From the associate producer of Alpha Dog starring Justin Timberlake, Bruce Willis, and Sharon Stone with a Foreword by Nick Cassavetes, director of Alpha Dog, The Notebook, and John Q "If there was ever a true-life drama tailor-made for a celluloid adaptation, it's this one." -Matthew Singer, VCReporter In the privileged neighborhoods of Southern California, bored teenagers search for their next thrill-totally unaware of the dangers of living life without consequences. When pot dealer Mickey Youngblood kidnaps the kid brother of his hated nemesis, everyone's fate becomes sealed. Youngblood convinces his gang to hold young Bobby Leblanc "for ransom," but Bobby gets caught up in their world of drinking, drugs, and partying. Everyone forgets Bobby is a hostage-until the party turns bad and the rogue crew must face the tragic conclusion they never saw coming. Based on a true story still being played out in the California criminal court system and captivating nationwide audiences, author and screenwriter Michael Mehas brings us Stolen Boy, a gripping novel resulting from his unprecedented research and access to confidential case files.

One October night in 1975 Richard, aged five, was alone in the house with his three sisters. It was 3am and their mother hadn't come home yet. Next morning, the police arrived to take the children away. Their mother had become the first victim of a serial killer soon to become known as the 'Yorkshire Ripper'. Passed from one violent home to another, the children were forgotten by all except the press. As the salacious headlines multiplied, Richard and his sisters were never able to recover from their mother's murder. Whilst Richard tried to handle the terror of his violent upbringing, his sister struggled to deal with memories of sexual abuse. Without love or support they spiralled away from help or happiness. Then one day Richard McCann, having reached suicidal rock bottom, decided no one was going to rescue their lives but him. It was the beginning of an inspirational transformation. Now he is able to tell the story of how the forgotten children of violence suffer, and how they can heal. A heartbreaking, uplifting story of survival and hope.

This “superbly researched and engaging” (The Wall Street Journal) true story about five boys who were kidnapped in the North and smuggled into slavery in the Deep South—and their daring attempt to escape and bring their captors to justice belongs “alongside the work of Harriet Beecher Stowe, Edward P. Jones, and Toni Morrison” (Jane Kamensky, Professor of American History at Harvard University). Philadelphia, 1825: five young, free black boys fall into the clutches of the most fearsome gang of kidnappers and slavers in the United States. Lured onto a small ship with the promise of food and pay, they are instead met with blindfolds, ropes, and knives. Over four long months, their kidnappers drive them overland into the Cotton Kingdom to be sold as slaves. Determined to resist, the boys form a tight brotherhood as they struggle to free themselves and find their way home. Their ordeal—an odyssey that takes them from the Philadelphia waterfront to the marshes of Mississippi and then onward still—shines a glaring spotlight on the Reverse Underground Railroad, a black market network of human traffickers and slave traders who stole away thousands of legally free African Americans from their families in order to fuel slavery’s rapid expansion in the decades before the Civil War. “Rigorously researched, heartfelt, and dramatically concise, Bell’s investigation illuminates the role slavery played in the systemic inequalities that still confront Black Americans” (Booklist).

Bangkok Boy is a heart-rending account of a childhood lost to sexual abuse. Chai was a normal boy until he was molested by a school teacher, an event which led him into the hidden world of male prostitution. His story is not only unique but also offers a shocking insight into the red-light districts of Bangkok and Pattaya. As his story unfolds you’ll become privy to the distorted logic which Chai used false justification for his horrible life choices for so long. But paradoxically, it was on the streets that Chai found redemption and decided to recount his dark past in order to move on in hope that, by sharing his story, his life would become something of a lesson to anyone. Beneath all the emotional torment and despair, lies a story of redemption and struggle to rebuild one’s life. Bangkok Boy is no ordinary book; it is a story of hope and triumph in the face of adversity.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1881.

An exhilarating, wondrous middle grade debut about a brother and sister on a quest that “swoops from thrilling to terrifying to heartwarming and back again” (BookPage) to defeat a tyrannical ruler and protect a magical book. “[W]ill appeal to readers of Kelly Barnhill and Lemony Snicket” (Publishers Weekly). Rachel and Robert live a gray, dreary life under the rule of cruel and calculating Charles Malstain. That is, until one night, when their librarian father enlists their help to steal a forbidden book. Before their father is captured, Rachel and Robert are given one mission: find the missing final page. But to uncover the secrets of The Book of Stolen Dreams, the siblings must face darkness and combat many evils to be rewarded with the astonishing, magical truth about the book. Nevertheless, they resolve to do everything in their power to stop it from falling into Charles Malstain’s hands. For if it does, he could rule their world forever.

In 'Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy; or, A Young Reporter on the Lakes' by Howard Roger Garis, readers are transported to the thrilling world of young Larry Dexter as he embarks on a suspenseful adventure to uncover the mystery of a stolen boy. Written in a fast-paced and engaging style, the book combines elements of mystery, friendship, and courage, making it a captivating read for audiences of all ages. Set against the backdrop of the Great Lakes, Garis masterfully intertwines the essence of the lakes with the protagonist's quest for truth, drawing readers into the story with vivid descriptions and plot twists. This book is a prime example of early 20th-century American children's literature, offering readers a glimpse into the literary landscape of the time. Howard Roger Garis, a prolific author known for his contributions to children's literature, brings his expertise to this tale, infusing it with charm and excitement. With his storytelling prowess, Garis creates a memorable and endearing protagonist in Larry Dexter, enticing readers to follow his adventures and cheer him on in his quest for justice. Fans of classic children's literature and mystery novels will delight in 'Larry Dexter and the Stolen Boy' for its timeless appeal, captivating storyline, and well-crafted characters.

With one call, her daughter’s life is on the line. Laurie Ahmadi has worked as a 911 police dispatcher in her quiet Northern California town for almost two decades, but nothing in her nearly twenty years of experience could prepare her for the worst call of her career—her teenage daughter, Jojo, is on the other end of the line. She is drugged, disoriented, and in pain, and even though the whole police department springs into action, there is nothing Laurie can do to help. Jojo, who has been sexually assaulted, doesn’t remember how she ended up at the home of Kevin Leeds, a pro football player famous for his work with the Citizens Against Police Brutality movement, though she insists he would never hurt her. And she has no idea where her best friend, Harper, who was with her earlier in the evening, could be. As Jojo and Laurie begin digging into Harper’s private messages on social media to look for clues to her whereabouts, they uncover a conspiracy far bigger than they ever could have imagined. With Kevin’s freedom on the line and the chances of finding Harper unharmed slipping away, Laurie and Jojo begin to realize that they can’t trust anyone to find Harper except themselves, not even the police department they’ve long considered family . . . and time is running out.

'Holding me around the waist he drew me close to him. "And which of us do you prefer, Michael? You can tell me, it won't get back to Brother Price."' Michael Clemenger was handed over as a baby to the unloving care of a religious-run children's home. Aged eight, he was transferred to St Joseph's Industrial School. Chosen as their 'favourite' by two Christian Brothers, Michael endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of both men. Brother Price struck at night, while Brother Roberts took pleasure in a weekly bathtime ritual. Although everybody at the institution knew, even the two Brothers' 'protection' did not save Michael from merciless beatings by other sadistic men charged with his care. Despite the unbelievable trauma of his early life, Michael emerged unbroken and determined to make something of himself. Everybody Knew is a story of remarkable spirit and courage.