New Releases by Kathryn Lasky

"Here’s a fast-paced, riveting adventure story for young fantasy fans to enjoy, right down to its ''happily ever after'' ending" —ALA Booklist "Kathy Lasky embellishes and burnishes the time-honored tropes of the Cinderella tale with her customary clarity of storytelling and novelty of invention. Glass sparkles." —Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Newbery Honoree and New York Times bestselling author of the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series Kathryn Lasky delivers an enchanting prequel to the Cinderella story from the perspective of a young fairy godmother. In a grand glass house, there was a girl named Bess whose power would, one day, change the fate of her family. . . Bess Wickham has always felt like a bit of an outcast among her family of extraordinary glassblowers, but then an immense, magical power that’s lain dormant in her bloodline begins to emerge. So, when she suspects her family’s business has taken a sinister turn, Bess must find the strength to defeat dark magic and save a certain cinder girl. But will she shatter under the weight of such evil or get her happily ever after? From Newbery Honor–winning author Kathryn Lasky comes a captivating Cinderella companion, with enchanting spells and endearing animal friendships, reminding us that we have the power to forge our own happy endings. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection!

"Magical, exciting, and deeply moving. Lasky’s perfectly constructed fantasy is told in beautifully descriptive, soaring language, with invented words and names feeling just right and an abundance of detailed information about each animal’s habitat, attributes, and physiology." —Kirkus (starred review) Newbery Honor winner Kathryn Lasky, author of the bestselling Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, delivers the second book in her new middle grade adventure series about a colony of beavers on a courageous quest to save the swan that protects their world. Return to the brilliant, adventure-filled world of Glendunny. Dunwattle and Locksley are going on their greatest journey yet in their search for their beloved mother figure, Elsinore the swan, who has been kidnapped by dark forces. Little do they know, they have a much larger expedition in store when they discover other persecuted animals and baby otters being held against their will for nefarious purposes. Will they be able to save Elsinore, the innocent animals, and themselves? Join Dunwattle and Locksley as they embark on this winding adventure, explore unknown lands beyond their pond, and endeavor to save their world and all the creatures in it.

Perfect for fans of His Dark Materials! Against all odds, cubs Stellan, Jytte, Third, and Froya have found the key hidden inside the legendary Den of Forever Frost. Now, they have everything they need to destroy the dangerous ice clock. Everything . . . except an army. The power-hungry Grand Patek will stop at nothing to protect the clock, the source of his authority. And so, it''s up to the cubs to convince the animals of Ga''Hoole to join the fight-a journey that''ll take them from the fabled owl parliament to the rugged territory of the wolves of the beyond. But the owls and the wolves have secrets of their own -- secrets that threaten to fracture the fragile alliance. Do Stellan and Jytte have what it takes to become the leaders of the resistance? Or will the bears be left on their own to battle the greatest enemy Ga''Hoole has ever known?

For fans of the Royal Diaries series and Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor-winning author Kathryn Lasky delivers the first enchanting adventure in a compelling new middle grade series about a newly orphaned girl who finds herself time-travelling between the present day and the court of the two most memorable English princesses in history. Life used to be great for Rose: full of friends, a loving mom, and a growing fashion blog. But when her mother dies in a car crash, Rose is sent away to live with a strange grandmother she hardly knows and forced to attend a new school where mean girls ridicule her at every turn. The only place Rose finds refuge is in her grandmother’s greenhouse. But one night she sees a strange light glowing from within it. She goes to investigate...and finds herself transported back five hundred years to Hatfield Palace, where she becomes servant and confidant of the banished princess Elizabeth, daughter of King Henry VIII. Rose soon discovers something else amazing—a locket with two mysterious images inside it, both clues to her own past. Could the greenhouse portal offer answers to the mysteries of her family...and their secrets? “A convincing, compelling time-travel series rife with Tudor drama.” —Kirkus

Perfect for fans of His Dark Materials! Bestselling author Kathryn Lasky''s "brilliant imagery of the fantasy ice world and her believably strong, determined bears won''t disappoint readers." -- Booklist Cubs Stellan and Jytte survived their treacherous trek across the Nunquivik, but their quest to rescue their mother has only begun. Svenna is imprisoned at the sinister Ice Clock-the headquarters of the Grand Patek whose dangerous influence is spreading throughout the bear kingdom. Only one bear has ever stood up to the Grand Patek-Svern, the cubs'' father, a famous warrior who''s been in exile for years. And so, along with their friend Third, the cubs set out to find Svern in the legendary Den of Forever Frost-a place some bears claim never existed at all. But time is running out. The Grand Patek has a secret weapon at his disposal-one with the power to destroy everything the creatures of Ga''Hoole hold dear. In this second book in the Bears of the Ice series, bestselling author Kathryn Lasky lures readers deeper into a vividly-imagined fantasy world full of magic, adventure . . . and animal heroes unlike any other.

From bestselling and award-winning author Kathryn Lasky comes an explosive adventure following the teen girl fighter pilots who took on Hitler''s army . . . and won. 16-year-old Valya knows what it feels like to fly. She''s a pilot who''s always felt more at home soaring through the sky than down on earth. But since the Germans surrounded Stalingrad, Valya''s been forced to stay on the ground and watch her city crumble.When her mother is killed during the siege, Valya is left with one burning desire: to join up with her older sister, a member of the famous and feared Night Witches-a brigade of young female pilots. Using all her wits, Valya manages to get past the German blockade and find the Night Witches'' base . . . and that''s when the REAL danger starts. The women have been assigned a critical mission. If they succeed, they''ll inflict serious damage on the Nazis. If they fail, they''ll face death . . . or even worse horrors.Historical fiction master Lasky sheds light on the war''s unsung heroes-daredevil girls who took to the skies to fight for their country-in an action-packed thrill ride that''ll leave you electrified and breathless.

From the author of the New York Times–bestselling Guardians of Ga''hoole, when a filly from a wild herd is taken, the horses must rally to her rescue. After adopting an orphan human boy, the first herd of horses in the New World is finally ready to make the treacherous journey across the mountains to find the Sweet Grass that promises survival. But when their leader, Estrella, is captured by cruel men, it delivers a blow to the very heart of the herd. If the horses turn back, they''ll never make it across the mountains before winter. But if they leave Estrella in captivity, the wild-born filly will surely perish. The conclusion to Kathryn Lasky''s Horses of the Dawn trilogy will make your heart beat to the rhythm of thundering hooves, leaving you breathless as you join the herd''s final fight for freedom. Praise for Horses of the Dawn, book one: "As in works such as her Guardians of Ga''hoole series, Lasky uses animals to touch on very human issues. — Kirkus Reviews "Lasky successfully fuses fantasy and fact as she gives her equine characters credible emotional depth and underscores the tensions and disparity between Old and New World sensibilities. It''s a haunting story of loss, self-discovery, survival, and homecoming." — Publishers Weekly

"Ryder always thought something special would happen when she turned eleven, and this year she misses her mom, who died several years ago, more than ever. Ryder's parents created a cartoon show featuring an eleven-year-old hero named Rory. Then on Ryder's eleventh birthday, Rory steps out of the screen--Rory needs help"--

As the daughter of the fallen Anne Boleyn, young Princess Elizabeth lives a complicated and dangerous life. She fears her father Henry VIII''s famous temper, and she knows that Princess Mary is not only her sister but also her rival. Court intrigue swirls around the young princess, and she is forced at an early age to distinguish friend from foe.

Young Marie Antoinette has a recurring nightmare, in which the broken head of her porcelain doll is her own. Marie Antoinette doesn't know her fate, but she knows her destiny is to one day be the Queen of France. But all the preparation in the world cannot equip her for the adventure she is about to embark upon.

A choice between love and survival . . .Lucy''s family is excited to spend the summer in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her minister father is pleased to preside over such a prestigious congregation, and his social-climbing wife is ecstatic at the chance to find a rich husband for her daughter. Yet Lucy wants nothing to do with the Bar Harbor social scene; she''s simply excited to spend the summer by the sea, watching the waves from her favorite spot on the cliff. Despite having never gone swimming, Lucy feels an intense connection to the ocean, and meets a handsome ship-builder who shows Lucy a world she''s never known, yet somehow always longed for. However, her mother will stop at nothing to keep Lucy and the ship builder apart, even if it means throwing Lucy into the arms of a wealthy man with a dangerous secret. Can Lucy break free and embrace her destiny as a daughter of the sea? Or is she doomed to waste away in a gilded cage, slowly dying of a broken heart?

Bestselling author Kathryn Lasky''s hit series - a stunning spin-off set among the wolves of Ga''hoole.Faolan has always been an outsider. Exiled as a pup, then shunned by his fellow wolves for his unusual connection to the bears, Faolan has struggled to earn a place in the pack. But a terrible danger is looming on the horizon, and Faolan is the only one who knows how to fight it. Will he be able to claim his rightful place as leader? Unless Faolan can inspire the pack to stand together, it could be the end of the wolves of the Beyond.

The bestselling beloved Dear America series returns in a stunning new deluxe paperback. Newbery Honor author Kathryn Lasky's acclaimed addition to the series, A Journey to the New World, brings the story of the Mayflower to life. This beautifully updated package is perfect for celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! Twelve-year-old Remember "Mem" Patience Whipple is headed for the New World with her parents on a grueling 65-day journey onboard the Mayflower. Once they reach land, and despite the harsh conditions, Mem is fearless and leaps headfirst into her new life, helping to care for the sick in her new home and searching for friends to call her own. The Dear America series transformed the way millions of readers learned about American history. These new editions will be beautifully packaged as deluxe paperbacks with gold foil and are perfect for a new generation of readers.

Kicked out of home after home, the Deadlies have finally found the perfect place--the Rare Books room at the Boston Library. But their peace is threatened when a thief starts targeting the library. Can the Deadlies spin a web big enough to catch a crook? Illustrations.

"New York Times"-bestselling author Lasky delivers the second novel in her shimmering quartet about mermaid sisters and supernatural love.

The second companion book to the New York Times bestselling series, the LOST TALES reveals never-before-told stories of the Great Tree!Guided by the Knower, Otulissa has studied long in the libraries of the Others; she has probed the ancient lore of the strange and powerful dire wolves of the Beyond. And at the Great Ga''Hoole tree itself she has uncovered secret histories of Guardians she thought she knew well! Attention Dear Reader! Great mysteries will be revealed to the attuned mind in these last Lost Tales of the Great Tree!

From bestselling author Katherine Lasky comes the first book in WOLVES OF THE BEYOND, a stunning new spinoff from her legendary owl series, Guardians of Ga''hoole.A wolf mother has given birth, but the warm bundle snuffling next to her brings only anguish. The pup, otherwise healthy, has a twisted leg, and the mother knows what the harsh code of the pack demands. Her pup will be taken from her and abandoned on a desolate hill. The pack cannot have weakness - the wolf mother knows that her pup is condemned to die.But alone in the wilderness, the pup, Faolan, does not perish. This his story - a story of survival, of courage, and of love triumphant. This is Faolan''s story, the wolf pup who rose up to change forevever the Wolves of the Beyond.

In the fifth book in this series, the war between an evil group led by Soren''s brother, Kludd, and the owls of the Great Ga''Hoole Tree rages on.In the midst of war, Eglantine unwittingly becomes a spy for Kludd, leader of the Pure Ones (a group of evil owls). She is brainwashed by an owl sent by the Pure Ones to infiltrate the Great Ga''Hoole Tree. Her odd behavior eventually attracts attention, and Soren and his friends vow to find out what''s wrong with Eglantine. They ultimately learn what happened and help her reverse the effects of the brainwashing. Kludd continues to battle against the Guardians of Ga''Hoole for control of their tree. In the end, Kludd and his forces are defeated. But his conflict with Soren is not yet over.

The third book in the GUARDIANS OF GA''HOOLE series, a classic hero mythology, chronicles Soren''s quest for his missing mentor, Ezylryb, and battle against his evil brother, Kludd.Now that Soren has been reunited with his sister, Eglantine, he must face his next challenge: making sense of the mysterious disappearance of his mentor, Ezylryb. When Soren discovers that Ezylryb is in danger, he and his friends Gylfie, Twilight, and Digger devise a plan to save the beloved teacher.In this process, Soren must fight a ferocious foe who wears a terrifying metal beak, sharpened for battle. It''s not until the confrontation is over that Soren discovers the true identity of his opponent. The metal beaked warrior is Soren''s evil brother, Kludd.

The fantastic prequel trilogy to the bestselling series GUARDIANS OF GA''HOOLE begins!It is a time of Legends and a time of chaos. Warlords vie for power and marauding outlaws roam the land. Good King Hrath and his queen, Siv, noble Spotted Owls struggle to keep peace in their kingdom. Grank, noble Spotted Owl, friend and supporter of King Hrath, has exiled himself to Beyond the Beyond, where he has developed his firesight and learns how to work with embers, fire and how to forge metals. He is the First Collier. Deep in a volcano in the farthest reaches of Beyond the Beyond, he discovers a magical Ember but fears its awful powers will be misused and hides it again. (continued)

The Grand Battle begins with the search for allies in the Northern Kindoms and ends in The Burning that will change all Owldom forever.Soren and his band are sent to the mysterious Northern Kingdoms to gather allies and learn the art of war in preparation for the coming cataclysmic battle against the sinister Pure Ones. Meanwhile, in the Southern Kingdoms, St. Aggies has fallen to the Pure Ones and they are using its resources to plan a final invasion of The Great Ga''Hoole Tree. With the future of all Owldom in the balance, the parliament of Ga''Hoole must decide whether or not to join forces with the brutal Skench and Sporn and the scattered remnants of St. Aggies who remain faithful to them. A great battle is on the

To prove his goodness, young Nyroc will renounce his name, his mother, and his inheritance to seek the holiest of relics from The Beyond the Beyond.Nyroc has exiled himself from the Pure Ones. He flies alone, feared and despised by those who know him as Kludd''s son, hunted by those whose despotism he has rejected, and haunted by ghostly creatures conjured by Nyra to lure him back to the Pure Ones. He yearns for a place he only half believes in -- the great tree -- and an uncle -- the near-mythic Soren -- who might be a true father to him. Yet he cannot approach the tree while the rumor of evil clings to him. To prove his worth, Nyroc will fly to The Beyond the Beyond seeking the legendary Relic and bring it, a talisman of his own

The eleventh title in this best-selling series brings Hoole to kingship and the legends to fulfilment signaling a return to the adventures of Coryn, Soren and the Band.In this final book of the Legends trilogy Hoole reclaims the thrown of his father and goes on to wage a war against the forces of chaos, greed and oppression led by the powerful warlord-tyrants. Grank, the first collier, uses his skills with fire and metals to forge weapons for battle. With great trepidation Hoole uses the power of the Ember in the final, decisive battle and wins. At the dawn of a new ear of peace, Hoole searches for the ideal place to establish not a kingdom but an order of free owls and finds the Great Tree. (continued)

The adventure continues! In a land no owl knew existed, Soren, Coryn, and the Guardians find danger, knowledge, and new allies.Coryn and the Band have returned to the Great Ga''Hoole Tree and restored order. With the Ember safely hidden away, the tree shakes off its gaudy golden glow and recovers its natural majesty. Meanwhile, deep in the Palace of Mists, Bess finds an ancient map fragment that reveals that there are not 5 owl kingdoms -- as has been thought since time immemorial -- but 6. Coryn and the chaw of chaws set off to find this unknown land. In a landscape of perpetual winter, they discover a monastery of serene, learned owls, the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

The final book in Lasky''s best-selling animal series.The strange, maniacal blue owl known as the Striga has been rousted from the Great Ga''Hoole Tree. Nyra, leader of the vicious Pure Ones, is either dead or laying low in some distant land,leaving the tree finally at peace. As if fed by an invisible spring, learning and the lively arts flourish at the great tree and spread throughout the owl kingdoms.But unbeknowst to the Guardians, in a long-empty cave deep in the Northern Kingdoms two ruthless villains join forces to conjure an ancient evil, an evil that will do their bidding and wreak havoc on the world.

Ga''Hoole is victorious, but far from the great tree, in the bitter ashes of defeat under a full moon, Nyroc is born. And he will be bred to monstrous evil.Kludd is dead. Nyra, his mate, is determined that her hatchling, Nyroc, will fulfill his father''s destiny: the vicious oppression of all the owl kingdoms. But Nyroc is a poor student of evil. A light grows in his heart, fed by scraps of forbidden legend and strange news of a place where goodness and nobility reign. He must summon all his courage to defy his destiny -- and the embodiment of evil that is his mother.

A war breaks out in the owl kingdom when an evil group tries to take control of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. Soren and the other Ga'Hoolian owls must fight to protect their tree and restore peace.Soren's beloved mentor, Ezylryb, is finally back at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree. But all is not well. There's a war between good and evil in the owl kingdom. On one side is a group led by Soren's fearsome brother, Kludd, who wears a terrifying metal mask to cover his battle-scarred face. On the other side are the owls of the Great Ga'Hoole Tree, who must fight to protect their legendary tree from Kludd's attacks.Soren, his friends, and the other owls at the Great Ga'Hoole Tree enter into fierce combat against Kludd's forces. They win a major battle, but warfare will continue in Book #5.

The latest soaring installment of Kathryn Lasky's NYT bestselling Ga'Hoole seriesGrank raises the hatchling deep in a forest far from owls that would kill the royal chick named Hoole to end the kingly line. His mother comes to visit, in disguise, and departs again. Not even the chick must know his mother's identity. It would give him away as Hrath's heir. Sent by an evil warlord, a hagsfiend attempts to lure young Hoole away when he first learns to fly. Grank realizes that the same evil forces that killed Hrath are after Hoole, and know where he is. To keep him safe, Grank brings him to Beyond the Beyond, a strange land of fiery volcanoes in a barren, icy landscape.(more)

A classic hero mythology about the fight between good and evil, Guardians of Ga'Hoole is filled with adventure, suspense, and heart. Soren is born in the forest of Tyto, a tranquil kingdom where the Barn Owls dwell. But evil lurks in the owl world, evil that threatens to shatter Tyto's peace and change the course of Soren's life forever.Soren is captured and taken to a dark and forbidding canyon. It's called an orphanage, but Soren believes it's something far worse. He and his friend Gylfie know that the only way out is up. To escape, they will need to do something they have never done before -- fly.And so begins a magical journey. Along the way, Soren and Gylfie meet Twilight and Digger. The four owls band together to seek the truth and protect the owl world from unimaginable danger.

After Soren, a young owlet, is pushed from his family''s nest by his older brother, he''s plucked from the forest floor by agents from a mysterious school, the St. Aegolius Academy for Orphaned Owls. When Soren arrives at St. Aggie''s, he suspects there is more to the school than meets the eye. He and his new friend, the clever and scrappy Gylfie, find out that St. Aggie''s is actually a training camp where the school''s leader can groom young owls to help achieve her goal--to rule the entire owl kingdom. In the first book in this series, the reader follows the adventures of Soren and Gylfie as they subvert the attempted brainwashing that takes place at St. Aggie''s, learn to fly, and eventually escape from the evil school. Later they meet with two more orphaned owls, the indomitable Twilight and pensive Digger, and the four form a band as they journey to a refuge that may exist only in legend--the Great Ga''Hoole Tree.