Books published by publisher ATHENEUM BOOKS

Thursey is too strong-willed to be intimidated by her stepsisters with their cruel taunts claiming that her father died a coward in the recent wars. She defies them, hiding the little books she makes that preserve a variety of Cinderella stories from around the world--tales she hears from travelers on the high road who take shelter at the inn run by her stepmother. She knows the sisters would destroy the small, handmade books, for in their view, it is unnatural for a common girl to know how to read. But when the king's summer gala draws near and Thursey is, as usual, left at home, she takes charge of her own fate. With help from a traveling monk and a friendly goatherd, she secretly prepares to attend the ball. Does she have help, as well, from the ugly white mare whom she loves? And will she gain more than a rare evening of happiness, perhaps even the joy of new-found love? This vivid Cinderella retelling with a spunky and inventive heroine, set in a medieval European village, is a romance enjoyed by YA readers as well as younger ones. Those who have been searching for it will be happy to know that it's back in print.

Goods friends always stick together. Charlie Rooster, Johnny Mouse, and Percy the pig are the best of friends. They do everything together. They ride their bike together, play games together, and even do their chores together. Because that's what good friends do. When night falls, though, and it's time to go to bed, they learn that sometimes friends have to be apart. But that's okay, because true friends always find each other, even if it's just in their dreams.