Books with title The Charm of the Road

“Give this to fans of Lowry’s The Giver.”—Booklist It is the year 2035, and kids are the only ones who matter. In Tom’s world, every family has only one child. “Brother” and “sister” are insults. And the Oldies, like Gandy—Tom’s grandfather—are taken away to Memory Theme Parks. On the way to the Theme Park, Gandy escapes into the Wild Wood, the dangerous world outside their walled city. Tom has no choice but to follow. The wilderness is like nowhere he’s ever been before, and the more he learns at Gandy’s side, the more he wonders: Is the wall meant to keep the Outsiders out, as he’s been taught in school—or the Insiders in? “Nina Bawden’s skill is placing a set of vibrant characters in a compelling plot seasoned with cold reality, the warmth of enduring relationships, and moral ironies.”—Kirkus Reviews

A magical charm. An accidental curse. A town in danger ... and one brave girl to solve the puzzle. While twelve-year-old Nova Vanocker is coping with her parents’ recent split, she sort of, kind of, accidentally curses her little brother with an enchanted painting. She didn’t mean to! But now, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to save him ... even if it means entering the lair of three mischievous ghosts. The ghosts agree to help break the curse, but only if Nova helps them solve their unfinished business. As Nova undertakes a string of quirky misadventures, an idea-gone-wrong allows a vengeful soul-eater into town, one with a surprising link to one of her new spirit friends. Soon, it’s not just her brother’s life on the line — everyone in town is at risk of becoming soul soup! Will creativity, courage, and a dash of magic be enough for Nova to save her home and defeat the dark wizard for good? This middle-grade fantasy adventure is sprinkled with delightfully spooky and soul-warming moments — all with family and friendship at its heart. This novel features a handful of original illustrations to enhance the story experience for readers of all ages.

A magical charm. An accidental curse. A town in danger ... and one brave girl to solve the puzzle.While twelve-year-old Nova Vanocker is coping with her parents’ recent split, she sort of, kind of, accidentally curses her little brother with an enchanted painting. She didn’t mean to! But now, she’s willing to do whatever it takes to save him ... even if it means entering the lair of three mischievous ghosts.The ghosts agree to help break the curse, but only if Nova helps them solve their unfinished business. As Nova undertakes a string of quirky misadventures, an idea-gone-wrong allows a vengeful soul-eater into town, one with a surprising link to one of her new spirit friends. Soon, it’s not just her brother’s life on the line — everyone in town is at risk of becoming soul soup!Will creativity, courage, and a dash of magic be enough for Nova to save her home and defeat the dark wizard for good?This middle-grade fantasy adventure is sprinkled with delightfully spooky and soul-warming moments — all with family and friendship at its heart.This novel features a handful of original illustrations to enhance the story experience for readers of all ages.

On the beautiful Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, one young man discovers a special family legacy that could have terrible consequences for him and his closest friends.Pitivo “Jack” Stoaka has always known that he and his family are special. After the mysterious death of his parents and sisters, Jack moved to the island to live with his grandmother Mami. His grandmother was the one who told him about his Romani heritage and the powers that come from The CHARM represented by a crystal he constantly wears. In addition to warning him about danger, the CHARM also allows him to manipulate time, temperature, and nature. It is these powers that Jack’s evil uncle Emilian so desperately wants. When Emilian shows up after Mami’s death, Jack will have to protect and turn to friends both old and new for help in defeating the powerful threat. His newest ally is Lisse, a troubled teenager with powers of her own! Jack has always feared that he would be rejected if he ever showed his friends the truth about his abilities, but he will have to put his trust in them to protect the island from Emilian’s evil.

When Tom's grandfather goes off the road, Tom is sure Gandy has gone mad. Tom knows that beyond the wall lies the Outside, a wild place filled with barbarians and unimaginable dangers. He also knows that Oldies are weak-minded. So Tom summons all his courage and goes after Gandy, who obviously doesn't know what he's doing. Or does he? Tom's experience in the strange, messy, emotional world Outside, where so many things prohibited to Insiders are taken for granted, quickly shakes all his certainties. Who is crazy, the Oldies who are sent to the Memory Theme Park, or the families who let them go? Is the Wall meant to keep the Outsiders out, as Tom has always been told--or the Insiders in? Master storyteller Nina Bawden, known for stories in which secrets from the past emerge in the present, has created a spellbinding adventure set in a future society with secrets that make it a chilling mirror of our own.

Extraordinary powers come with a priceFifteen year old Luca has the charm, a gift he inherited from his mum. Charmers can control minds, but they abide by a code—to only use the power for good, and only with the person’s permission. Luca knows breaking the code is wrong, and his mum would kill him if he tried! But when a rogue charmer uses the power for criminal means, the Restorative government jumps in. Luca’s mum is imprisoned and the Register for Charmers is announced. The media creates a frenzy of fear and suspicion against charmers.Believing the family is in peril, and wishing to keep Luca’s gift a secret, Luca’s dad takes them to stay with a friend in the country. Here, Luca meets Fee, a computer genius who can hack into anything. Fee introduces Luca to an underground rebellion group of internet hackers who have their own issues with the Restoratives and their own way of protesting.Fearful of how the Restoratives are treating his mum in prison and concerned about their motives for creating the Register of Charmers, Luca must make an impossible choice—break the rules and use his gift or stand by and watch as the power is abused. CategoriesYoung Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, DystopianReaders of this young adult novella said:“Brilliant story. Captivating!” “Fantastic dystopian story with a future…”“Fast paced and full of conflict.”“An enjoyable and engrossing read. Highly recommended.”

On the beautiful Vashon Island in the Puget Sound, one young man discovers a special family legacy that could have terrible consequences for him and his closest friends.Pitivo “Jack” Stoaka has always known that he and his family are special. After the mysterious death of his parents and sisters, Jack moved to the island to live with his grandmother Mami. His grandmother was the one who told him about his Romani heritage and the powers that come from The CHARM represented by a crystal he constantly wears. In addition to warning him about danger, the CHARM also allows him to manipulate time, temperature, and nature. It is these powers that Jack’s evil uncle Emilian so desperately wants. When Emilian shows up after Mami’s death, Jack will have to protect and turn to friends both old and new for help in defeating the powerful threat. His newest ally is Lisse, a troubled teenager with powers of her own! Jack has always feared that he would be rejected if he ever showed his friends the truth about his abilities, but he will have to put his trust in them to protect the island from Emilian’s evil.

When Tom's grandfather goes off the road, Tom is sure Gandy has gone mad. Tom knows that beyond the wall lies the Outside, a wild place filled with barbarians and unimaginable dangers. He also knows that Oldies are weak-minded. So Tom summons all his courage and goes after Gandy, who obviously doesn't know what he's doing. Or does he? Tom's experience in the strange, messy, emotional world Outside, where so many things prohibited to Insiders are taken for granted, quickly shakes all his certainties. Who is crazy, the Oldies who are sent to the Memory Theme Park, or the families who let them go? Is the Wall meant to keep the Outsiders out, as Tom has always been told--or the Insiders in? Master storyteller Nina Bawden, known for stories in which secrets from the past emerge in the present, has created a spellbinding adventure set in a future society with secrets that make it a chilling mirror of our own.

Extraordinary powers come with a price Fifteen year old Luca has the charm, a gift he inherited from his mum. Charmers can control minds, but they abide by a code—to only use the power for good, and only with the person’s permission. Luca knows breaking the code is wrong, and his mum would kill him if he tried! But when a rogue charmer uses the power for criminal means, the Restorative government jumps in. Luca’s mum is imprisoned and the Register for Charmers is announced. The media creates a frenzy of fear and suspicion against charmers. Believing the family is in peril, and wishing to keep Luca’s gift a secret, Luca’s dad takes them to stay with a friend in the country. Here, Luca meets Fee, a computer genius who can hack into anything. Fee introduces Luca to an underground rebellion group of internet hackers who have their own issues with the Restoratives and their own way of protesting. Fearful of how the Restoratives are treating his mum in prison and concerned about their motives for creating the Register of Charmers, Luca must make an impossible choice—break the rules and use his gift or stand by and watch as the power is abused. Categories Young Adult, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Dystopian Readers of this young adult novella said: “Brilliant story. Captivating!” “Fantastic dystopian story with a future…” “Fast paced and full of conflict.” “An enjoyable and engrossing read. Highly recommended.”