When Roberto sneaks off to see a movie in his Italian village, he has no idea that life as he knows it is over. German soldiers raid the theater, round up the boys in the audience, and pack them onto a train. After a terrifying journey, Roberto and his best friend Samuele find themselves in a brutal work camp, where food is scarce and horror is everywhere. The boys vow to stay together no matter what. But Samuele has a dangerous secret, which, if discovered, could get them both killed. Lovers of historical fiction will be captivated by this tragic, triumphant, and deeply moving novel.

A Newbery Medal Winner

Although she is the daughter of Damar's king, Aerin has never been accepted as full royalty. Both in and out of the royal court, people whisper the story of her mother, the witchwoman, who was said to have enspelled the king into marrying her to get an heir to rule Damar-then died of despair when she found she had borne a daughter instead of a son. But none of them, not even Aerin herself, can predict her future-for she is to be the true hero who will wield the power of the Blue Sword...

" The Hero and the Crown] confirms McKinley as an...

This book is bound
To pick you up.
To give a little lift.
If you take half
A change you'll laugh.
We know you won't be miffed.
So find a home
Inside a poem.
Take off your shoes and sit
And if you smile
Once in a while,
We won't mind it one bit

"Sure to draw fans of Shel Silverstein and Jack Prelutsky . . . These poems] provoke laughter while playfully manipulating language to capture the comical essence of things and events in a child's world."--School of Library Journal