Bromyard in the 1960's as seen through the eyes of a group of local motorbike-riding teenagers, who alternate between the local cafe and pub in their quest for adventure and excitement. The novel is based upon extracts taken from a set of 4 diaries that were kept by 4 different local Bromyard girls at that time. All 4 were teenagers in the 1960's, though one of them turned 20 in 1964. Follow Luke and his friends through various escapades in and around the small market town of Bromyard in Herefordshire.

While the first 14 books in the Chapters Of Life series dealt with Luke's life up until 1968, these following books (Luke's Return) deal with events post 1984, when Luke returned to Bromyard. Whereas the books dealing with events up to 1968 were taken from the daily diaries of 4 local Bromyard girls, and are based upon actual events described within them, these that deal with post 1984 events are based upon nothing more than pure fiction, only using the framework of the earlier works to tie them into the location, so as to create a continuation of Luke's various adventures.

By now the world is familiar with the disastrous consequences of the ten year period (1966-1976) in China's history known as the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. The mistakes of Mao Zedong's later years have been officially acknowledged, and the infamous Gang of Four publicly tried and sentence for their crimes. But on the cultural front the thaw had no sooner come than gone. A campaign against what is regarded as "spiritual pollution" is being waged to inhibit free expression among creative writers. Thousands of scholars, authors, respected professors and academicians, who as a class were the most persecuted in what some observers called China's "holocaust," are back at their respective stations, bent over the task of modernization. For understandable reasons, few have written candidly about their experiences during the Cultural Revolution. Yang Jiang is an outstanding exception. In this memoir she give a poignant account of the more than two years she and her husband were sent "downunder" to the barren countryside for reeducation through labor. Yang Jiang touches upon any horrendous acts only in passing, or by indirection; mainly she relates in well-tempered tones the everyday incidents at their "cadre school" which add up to a harrowing tale. Patterned after Shen Fu's "Six Chapters of a Floating Life," a minor classic of the Qing dynasty,Six Chapters form My Life 'Downunder'is a testimony of remarkable sophistication, and at the same time a powerful indictment of the madness of ignorant, totalitarian rule.. The author writes in a subtle, almost allegorical style, letting the reader share in her skepticism, disappointment, and frustration with the people, or the system, responsible for what was done to her family and her fellow victims. More in sorrow than in anger, here and there with a touch of wry humor, she records the backwardness and distrust of the peasants who were their "masters"; the utter waste of human resources; the vicious nature of political campaigns and the people involved in them; and, above all, the devotion between husband and wife which kept them going throughout their ordeal. While describing a society in one of its darkest moments, Yang Jiang reaffirms the endurance of humanity. Although Yang Jiang lives in Beijing,Six Chapters from My Life 'Downunder'first appeared in a Hong Kong magazine in April 1981, and was published in book form there in the following month, attracting wide attention. it was published in the People's Republic of China later that year. The edition sold out quickly and no subsequent printings have been available. The present English translation, first published in the journal "Renditions," is issued here in slightly revised form and with the addition of footnotes and background notes.

Six Records of a Floating Life (1809) is an extraordinary blend of autobiography, love story and social document written by a man who was educated as a scholar but earned his living as a civil servant and art dealer. In this intimate memoir, Shen Fu recounts the domestic and romantic joys of his marriage to Yün, the beautiful and artistic girl he fell in love with as a child. He also describes other incidents of his life, including how his beloved wife obtained a courtesan for him and reflects on his travels through China. Shen Fu's exquisite memoir shows six parallel 'layers' of one man's life, loves and career, with revealing glimpses into Chinese society of the Ch'ing Dynasty.

A Little Piece Of Ground will help young readers understand more about one of the worst conflicts afflicting our world today. Written by Elizabeth Laird, one of Great Britain’s best-known young adult authors, A Little Piece Of Ground explores the human cost of the occupation of Palestinian lands through the eyes of a young boy. Twelve-year-old Karim Aboudi and his family are trapped in their Ramallah home by a strict curfew. In response to a Palestinian suicide bombing, the Israeli military subjects the West Bank town to a virtual siege. Meanwhile, Karim, trapped at home with his teenage brother and fearful parents, longs to play football with his friends. When the curfew ends, he and his friend discover an unused patch of ground that’s the perfect site for a football pitch. Nearby, an old car hidden intact under bulldozed building makes a brilliant den. But in this city there’s constant danger, even for schoolboys. And when Israeli soldiers find Karim outside during the next curfew, it seems impossible that he will survive. This powerful book fills a substantial gap in existing young adult literature on the Middle East. With 23,000 copies already sold in the United Kingdom and Canada, this book is sure to find a wide audience among young adult readers in the United States.

The first book in a hilarious chapter book series that tackles anxiety in a fun, kid-friendly way. Perfect for both beginning and reluctant readers, and fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid! A humorous and touching series about facing your fears and embracing new experiences—with a truly unforgettable character—from author Lenore Look and New York Times bestselling and Caldecott Honor winning illustrator LeUyen Pham. Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’ s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home, Alvin is a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, just like his dad. With the help of his family, can Alvin take on the outside world without letting his fears get the best of him? “Alvin’s a winner.” —New York Post

Bromyard in Herefordshire in the 1960's and Luke and his friends are still trying to overcome the trials and tribulations of everyday teenage life.

An invitation to spend Christmas with her cousin and her family is too good for Gabriella Fitzpatrick to pass up. When she awakens in the early morning hours and can’t go back to sleep, she walks into the front room and faces a polar bear, who miraculously changes into her cousin’s husband. Declan, the second position on the sleigh team, has been waiting forever to find his fated mate. Five of his friends have already found theirs, and he knows it’s just a matter of time before he finds the one female on the planet for him. Just before dawn on Christmas Eve morning, he answers a call in the security office. One of the shifters who lives in the human world shifted in front of a human and doesn’t know what to do. Mrs. Claus tells Declan to use magic to wipe the human’s memories. When Ellie wakes up, she vividly remembers watching a bear become a human. Declan promises she wasn’t hallucinating, and that he can also change into animals, including one of Santa’s reindeer. He calls her his fated mate and takes her to North Pole City to show her the truth of his world. Will she be willing to stay in NPC with Declan, or will she want to stay in her world forever?

Young readers looking for information about their favorite marine mammals will find everything they are looking for in Dolphins!, the latest Animal Planet Chapter Book. Information about dolphins' anatomy, behavior, social relationships, and more offer a complete survey of this high-interest topic. Illustrated chapters and species profiles highlight how dolphins live, eat, and interact with each other. Did you know that the longest dolphin—at up to 30 feet—is the orca, also known as the killer whale, and that dolphins sleep with half of their brains on? More than 100 gorgeous photos showcase dolphins around the world in this memorable book for fans of these charismatic cetaceans!