Best Selling Books by Liz Kessler

ONE MOMENT CAN CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER. ‘An exceptional read’ The Sunday Times ‘Vital glimmers of hope enlighten this profoundly poignant book’ Guardian A powerful and heart-breaking novel about three childhood friends living during the Second World War whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses. Inspired by a true story, this is the perfect read for fans of The Book Thief and Anne Frank’s The Diary of a Young Girl. Vienna, 1936. Elsa, Leo and Max have always been best friends, a special team of three. Then the Nazis come. As a growing darkness descends around them, Leo and Elsa run for their lives, taking two very different paths across Europe. And Max, once their closest friend, now becomes the enemy as he is drawn into the Hitler Youth. Will the friends ever find their way back to each other? Will they want to? Inspired by a true story, WHEN THE WORLD WAS OURS is an extraordinary novel that is as powerful as it is heartbreaking, and shows how the bonds of love, family and friendship allow glimmers of hope to flourish, even in the most hopeless of times. Three friends. Two sides. One memory.

Twelve-year-old Jenni''s much-anticipated vacation with her family and best friend Autumn goes awry when an old elevator transports her to a future in which everything has changed, and she must not only return to her own time but also must find a way to prevent what she has seen from coming to fruition.

A young girl learns of her grandmother and great-aunt’s involvement in the Dutch Resistance during World War II in this heartbreaking middle grade story of family, history, resilience, and hope from acclaimed author Liz Kessler. Thirteen-year-old Liv’s beloved ninety-two-year-old grandmother, Oma, is moving into a home where she can be cared for as her dementia worsens. As Liv helps her father empty Oma’s house, she finds an old chest which opens up a whole world that Liv never knew about: the hidden world of Oma’s childhood. Through the letters and other mementos, Liv learns that Oma, given name Mila, had a sister, Eva, that no one in Liv’s family ever knew about. In 1942, Mila and Eva are sent away from their parents to a non-Jewish family so they will survive the war. Twelve-year-old Mila believes that they will soon be reunited with their parents and go back to their normal lives, but fourteen-year-old Eva knows better, and soon gets involved in the Resistance. Eva takes on more and more dangerous assignments until a betrayal forces her to decide between running away with her sister or fully committing to mission. Tragedy strikes, and Mila goes to England on her own to restart her life from scratch, vowing never to talk about her childhood again. In the present day, Liv reads how Mila builds something new from the shattered pieces of her childhood while giving beloved Oma all the support she can. Both Liv and Mila grapple with loyalty, family, and love as they discover what it means to be brave and go above and beyond to offer someone else a life of dignity, happiness, and freedom.

''An important contribution to the YA literary canon and a welcome reminder that love is love, no matter what.'' - Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author The first YA novel from bestselling author Liz Kessler, Read Me Like A Book is a brave, honest and vital coming-out story that follows one girl''s exploration of love, identity and sexuality. Ashleigh Walker is having a difficult year. She''s struggling at school, and coming home to parents who are on the verge of divorce. She knows she should be happy spending time with her boyfriend - but, for some reason, being around him just makes her worry more. It''s only in her English teacher, Miss Murray, that she feels she''s found a kindred spirit. Miss Murray helps Ashleigh develop her writing skills and her confidence - but what happens when boundaries begin to blur? What will the repercussions be for Ashleigh? And how will she navigate her own sexuality?

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Emily Windsnap series comes a captivating adventure about family, friendship, and the bonds that bridge time. The sleepy seaside village of Porthaven hides a mystery: Mia’s grandad has vanished, and nobody knows why. When Mia and her mom rush to Porthaven to help her grandmother, Mia imagines long dreary days with no one to talk to except for the old-time fisherman at her grandparents’ pub. But that’s before Mia finds a diary on an empty, docked fishing boat and starts exchanging notes with a local girl named Dee, a girl who seems much like her. Mia is excited about having a new friend, but why do their plans to meet each other never materialize? And why does Dee claim to be stuck at home due to violent storms when Mia sees only sunny skies? Will Mia be able to solve the mystery of where — and when — her grandfather and friend might be before time and tide forever wash away their futures?

"High-action adventure, a plucky protagonist, and whimsical illustrations enliven this sea fantasy, which will be most thoroughly appreciated by series followers." — Booklist Picture an island set in a glittering blue sea, sparkling with white sand and palm trees, a secret place where humans and merfolk live together. To Emily Windsnap — half mermaid, half human — her new home is perfect. That is, until Emily ruins everything by waking a legendary sea monster known as the kraken from its hundred-year sleep. . . . An enchanting tale with a fabulous monster, engaging characters, and plenty of mermaid magic, this second fantasy about Emily Windsnap is filled with charm and warmth.

While on vacation, Emily Windsnap finds herself swept up in an ancient prophecy as the "New York Times"-bestselling series continues. Illustrations.

"First published in Great Britain by Hodder and Stoughton"--Title page verso.

After finally convincing her mother that she should take swimming lessons, twelve-year-old Emily discovers a terrible and wonderful secret about herself that opens up a whole new world.

"First published in Great Britain by Orion Children''s Books"--Title page verso.

Philippa Fisher reunites with her spunky fairy godsister in a sparkling new adventure from the creator of Emily Windsnap. (Ages 8-12) Philippa Fisher is trying to have a good time on vacation with her parents, but she’s feeling lonely. When she meets Robyn, a girl with sad eyes and a strict father, she enjoys the company, but can’t help wondering what Robyn and her dad might be hiding. Meanwhile, Daisy, Philippa’s best friend (and fairy godsister), sneaks into her former charge’s room for a visit, but now has a furtive new mission and must dash away. Philippa longs to uncover the reasons behind her friends’ odd behavior, but friendships can be tricky when there are secrets -- and unexpected danger -- involved! Best-selling author Liz Kessler is back with a sympathetic story about navigating between old friends and new, a tale full of mystery, whimsy, and all the magic tween readers could wish for.

"An easy sell to girls looking for a friendship story with more than a touch of make-believe." — Kirkus reviews When Emily Windsnap discovers an old diamond ring during a class hunt for trinkets, how is she supposed to know that the ring is half the key to unlocking an ancient curse by Neptune himself? Now, with the ring stuck firmly on her hand, Emily finds herself under a new curse: in just a few days, she’ll cease to be half-human and half-mermaid and must say good-bye to one parent forever. Can she possibly find the other missing ring that will break all the curses? Is there anyone who can help her -- before it’s too late?

Follow the siren call to Emily’s magical new adventure! Can the spunky half-mer girl pass Neptune’s test--and help humans and merpeople get along? (Ages 8-12) Emily Windsnap is finally enjoying a swimmingly peaceful life on Allpoints Island, hanging out with her mermaid BFF, Shona, and her new friend Aaron (half-merperson like herself ). But their idyll is cut short when Emily learns that the Windsnaps and friends must return to their old home in Brightport, where construction projects are threatening a secret mermaid community under the sea. Neptune’s mandate? No less than an interspecies intervention to bring merpeople and humans together, a task the imperious god feels the mixed Windsnap family is well suited for. There are just a few snags for Emily, however, like dealing with old nemeses Mandy and Mr. Beeston, figuring out her feelings toward Aaron, and untangling a high-suspense mystery related to a group of legendary lost sirens. Everyone’s favorite half-mermaid is back with a splash in a sparkling new adventure her fans will be eager to get their fins on.

Can Philippa and her fairy godsister keep the link between worlds from closing forever? A thrilling third tale about a magical friendship. (Ages 8-12) Philippa is excited to spend her vacation with her friend Robyn, but she has no idea just how much excitement awaits. When a magic spell carved on a mysterious circle of rocks transports Philippa to fairy godmother headquarters, she learns that her own mother is in danger. To protect her mom from a serious accident, Philippa must pretend to be a fairy, while Daisy, her fairy godsister, returns to Earth as Philippa! And that’s just the beginning of their adventure. After passing a harrowing test of their loyalty to each other, Philippa and Daisy undergo a fantastic journey to rescue a lost fairy who has devoted her powers to maintaining the portal of the stone circle. With time running out, and the worlds of humans and fairies at risk of being severed, Daisy finds herself facing an extraordinary choice that has the power to change her life forever.

Liz Kessler’s sparkling series about Philippa Fisher and her spunky fairy godsister takes on new magic with fresh new covers — and a whole new look. Philippa Fisher would like nothing more than to summon a fairy. Still, she is taken aback when Daisy, the new girl at school, announces that she is Philippa''s fairy godsister—and is reluctantly obliged to grant her human charge the customary three wishes. Now, if only Philippa would wish for something that makes her life better, not worse! With warmth and whimsy, the creator of Emily Windsnap tells a story of friendship, luck, and how we decide what we really want.

Looking forward to spending a seaside vacation with her family and sharing an adventure on the open sea as a fierce pirate dog, Poppy the Dalmatian loses her courage in the face of numerous bobbing boats, splashing waves and scary sea creatures.

Emily Windsnap must travel through time in order to save the people of her hometowns — both human andmerfolk — in the exciting ninth book of the New York Times best-selling series. When Emily makes a wish on a magic stone, she gets a glimpse of what the future holds — and it’s a disaster! She tries to make things right, but each trip through time takes Emily to a future where things turn out badly for either the humans of Brightport or the merpeople of Shiprock. Plastic pollutes the ocean, garbage overflows the landfills, and the two towns are no longer getting along. Emily realizes she can''t save her hometown and the ocean alone, but with help from her best friends, Shona and Mandy, she’ll have to find a way to get humans and merpeople to work together. Will Emily be able to create a better future for everyone, including herself? This new adventure gives readers a glimpse at what Emily and her friends could be like as grown-ups, with a fresh story that explores how uniting communities can make a future that’s bright for everyone.

The New York Times best-selling series continues with the half-mermaid embarking on an icy and perilous journey to the Land of the Midnight Sun. Strange storms are blowing up from the ocean, caused by the nightmares of Neptune, King of the Sea. Convinced that his dreams herald an approaching threat, Neptune enlists half-mermaids Emily Windsnap and Aaron for a top-secret mission to find and eliminate the source of the trouble. But Emily and Aaron quickly get in over their heads in the frigid waters of the frozen north. Deep within an alpine lake where magical reflections show what could be rather than what is, the two discover a trove of stolen memories and Neptune’s darkest secret. Double-crosses and double-takes abound in Liz Kessler’s fifth magical mermaid adventure.

Liz Kessler’s sparkling series about Philippa Fisher and her spunky fairy godsister. Philippa Fisher would like nothing more than to summon a fairy. Still, she is taken aback when Daisy, the new girl at school, announces that she is Philippa''s fairy godsister—and is reluctantly obliged to grant her human charge the customary three wishes. Now, if only Philippa would wish for something that makes her life better, not worse! With warmth and whimsy, the creator of Emily Windsnap tells a story of friendship, luck, and how we decide what we really want.

Emily Windsnap ends up surrounded by pirates — and on a life-changing adventure — in the eighth installment of the New York Times best-selling series. Traveling home by cruise ship should be a relaxing break after Emily’s latest adventure, but things take a turn when the ship is overtaken by a pirate king and his crew. After the pirates collect everyone’s riches, they steal something even more valuable: Aaron. The pirate king’s eldest son takes Aaron captive, forcing him to help guide the pirates to the mythical Trident’s Treasure. So Emily dives into action and joins the younger son’s crew in hopes of saving Aaron. But while experiencing life on the waves, Emily is surprised to find herself not only enjoying the pirate life, but actually bonding with the crew — especially Sam, the pirate king’s son. Between helping Sam unravel riddles to beat his brother to the treasure and making sure that her friends are safe, Emily realizes that she needs to be true to herself. Will she cast aside her mermaid life to join her new friends, or will she find a way to follow her own path?

"First published in Great Britain in 2015 by Orion Children''s Books"--Title page verso.

Swim with the dolphins and cheer for the protection of sea mammals in this early-reader adventure inspired by the New York Times best-selling Emily Windsnap series. Best mer-friends Emily, Shona, and Aaron are wandering the ocean in search of something to do when they see a boat advertising “attractions” at a place called Sea Park. Finally, a great way to spend their day! But on their way to the boat, the trio pass a pair of frantic dolphins caught in nets. Carefully, they set the animals free, only to have the dolphins repay the favor by blocking their way to the boat. Could it be that Sea Park isn’t the fun destination they had hoped for—and that its attractions could involve captured dolphins, or even mermaids? It’s a close call, and they’re all safe for now, but other animals might not be so lucky. How can the mermaids and other sea creatures show the boat’s crew that sea animals should be playing free, not in a tank? With a crescendo of leaps and flips, this fourth early-reader adventure starring Emily Windsnap and friends is sure to please fans of the series—and champions of the ocean and its creatures.

The NEW YORK TIMES best-selling series -- now making a big splash as a boxed collection of all three enchanting mermaid adventures. What if you dove into a pool and came up a mermaid? For twelve-year-old Emily Windsnap -- girl on land, finned creature in the water -- it''s a discovery that spurs not only breathtaking escapades and brushes with high suspense, but also issues of friendship and family that resonate with middle-grade fans everywhere. Now a beguiling boxed set allows readers to dive into all three Emily Windsnap tales: THE TAIL OF EMILY WINDSNAP EMILY WINDSNAP AND THE MONSTER FROM THE DEEP EMILY WINDSNAP AND THE CASTLE IN THE MIST

A powerful, heart-breaking, ultimately redemptive novel about three childhood friends in 1930s Vienna whose fates are closely intertwined, even when their lives take very different courses.

Readers can dive right into the first two adventures in the New York Times best-selling series with this appealing bind-up edition. The Tail of Emily Windsnap Twelve-year-old Emily Windsnap makes a startling discovery about her own identity, the mysterious father she’s never met, and the thrilling possibilities and perils shimmering deep below the water’s surface. Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep Half-mermaid Emily Windsnap wakes the Kraken, a legendary sea monster, putting her family and friends, both merfolk and human, in great danger. Can she set things right before it’s too late?

Enchanted by Emily Windsnap? Now readers can immerse themselves in all of her adventures with this swishy boxed set. Dive in! Half-mermaid, half-spunky girl, all magic — Emily Windsnap swept a generation of middle grade readers under her spell. Avid fans or those discovering Emily for the first time, kids will swimmingly to this beautiful collection of four Emily Windsnap episodes: The Tail of Emily Windsnap Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist Emily Windsnap and the Siren’s Secret

Using the friendship of two mermaids, Emily and Shona, as a guide, describes what makes a best friend and provides quizzes and activities for best friends to share.

Dive into all six of Emily Windsnap’s magical adventures with this enchanting set. Half-mermaid, half-human, and all magic, Emily Windsnap has had middle-grade readers under her spell for more than a decade. All six of her shimmering underwater adventures are now available in one beautiful collection with a bonus twelve-page friendship booklet for readers to share with their BFFs. Includes books 1 through 6: The Tail of Emily Windsnap Emily Windsnap and the Monster from the Deep Emily Windsnap and the Castle in the Mist Emily Windsnap and the Siren’s Secret Emily Windsnap and the Land of the Midnight Sun Emily Windsnap and the Ship of Lost Souls Bonus! Best Friends with Emily Windsnap booklet

After his pendant goes missing, semi-mer Aaron and his friends discover a family secret in this early reader based on the New York Times best-selling Emily Windsnap novels. Aaron wishes he were special like his best friends, Emily Windsnap and Shona Silkfin, but nothing exciting ever happens at his castle in the middle of the ocean. That is, until a massive, mysterious ship docks at the castle and all the crew members are suspiciously interested in Aaron’s trident pendant. One even asks to take a closer look at it . . . then doesn’t give it back! Luckily, Emily and Shona are there to help, swimming to the ship with Aaron to retrieve his stolen keepsake. But once onboard, Aaron is shocked to discover the royal meaning behind it. Based on the New York Times best-selling series by Liz Kessler, this newest underwater story for young readers promises mystery, adventure, and—as Aaron comes to realize—the most special thing of all: friendship.

Introducing an exciting new line of readers that brings half-mermaid Emily Windsnap—star of the New York Times best-selling series—to a younger audience. Even though she lives in a houseboat, Emily Windsnap doesn’t know how to swim. Her mother has always cautioned her to stay out of the water. But it’s hard to make friends at the beach when everyone else is having fun in the waves! So when swimming lessons start at school, Emily is excited to finally have the chance to learn. Standing beside the pool, she feels the water calling her, but when she jumps in, she gets a strange, kind of scary sensation . . . like her legs are stuck together. Eager to figure out what’s happening, Emily later dives into the sea. She gets that weird feeling again, but this time she looks down to see that her legs are gone—replaced by a shiny, beautiful tail! Welcome to Emily’s Big Discovery, the first in a sparkling, charmingly illustrated series of readers. With a mermaid tail and an entire ocean awaiting her, Emily is eager to meet new friends and swim off on big adventures in this inviting new series for the younger set, based on the best-selling middle-grade series by Liz Kessler.

Poppy the Pirate Dog is in charge of keeping the treasure safe, so what happens when some jewelry goes missing? It’s Mom’s birthday, so Tim and Suzy are planning a special pirate show for her. Poppy’s job is to guard the treasure, but while on duty, she hurts her eye and has to go to the vet. Worse yet, she comes home not with a pirate eye patch, but with a big plastic cone around her neck! While the rest of the family searches for Dad’s missing present—a sparkly necklace for Mom—Poppy sulks alone outside. But then Poppy catches sight of something twinkling in the grass. Is this her chance to redeem herself as the best pirate dog ever? This third early reader from Liz Kessler sparkles with warmth, humor, and a dash of pirate gold.

With her best friend’s help, can mermaid Shona get up the nerve to share her singing talents at school? A new reader for younger fans based on the New York Times best-selling Emily Windsnap novels. Emily Windsnap’s best friend, Shona Silkfin, is a mermaid who loves to sing . . . but only when she is by herself. So when Shiprock School announces a talent show whose winner will have the honor of meeting King Neptune, everyone is excited to perform—except Shona, who is too nervous to sign up. But when Emily overhears her friend singing, she’s amazed by Shona’s beautiful voice. With Emily’s encouragement, Shona decides to enter the talent show—and when she anxiously takes the stage, Shona knows that her best friend is cheering her on, giving her the courage to sing loud and proud in front of everyone, even the King of the Oceans. Based on the New York Times best-selling series by Liz Kessler, this underwater adventure offers a sweet story about a confidence-bolstering friendship to new readers.

When her owners notice that Poppy the pirate dog is lonely, they decide to get her a friend, but Poppy doesn''t expect it to be an orange kitten.

Early Readers are stepping stones from picture books to reading books. A blue Early Reader is perfect for sharing and reading together. A red Early Reader is the next step on your reading journey. It''s Mum''s birthday and Poppy and her family are putting on a pirate show. It''s Poppy''s job to be the treasure keeper. The only trouble is, she isn''t very good at it...