A family travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to see the annual wild pony penning auction. One daughter, Shannon, has saved her money and hopes to buy a pony. Events transpire unexpectedly and end happily. Shannon learns that in life, you get what you give. Middle grades–ages 8-12.

Alison and her sister may find the pony of their dreams at the Chincoteague Island wild pony auction.

As heard on NPR's This American Life “Absorbing . . . Though it's non-fiction, The Feather Thief contains many of the elements of a classic thriller.” —Maureen Corrigan, NPR’s Fresh Air “One of the most peculiar and memorable true-crime books ever.” —Christian Science Monitor A rollicking true-crime adventure and a captivating journey into an underground world of fanatical fly-tiers and plume peddlers, for readers of The Stranger in the Woods, The Lost City of Z, and The Orchid Thief. On a cool June evening in 2009, after performing a concert at London's Royal Academy of Music, twenty-year-old American flautist Edwin Rist boarded a train for a suburban outpost of the British Museum of Natural History. Home to one of the largest ornithological collections in the world, the Tring museum was full of rare bird specimens whose gorgeous feathers were worth staggering amounts of money to the men who shared Edwin's obsession: the Victorian art of salmon fly-tying. Once inside the museum, the champion fly-tier grabbed hundreds of bird skins—some collected 150 years earlier by a contemporary of Darwin's, Alfred Russel Wallace, who'd risked everything to gather them—and escaped into the darkness. Two years later, Kirk Wallace Johnson was waist high in a river in northern New Mexico when his fly-fishing guide told him about the heist. He was soon consumed by the strange case of the feather thief. What would possess a person to steal dead birds? Had Edwin paid the price for his crime? What became of the missing skins? In his search for answers, Johnson was catapulted into a years-long, worldwide investigation. The gripping story of a bizarre and shocking crime, and one man's relentless pursuit of justice, The Feather Thief is also a fascinating exploration of obsession, and man's destructive instinct to harvest the beauty of nature.

A winter illness left Lotus, a little girl, without a voice and without friends. A hunter's bullet left Feather, a crane, injured and unable to fly. As Lotus nurses Feather back to health, their bond grows. Soon Feather is following Lotus everywhere, even to school! The bird dances to the girl's reed whistle, much to the delight of the other children. One day, when the village floods, Feather helps raise the alarm as Lotus and her grandfather urge their neighbors to get to high ground. Feather is a true friend to Lotus, but the time comes when Lotus must be a true friend to him--by encouraging him to migrate with the rest of the cranes. The next spring, Feather miraculously returns, and that's not all . . . he has brought new life to the nearby lake. Inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village, and graced with sensitive watercolor illustrations, this lovely book about respecting nature offers deep emotion and delightful surprises.

This unique collection of "THE PIRATES OF THE HIGH SEAS – Know Your Infamous Buccaneers, Their Exploits & Their Real Histories (9 Books in One Edition)" has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards. A General History of the Robberies and Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates (Captain Charles Johnson) Book of Pirates: Fiction, Fact & Fancy (Howard Pyle) The Book of Buried Treasure: Being a True History of the Gold, Jewels, and Plate of Pirates (Ralph D. Paine) The Pirates Own Book: Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated Sea Robbers (Charles Ellms) Sea-Wolves of the Mediterranean (Currey E. Hamilton) The Pirates of Panama (A True Account by a Pirate) (John Esquemeling) The Story of the Barbary Corsairs (J. D. Jerrold Kelley and Stanley Lane-Poole) The Pirate Gow (Daniel Defoe) The King of Pirates (Daniel Defoe)

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY AND ECPA BESTSELLER • Once, in a cottage above the cliffs on the Dark Sea of Darkness, there lived three children and their trusty dog, Nugget. NOW AN ANIMATED SERIES • Based on Andrew Peterson’s epic fantasy novels—starring Jody Benson, Henry Ian Cusick, and Kevin McNally. Executive Producer J. Chris Wall with Shining Isle Productions, and distributed by Angel Studios. Janner Igiby, his brother, Tink, and their disabled sister, Leeli, are gifted children as all children are, loved well by a noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather. But they will need all their gifts and all that they love to survive the evil pursuit of the venomous Fangs of Dang, who have crossed the dark sea to rule the land with malice. The Igibys hold the secret to the lost legend and jewels of good King Wingfeather of the Shining Isle of Anniera. Full of characters rich in heart, smarts, and courage, On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness is a tale children of all ages will cherish, families can read aloud, and readers' groups are sure to enjoy discussing for its many layers of meaning.

Ralph D. Paine, in his literary work 'The Book of Buried Treasure', takes readers on a thrilling journey through history, folklore, and adventure. Paine expertly weaves tales of hidden treasures from around the world, including famous pirate hoards and lost fortunes, all while delving into the legends and mysteries that surround them. Written in a captivating storytelling style, the book immerses readers in the excitement and intrigue of these buried treasures, making it a must-read for history buffs and adventure enthusiasts alike. With vivid descriptions and meticulous research, Paine brings these forgotten riches back to life, painting a vivid picture of the quests and discoveries that have captured the imagination of generations.{' '} {' '}Ralph D. Paine, a noted historian and author, brings his expertise and passion for maritime history to 'The Book of Buried Treasure'. His deep knowledge of seafaring lore and ancient explorations shines through in his meticulous research and attention to detail. Paine's dedication to preserving these stories and legends ensures that this book is not only entertaining but also serves as a valuable historical resource for readers seeking to uncover the secrets of the past.{' '} {' '}For anyone fascinated by tales of exploration, adventure, and lost riches, 'The Book of Buried Treasure' is a captivating read that will transport you to a world of mystery and discovery. Paine's masterful storytelling and thorough research make this book a timeless classic that will appeal to readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply enjoy a good adventure story, this book is sure to captivate and inspire you with its tales of hidden treasures waiting to be uncovered.

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of The Night Circus, a timeless love story set in a secret underground world—a place of pirates, painters, lovers, liars, and ships that sail upon a starless sea. Zachary Ezra Rawlins is a graduate student in Vermont when he discovers a mysterious book hidden in the stacks. As he turns the pages, entranced by tales of lovelorn prisoners, key collectors, and nameless acolytes, he reads something strange: a story from his own childhood. Bewildered by this inexplicable book and desperate to make sense of how his own life came to be recorded, Zachary uncovers a series of clues—a bee, a key, and a sword—that lead him to a masquerade party in New York, to a secret club, and through a doorway to an ancient library hidden far below the surface of the earth. What Zachary finds in this curious place is more than just a buried home for books and their guardians—it is a place of lost cities and seas, lovers who pass notes under doors and across time, and of stories whispered by the dead. Zachary learns of those who have sacrificed much to protect this realm, relinquishing their sight and their tongues to preserve this archive, and also of those who are intent on its destruction. Together with Mirabel, a fierce, pink-haired protector of the place, and Dorian, a handsome, barefoot man with shifting alliances, Zachary travels the twisting tunnels, darkened stairwells, crowded ballrooms, and sweetly soaked shores of this magical world, discovering his purpose—in both the mysterious book and in his own life.

A family travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia, to see the annual wild pony penning auction. One daughter, Shannon, has saved her money and hopes to buy a pony. Events transpire unexpectedly and end happily. Shannon learns that in life, you get what you give. Middle grades-ages 8-12.