When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.
But surprises aren’t always good.
Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not an easy thing at Sinegard. Targeted from the outset by rival classmates for her color, poverty, and gender, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal, unearthly power—an aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism. Exploring the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances, Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.
For while the Nikara Empire is at peace, the Federation of Mugen still lurks across a narrow sea. The militarily advanced Federation occupied Nikan for decades after the First Poppy War, and only barely lost the continent in the Second. And while most of the people are complacent to go about their lives, a few are aware that a Third Poppy War is just a spark away . . .
Rin’s shamanic powers may be the only way to save her people. But as she finds out more about the god that has chosen her, the vengeful Phoenix, she fears that winning the war may cost her humanity . . . and that it may already be too late.
Act out a play
Bounce a ball
Call a friend
Dance down the hall
Whether you’re home with the flu or stuck inside on a snowy day, this lively picture book offers fun suggestions for families looking to step away from their screens. Julie Reiters’s bold and graphic art style is sure to appeal to readers of all ages, and the poetic text makes for a smooth read-aloud. With options from A to Z, Bored No More! is sure to provide inspiration for what to do when there’s nothing to do!
The war is over.
The war has just begun.
Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity she committed to save her people. Now she is on the run from her guilt, the opium addiction that holds her like a vice, and the murderous commands of the fiery Phoenix—the vengeful god who has blessed Rin with her fearsome power.
Though she does not want to live, she refuses to die until she avenges the traitorous Empress who betrayed Rin’s homeland to its enemies. Her only hope is to join forces with the powerful Dragon Warlord, who plots to conquer Nikan, unseat the Empress, and create a new republic.
But neither the Empress nor the Dragon Warlord are what they seem. The more Rin witnesses, the more she fears her love for Nikan will force her to use the Phoenix’s deadly power once more.
Because there is nothing Rin won’t sacrifice to save her country . . . and exact her vengeance.
After saving her nation of Nikan from foreign invaders and battling the evil Empress Su Daji in a brutal civil war, Fang Runin was betrayed by allies and left for dead.
Despite her losses, Rin hasn’t given up on those for whom she has sacrificed so much—the people of the southern provinces and especially Tikany, the village that is her home. Returning to her roots, Rin meets difficult challenges—and unexpected opportunities. While her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership are sly and untrustworthy, Rin quickly realizes that the real power in Nikan lies with the millions of common people who thirst for vengeance and revere her as a goddess of salvation.
Backed by the masses and her Southern Army, Rin will use every weapon to defeat the Dragon Republic, the colonizing Hesperians, and all who threaten the shamanic arts and their practitioners. As her power and influence grows, though, will she be strong enough to resist the Phoenix’s intoxicating voice urging her to burn the world and everything in it?
When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others' emotions.
Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny.
Here’s a hug. A trophy. The kitchen sink! This book will give you TONS of ideas for how to say “THANKS” when words just aren’t enough.
With their bold style and sidesplitting humor, the Hello!Lucky team offers this book of gratitude as one big thank-you to the people in our lives.
“A humorous story with energetic illustrations that can help young children learn about gratitude.” —School Library Journal
Read all the books in the Hello!Lucky Series:
My Mom Is Magical! | My Dad Is Amazing! | Super Pooper and Whizz Kid | Kindness Rules! | Christmas Is Awesome! | Go Get ’Em, Tiger! | Thanks a Ton! | Sloth and Smell the Roses | You Are Fantastic! | School Is Cool! | Bananas for You! | My Grandma Is Great! | My Grandpa Is Grand! | Hang in There! | Halloween Is a Treat! | Thanks a Ton! | My Brother Is the Best! | My Sister Is Super!
The Hello!Lucky team brings their signature humor and colorful style to this inspirational book celebrating accomplishments big and small. It’s a charming reminder that fierce and bold, young or old, you’re one cool cat!
Perfect as a graduation and birthday gift, and to share anytime.
“Each spread inside gives readers a boost. Congratulatory cheerleading and wise whimsy to celebrate accomplishments of all sorts.” —Kirkus
Read all the books in the Hello!Lucky Series:
My Mom Is Magical! | My Dad Is Amazing! | Super Pooper and Whizz Kid | Kindness Rules! | Christmas Is Awesome! | Go Get ’Em, Tiger! | Thanks a Ton! | Sloth and Smell the Roses | You Are Fantastic! | School Is Cool! | Bananas for You! | My Grandma Is Great! | My Grandpa Is Grand! | Hang in There! | Halloween Is a Treat! | Thanks a Ton! | My Brother Is the Best! | My Sister Is Super!
Simple and silly, this is a fun book to read out loud over and over again.
The book describes all the ways in which you can love a child, with every sentence containing a word that has been changed into a moo-word: moo-sic, sch-moo-zing, hu-moo-r, and even moo-zarella! The bold illustrations and simple color scheme add to the fun of the story.
This sweet, funny bedtime story is from Tom Lichtenheld and Amy Krouse Rosenthal, creators of such perennial favorites as I Wish You More.
Abigail Hunt’s Hollywood dreams could best be described as slow burn…but she’s about to graduate from TV sidekick to dramatic actor. When the esteemed director of her breakout role suggests a deep dive for her part by shadowing the head of a struggling pro soccer team, she jumps at the chance to prove she’s ready.
Getting asked out by notorious grump and gorgeous star player Luke Wolfe wasn’t in the plan, but suddenly her research is getting a lot more…hands-on. Their relationship quickly sets social media on fire, and Luke seems determined to prove he’s more than his villainous reputation. But just when Abigail is happier than ever—her name in lights and her heart in good hands—the other cleat drops: Luke’s been coerced into faking their relationship to improve the team’s ticket sales.
Furious, Abigail refuses to give Luke the satisfaction of dumping him—she decides to get even. Over-the-top dates, treating his games like fashion shows, and befriending the fan club he hates? Count her in. It’s only a matter of time until she pushes the right buttons.
She just didn’t expect him to keep putting up with it—or to say I love you.
A stunning, hands-on exploration of shapes for the very youngest readers! Bestselling paper engineer Matthew Reinhart brings his creative genius to Shapes: My First Pop-Up!, an innovative preschool pop-up, connecting basic concepts to interactive elements that will delight and inform little ones with every page—with bright, colorful art by Ekaterina Trukhan. The shapes included are: square, triangle, circle, rectangle, and oval.