The Boy Who Refused to Die

On 17 December 2007, 13-year-old Alby Dobinson left his home to make his daily journey to school. Later that day, during his return journey, something happened that would change his life forever.

This story charts the remarkable journey undertaken by Alby and those closest to him. Life is always a mixture of good times and bad, laughter and sadness, and Alby’s story reflects this rainbow of human emotion, from suffering to euphoria.

As a biography, written in the style of a novel, this book details years of rehabilitation as family members recount their own experiences with humour, regret and acceptance, plumbing the depths of despair and soaring to the heights of joy.

The Daily Mail headline “The boy who wouldn’t die” was detested by Alby’s family. However, a small change to it illustrated Alby’s determination. He did not travel his road alone but was accompanied by his mother and stepfather, Lisa and Mark; his younger brother, Jimmy; and his grandparents. What happened to Alby had a profound effect on them all and each has their own special story, including the amusing tale of how Lisa and Mark met and the response to Mark’s declaration that he would run the London Marathon: “You’ve never done more than run for a bus!”

This is a story that will amaze and inspire. It is tinged with sadness but the overwhelming message is one of courage and the triumph of one very determined young man and his family.

The Broken King

Far from his home in the Kingdom of Ferinatia, Thorn continues his journey through the dying world of Elcina and the plan to bring the disunited realms and peoples together that he may guide them from the dying world into the safety of his own. With the kingdoms of Isthia and Taroth behind him, and the unexpected departure of the Ranee, Thorn enters the land of the Keegan nomads accompanied by the wolf pup Rark and the living crystal Lorak Ledel intent on finding a way to unify the tribes to his cause and find Princess Ranee who fled here after the destruction in Rata.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Varth prepares for their invasion of his world and his own kingdom. Secretly controlled by the Sorcerer Tarna, now emboldened by the murder of Thorn’s friend Penias, who was known as the Crown Prince Jarel Whitethorn. As Thorn enters the nomad lands, the Varthians stretch out their hand against the nomads and all other kingdoms and peoples who would stand against them, and their sorcerous leader.

The Brumby of Summerhill Park

Alexia and her brother, Brad, travel to the Snowy Mountains, where they rescue a starving brumby whom they name Prince of the Brumbies. When Alexia wants to enter in the annual Stockman's Bush Race over the old gold fields, her hopes are dashed when her chosen ride, the retired race horse Stormy, proves too big and naughty for her. Alexia and her best friend Enya work hard to try and prepare the bush brumby Prince in time for the contest.

The Bump

It’s been a long, cold winter and the woodland animals are fed up and hungry. When a pile of grain is accidentally spilled in the lane by a passing trailer, it gives Badger an idea. What would happen if the animals built a bump across the road? Everyone works very hard, except Fox, who pretends to be busy and gives lots of instructions. Now they are waiting to see what will come down the lane, and they don’t have to wait very long. “Quick! Hide!” screeches Crow from the tree-tops. “Something’s coming!”

This is an exciting and very funny story for young children. They will love waiting to see what drops into the lane, and how the animals use these items. The ending shows the importance of recycling.

The Caterpillar and the Butterfly

From Michael Rosenblum, the bestselling author of Happily Ever Always: A Guide to Personal Transformation, Security, Confidence, and Healthy Self, comes a debut book for beginning readers. This ageless story introduces us to a caterpillar named “Fear”. Fear is afraid of everything – the other critters who share the garden, lightning storms, being bullied and making new friends. A chance encounter with a wise butterfly named “Faith” helps Fear find the courage within to experience the world in a bolder and more joy-filled way. Rosenblum’s message for children is simple yet profound: fear is just faith turned inside out.

“Children will realize that changing fear to faith is up to them as they explore this magical story. Bravo, Michael Rosenblum!”

Dr. Kathleen Hagstrom

Principal

Walt Disney Magnet School

Chicago Public Schools

The Cedars of Beckenham

The Mystery of an Antique German Doll reunites members of a family torn apart during The Third Reich of Nazi Germany.

This family saga, starting in the leafy suburb of Beckenham on the borders of Kent and London, begins in 1930 in the comfortable world of four British upper-middle class families blind to the impending changes that are about to threaten not only their world, but everyone else’s world, too.

A doll belonging to the Abuthnott family becomes the catalyst that brings about two sides of the Rubenstein family, who were able to escape from Germany in the late 1930s finding refuge in the United States of America and in the British Mandate of Palestine.

Along the way, the horrors of the Blitz and the British struggle for survival are enacted out against the parallel Germanic horror of holocaust separation. The survivors in the United States, Great Britain and Israel adapt to a new world as it unfolds through the second half of the 20th century, until by the chance sale of a German Biedermeier doll at Sotheby’s in New York, their separate paths are brought together in 2017.

The four Beckenham families adapt to their changing lifestyles witnessing a rich tapestry of 20th century history taking the reader all over the world with its beauty, passion and prejudices.

The Chameleon Which Lost Its Colour

On the island of Madagascar, Blaze the chameleon is the most colourful of all the animals. But Blaze has one flaw: he’s quite mischievous, which makes it hard for him to make friends. One day his colours have vanished and it’s up to him to get the other animals on the island to help him find them! Will he succeed?

The Complete Response

Stanley lives life to the full--working hard, playing hard. In 2016, his life was turned upside down with a serious medical diagnosis; he had a stage 4 bowel cancer which had spread extensively to his liver and was inoperable. Many people might have given up but Stanley looked at the challenge of beating cancer with positivity. Stanley carried on working throughout the medical process ahead of him and developed his own strategy with the help of others around him and his life experiences. The plan of attack worked, which ultimately led to his survival and a complete response to treatment. No viable trace of the disease remained, a very rare 100% response. Stanley carried on living as before and is still free from cancer. The Complete Response will inspire anyone looking to overcome the unthinkable!

The Concentration Camp: The True Story of a Belgian Teenager

Pierre grows up in a family still scarred by the Great War. When the Second World War breaks out, the Germans invade Belgium. Pierre’s yearning for freedom and justice drives him to join the Resistance to fight the occupying enemy. On 30 December 1942, the German Gestapo apprehend him at home and the teenage boy ends up in a German concentration camp, where he is subjected on a daily basis to the horrors taking place. He never loses heart, because American and British airplanes regularly appear in the skies overhead.

The Continuing Adventures of Warty Willy and Pimples Pete

After accidentally interrupting a leadership ceremony being conducted by the magical but evil Treplicons, Willy is cursed to grow warts over all parts of his body. This brings on a source of embarrassment that leads him to despair.

He soon discovers that he must travel to the Treplicon realm to reverse the curse. Once they arrive in the beautiful magical world, Willy and his best friend Pete discover that the reversal of the curse is only half their task. They must overcome the powerful and soulless Swamp Spirit to save the land they have come to love.

This is a story for all ages that includes trials and tribulations, friendship, and love. It involves intriguing characters such as stone trolls, sabre eels, wood rats, rose warriors and many more.

The Cottage

When Jo inherits a neglected cottage on the Avon near Stratford, she steps into a world of hidden histories and family secrets. Left to her by her enigmatic Great Aunt Lily – better known for her estate in Cornwall – this humble cottage serves as the catalyst for a series of events that plunge Jo into danger, including an ominous figure from her past. As Jo delves into wartime diaries and heirlooms, she unravels a tangled web of loss, grief, and the devastating consequences of war and personal betrayals.

Aiding her in this journey is Al, the loyal gardener, who helps Jo tend to her aunt’s once-vibrant gardens. As the gardens flourish, so does Jo, finding strength and growth amid the blooming flora. But as she navigates through her family’s complex history, she must also confront the lurking dangers that threaten not just her newfound peace, but her very life. This gripping story explores the far-reaching impact of secrets, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of nature.

The Cottage of Secrets

Alyssa Durtnall and her brother Liam are looking forward to their summer holiday away from school but Liam already bored on the first day of his holiday sees a cat that leads him to a new gypsy encampment in the woods near his home. What follows changes their lives dramatically. Giving them many problems to solve and placing them in some unbelievable situations where they cannot ask for anybody else’s help, so have to rely on each other. In a quest to find justice for a community and a culture that is often hated and ridiculed they are placed in grave danger but are determined to fight for what they believe to be right. If they are successful they will bring a much-needed awareness of the value of welcoming diversity for the benefit of all communities. But should they reveal their secret and would anybody believe them?