The Feast of Shavuot is approaching, and Jerusalem is on high alert. It has been a mere fifty days (what the Greeks call a Pentecost) since a tumultuous Passover. Unbeknownst to each other, three travelers are making their way to Jerusalem for the festival where their lives will be forever changed when they encounter the Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth in the square beneath the Upper Room. The Disciples of Jesus of Nazareth are about to rock the world of three unsuspecting pilgrims, who are all making their way to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shavuot. Lucius, the brother of Simon the Cyrene, Cadmus, a friend of Pontius Pilate, and Mikaela, a simple Judean potter; each of them has their own purpose for the journey - yet none of them are prepared for the intense spiritual transformation they will experience when they reach the courtyard beneath the Upper Room. In The Wind That Did Not Blow, readers will be transported to a time and place of great turmoil and faith and will be captivated by the lives of these characters as they face unexpected revelations and come together in the name of love.

New York Times bestselling author Rainbow Rowell's epic fantasy, the Simon Snow trilogy, concludes with Any Way the Wind Blows. In Carry On, Simon Snow and his friends realized that everything they thought they understood about the world might be wrong. And in Wayward Son, they wondered whether everything they understood about themselves might be wrong. Now, Simon and Baz and Penelope and Agatha must decide how to move forward. For Simon, that means choosing whether he still wants to be part of the World of Mages — and if he doesn't, what does that mean for his relationship with Baz? Meanwhile Baz is bouncing between two family crises and not finding any time to talk to anyone about his newfound vampire knowledge. Penelope would love to help, but she's smuggled an American Normal into London, and now she isn't sure what to do with him. And Agatha? Well, Agatha Wellbelove has had enough. Any Way the Wind Blows takes the gang back to England, back to Watford, and back to their families for their longest and most emotionally wrenching adventure yet. This book is a finale. It tells secrets and answers questions and lays ghosts to rest. The Simon Snow Trilogy was conceived as a book about Chosen One stories; Any Way the Wind Blows is an ending about endings—about catharsis and closure, and how we choose to move on from the traumas and triumphs that try to define us.

A rhymed tale describing the antics of a capricious wind. The wind blew, and blew, and blew! It blew so hard, it took everything with it: Mr. White’s umbrella, Priscilla’s balloon, the twins’ scarves, even the wig on the judge’s head. But just when the wind was about to carry everything out to sea, it changed its mind! With rhyming verse and colorful illustrations, Pat Hutchins takes us on a merry chase that is well worth the effort.

On a cold, snowy night, Haswell Magruder makes a decision that will have a profound effect on his own life as well as the lives of all those he loves. A wounded Confederate soldier appears at the family’s Virginia farm, and Haswell convinces his mother and sister to take the man in, despite the certain repercussions if the enemy Yankees were to catch them in such a “traitorous” act. Unfortunately, this is precisely what happens, setting off a horrific chain of events that leaves Haswell’s mother dead and the farmhouse burned to the ground. After leading his younger sister to safety with relatives, Haswell sets out on his journey in search of his older brother, a Confederate soldier. His quest is also a passage into manhood, as he experiences the last bloody days of the Civil War. Skillful storytelling, well-developed characters, and a fast-paced plot distinguish this compelling family story by an award-winning author.

In a small Pacific Northwest town we meet a young man who has shot dead his best friend with a gun. The novel deals with the repercussions of this tragedy: the anguish, regret, despair and bittersweet romance. Typical of Brautigan's singular style, So the Wind Won't Blow It All Away is a beautifully written, brooding novel. Its autobiographical prose is a fitting epitaph to this complex, contradictory and often misunderstood writer.

This stunning picture book, which features peek-through pages, engaging artwork, and gentle, lyrical text, celebrates every parent's wish for his or her child in the face of life's challenges. Every parent wishes for his or her child to be able to handle the challenges that life presents. Sometimes, our life experiences will not be smooth; there will be times when fierce winds blow, storms rage, and rain falls, making the situation feel hopeless. Through lyrical text and inviting illustrations, children are reminded that they are strong and smart and can figure out a solution to every tricky situation that they may face. Features peek-through pages throughout.

Winnipeg is divided between two worlds: one is comprised of human beings and the other of supernatural beings, some of whom have been gifted with special powers and magic. Supernatural beings, animals shaped like humans, believe their ancestors are their gods, dutifully follow the rules of their tradition, and understand their purpose is to eradicate the human race. Hero is a young adult, magician supernatural being who has been sent with his brothers to the world of human beings to destroy humankind. But everything changes during his important mission when Hero surprisingly feels his magic pushing him against his own desire to protect Angel, a mysterious human being who appears different than others in her race. When Hero breaks the rules of his tradition and battles against his own family to protect Angel, he becomes a traitor who now must learn why his magic warns him when Angel is in danger as fate leads him to places he never imagined. In this fantasy tale, a young supernatural being with magical powers on a mission to destroy the human race crosses paths with a mysterious being that causes him to question everything he has ever known.

The Big Book of Christmas Tales is an ambitious anthology that encapsulates the spirit of Christmas through a dazzling array of literary styles. From the haunting prose of Dostoevsky to the playful narratives of Beatrix Potter, this collection spans a vast landscape of literary traditions and periods, offering insights into the human condition and the universal significance of the holiday season. The anthology stands out for its inclusion of pieces that range from the deeply philosophical to the whimsically heartwarming, reflecting the multifaceted nature of Christmas itself. Notable are the contributions that explore themes of redemption, compassion, and familial bonds, weaving a rich tapestry of cultural and emotional resonance that transcends geographic and temporal boundaries. The diversity of the collection is its greatest strength, inviting readers to experience the holiday through a multitude of voices and contexts. The Big Book of Christmas Tales is enriched by the varied backgrounds of its contributing authors—Nobel laureates, pioneering women writers, and literary giants among them. Together, they represent a wide array of cultural, historical, and literary movements, from Victorian England's social critiques to the introspective American short story tradition. This amalgamation of voices not only deepens the anthology's thematic complexity but also highlights the shared human experiences underlying the festive season's celebrations worldwide. By integrating such a broad spectrum of perspectives and literary styles, the collection offers a unique lens through which to explore the essence of Christmas and its impact on individuals and societies over centuries. This anthology is recommended to anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the rich literary heritage that Christmas has inspired over the ages. The Big Book of Christmas Tales presents a unique opportunity to explore an extensive range of narratives that illuminate the joy, sorrow, humor, and profundity of the Christmas season. Readers eager to enrich their understanding of global literary traditions will find this collection an invaluable addition to their shelves, inviting a reflective engagement with the stories that shape our perception of one of the most beloved times of the year.

Every Girl's Library - 50 Classics in One Volume embodies the quintessence of nineteenth and early twentieth-century literature, presenting an unparalleled collection that ventures into the realms of adventure, self-discovery, fantasy, and the profound exploration of human emotions. This anthology celebrates the diversity and significance of its chosen works, encapsulating a wide range of literary styles from the whimsical escapades of Lewis Carroll to the poignant realism of Louisa May Alcott. It stands as a testament to the literatory evolution of its time, showcasing standout pieces that have each, in their unique way, contributed to the fabric of classic literature, while weaving together themes of courage, friendship, and the pursuit of knowledge. The contributing authors and editors, revered figures such as Jules Verne, Jane Austen, and Charles Dickens, bring an enriching variety of backgrounds to the collection. Collectively, their works resonate with the cultural and literary movements of their time, from romanticism to the dawn of modernism, illustrating the transformative power of literature. Their stories, transcending the mere act of storytelling, plunge the reader into a dialogue with the past, exploring the depths of human nature and social morality. Every Girl's Library - 50 Classics in One Volume is a must-have for readers seeking to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of stories that span genres, themes, and epochs. This anthology not only serves as a gateway to the past, offering a glimpse into the minds and societies of its array of authors but also promotes an enduring discussion about the role of women in literature and society. It is an essential addition to the library of anyone passionate about literatures ability to inspire, challenge, and transform, inviting readers to explore the multifaceted world of classic literature and its continuing relevance in the modern world.