Emily Arnold McCully

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at a boardinghouse of the widow Gateau- a sad-faced stranger, who keeps to himself. When the widow's daughter, Mirette, discovers him crossing the courtyard on air, she begs him to teach her how he does it.

But Mirette doesn't know that the stranger was once the Great Bellini- master wire-walker. Or that Bellini has been stopped by a terrible fear. And it is she who must teach him courage once again.

Emily Arnold McCully's sweeping watercolor paintings carry the reader over the rooftops of nineteenth-century Paris and into an elegant, beautiful world of acrobats, jugglers, mimes, actors, and one gallant, resourceful little girl.

--- Added from Google Books ---

One day, a mysterious stranger arrives at a boardinghouse of the widow Gateau- a sad-faced stranger, who keeps to himself. When the widow's daughter, Mirette, discovers him crossing the courtyard on air, she begs him to teach her how he does it. But Mirette doesn't know that the stranger was once the Great Bellini- master wire-walker. Or that Bellini has been stopped by a terrible fear. And it is she who must teach him courage once again. Emily Arnold McCully's sweeping watercolor paintings carry the reader over the rooftops of nineteenth-century Paris and into an elegant, beautiful world of acrobats, jugglers, mimes, actors, and one gallant, resourceful little girl.

--- Added from Hardcover ---

Mirette learns tightrope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest in her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.

During the Revolutionary War, the people of colonial Boston are struggling. To make matters worse, greedy Merchant Thomas is overcharging for badly needed sugar—and now he has locked up all the coffee to charge even more for that, too! Young Sarah Homans and the women of Boston decide they have had enough. Banding together, they hatch a plan to teach Merchant Thomas a lesson he will never forget. Based on a true event shared in a letter from Abigail Adams to her husband John, this exciting historical tale proves that even the youngest citizens can stand up for what is right.

Rattling windows with the fierce roar of a late-winter storm, the month of March crashes into town. This wild weather is just like a messy, muddy, and wet lion. The blustering beast brings cold wind and slushy snow, shaking the bare trees and keeping everyone bundled up indoors. But as the days slowly pass, the angry lion begins to soften. With one massive, booming sneeze, the fierce lion steps aside to make way for a gentle, springtime lamb. Green fields suddenly burst with vibrant blossoms, and the harsh winter chill melts into warm, sunny afternoons. This joyful, rhythmic story perfectly captures the unpredictable magic of changing seasons. Lively words and beautiful watercolor paintings bring the classic weather proverb to life, showing exactly how a roaring winter storm gradually transforms into a peaceful, blooming spring.

Tommy and Annika have decided they have had enough of their ordinary lives, so they are running away from home. Naturally, their best friend Pippi Longstocking is not about to let them go on a grand adventure all by themselves. The strongest, most unpredictable girl in the world tags along to keep an eye on things, bringing her signature brand of chaos and fun to the journey. With Pippi in charge, running away turns into a wild, hilarious escapade filled with unexpected surprises. Join the trio as they discover that life on the road is never boring when Pippi is around to lead the way.

During the dark days of World War II, Jacques and his parents are living in Nazi-occupied France, hiding in plain sight by pretending to be Catholic. But when the first night of Passover arrives, Jacques and his father must embark on a dangerous mission. Slipping past Nazi soldiers and journeying deep into the mountains, they gather with other hidden Jewish people to celebrate a humble, secret Seder. Based on the true experiences of resistance fighters and those in hiding, this intense and deeply respectful story illuminates the immense perils of the time. Discover a triumphant tale of resilient people who bravely kept their faith alive against all odds.