Books with author Staton Rabin

"Think, my dear -- just think what it will be like, to be known as the girl who freed the great Napoleon Bonaparte!" Fourteen-year-old English girl Betsy Balcombe and her family have an unusual houseguest: Napoleon Bonaparte, former emperor of France and the most feared man on earth. Once lord and master to eighty-two million souls, now, in 1815, Napoleon is a captive of the British people. Stripped of his empire and robbed of his young family and freedom, he is confined to the forbidding, rat-infested island of St. Helena. The one bright star in Napoleon's black sky is Betsy, a blazingly rebellious teenager whose family is reluctantly housing the notorious prisoner. Betsy is the only foreigner Napoleon's ever met who is not impressed by him -- and Napoleon is more than intrigued. An unexpected alliance is formed. And a remarkable friendship between emperor and girl spawns gossip, and inspires Betsy to hatch a daring and dangerous scheme that could threaten both their lives and shake entire empires to their foundations.

"Think, my dear -- just think what it will be like, to be known as the girl who freed the great Napoleon Bonaparte!"Fourteen-year-old English girl Betsy Balcombe and her family have a most unusual house guest: Napoleon Bonaparte, former emperor of France and the most feared man on earth. Once lord and master to eighty-two million souls, now in 1815, Napoleon is a captive of the British people. Stripped of his empire and robbed of his young family and freedom, he is confined to the forbidding, rat-infested island of St. Helena, where a cruel jailer and more than two thousand British troops guard his every move.The one bright star in Napoleon's black sky is Betsy, a blazingly rebellious teenager whose family is reluctantly housing the notorious prisoner. Betsy is the only foreigner Napoleon's ever met who is not impressed by him and doesn't tremble at the sight of him -- and Napoleon is more than intrigued. After fits and starts, a most remarkable friendship develops between Betsy and the emperor -- a friendship that transcends age and politics. As Betsy develops from a gangly, tomboyish girl to a blossoming young woman, this unexpected and wonderful alliance survives inevitable gossip and growing pains, giving Betsy the courage to pursue her dreams -- and Napoleon the courage to face his dark future. It also inspires Betsy to hatch a daring and dangerous plan on Napoleon's behalf, a scheme that could threaten both of their lives and shake entire empires to their foundations. Based on true events, Staton Rabin's story blends humor, adventure, and poignant drama, vividly revealing new insights into the heart and mind of one of the most towering, fascinating historical figures of our time -- and tells a tale of hope and bravery that will inspire readers to their own heights of courage.

Alexei Romanov, heir to the Russian throne, is in deadly danger. It¹s 1916, the struggling Russian people are tired of war and are blaming their Romanov rulers for it, and some are secretly plotting to murder the young heir and his family. But nobody outside the palace knows that Alexei suffers from a terrible bleeding disease, hemophilia, which threatens to finish him off even before the family¹s enemies can. The only person able to help Alexei is the evil and powerful religious mystic Rasputin -- and now Rasputin is trying to kill him too! Desperate, Alexei flees through time to New York City in 2010, using a method taught to him by the mad monk himself. In New York, Alexei meets smart and sassy Varda Rosenberg, and discovers she is a distant cousin. Varda is working on a gene therapy cure for hemophilia, as the disease still runs in the family. When Alexei learns that history shows that his entire family will be assassinated in 1918, he and Varda travel back in time to the Russian Revolution, with Rasputin hot on their heels. Will they be able to rescue Alexei¹s family before it¹s too late? Staton Rabin lets Alexei tell his own riveting story in a rousing adventure with stunning surprises -- a movingly authentic look at royalty and revolution in the days of the tsars.

**New! Special Tribute-- for the 50th Anniversary of “The day the music died”** Like Buddy Holly himself, this book is an original— solid gold. And it rocks. OH BOY! is your backstage pass to the birth of the rock music revolution. It’s the most complete, compelling, and fully up-to-date new biography of the legendary Buddy Holly, the young man who was legally blind, but saw the future of rock ’n’ roll. This compulsively readable book-- the first and only full-length biography of Buddy for young adults and tweens-- fills a glaring gap in the curriculum of “the school of rock” and recaptures the Buddy Holly magic for a new generation. Award-winning author Staton Rabin’s stirring biography of rock ’n’ roll legend Buddy Holly is beautifully clear, honest, and utterly persuasive-- just like Buddy’s music. Ah, the music! Those trademark Holly hiccups and yodels, that West Texas twang, the boyish energy that bursts from the starting gate like Seabiscuit. The dazzling guitar licks that penetrate hearts like gamma rays. The kind of rock music that whether you’re eight or eighty, dares you to try- just try!-- to keep your feet still and stay in your seat. Propelled by hits like “That’ll be the Day”, “Peggy Sue”, “Everyday”, “Rave On”, and “Oh Boy!” created by Buddy and his group, the Crickets-- the first rock band that wrote, arranged, and performed its own songs— Buddy’s fame swept across the globe like a Texas twister. This all-inclusive biography tells the true story of Buddy’s thrilling, faster-than-a-rollercoaster ride to superstardom, featuring: --Excerpts from rare, classic interviews with Buddy’s family and friends --Insightful analysis of Buddy’s best-known songs --Buddy’s witty high school English essay --His pivotal first meeting with an up-and-coming young singer named “the Hillbilly Cat” (Elvis!) --The astonishing story-behind-the-story of his first hit record --The drama of his romances, including a heartbreaking split with his high school sweetheart, and his storybook “love at first sight” romance with Maria Elena, the beautiful woman he would marry -- Buddy’s painful break-up with his manager, Norman Petty, and his beloved band, the Crickets -- Vivid descriptions of what it would have been like to see, hear, and meet Buddy in person -- Buddy’s prophetic dream -- The Winter Dance Party (otherwise known as “the bus tour from hell”) --A full account of “the day the music died” when the world lost three bright young stars: 22-year-old Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens (17), and The Big Bopper” (28). It includes a riveting, “you are there”, minute-by-minute account of the tragic plane crash, which seeks to solve the mystery of what really happened that cold February night in l959 -- A “Where are they Now?” section that tells what the Crickets and Buddy’s other friends and family are doing today --Details of tributes planned to honor Buddy for the 50th anniversary of his death, and a complete and current list of the best-of-the-best sources for further information about Buddy: books, web sites, movies, etc. --Amazing quotes about Buddy Holly from some of the many rock ’n’ roll stars who were influenced by him, including Bruce Springsteen, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Bob Dylan …And so much more. So, here he is, “live” and in person-- Buddy Holly. Go ahead and say it: “Oh boy!” Age Range: l0 to Adult About the Author: Staton Rabin has written many popular books about cultural icons for Simon & Schuster and Viking, including BETSY AND THE EMPEROR. She was trained in music, and has a degree in film from NYU. Rabin is member #10,346 of the Buddy Holly International Fan Club, and owns of a Fender Stratocaster guitar. Her web site can be found at www.myspace.com/statonrabin Rave on!

Alexei Romanov, heir to the Russian throne, is in deadly danger. It¹s 1916, the struggling Russian people are tired of war and are blaming their Romanov rulers for it, and some are secretly plotting to murder the young heir and his family. But nobody outside the palace knows that Alexei suffers from a terrible bleeding disease, hemophilia, which threatens to finish him off even before the family¹s enemies can. The only person able to help Alexei is the evil and powerful religious mystic Rasputin -- and now Rasputin is trying to kill him too! Desperate, Alexei flees through time to New York City in 2010, using a method taught to him by the mad monk himself. In New York, Alexei meets smart and sassy Varda Rosenberg, and discovers she is a distant cousin. Varda is working on a gene therapy cure for hemophilia, as the disease still runs in the family. When Alexei learns that history shows that his entire family will be assassinated in 1918, he and Varda travel back in time to the Russian Revolution, with Rasputin hot on their heels. Will they be able to rescue Alexei¹s family before it¹s too late? Staton Rabin lets Alexei tell his own riveting story in a rousing adventure with stunning surprises -- a movingly authentic look at royalty and revolution in the days of the tsars.

Beautifully illustrated read aloud could be used as an introduction to the WWI period. Historical setting is detailed in exquisite buildings and clothing. A tender family of four provides a gentle introduction to the heartbreak of wartime separation. This book could be used to spark conversation in any level classroom when this period is being studied.

South Central Los Angeles, 2010 Fourteen-year-old Langston Davis's best friend, Neely, has been shot and killed in a gang fight. Langston wishes that he could turn back the clock. But he knows you can't change history. Or can you? When his science teacher invents a century-hopping time machine, Langston knows exactly what he must do: go back in time to stop the invention of gunpowder...which will prevent the invention of guns...which will stop Neely from getting killed. Hijacking the time machine, Langston leaves a holographic "twin" of himself at home and bounces back to Oxford, England, in 1278, where he's in a race against time to stop the scientific "wizard" Professor Roger Bacon from sharing his new invention -- the Western world's first form of gunpowder. When Dr. Bacon is kidnapped by his archenemy, it's up to Langston and his new friend, Niles, to try to rescue him and destroy the formula for gunpowder. But is changing history really saving the world? Or is it just standing in the way of progress? Can Langston accomplish his mission and bring Neely back to life before he gets stuck in the thirteenth century forever? No matter how you look at it, it's going to be one heck of a ride through the dangereous hairpin turns of history and back to the future again!

When Napoleon Bonaparte is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, and exiled on the forbidding island of St Helena, he is overseen by the English Balcombe family. 14-year-old Betsy Balcombe is terrified of the famous man, but she is also intrigued. As she gets to know him, she sees a different side of the infamous Emperor - a softer side that few people are allowed to witness - and plots to help him escape his captivity. The plan falls apart, but Betsy and the Emperor form a fascinating and intimate relationship as a result.

If you love dogs and baseball-- and want to know what it's REALLY like to be the Bat Dog for the Trenton Thunder, the New York Yankees' Double-A minor league team-- this book is for you! After all, how many dogs work in a baseball stadium, are cheered by thousands of adoring fans-- and "rub noses" with many of the biggest stars in the game?DERBY! My Bodacious Life in Baseball is the exclusive, long-awaited autobiography of the Trenton Thunder's funny, famous four-legged baseball philosopher-- who just happens to be a golden retriever named Derby. The fans know him best from his public role: carrying players' bats from home plate back to the dugout during games. But behind the scenes at ARM & HAMMER Park, Derby is so much more than a Bat Dog. He's the young baseball players' unofficial coach, mentor, loyal friend, and "team psychologist". Whether you hit a walk-off homer, or strike out at the bottom of the 9th, Derby is always there to give you a friendly nudge of encouragement with his cold, wet nose. The Thunder's perennial All-Star, Derby is the furry face of the franchise and the team's true MVP (Most Valuable Pup). He's also the reigning king of a three-generation dynasty of Thunder Bat Dogs that began with his beloved, fondly remembered father, Chase. Derby follows in Chase's legendary pawsteps and-- as the "world's foremost expert on baseball and human behavior"-- doles out advice to his own adorable puppy and heir apparent Bat Dog, Rookie. Inside this lavishly illustrated 205-page gift book, which was created and published with the permission and generous cooperation of the legendary Trenton Thunder, you'll also find: Derby's amazing story and insights. Literally HUNDREDS of never-before-seen COLOR PHOTOS by award-winning sports photographer Staton Rabin, providing a rare, candid inside-the-dugout peek at top Yankees prospects on the cusp of major league superstardom. Many of these rookies have since made it to "the Big Show", playing for the Yankees or other MLB teams. So if you're a true fan of the game, you'll know their names. Cameo appearances by Mariano Rivera and Reggie Jackson. Mini-bios of the top players from the Trenton Thunder's historic 20th anniversary season, which featured many of the most gifted Yankees prospects in more than a decade. And, of course, lots of Bat Dog and puppy pictures. Narrated in bodacious style by Derby himself and perfect for baseball-savvy tweens (if they can just pry the book away from YOU long enough to read it!), this autobiography is a unique, witty and poignant dog's-eye-view of the summer game and the remarkable human beings who play it. These young athletes spend years of their lives chasing their individual dreams of Big League stardom, but, thankfully, never forget that it's all about supporting their teammates-- and getting the win, today. With subtle themes about friendship between people of all different races and backgrounds, the importance of teamwork, and adjusting to change during the seasons of life, DERBY! My Bodacious life in Baseball is a book that young people-- especially fans of the Trenton Thunder and New York Yankees-- can savor and grow with over time. It not only captures iconic images of baseball's most celebrated dog and his family-- but also candid moments from the early careers of young pro baseball players who just might be destined to become legends of the game. This unique memoir is both a fun dog's "tail", and a treasure trove of memorabilia for baseball-crazy parents to share with their children and grandchildren. "Derby! Get the bat!"