prince. But then King Gorgonzola steals a magic orb, threatening to ruin the visit. Tabby and her brothers must once again stop the evil rat and save the day.Cats and dogs are very different, and tagging along with the Whiskered Wonders is difficult for Buddy. Will he be able to keep up with the royal kittens, or is Mewtopia in for a ruff time?

Leira's family flee to the island of Crete just before a huge volcanic eruption destroys their island and sends a tsunami to where they thought they had found safety. I wonder if the first day of Learning is always like this - do the girls on the hill always feel the ground tremble under their feet? Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the goddess hasn't finished with the island yet. With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety. A thrilling Bronze Age survival story from the acclaimed author of Dragonfly Song.

Leira's family flee to the island of Crete just before a huge volcanic eruption destroys their island and sends a tsunami to where they thought they had found safety. I wonder if the first day of Learning is always like this - do the girls on the hill always feel the ground tremble under their feet? Leira is about to start her initiation as a priestess when her world is turned upside down. A violent earthquake leaves her home - and her family - in pieces. And the goddess hasn't finished with the island yet. With her family, Leira flees across the sea to Crete, expecting sanctuary. But a volcanic eruption throws the entire world into darkness. After the resulting tsunami, society descends into chaos; the status and privilege of being noble-born reduced to nothing. With her injured mother and elderly nurse, Leira has only the strength and resourcefulness within herself to find safety. A thrilling Bronze Age survival story from the acclaimed author of Dragonfly Song.

Tabby and the Catfish:Princess Tabby is no scaredy-cat! The day of the Peace Parade has finally arrived, and Princess Tabby can't wait to ride on the Royal Boat! But when King Gorgonzola steals the Torch of Peace, Tabby and her brothers must go underwater to find it. While in the lake, the Whiskered Wonders find the Torch – and catfish! The creatures just might be able to help. Will Tabby and her new friends be able to bring peace back to Mewtopia?Tabby Takes the Crown:The Founding Day Festival has arrived, and Princess Tabby can't wait! But when King Gorgonzola threatens to ruin it, Tabby must act fast to save the festival.Will the Whiskered Wonders be able to save Mewtopia, or will Tabby's plan be less than purr-fect?

Tabby's First Quest Princess Tabby loves playing in the palace with her brothers and reading about brave kitty heroes. When Tabby and her brothers accidentally give away a magic scroll to the evil King Gorgonzola, they must leave the safety of their castle to get it back.But reading about adventures and going on a real quest are two very different things. Tabby's never been afraid before, but suddenly she doesn't feel so brave. Will she be able to find her courage and save Mewtopia?Tabby and the Pup PrincePrincess Tabby must be on her best behaviour for the upcoming visit with the royal hounds of Barkshire. She can't wait to play with Prince Buddy, the pup prince. But then King Gorgonzola steals a magic orb, threatening to ruin the visit. Tabby and her brothers must once again stop the evil rat and save the day.Cats and dogs are very different, and tagging along with the Whiskered Wonders is difficult for Buddy. Will he be able to keep up with the royal kittens, or is Mewtopia in for a ruff time?