Showing results by narrator "Suzy Jackson" in All Categories

Katerina and Luka, two majestic, mated white storks, are in flight when … BANG! Katerina suddenly falls from the sky, wounded by a hunter. Nearby, a farmer and his granddaughter rush to her rescue, determined to nurse her back to health with Luka by her side. However, when Katerina feels the coming cold, she must urge her beloved Luka to migrate, despite knowing he faces a difficult journey alone—and she is left hoping for his springtime return …

One year ago, a solar flare scorched the Earth and destroyed life as we know it. With their parents gone and their supplies running low, grieving stepsiblings Millie and Rose leave home with their infant half-brother in search of Millie’s grandma, a Seminole elder—who Millie knows in her gut is still alive, even if Rose isn’t so sure. Along the way, they meet a group of other surviving kids calling themselves the Lost Boys and their lone adult leader, who reluctantly agree to help them brave the hostile wasteland to make it to Millie’s grandma safely. But the landscape isn’t the only threat.

Dolly Parton is a little girl with a great big voice. She loves singing for her corncob doll and friends at church. Music fills her heart so plumb full that young Dolly starts writing her own tunes. Unable to afford a guitar, she strings up a broken mandolin and plays for anyone she can corral—ducks, pigs, and her squallin’ brothers and sisters. But Dolly longs for a real live audience to see and hear her perform. When Dolly gets her first big break, she’s scared to perform in front of hundreds of people. Will she summon up her courage and step out onto the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville?

World War II is over, but the Honeycutt family is still feeling its devastating effects. Especially Daddy, who can’t forget what he saw on the battlefield and sometimes can’t cope with everyday life. Fourteen-year-old Ellie Honeycutt finds escape at the NASCAR speedway and in her dreams of travel and college. Her twin sister, Ida, clings to family and finds solace in her sketchbook. Once inseparable, the two sisters find themselves growing apart with the start of high school.

Narda Pitkethly’s brother vanishes amid several clues in September 2001, near Sun Valley, Idaho. In the search for Jay, the family undertakes extreme measures to find him. This plunges Narda into a prolonged period of searching, not only for her brother, but for inspiration and meaning in her life, which ultimately leads her back to a world that makes sense.

After the sudden death of her perfect, popular older sister, Jo and her family feel empty. But days after crying at Audrey’s graveside, Jo stumbles on the impossible: Audrey, standing barefoot in the snowy backyard. But Audrey isn’t breathing. She’s decaying. And worst of all, she’s hungry, and only human blood can curb her relentless appetite.

How does the band Bleu Streak celebrate the holidays? By singing, of course. Go on tour with this zany group as they get into all kinds of mischief along the way. Oh … And Maverick King? Oh yeah. This devilishly handsome drummer gets a special gift for Christmas. The trouble is trying to convince Izzy Walker to allow him to have her …

School's out, and the Daredevils are excited to spend all summer tearing up the track. The coaches have something special planned: The Austin league is heading to Dallas for a week of roller derby sleepaway camp! Tomoko has been camping with her uncle every summer since she can remember. She’s got all the gear and the skills she needs for summertime in the great outdoors. But roller derby camp isn’t in the great outdoors. It’s in the middle of the city. And it means meeting a bunch of new kids, which isn’t exactly a strength for shy, introverted Tomoko.

Eliza Gordon-Fergus—best friend of Merrilee Campbell—is an expert rule-follower. She has to be; her scientist parents demand she follow dozens of them. They call it “parenting-by-proxy” since they’re rarely on the same continent. Their rules dictate her nutrition, education, sleep, workouts … and forbid her from dating. Eliza studiously obeys them all. Which is why she finds Curtis Cavendish maddening. Rules don’t seem to apply to him. He’s never punished for his class-clown antics—and worse, his mischief actually masks brilliance. Like, give-Eliza-a-run-for-valedictorian brilliance.

Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade ELA class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches, although basically it’s a semi-autobiographical story about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister.

Now part of the official junior roller derby league, the Derby Daredevils are ready to compete in their first tournament. Kenzie starts writing new game plays. Bree works on her speed. Tomoko sharpens her blocking skills. And Jules fearlessly hip checks everyone in sight. But Shelly isn’t sure what she’s best at. In hopes of taking home the tournament’s Star Skater award, Shelly transforms doodles from her sketchbook into extra-special gear for the Daredevils. But not everything works as well as Shelly imagined, and she can’t get the team on board.

Best friends Kenzie “Kenzilla” Ellington and Shelly “Bomb Shell” Baum are counting down the days to their roller derby debut. It looks like their dream is coming true when Austin’s city league announces a junior league. But there’s a catch. To try out together, the Dynamic Duo will have to form a team of five players … in just one week! As they start convincing other girls that roller derby is the coolest thing on wheels, Kenzie has second thoughts. Why is Shelly acting like everyone’s best friend? Isn’t she supposed to be Kenzie’s best friend?