New Releases by Joan Aiken

A magical and fantastic collection of early stories by one of the most original children''s authors of the 20th century. For 8-11 year olds.

In this hilarious classic adventure, an innocent boy and his friends must stop a plot to topple the King of England. Simon, the foundling from The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, arrives in London to meet an old friend and pursue the study of painting. Instead he finds himself unwittingly in the middle of a wicked crew’s fiendish caper to overthrow the good King James and the Duke and Duchess of Battersea. With the help of his friend Sophie and the resourceful waif Dido, Simon narrowly escapes a series of madcap close calls and dangerous run-ins. In a time and place where villains do nothing halfway, Simon is faced with wild wolves, poisoned pies, kidnapping, and a wrecked ship. This is a cleverly contrived tale of intrigue and misadventure. Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl “It’s a marvel!” —The New Yorker “A wild yarn, not to be put down once it is started.” —Washington Post “A riot of wildly improbable adventures happening to absurd and loveable characters with Dickensian names in a time that never was . . . Heartrending, hair-raising, rib-tickling, and delightful.” —New York Times

A charming companion book to Jane Austen''s Mansfield Park by one of her most sparkling successors.

Revised and updated, this essential and practical guide by an award-winning children''s author explains how to write books for children, from where to look to inspiration to practical advice on how to create characters and structure a plot.

The outsider who threatens to outshine her new friend Emma in Jane Austen''s classic novel of manners and romance takes on a deeper life, with her own feelings and desires.

As they search for Arun''s mother, Is Twite and her cousin Arun are grateful for their ability to communite telepathically when they find themselves in a series of dangerous predicaments involving the evil Dominic de la Twite and his Silent Sect.

Readers beware! Mischievous ghosts, ancient curses, and monstrous spirits inhabit these thirteen spine-tingling tales. Enter a world of fantasy where a blast of a whistle brings a boy from the past, where a ghostly awl perches night after night at the foot of your bed, and where a white seagull whispers the warning, "Listen." Each of these stories by Joan Aiken, a master of suspense, will chill and delight, lingering long after the book is closed.

The Children Of London Are Vanishing No one knows why, so Is Twite, younger sister of Dido Twite (from Dido and Pa and Nightbirds on Nantucket), sets out to discover the whereabouts of Arun, her cousin, and Davie, the king''s only son -- both missing. Is soon finds herself aboard a secret midnight train heading north to Playland, a place of fun and frolic and dancing every night, or so they say.... Instead of fun, Is is heading straight into horrible, horrible danger...and exciting, terrifying adventure!

A collection of scary stories about ghosts, toads, and weird happenings.

Although she is desperate to return to England, Dido Twite is caught in Nantucket where she and Penitence Casket have to stay with creepy Aunt Tribulation.

When Pandora''s mother suddenly dies at a luncheon, the ten members of the MorningQuest society immediately adopt her, and she matures in the midst of her unconventional but loving family. By the author of Jane Fairfax.

Vengeful ghosts, eerie dreams, and haunted houses abound in these 10 tales.

"Eight enchanting stories about sleep, wakefulness, dreams and bedtime.'' -- back cover.

Roman.

As readers and listeners enter the pages of these nine adventures, they will discover a universe where the everyday and enchanted worlds of very real humans and kelpies, elves, and fairies comingle in perfectly logical, funny and magical ways.

Seppy forces the moon to give him his wish, to be the maker of enchanted fiddle music, but almost pays a horrible price for it.

Two 20-year-old women trade identities in this period novel.

Seppy forces the moon to give him his wish, to be the maker of enchanted fiddle music, but almost pays a horrible price for it.

Alvey Clement and Louisa Winship are identical in looks, they swap identities.

Four adventures of Arabel and her pet raven Mortimer: Mortimer Says Nothing, Arabel''s Birthday, Mr. Jone''s Rest Cure, and A Call at the Joneses''.

Ellen Paget, a young Englishwoman, comes to Paris in 1860 to be governess to a young noble family, but shortly thereafter, tragedy and scandal force her to return to her father''s house in Sussex under far-from-happy circumstances.

A legendary author and illustrator team up for a trio of funny tales about a girl and her pet raven.

In 1821, an orphaned twelve-year-old boy runs away from his unhappy home in Spain to England where he tries to find his father''s family.