New Releases by Barbara Willard

Young Simon, recently and tragically orphaned, becomes a scribe in the following of the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket. The uncertainty of the tumultuous years leading to the infamous cathedral slaying is heightened by Simon''s separation from his twin Edmund, who is in the service of King Henry II. With an expert pen Barbara Willard deftly recounts events leading to the bishop''s martyrdom in 1170.

The year is A.D. 781. King Charles of the Franks is crossing the Alps with his family and court on a journey to meet with Pope Hadrian. One frosty night he speaks to his young son Carl: When we come to Rome you will know that I am naming you my heir. One day you will rule over all my lands. . . . But the King already had an heir, Pepin the Hunchback, mockingly called Gobbo. Was he to be dispossessed? Yet Carl sees that Charlemagne is determined to do what he feels is best to serve God and Europe.

It is the year 597 and Pope Gregory is sending a select number of his monks, led by Fr. Augustine, to re-evangelize England. Young Wolf, born in that land but raised in Rome, accompanies his father, Wolfstan, who goes as a guide and interpreter. Though the King of Kent''s wife is a Christian, the missionaries from Rome do not know whether they will be welcomed, tolerated or martyred. In a story full of adventure, Wolf meets Fritha, a Saxon girl whose life and destiny are soon closely bound up with his own. Events, significant in the history of Christianity, are vividly brought to life by this veteran writer of historical fiction. Illustrated by Mary Beth Owens.

Ben visits his friend Mrs Merryfield and befriends her latest and largest animal pet.

In anticipation of winning a South Sea island in a dog food contest, two children trespass on the neighbor''s estate to try out island living.

Instead of the toy mouse he has brought with him on a visit to his grandfather in the country, Colin finds a tiny harvest mouse in his pocket.

A 16-year-old, who has left her home in the English countryside to go into service with a London family in the 1930''s, gradually realizes what she really wants.

Two children become curious about the departure of their grandfather''s employer, who left their "Garden Island" off Scotland years ago after instructing the gardener to faithfully keep the island beautiful until his return.

Henry VIII''s quarrel with the Pope seems remote from a young Englishman''s life until his uncle finds himself guardian to a mysterious silent girl who seems to remember nothing.

Not wanting a dog around at all, Jill''s father gives her an impossibly small sum of money with which to buy one, but determined Jill finds a St. Bernard for free.

When her father goes into exile after the fall of Richard III, a sheltered sixteen-year-old girl is sent to stay with an unconventional aunt.

"Complications arise when the English Sarah Lattimore decides to wed Robert Graham, an American, for both have children by previous marriages. The combined family, whose common interest is a love for anything Scottish, is brought together at Sarah''s summer home in Scotland. The two English and four American children, whose ages range from 16 to 19, realize that they must learn to adapt to the situation but cannot avoid feeling resentment toward each other."--Kirkus.