Books published by publisher Random House Childrens Books (Sept. 1982)

From the fall of Londinium to the building of Hadrian's Wall, and the final departure of the Romans from Britain ...Rosemary Sutcliff's absorbing collection of stories, set at the time of the Roman occupation of Britain, follows the fortunes of a family over three hundred years. All soldiers, they are linked by the Capricorn bracelet, first worn by the centurion Lucius for distinguished conduct, then handed down through the generations. "This is more than a piece of history, battles and centurions; it's a slice of life ...the stories are exciting and compelling ...every one is well-worth reading." - Wendy Cooling.

Clyde Robert Bulla, best known for his engaging biographies for young people, has created a warm, satisfying early chapter book about finding hope in unexpected places. As the story opens, Gregory's father has lost his factory job, and the family is moving to a smaller house in a poorer part of town. At first, Gregory feels lost. The kids at his new school don't readily accept him, he has to share a bedroom with his 22-year-old uncle, and the new house doesn't have a yard where he can play. Then Gregory discovers the chalk factory — an old, burnt-out building nearby. Gregory goes exploring, and as he does, he finds plenty of chalk in the debris. With it he begins to draw flowers on the factory's blackened walls. As his garden grows and flourishes, Gregory finds a voice through his art, and his spirits begin to soar. Through a series of related events, his life and that of his family turns around, and Gregory, for the first time, finds his own place in the world. Readers will identify with Gregory's sense of loss — and with his joy at exploring a "secret" place and making it his own. His story should encourage budding artists, and is a wonderful opening for discussions of independence.

All is not well at StregaSchloss, home of the bizarre but lovable Strega-Borgia clan. Mum's attempts to improve her witchcraft skills are failing miserably. Dad has stormed out in a fit of pique. Titus is virtually umbilically attached to his computer. Pandora is seriously bored. And Baby Damp is getting her fat little fingers into everything around.Enter wonder-nanny Mrs McLachlan - she'll soon sort out the Strega-Borgia children, and their parents too, but will she cope with the presence of mythical beasts in the basement, to say nothing of the unexpected arrival of four hit-men, including one in a rabbit suit