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.

An epic quest, a dragon, a knight in shining armor . . . Discover the classic medieval fantasy book for kids ages 8-12! A magical toy castle takes 10-year-old William on a wild fantasy adventure that teaches him 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. This classic children’s fantasy book has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1985. See William’s story continue in The Battle for the Castle, available as a redesigned companion edition.

The acclaimed novel by the author of The Why of Things tackles “the Deep South during the Gothic worst of Jim Crow times . . . truly a bravura performance” (Geoffrey Wolff). “One of the finest writers of her generation,” and author of three previously acclaimed novels, Elizabeth H. Winthrop delivers a brave new book that will launch her distinguished career anew (Brad Watson). On the eve of his execution, eighteen-year-old Willie Jones sits in his cell in New Iberia awaiting his end. Across the state, a truck driven by a convict and his keeper carries the executioner’s chair closer. On a nearby highway, Willie’s father Frank lugs a gravestone on the back of his fading, old mule. In his office the DA who prosecuted Willie reckons with his sentencing, while at their gas station at the crossroads outside of town, married couple Ora and Dale grapple with their grief and their secrets. As various members of the township consider and reflect on what Willie’s execution means, an intricately layered and complex portrait of a Jim Crow era Southern community emerges. Moving from voice to voice, Winthrop elegantly brings to stark light the story of a town, its people, and its injustices. The Mercy Seat is a brutally incisive and tender novel from one of our most acute literary observers. “Artful and succinctly poetic . . . A worthy novel that gathers great power as it rolls on propelled by its many voices.”—The New York Times Book Review “A miracle of a novel, with rapid-fire sentences that grab you and propel you to the next page . . . It’s a breakout. It’s a wonder.”—Dallas Morning News

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.

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.

Maggie wants to get rid of the monster that visits her room every night and accepts her mother''s suggestion to simply ask the monster what it wants.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Tired of being told what to do by everyone else in the family, Julia tries different ways of bossing them.

While waiting out a fierce hurricane in her grandmother''s house on Fox Island, Belinda has a chance to get to know her grandmother''s reclusive neighbor, Mr. Fletcher.

Elizabeth''s mother gets a respite from her very noisy girl when Elizabeth pretends to be a dog.

After her friend tells her kissing is for babies, Emmy Lou tries to make do with a pat on the shoulder.

A compelling novel of mothers and daughters torn apart by loss and twisted emotions, In My Mother''s House sweeps from the brownstones of turn-of-the-century New York to the stately farmlands of Connecticut, to explore a woman''s shame, a family''s deceit, and a final act of love.

A retelling of the story of the first Christmas.

When one of her eggs is taken to be used in the Easter egg hunt, Mother Duck waddles off to the rescue.

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

Steven has trouble learning to tie his shoes but hates to admit it.

Grover is apprehensive about spending his first night away from home, at Betty Lou''s house, but his fears dissolve under the gracious hospitality of Betty Lou and her mother.