New Releases by Barbara Willard

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Medley Plashet faces a life full of riddles. Why, if his father is the humble forest guide he seems, must he flee from home? Medley sets out on a dangerous journey to solve the mystery of his heritage - and uncovers the stunning significance of the sprig of broom.

Young Simon, recently and tragically orphaned, becomes a scribe in the following of the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The uncertainty of the tumultuous years leading to the infamous cathedral slaying is heightened by Simon''s separation from his twin Edmund, who is in the service of King Henry II. With an expert pen Barbara Willard deftly recounts events leading to the bishop''s martyrdom in 1170.

The year is A.D. 781. King Charles of the Franks is crossing the Alps with his family and court on a journey to meet with Pope Hadrian. One frosty night he speaks to his young son Carl: When we come to Rome you will know that I am naming you my heir. One day you will rule over all my lands. . . . But the King already had an heir, Pepin the Hunchback, mockingly called Gobbo. Was he to be dispossessed? Yet Carl sees that Charlemagne is determined to do what he feels is best to serve God and Europe.

It is the year 597 and Pope Gregory is sending a select number of his monks, led by Fr. Augustine, to re-evangelize England. Young Wolf, born in that land but raised in Rome, accompanies his father, Wolfstan, who goes as a guide and interpreter. Though the King of Kent''s wife is a Christian, the missionaries from Rome do not know whether they will be welcomed, tolerated or martyred. In a story full of adventure, Wolf meets Fritha, a Saxon girl whose life and destiny are soon closely bound up with his own. Events, significant in the history of Christianity, are vividly brought to life by this veteran writer of historical fiction. Illustrated by Mary Beth Owens.

Ben visits his friend Mrs Merryfield and befriends her latest and largest animal pet.

The Journal of the Famous Rowena Lamont is the secret diary - beginning before her own birth! - of this remarkable girl. She shares it only with her new-made friend, Kate, over a Christmas holiday when they both have to stay at their boarding school. Kate gasps at the details she reads in the Journal and laughs at and admires the fantastic conversations that flow from Rowena''s lips. But, as time goes on, Kate becomes quietly worried and then alarmed at various turns of events. The book is record of a tragedy, but on the way there is comedy in abundance and the story has a pace and a warmth that will attract all Barbara Willard''s admirers and many other readers besides.

In anticipation of winning a South Sea island in a dog food contest, two children trespass on the neighbor''s estate to try out island living.

A 16-year-old, who has left her home in the English countryside to go into service with a London family in the 1930''s, gradually realizes what she really wants.

Two children become curious about the departure of their grandfather''s employer, who left their "Garden Island" off Scotland years ago after instructing the gardener to faithfully keep the island beautiful until his return.

"Of Master Medley''s three sons it is Harry, the eldest, who inherits the past. A dark, dominating strain in his nature sets him apart, and he is forever in conflict with father. The fourth title of the series centers on Harry Medley who longs to turn the family farm into an iron foundry. But when a stranger brings the plague, disaster strikes. From the devastation there emerges for Harry a triumph both exalting and bitter.

The Medley family and their ancestral home, Mantlemass, are drawn into the conflict of the English Civil War.

Henry VIII''s quarrel with the Pope seems remote from a young Englishman''s life until his uncle finds himself guardian to a mysterious silent girl who seems to remember nothing.