Most Popular Books by Sherryl Jordan

Suspicious of sixteen-year-old Marnie, a newcomer to their village, the residents accuse her of witchcraft when she discovers that the village madman is not crazy but deaf, and she begins to communicate with him through hand gestures.

An exciting historical fantasy YA by award-winning New Zealand author Sherryl Jordan. “Words hold a terrible power. They can break a heart, or give it a reason to live. They can grant freedom – or begin a war.” In a world where it is a crime to speak against injustice, a jester dares to perform a play that enrages a powerful tyrant prince. The jester’s daughter, Giovanna, must journey into the heart of danger to turn back the terrible consequences unleashed by her father’s words – and becomes entangled in a treacherous plot to overthrow the prince. She alone holds a secret which, if made public, will end the prince’s reign and liberate his oppressed people. But when to openly denounce him brings certain death, will Giovanna have the courage to speak out?

In England in 1356, as a monk records his every word, a young peasant tells of his journey with a young Chinese noblewoman to St. Alfric''s Cove and the lair of a dragon.

Can one man be the salvation of two nations? Gabriel is a thinker, a healer, a dreamer. His past haunts him, and his future is intertwined with ancient prophecies. He is a son of the Navoran Empire, yet his soul can only find peace with the wild Shinali people on the outshirts of the city. He can interpret the dreams of the Empress and heal the wounded of her city, but as sinister forces take control fo the empire, Gabriel''s destiny may be far greater than he can possibly imagine. Sherryl Jordan has crafted a powerful fantasy novel about a young man destined to become the link between two warring cultures.

An unforgettable tale of fate, betrayal, and the power of love and faith Avala dreams of becoming a healer, but her dreams are not the same as her destiny. Hers is a mighty but lonely fate, for she is the chosen one—the one who will bring the Time of the Eagle, when the hunted will become the hunters and win back their freedom. It is a destiny that requires the spirit of a warrior and the heart of a healer. But does Avala have the courage to set the Eagle on its flight? This epic companion to Secret Sacrament is full of intrigue, adventure, and fantasy, as one girl, born to greatness, must decide whether to follow her dreams or fulfill her destiny.

''''Words hold a terrible power. They can break a heart, or give it a reason to live. They can grant freedom - or begin a war.'''' In a world where it is a crime to speak against injustice, a jester dares to perform a play that enrages a powerful tyrant prince. The jester''s daughter, Giovanna, must journey into the heart of danger to turn back the terrible consequences unleashed by her father''s words - and becomes entangled in a treacherous plot to overthrow the prince. She alone holds a secret which, if made public, will end the prince''s reign and liberate his oppressed people. But when to openly denounce him brings certain death, will Giovanna have the courage to speak out?

Spurned by her lover, and with her uncle threatening to marry her off to his odious widowed brother, Gwenifer is almost relieved to be sent away to escort the magistrate’s old, blind mother to Ransomwood, where the tears of the statue of the Holy Mother are said to have healing qualities.Together with Harry, the village halfwit, who is escaping a sentence of hanging for being in charge of an ox that trampled a child almost to death, they embark on a perilous journey … each of them looking for a different kind of healing.

Suffering from grief over his parents who died of the plague, Joel is taken by his sister Jessie to Midnight, a woman said to have great healing powers. But when villagers suggest that Midnight is a witch, Jessie begins to worry. Curriculum terms: People distant in time and place. Suggested level: junior, primary.

It is 1615. Pirate ships from the Barbary Coast of Northern Africa prowl the coasts of England and Ireland, raiding villages for slaves. When Liam’s brother is one of those captured, Liam travels with a small band of monks and bags full of gold to find them, hoping to redeem them from the pirate masters. Liam''s long, dangerous journey takes him to the heart of the pirate world, into the turmoil of religious persecution, and the horrors of slavery. The story of a young man’s determination and courage, through which he challenges his world – and changes it.

Trying to warn his absent master, the wizard, of dragon danger, Weasel makes a slight miscalculation in a magic spell and suddenly finds himself beamed seven centuries into the future.

When she is three-years-old, Tanith is taken from a den of wolves and lives for many years as the daughter of the chief of a warlike clan, until circumstances force her to choose between wolves and men.

Apprentice wizard, Denzil, lives in Medieval times, and only knows books as rare and precious handmade objects. So when Denzil travels to the future and sees books made on machines, he wants to invent such a machine himself. But, as usual, Denzil''s spell gets out of hand and he puts himself, and his friends from the future, in terrible danger. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Rafferty is an orphan, raised by monks. Misfortune strikes and he is outcast, and must fend for himself. He uses his cunning and charm to develop a trade for himself as the towns ratcatcher... and rat liberator.

From a story about an eel that grows too big for the house, to one that teaches a cruel lad a lesson he''ll never forget, to a story of a mystery monster with lashing tentacles and a fondness for snitching fishing rods, Sherryl Jordan''s collection of fantastic fishy tales holds appeal right across the board.

A teenage boy with unusual powers faces the challenge of his life when he''s transported to a primitive society.

Rocco Makepeace is about to make a very unexpected trip. He will meet people that seem as primitive as any he as read about in history books; people who live in caves, who hunt with bows and arrows, who believe in magic and superstition. Some of those people will become very, very special to him. And because of that, Rocco will have a hard time going home. But then Rocco begins to realise that something is wrong-deadly wrong! There is a secret that may mean the end of him and the end of the home he longs to return to.

Minstrel, taken away from her family by the mysterious Griselda, knows that she is destined to fulfil a mysterious task. But there is more than one path open to her, and the fate of her country depends on her choice. Suggested level: intermediate.

A 2020 Storylines Notable Book and finalist in the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults - "Fox is a fringe dweller, with a T branded on his cheek that marks him a thief. He lives on his wits and moves from village to village. He finds Wynter, chained by her father, working as a water diviner. She finds water for the drought-strapped village, but they turn on her and want to burn her as a witch. Fox rescues her and together they flee. They dream of finding a safe place they can settle and resolve the unanswered questions about their past. But they are being pursued ... "--Publisher''s website.

An acclaimed classic by multi-award winning author Sherryl Jordan, this epic fantasy is brought back for a 25th anniversary! Born into a dark world trapped forever in icy winter, Elsha is a child of the Quelled, a branded people doomed to mine firestones to warm the ruling class, the Chosen. But Elsha has visions and an uncommon strength of spirit. Condemned to death on her 16th birthday for defiance, Elsha is saved when she is called to be Handmaiden to the Firelordthe most powerful being in her world, the only one with the gift of divining firestones. Viewed with distrust by the Chosen who now surround her, she has a bitter fight ahead to strive for a better world for her people

Demonstrates a guided reading session with a group of early readers, showing directed, group, and individual reading, prefaced by confidence-developing and scene-setting activities, and followed by individual creative responses.

When she is three-years-old, Tanith is taken from a den of wolves and lives for many years as the daughter of the chief of a warlike clan, until circumstances force her to choose between wolves and men.

Determined to save Wimpy the dancing bear from further cruelty, Denzil the medieval wizard decides they must both go and live with Sam MacAllister and her family, seven centuries into the future. Suggested level: primary, intermediate.

Descending Fire is a powerful and moving glimpse into the writing journey of the late Sherryl Jordan, one of Aotearoa New Zealand''s most beloved YA and children''s authors. Author of The Raging Quiet, Winter of Fire and Rocco, among others, Sherryl''s writing journey was both fraught and awe-inspiring. Her story is one of resilience, faith, dogged determination and divine inspiration. She would embark on journeys with her characters who often came to her fully formed, with desires and opinions of their own. This story behind her stories is Sherryl''s treasured legacy for anyone passionate about writing and the creative process, and the perils, pains and boundless joys of living a life dedicated to your craft.

Paperback version of a mystery novel for young adults first published in 1991. Action moves between the 1990s and the medieval ages as the central characters are linked by memory-like experiences. The teenage girl, who is the central character, is closely connected to a witch, for time, as we measure it, has no meaning.

Mum arranged for the employment agency to send a babysitter, but a very different kind of sitter arrives.