When a Jewish stage actress in London welcomes home her estranged son after World War II, her own personal battles begin in this moving family saga. Love and loss, success and failure, the joy of motherhood and the anguish of rejection—these are the patterns woven into Alison Plantaine’s life. But her dedication to the theatre has ensured that her first loyalty will always be to her career. Her son Richard is old enough to understand that for all her talent Alison most struggles to play the role of mother. Now, having been sent abroad to avoid the horror of war, he returns a rebel and rivals his mother in the theatre world. For, Alison this is the moment she must decide—make way for the sake of her family or stay true to the art that has meant so much to her. A gripping saga of duty and love from a much-loved novelist, perfect for fans of Rita Bradshaw and Margaret Dickinson. Praise for the writing of Maisie Mosco “Once in every generation or so a book comes along which lifts the curtain.” —The Guardian “Full of freshness and fascination.” —Manchester Evening News “The undisputed queen of her genre.” —Jewish Chronicle

She has it all-wealth, beauty and fame. She also carries an eternal flame. It burns within her heart and threatens to consume her very soul. At age four, actress Joy Bryant is cast as the star of a long-running television series. She experiences the trials and tribulations of many child stars, such as weight ultimatums, paparazzi photographers, and the loss of her childhood itself. As she reaches adulthood, she finds that her perceptions of the world are distorted from those who do normal, everyday things, and who lead normal, everyday lives. She is plagued by a stalker, and also by Gary Shawn, a brilliant, cynical reporter who follows her career with a caustic wit and poisoned pen. He criticizes her for believing in fairy tales that teach girls there is only one person in the world that is meant for them, yet he carries an eternal flame of his own. When Joy's life is threatened, she drops out of the public eye and embarks on a journey filled with self-discover. She learns that the loss of her childhood is only a small price of fame. The ultimate price lies within a devastating choice that she must make.

EBONY is the flagship magazine of Johnson Publishing. Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, it still maintains the highest global circulation of any African American-focused magazine.

New York magazine was born in 1968 after a run as an insert of the New York Herald Tribune and quickly made a place for itself as the trusted resource for readers across the country. With award-winning writing and photography covering everything from politics and food to theater and fashion, the magazine's consistent mission has been to reflect back to its audience the energy and excitement of the city itself, while celebrating New York as both a place and an idea.

Exploring the lives and achievements of over 1,000 extraordinary men and women, this book offers answers to the age-old questions about the relationship between mental illness and greatness, and also reveals factors that predict creative achievement. The book is filled with colorful stories about many of the most eminent artists, scientists, social activists, politicians, soldiers, and business people of our time. Moving beyond anecdotal accounts, The Price of Greatness is based on over 10 years of original scientific research on major 20th-century figures. Delving into many of humankind's greatest achievements and the special attributes and backgrounds of those who accomplished them, this illuminating work will interest anyone who wants to know why some people achieve fame - and what price they may pay in the process.

The Joker in 2008's mega-hit movie The Dark Knight was an incredible, Oscar-worthy performance by this young and troubled actor. Tweens and teens were crazy about the film, and the world mourned when Ledger died. This book examines Ledger's brief career, background, and personal life, as well as the controversies surrounding his death. From his breakout role in the teen flick 10 Things I Hate About You to his Oscar nomination for his performance in Brokeback Mountain, Ledger's biography is bound to intrigue young movie fans. Lives Cut Short is a series in Essential Library, an imprint of ABDO Publishing Company.

EBONY is the flagship magazine of Johnson Publishing. Founded in 1945 by John H. Johnson, it still maintains the highest global circulation of any African American-focused magazine.