Books with author SAUNDERS

In this incredible, heart-wrenching story reminiscent of E. Nesbit’s Five Children and It, Kate Saunders illustrates the power of war but the even greater power of family, and the love that carries us out of the darkness of despair into the light of hope. The sand fairy, also known as the Psammead, is merely a creature from stories Lamb and Edith have heard their older brothers and sisters tell . . . until he suddenly reappears. Lamb and Edith are pleased to have something to take their minds off the war, but this time the Psammead’s magic might have a serious purpose.Before their adventure ends, all will be changed, and the Lamb and Edith will have seen the Great War from every possible viewpoint—that of factory workers, soldiers and sailors, and nurses. But most of all, the war’s impact will be felt by those left behind, at the very heart of their family.Praise for Five Children on the Western Front Winner of the Costas Award for Children’s Fiction ★ “An irresistible read.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review “Skillful and deeply moving.” —The Guardian “A rewarding experience.”—Booklist “Saunders strikes a surprisingly successful balance between the mischievous magic of the sand fairy and the harsh realities of wartime England.” —The Bulletin “A dramatic, heartrending look at World War I’s far-reaching consequences for families and individuals.”—SLJ “An emotionally resonant, engaging story of personal growth (the siblings’) and moral education (the Psammead’s). With issues of social and gender inequality and a compassionate take on the ruins of war, it’s historically convincing, thought-provoking, and sensitive.”—The Horn Book Magazine

A LibraryReads Selection A Laetitia Rodd Mystery Mrs. Laetitia Rodd, aged fifty-two, is the widow of an archdeacon who makes her living as a highly discreet private investigator. Her brother Frederick Tyson, a criminal barrister, finds the cases. Dickensian in scope and characters, The Secrets of Wishtide brings 19th-century society vividly to life and illuminates the effect of Victorian morality on women’s lives.

Rosamund Brandt knows she’s an heir, but an heir to what? So far, the only thing she seems to have inherited are powers she can’t control and flashes of what seem like memories–memories that belong to someone else.Tensions grow as secrets within her family multiply and a new creature who can dissolve into shadow stalks her. But out of the chaos also emerge new friends–one who may know more about what Rosamund’s inherited than she does.As the memories become clearer, Rosamund pieces together what she needs to do to get control of her life again. And she needs to before her powers consume her–and everyone else.Also In This Series:Inborn (Book 1)Descent (Book 3)Bequest (A Short Story)

The Sleepover Friends are camping out with their class at a local park, planting trees, picking up litter, and caring for orphaned animals. It’s a whole new experience—and so is sharing a cabin with their peculiar classmate Bitsy Barton!But the friends don’t have time to worry about Bitsy, because they’re involved in a battle—the girls versus the boys. After their baseball game against obnoxious Wayne Miller and his buddies ends in a tie, he challenges them to a hike around the lake.When the Sleepover Friends get lost, they find they’ve got a lot to learn—about camping, and about Bitsy.

A beautiful and heartbreaking novel from an award-winning author about a girl who gets swept up into an adventure involving forgotten toys, perfect for fans of Lauren Wolk and Kelly Barnhill."A delicate, funny, poignant exploration of grief, love and memory that has the welcoming warmth of an instant classic."--The GuardianEmily and her sister, Holly, were as close as sisters could be. They did everything together. But Holly died three months ago, and Emily's world is shattered.Amid a sea of changes--her best friend is acting distant, she's just started at a new school, and she's been cast as the lead in the school play--Emily is surprised to find that she misses Holly's teddy bear, Bluey, almost as much as she misses Holly herself. But Bluey was buried with Holly, and there's no getting either of them back.Then one night, Emily dreams of talking toys, who tell her they have come from the toy world with a message from Bluey. Emily is convinced she can be reunited with him. But there's something strange about the barrier between the toy world and the real world. Not just strange, but dangerous--magic is spilling out, and it's wreaking havoc on Emily's world. Now she must decide whether finding Bluey is worth risking the lives of those she loves."Deeply moving and highly imaginative."--The Daily Mail"Written from the heart and can't fail to make yours sing."--The Times, Book of the Week "One of the wittiest books of the year."--The Sunday Times"Suffused with longing and dappled with humor, this novel explores the limits of grief and the lasting power of storytelling."--Wall Street Journal "From whimsical comicality to impending danger...a standalone title, in which the topic of loss is dealt with deftly. For readers willing to let their imagination soar, this fantasy may be just what they are looking for, especially if they have experienced grief."--School Library Journal"An imaginative, magical story ideal for kids experiencing loss."--Kirkus Reviews"Wise in the ways of loss as Emily discovers that the route through grief lies not in escaping to Smockeroon but in engaging with the hard world, in the passage of time, in friendship, memory, and, above all, storytelling."--The Horn Book, Starred Review"A refreshing take on the classic theme of toys coming to life, with the residents of Smockeroon amusingly sassy and self involved. There is still plenty of warmth...while the magical elements cushion the heftier themes...A pleasing blend of sentiment and humor."--Bulletin "Saunders combines the hard reality of loss and the soft comfort of fantasy surprisingly well, offering unexpected humor in Smockeroon as well as sharp insights into human characters."--Booklist

There’s a new science teacher at Riverhurst Elementary, Mr. Quincy Talbot. He’s tall and blond and handsome—a real Q.T. Pie, as the Sleepover Friends nickname him. Then they find out that Q.T. Pie expects them to dissect animals. Yuck! Patti says it’s a necessary part of science, but Lauren can’t stand the thought, and refuses to do it. Suddenly Lauren finds herself leading a SAVE THE FROG crusade. And before she knows what’s happening, she’s fighting for other causes, too, like school dances, gym equipment, and three kinds of milk shakes in the cafeteria. Has Lauren gone off the deep end?

A magic spell has spun Flora into the past. She's mysteriously swapped lives with a schoolgirl in 1935! No iPod? No cell phone? No hair products? How will she survive? Now Flora's a new girl at St. Winifred's, where she has to speak French at breakfast, wear hideous baggy bloomers, and sleep in a freezing dormitory. But lots of adventures in the past are amazing even if they are not forever. How will she find her way back to the 21st century?

Twelve-year-old Flora Fox would do anything not to go to Penrice Hall, the boarding school her parents are shipping her off to because of a family emergency. Penrice has horses and an Olympic-size swimming pool, but flashy facilities won't change how Flora feels about being sent away and having to make new friends. On the train ride to Penrice, Flora awakens from a nap to find herself transported into the past—1935, to be exact. As Flora rises to the challenges of her strange new life, she finds that the joys and complications of growing up are the same no matter what the year. And that friends and family will always be there to lend a helping hand.Praise for Beswitched A Junior Library Guild Selection ★ “This absorbing novel…features a dimensional, delightful protagonist, whose personality and growth ring true....Along with the entertaining magical elements, the universal themes of self-discovery, and looking beyond appearances combine into a wholly engaging and enjoyable read.”—Booklist, Starred Review “Saunders offers a coming-of-age tale against the rich backdrop of full period detail . . . [It] will charm readers.”—Publishers Weekly “A ripping English boarding-school story with a perceptive heroine and time-travel twist guaranteed to appeal to modern schoolgirls.”—Kirkus Reviews

"Reminiscent of Road Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . . . a great read-aloud." --BooklistWelcome to the most magical house in London. The family of eleven-year-old twins Oz and Lily have inherited it, together with the mysterious shop downstairs. Long ago, the shop's famous chocolate-makers, who also happen to be Oz and Lily's great uncles, were clever sorcerers. Now evil villians are hunting for the secret of their greatest recipe. The terrifying powers of this magic chocolate have the ability to destroy the world. Soon, Oz and Lily are swept into a thrilling battle, helped by an invisible cat, a talking rat, and the ghost of an elephant. It's up to them to stop the villians and keep the magical chocolate recipe out of harm's way. Their family and the world depends on it.

Barron's Toddler series of interactive books expands with Toddler Christmas. Children will anticipate the arrival of Christmas as they play games, solve puzzles, read stories and complete the crafts in this festive book. Includes fun activities such as baking and writing letters to Santa that parents and children can do together. Imaginatively designed for toddlers and parents to enjoy together, the engaging Toddler Series books encourage memory and observation skills, build vocabulary, and keep little ones occupied with loads of fun activities. Each features Katie Saunders' irresistible illustrations on every page and a padded cover.