Best Selling Books by Kevin Lewis

"I’m not perfect," Mateo confessed. "Nobody is. But I try." Secure the Soul shuttles between the life of Mateo, a born-again ex-gang member in Guatemala and the gang prevention programs that work so hard to keep him alive. Along the way, this poignantly written ethnography uncovers the Christian underpinnings of Central American security. In the streets of Guatemala City—amid angry lynch mobs, overcrowded prisons, and paramilitary death squads—millions of dollars empower church missions, faith-based programs, and seemingly secular security projects to prevent gang violence through the practice of Christian piety. With Guatemala increasingly defined by both God and gangs, Secure the Soul details an emerging strategy of geopolitical significance: regional security by way of good Christian living.

The first book to expose how the Catholic Church systematically covers up scandal by moving abusers across borders. Clerical sexual abuse is as global as the Roman Catholic Church, with bishops moving credibly accused priests not simply between parishes but also across international borders. Unforgivable follows the movement of one such perpetrator from the Great Plains of central Minnesota to the Indigenous highlands of Guatemala, where this priest had access to children and even raised one as his own. Although Father David Roney is at the center of this particular story, author Kevin Lewis O''Neill offers ample evidence that offshoring priests is a common practice. These maneuvers and the callous indifference of the Church--even once caught red-handed--reveal the limits of justice. They also lay bare the disturbing fact that the scale of clerical sexual abuse is far bigger than anyone has yet considered. Rigorously researched and viscerally important, this book raises urgent questions about holding the Catholic Church accountable.

My Truck Is Stuck. Rotten luck. Can''t go! My truck is stuck. Tug and tow. Two engines roar. But the truck won''t go. Not one inch more. Does anyone know how to make my stuck truck go? In this lyrical read-aloud, young drivers are introduced to the ins and outs of hauling, beeping, and repairing -- get ready for a fun ride!

“It’s not a process,” one pastor insisted, “rehabilitation is a miracle.” In the face of addiction and few state resources, Pentecostal pastors in Guatemala City are fighting what they understand to be a major crisis. Yet the treatment centers they operate produce this miracle of rehabilitation through extraordinary means: captivity. These men of faith snatch drug users off the streets, often at the request of family members, and then lock them up inside their centers for months, sometimes years. Hunted is based on more than ten years of fieldwork among these centers and the drug users that populate them. Over time, as Kevin Lewis O’Neill engaged both those in treatment and those who surveilled them, he grew increasingly concerned that he, too, had become a hunter, albeit one snatching up information. This thoughtful, intense book will reframe the arc of redemption we so often associate with drug rehabilitation, painting instead a seemingly endless cycle of hunt, capture, and release.

Come along for the ride as a busy toy locomotive makes its rounds through a bustling playroom. Sun''s up! Morning''s here. Up and at ''em, engineer! What works from dawn till dusk without a break until it delivers all its freight? A very busy steam engine! Featuring rhyming couplets and bright, bold illustrations, this story is sure to be a hit with young train lovers.

When Buck, Billy, and their little sister Lil spy the biggest pumpkin they''ve ever seen, they can''t resist. Buck and Billy try to roll the pumpkin down the hill, but it''s too big! The giant pumpkin bumps and thumps its way through the family farm, only to end up as a sumptuous evening feast. This rollicking read-aloud picture book is guaranteed to keep children and families laughing.

KJ decides one spring day he will run for Vice President of his 5th grade class. This will be an adventure he would remember for the rest of his life.

Rhyming text follows a young explorer as he discovers bugs and then increasingly larger creatures, brings them home to learn about them, and is warned by his mother that each is unwelcome.

Available for the first time as an eBook read by the author! Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk team up for another classic rhyming picture book, and bath time has never been so much fun. Tankers, barges, and boats of all shapes and sizes come to life in this aquatic adventure featuring a determined tugboat and his crew. Daniel Kirk’s colorful illustrations and Kevin Lewis’s exuberant narration will make this story a hit with young seafarers everywhere.

Krav Maga, which means “contact combat” in Hebrew, is an easy-to-understand/remember aggressive system of self-defense. Idiot’s Guides®: Krav Maga will not only define what it is, but also review the principles and systems of techniques and training to ensure survival. Combining in-depth information and easy-to-understand illustrated instructions, this guide will be a wonderful tool to help train both men and women on how to protect themselves, deal with threatening situations, and reverse dangerous situations where they’re at a disadvantage. Idiot’s Guides®: Krav Maga covers: - The origination of Krav Maga: its history, birthplace, philosophy, and why it was created. - The core essentials of Krav Maga’s theory and practice. - A review of how to condition the body and mind to outside threats and violence. - An understanding of not only the physical aspect of Krav Maga, but how it is part of the bigger picture of personal protection. - The thought process of the attacker and how to avoid potentially dangerous situations, if possible. - How Krav Maga differs from martial arts, primarily in terms of not following handed down fighting rules and techniques. - A breakdown of the belts in Krav Maga (yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, black), what it takes to attain them, and the differences between them. - Step-by-step illustrated directions on the popular stances, positions, movements, kick/punch strikes, falls, joint locks, deflections, and techniques from the basics to advanced moves. - How to use body weight, your most powerful muscles, and momentum to defeat an attacker. - Instruction on protecting the body and weapons defense, in addition to mastering escapes.

''There is another loneliness'', wrote the American poet Emily Dickinson: ''Not want of friend occasions it, but nature sometimes, sometimes thought''. For Kevin Lewis, that ''other loneliness'' is uniquely expressive of a rich and resonant state of being that is distinctive to the American psyche as well as central to the mythology of America itself. He calls this state of being ''lonesomeness''. It evokes the luminous landscapes of the West and the cathedral-like space of the Great Plains. It lies at the root of personal identity and is inseparable from notions of personal discovery and of communion with the varied topography of the United States, whether it be rural hinterland or industrial urban rustbelt.In this continuously stimulating reflection, Kevin Lewis explores - in religion, poetry, fiction, country songwriting and art - the multiple meanings of that peculiarly American notion of solitariness. Discussing quintessential American writers like Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Jack Kerouac and Ernest Hemingway - creative artists who have all embraced positive conceptions of solitude and wilderness - Lewis finds the apex of American lonesomeness in the melancholic and reflective paintings of Edward Hopper. Lewis argues that in expressive works like "Nighthawks" and "Morning Sun" one sees Hopper''s solitude redeemed by ''something more'': by the notion that in isolation the individual may yet be touched by transcendence. Kevin Lewis argues that those echoes of ''something else'' reveal a great deal about the American character that we would do well to heed, as well as deep rooted cultural attitudes towards religion, individualism and self-belief.

KJ decides one summer day he would like to join the junior police academy. This will be an exciting adventure for him and one he will not soon forget. This adventure will help him to learn responsibility also.

Discover the Magic of Growing Together in "Rooted in Love: The Couple''s Guide to Gardening Together" Welcome to a journey that intertwines the essence of love with the nurturing of a garden. "Rooted in Love: The Couple''s Guide to Gardening Together" invites you and your loved one to explore the unique parallels between tending to your relationship and cultivating a garden side by side. This guide is more than just about gardening; it''s about planting seeds of connection, understanding, and enduring love. Delve into the roots of your connection by uncovering the rich history and psychology behind shared hobbies, especially gardening. Understand how these activities can fortify your bond, setting a solid foundation for your shared journey. The book''s initial chapters serve as the fertile ground from which your relationship can flourish. As you progress, you will discover how to prepare the soil of your relationship, selecting the right seeds that align with your coupled goals. The metaphorical representation of annuals, perennials, and biennials in relation to love will give you a fresh perspective on your partnership''s growth potential. With practical advice on planning your garden layout, sharing responsibilities, and overcoming challenges, this guide ensures that both your garden and love life bloom. Experience the seasons of gardening and love, learning to cherish new beginnings, nurture growth, reap the rewards, and find rest and reflection in quieter times. Each season brings with it lessons on perseverance, patience, and the importance of celebration, enriching your relationship as you journey through life together. "Rooted in Love" also equips you with the tools of the trade, from essential gardening tools for couples to DIY projects that encourage togetherness. Further, explore organic gardening principles, garden design, and creating sanctuaries for wildlife, extending the analogy to fostering a sustainable, eco-friendly relationship. By the book''s close, you and your partner will not only have a thriving garden but a fortified, evergreen relationship. "Rooted in Love" guides you in cultivating a shared space of growth, harmony, and endless possibility. Embark on this transformative journey together, and let your love and garden flourish side by side.

Read along with Olaf! Olaf is a snowman, and he love, love, loves warm hugs! Olaf also loves to play. Do you want to play Leap Troll? How about Ring-around-the-reindeer? In this charmingly illustrated picture book, count to ten and play hide-and-seek with Olaf, too! Featuring narration by Josh Gad, follow along with word-for-word narration as Olaf does what he does best: give hugs!

Through a series of rich photographs, Art of Captivity / Arte del Cautiverio tells a compelling story about the war on drugs in Central America. Entirely bilingual in both English and Spanish, the book focuses on the country of Guatemala, now the principle point of transit for the cocaine that is produced in the Andes and bound for the United States and Canada. Alongside a spike in the use of crack cocaine, Guatemala City has witnessed the proliferation of Pentecostal drug rehabilitation centers. The centers are sites of abuse and torment, but also lifesaving institutions in a country that does not provide any other viable social service to those struggling with drug dependency. Art of Captivity / Arte del Cautiverio explores these centers as architectural forms, while also showcasing the cultural production that takes place inside them, including drawings and letters created by those held captive. This stunning work of visual ethnography humanizes those held inside these centers, breaks down stereotypes about drug use, and sets the conditions for a hemispheric conversation about prohibitionist practices – by revealing intimate portraits of a population held hostage by a war on drugs.

''City of God'' explores the role of neo-Pentecostal Christian sects in the religious, social & political life of Guatemala. O''Neill examines one such church, looking at how its practices have become acts of citizenship in a new, politically relevant era for Protestantism.

It is Brown Sugar Baby''s first Christmas! When the three Aunties swirl in, full of love and sweetness, Baby is the center of family joy and new traditions. Award-winning Kevin Lewis does it again, writing another lyrical and relatable celebration of unconditional love. This African American family is full of warmth and celebration, and reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. Perfect keepsake gift for baby''s first Christmas. Grandparents will make memories with their grandchildren, too! Relatable, lyrical story for parents and their little girls and boys to read together on Christmas. Beautiful illustrations, featuring an African American family, will keep kids engaged throughout the story. Sturdy board book pages are easy to grasp, great for children practicing fine motor skills. Poetic rhythm and rhymes encourage language patterns and development amongst toddlers. Glitter cover and every page throughout provide tactile learning for kids of young ages as they touch the bumpy pages. The more senses you use as you read together, the better children can concentrate on their learning experience.

The hunter has become the prey ... The headless corpses of three men are found in a London side street. Their mutilated torsos are witness to an unspeakably agonizing death. It becomes chillingly clear that this discovery is a horrific message to the Metropolitan Police - and to one officer in particular. DI Stacey Collins finds herself on the hunt for a psychopathic killer. But it would seem that this is no ordinary homicide ... all the victims had themselves been predators, terrorizing the innocent. Is this a twisted vigilante mission, or something far more sinister? Meanwhile, Collins must battle her own demons as the MET''s Internal Affairs department investigate her past and her connections to London''s underworld. Collins faces her toughest challenge yet - torn between justice and revenge

Managing a dental practice has become increasingly complex in recent years, after changes within both the National Health Service and the private sector. Modern dental practice requires that dentists meet demanding business and management challenges as well as employing their clinical expertise. However, most dentists receive little or no formal training in practice management. In this book established management principles are applied specifically to dentistry. It shows how to best serve the interests of patients by effective management of staff, finances, premises and resources. It assumes no prior knowledge, is concise and offers clear, practical advice. It is the definitive guide for dentists, vocational trainees, dental students, practice managers and administrators, and a useful reference for those undertaking the DGDP and MGDS examinations.

A sequel to THE KID, where Kevin Lewis takes us through his journey of writing the novel, securing the book deal with Penguin and facing the enormous press interest. He also takes us through the reactions of his various family members, most importantly his parents, Gloria and Dennis - both of whom he has meetings in the book. He tells us of the reactions from family, friends, from teachers and foster parents who tried to help him in the past, and who have made contact after reading the book. And he also touches on his concerns about the welfare system even now, as the 5 children of one of his sister''s are taken into care and almost handed straight into the arms of Gloria. And lastly, he touches on his plans and hopes for the future - his ambitions to move on from his terrible beginnings and really make something of his life.

Kevin Lewis grew up on a council estate in South London. Beaten and starved by his parents, ignored by the social services and bullied at school, he was offered a chance to escape this nightmare world and was put into care. Despite his best efforts to make things work out, his life spiralled out of control. At the age of 17 he became caught up in the criminal underworld of London, where he was known as ''The Kid''. From the violent anger he suffered at the hands of his mother and father, to the continuous torments at school; from the way in which he coped with rejection from people he trusted, to suffering from bulimia and a wish to take his own life, Kevin succeeded in making a better life for himself. This is his story ..

Homeless, streetwise and running away from a past she would rather forget, Francesca Mills is just another face on the streets of London. When a violent encounter leads to a man’s death, however, she is forced to leave the harsh world that has become her home and forge a new life elsewhere. On the run, Frankie unknowingly stumbles across a dangerous secret, a secret so powerful that men will stop at nothing to protect it. She tries to build a new life, but you can only stay anonymous when no one wants to find you. Hunted by both the police and shadowy assailants with powerful connections, the odds are stacked against a woman who will do whatever it takes to protect herself – and those who mean most to her ...

The Wilson family was torn apart the night little Christopher was almost killed ... Though the two year-old survives the brutal attack by his drunken father, his older sister Kaitlyn is convinced it''s all her fault. Christopher is taken into care and never returns to the family home on the notorious Roxford estate in South London. But the bond between the siblings remains strong, and as Kaitlyn gets older she dreams of a new life away from the violence of the estate and her mother''s dangerous addictions. But most of all, she dreams of being reunited with her little brother. Will Kaitlyn''s dreams ever come true? And if they do, could they really turn into a nightmare? Kaitlyn is the heart-rending story of a family ripped apart by tragedy and reunited by a twist of fate that threatens to destroy all their lives - and of a girl who has to choose between everything she has worked for, and the only family she has every known.

Aimed at all levels of Java developers and technical writers, Lewis'' book takes a chapter-by-chapter approach to building concepts and gives lessons on how to create usable Java Help systems and integrate them into Java applications and applets.

Cree Pedagogy: Dance Your Style examines the intrinsic value of First Nations perspectives, languages, and knowledges. Organized into three parts, this title focuses on the First Nations pedagogy on its own terms, a pedagogy rooted in land, language, culture, community, and Elder knowledge. This text opens with foundational principles such as exploring the history, theory, analysis, and implementation of First Nations pedagogy, and the introduction to core concepts of language at the heart methodology and practice, teaching as a gift, and the passing of knowledge. Part two focuses on askiy kiskinohmakewina: Earth Teachings; reflecting on how the land teaches us, what we learn from connecting to the land, and the philosophy of land-based education. Part three features wāsēyāw, which means the elements of nature shine a light on the path forward. It reflects on the knowledge of Elders and knowledge keepers, presents insights from Elders on Culture Camps, and maskikiw māhtāhitowin, medicine thinking. With contributions from leading Indigenous Studies scholars, Elders, and community leaders in Canada, Cree Pedagogy: Dance Your Style is a powerful and essential text for college and university students in Indigenous Studies and Education courses that promotes thoughtful interactions with the text through practical exercises and thought-provoking discussion questions.

A dump truck causes quite a traffic jam when it gets stuck in a hole.

Chugga-Chugga Choo Choo. It''s the perfect big book for your storytime. Of course, each big book is accompanied by an activity kit. This is the kind of "training" a dog could learn to love.