In the 1960s and 1970s, an American professor of Soviet economics forayed on his own in the Soviet Union, bought the work of underground “unofficial” artists, and brought it out himself or arranged to have it illegally shipped to the United States. Norton Dodge visited the apartments of unofficial artists in at least a dozen geographically scattered cities. By 1977, he had a thousand works of art. His ultimate window of interest involved the years from 1956 to 1986, and through his established contacts he eventually acquired another eight thousand works—by far the largest collection of its kind. John McPhee investigates Dodge’s clandestine activities in the service of dissident Soviet art, his motives for his work, and the fates of several of the artists whose lives he touched. The Ransom of Russian Art is a suspenseful, chilling, and fascinating report on a covert operation like no other. It offers unprecedented insight into Soviet culture at the brink of the Union’s collapse.

A coming-of-age story about learning to celebrate yourself -- and teaching the world to recognize you, too -- perfect for fans of R. J. Palacio's Wonder! "This glimpse into the world of a young autistic girl is astonishingly insightful and honest. Tally's struggles to 'fit in' are heart-wrenching, and her victories are glorious." -- Ann M. Martin, Newbery Honor and New York Times bestselling author of Rain ReignThings Tally is dreading about sixth grade:-- Being in classes without her best friends-- New (scratchy) uniforms-- Hiding her autismTally isn't ashamed of being autistic -- even if it complicates life sometimes, it's part of who she is. But this is her first year at Kingswood Academy, and her best friend, Layla, is the only one who knows. And while a lot of other people are uncomfortable around Tally, Layla has never been one of them . . . until now.Something is different about sixth grade, and Tally now feels like she has to act "normal." But as Tally hides her true self, she starts to wonder what "normal" means after all and whether fitting in is really what matters most.Inspired by young coauthor Libby Scott's own experiences with autism, this is an honest and moving middle-school story of friends, family, and finding one's place.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Gardner unites three of her most beloved characters—Detective D D Warren, Flora Dane, and Kimberly Quincy—in a twisty new thriller, as they investigate a mysterious murder from the past . . . which points to a dangerous and chilling present-day crime. FBI Special Agent Kimberly Quincy and Sergeant Detective D D Warren have built a task force to follow the digital bread crumbs left behind by deceased serial kidnapper Jacob Ness. When a disturbing piece of evidence is discovered in the hills of Georgia, they bring Flora Dane and true-crime savant Keith Edgar to a small town where something seems to be deeply wrong. What at first looks like a Gothic eeriness soon hardens into something much more sinister . . . and they discover that for all the evil Jacob committed while alive, his worst secret is still to be revealed. Quincy and DD must summon their considerable skills and experience to crack the most disturbing case of their careers—and Flora must face her own past directly in the hope of saving others.

Mommy, What Do You See When You Look at Me is an endearing story of true love expressed between a mother and daughter. An inquisitive daughter challenges her mom to answer her questions. She receives her mother's adoring words describing the characteristics that make her daughter a unique and special person. There are beautiful attributes about the daughter that are easy to see. But this mom helps her daughter see the characteristics that are beyond exterior beauty. Readers will take a journey with characters who express the purest form of love in existence; it is the love between a parent and child. This story will leave moms and daughters with a yearning to share an embrace and a desire to have a similar conversation of their own. This is a perfect bookshelf item for any young girl. Mothers and daughters will love reading this story together again and again. This story is a great confidence booster for girls and will help them understand that there is so much more to a person than what the eyes can see. This fully illustrated children's book is ideal for moms and daughters to read together and will appeal to those who share this special type of bond.

In this sequel to Can You See Me?, Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott return with another heartwarming and eye-opening story of friendship and middle school, inspired by Libby's own experiences of autism. Everyone else in Tally's grade seems excited for their class trip... And she knows she is supposed to be too. Ever since her classmates found out she is autistic, Tally has felt more comfortable being herself. But the end-of-year trip will be an entire week -- her longest overnight trip ever. How will she sleep? What about all the bugs? What will her dog, Rupert, do without her at home?Though she decides she doesn't want to miss out, bad news strikes as soon as she arrives: She isn't bunking with her friend Aleksandra. Instead, she is rooming with her former friends and two girls from a neighboring school -- who both reject Tally on day one.Tally isn't sure she'll ever make new friends. And how will she survive for so long away from home?Told through a mix of prose and diary entries, this authentic and relatable novel is about finding your people, and learning what it takes to be a true friend.

Who do you see when you look at me? Most notice my wheelchair, my voice, or my crazy hair. I am me, just me, doing my best to live each day to the fullest I can. There is more to me than you might realize. I have gifts and talents that make me unique. There are also things I do just like you-things we have in common that you might not even know. When we take the time to learn about each other, something grand happens-love and understanding. Open your mind, your soul, your heart, and you will see the real me...when you look at me.

Chameleon is sneaky and likes to use his camouflage powers to play tricks on the other jungle animals. Chameleon is sneaky and likes to use his camouflage powers to play tricks on the other jungle animals. But when he meets someone who beats him at his own game, will Chameleon learn to change his ways?

A brilliantly nuanced, psychologically astute crime debut that explores the fault-lines of a small community - their hidden desires and their other, secret selves.

This short guidebook offers a simple and engaging introduction to prayer for young people (high school and college). It highlights the many benefits of regular prayer as well as some of the obstacles along the way. Beginning with a simple explanation of prayer as a turning of our hearts and minds to God, it goes on to offer some important practical tips on how to pray well. In this short guide, you will learn: The benefits of spiritual reading in prayer Where and when to pray What to do at the time of prayer How to connect prayer to everyday life How to overcome obstacles to prayer Fr. Michael Giesler is the author of the Junia trilogy and has many years of experience as a spiritual director of people of all ages.

Raktaar controls a sludge harvested from the fear of living creatures. He is incredibly strong, invisible to human eyes, and does not die from age. He also has four legs, decaying flesh, and is desperate for power. For centuries, his brother Nehemiah attempts but fails to kill him and end his cruel conquest for control. He is a giant wooden man that can communicate with nature and transform into a small flower. Caught between them are brother and sister Boris and Tanya, who Raktaar nearly killed when they were younger. They want Raktaar dead, and Do You See Me Now? is the engaging and illustrative story of Raktaar’s hunger for supremacy fighting Boris, Tanya, and Nehemiah’s drive for peace.