New Releases by Elizabeth Winthrop

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

"As a child, Elizabeth Winthrop Alsop, along with her five brothers, was raised to revere the tribal legends of the Alsop and Roosevelt families. Her parents'' marriage, lived in the spotlight of 1950s Washington where the author''s father, journalist Stewart Alsop, grew increasingly famous, was not what either of her parents had imagined it would be. Her mother''s strict Catholicism and her father''s restless ambition collided to create a strangely muted and ominous world, one that mirrored the whispered conversations in the living room as the power brokers of Washington came and went through their side door. Through it all, her mother, trained to keep secrets as a decoding agent with MI5, said very little. In this brave memoir, the author explores who her mother was, why alcohol played such an important role in her mother''s life, and why her mother held herself apart from all her children, especially her only daughter. In the author''s journey to understand her parents, particularly her mother, she comes to realize that the secrets parents keep are the ones that reverberate most powerfully in the lives of their children."--Page 4 of cover.

An epic quest, a dragon, a knight in shining armor—this classic children’s story is the perfect read for 3rd and 4th graders who love medieval fantasy. A magical toy castle plunges 10-year-old William into a wild fantasy adventure—where he discovers the true meaning of courage. When his beloved caretaker Mrs. Phillips tells him she''s leaving, William is devastated. Not even her farewell gift of a model medieval castle helps him feel better—though he has to admit it’s fascinating. From the working drawbridge and portcullis to the fully-furnished rooms, it''s perfect in every detail. It almost seems magical. And when William looks at the silver knight, the tiny figure comes to life in his hand—and tells him a tale of a wicked sorcerer, a vicious dragon, and a kingdom in need of a hero. Hoping the castle''s magic will help him find a way to make his friend stay, William embarks on a daring quest with Sir Simon, the Silver Knight—but he will have to face his own doubts and regrets if he''s going to succeed. William’s story continues in The Battle for the Castle, available as a redesigned companion edition.

Lucy and Henry are brother and sister, who--even though they''re twins--don''t do everything the same way.

The classic children''s story about a young boy, his toy castle, and a magical adventure that reveals the true meaning of courage When his beloved caretaker Mrs. Phillips tells him she''s leaving, William is devastated. Not even her farewell gift of a model medieval castle helps him feel better—though he has to admit it''s fascinating. From the working drawbridge and portcullis to the fully-furnished rooms, it''s perfect in every detail. It almost seems magical. And when William looks at the silver knight, the tiny figure comes to life in his hand—and tells him a tale of a wicked sorcerer, a vicious dragon, and a kingdom in need of a hero. Hoping the castle''s magic will help him find a way to make his friend stay, William embarks on a daring quest with Sir Simon, the Silver Knight—but he will have to face his own doubts and regrets if he''s going to succeed. William''s story continues in The Battle for the Castle, available as a redesigned companion edition. An IRA-CBC Children''s Choice A California Young Reader Medal Winner A Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children''s Book Award Winner Nominated for 23 State Book Awards

Return to the magical kingdom first introduced in the best-selling fantasy adventure novel The Castle in the Attic—an “accessible, well told, and entertaining” sequel (Kirkus Reviews) It''s been two years since William used a magical token to enter his model castle, fought a fire-breathing dragon, and defeated an evil wizard. He thought his adventures were over—until the magic medallion turns up again. This time, twelve-year-old William decides to share the secret of the castle, and invites his best friend Jason to join him. Together, the boys enter the castle and ride out into the kingdom in search of Sir Simon, the Silver Knight, William''s old friend. But all is not well in this world—a mysterious ghost ship full of skeletons has washed ashore, and a plague of rats is terrorizing the countryside. As mysterious portents and chilling visions warn of disasters still to come, Jason and William will have to summon all their courage to save the kingdom—and make their way back home. This sequel to The Castle in the Attic, a reader favorite for 35 years and nominee for 23 state awards, is filled with intrigue, danger, and acts of courage and heroism. Perfect for young fantasy fans and readers interested in the Medieval world, Elizabeth Winthrop''s duo of novels is as thrilling today as when it was originally released.

When Maia and her best friend, a fuzzy purple monster that visits her room each night, both get baby sisters, many things change but the girls are sure their friendship will last forever.

1910. Pownal, Vermont. At 12, Grace and her best friend Arthur must leave school and go to work as a “doffers” on their mothers’ looms in the mill. Grace’s mother is the best worker, fast and powerful, and Grace desperately wants to help her. But she’s left handed and doffing is a right-handed job. Grace’s every mistake costs her mother, and the family. She only feels capable on Sundays, when she and Arthur receive special lessons from their teacher. Together they write a secret letter to the Child Labor Board about underage children working in Pownal. A few weeks later a man with a camera shows up. It is the famous reformer Lewis Hine, undercover, collecting evidence for the Child Labor Board. Grace’s brief acquaintance with Hine and the photos he takes of her are a gift that changes her sense of herself, her future, and her family’s future.

This Valentine''s Day I had a date with Petunia Pretty Paws! Then I got a call from my private investigator friend Hercule Poirat. He needed my help solving a mystery. How will I help Hercule AND impress Petunia at the same time.

Harvey is so excited when the mayor appoints him Parade Chairman for a big celebration that he forgets something very important but, fortunately, his dog, Fred, remembers.

After the death of their parents, five young rats decide to leave the barnyard to make a name for themselves in the big city, facing unscrupulous rivals and dangerous humans along the way.

"Dream your dreams, my child, and knit them into the wool." A long time ago a girl named Claire learned to knit by her mother''s side. As the mother knit mittens, scarves and all sorts of clothing for the wealthy people of the town, Claire set about knitting stockings to keep her toes warm. Claire, her mother and father, you see, were poor. They lived in a stone hut, with little wood to burn and meagre food to eat. So Claire knit stockings and--with Christmas approaching--heeded her mother''s words to knit her Christmas dreams into the wool. Soon Claire became known as the stocking girl--with many orders for stockings to fill. One such order ensured her a handsome payment. Enough to fill her family''s hut with light and food. But as she trudged through the snow to deliver the stockings on Christmas Eve, Claire was stirred to share her knitted dreams with someone truly in need. From the Hardcover edition.

Daisy, a middle child in the family, feels ignored as nobody seems to listen to her. She becomes assertive to the point where her family does listen.

When Harvey enters his dog, Fred, in the annual dog show Fred is none too pleased, but when the show is over, Fred does not want to leave.

A rhyming story about a pig whose passion for dancing becomes contagious.

Granny and her grandchild take a nighttime trip to the zoo, where the animals have prepared a fabulous party and Granny dances the night away.

A rhyming celebration of hats that help create costumes for the Halloween parade.

Between 1933 and 1935, a young Italian American girl living in North Adams, Massachusetts, corresponds with President Franklin Roosevelt about the conditions in her town, Mr. Roosevelt''s New Deal programs, and her own family''s activities.

A young girl experiences a range of emotions when her mother undergoes treatment for cancer.

It''s one week before Christmas! When Nora leaves Bear home with Mrs. Duck so that she can do some last-minute shopping, he promises not to hunt for presents. Bear tries to be good, but he happens upon his gifts during a game of hide-and-seek. All Bear wants is a train, but none of the boxes seems the right shape. Soon Bear begins shaking and snooping, poking and peeking at his presents. Now Bear is worried. Won''t Nora be sad that he broke his promise! What will happen on Christmas morning?

A beautifully observed novel in the tradition of Anne Tyler and Alice Hoffman, Island Justice sets an independent woman''s struggle to trust the pull of her heart against the backdrop of a community that must come to terms with its own conscience and the true meaning of justice.

A second-grader describes how he feels when his father comes all the way from Delaware to Arizona to spend a week with him.

Bear is happily surprised to learn that Roly-Poly, his baby sister, likes to have him give her attention and even sing her to sleep.

A young peasant, with the help of his faithful horse, captures magical beasts, marries the woman he loves, and becomes Tsar of Russia.

An adaptation of the Bible story of Christ''s Crucifixion and Resurrection.

A retelling of the old Russian fairy tale in which beautiful Vasilissa uses the help of her doll to escape from the clutches of the witch Baba Yaga.

Two young sledders bundle into their winter clothes and go down a snowy hill in a wild, whirling ride.

A little girl finds so many things to do before she is ready for bed that she is the last of her family to fall asleep.

Skinny, shy third-grader Luke cannot hide from Arthur, his personal bully, until it is time to pick roles for the class play.