Most Popular Books by Elizabeth Winthrop

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Here are ‘shoes to skate in, shoes to skip in, shoes to turn a double flip in ’ . . . all worn by four tousle-headed active young children. ‘Illustrations keep all the action with the skippers, divers, and doers. Story hour groups will be checking out each other’s footwear after hearing this rollicking rhyming paean to shoes.’ —SLJ. A Reading Rainbow Selection Children''s Books of 1986 (Library of Congress)

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.

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

A retelling of the story of the first Christmas.

SUMMARY: Jenny and her brother Charlie hardly ever spoke to each other until the summer they discovered that they could be friends.

Miranda finds herself on the spot with her best friend and also with a new friend she meets while running. Sequel to "Marathon Miranda."

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.

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?

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

"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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

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.

A young girl''s kindness is rewarded by the mice inhabiting the magical underground world of Kakure-sato.

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.

Although Eddie appears to be a tough kid, he also plays with a dollhouse, a secret he feels he cannot reveal even to his closest friends.

Lizzie learns to share her best friend and enjoy it, too.