Bellatrix

The new essays in this book make two central claims. First, for some people, the word "feminist" has been either poorly defined or even demonized. Hermione Granger, of the Harry Potter series, serves as an outstanding example of what modern young feminism looks like: activist, powerful and full of agency, yet feminine, romantic and stylish--a new kind of feminism for a new kind of girl. The second claim the essays make is that our young, emergent feminist Hermione Granger is a pivotal character upon whom the entire series rests--not Harry Potter himself (or, at least, not Harry Potter solely). It is Hermione who solves every difficult puzzle, performs every difficult spell, and to whom her two male companions look for guidance and advice. On several occasions throughout the series, Hermione literally saves the world through her actions. This is an outstanding model for young women (and for young men as well) who are confused about how feminism manifests and operates in 2012.

They say the thirst of blood is like a madness - they must sate it. Even with their own kin. On the eve of her divining, the day she'll discover her fate, seventeen-year-old Lil and her twin sister Kizzy are captured and enslaved by the cruel Boyar Valcar, taken far away from their beloved traveller community. Forced to work in the harsh and unwelcoming castle kitchens, Lil is comforted when she meets Mira, a fellow slave who she feels drawn to in a way she doesn't understand. But she also learns about the Dragon, a mysterious and terrifying figure of myth and legend who takes girls as gifts. They may not have had their divining day, but the girls will still discover their fate...

"A gripping, heart-wrenching coming-of-age story" - Guardian In her first YA novel, Costa-shortlisted Kit de Waal responds to classic Moby Dick by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl. Dinah's whole world is upside down, dead things and angry men and cuts all over her head that are beginning to sting.... Seventeen-year-old Dinah needs to leave her home, the weird commune where she grew up. She needs a whole new identity, starting with how she looks, starting with shaving off her hair, her 'crowning glory'. She has to do it quickly, because she has to go now. Dinah was going to go alone and hitch a ride down south. Except, she ends up being persuaded to illegally drive a VW campervan for hundreds of miles, accompanied by a grumpy man with one leg. This wasn't the plan. But while she's driving, Dinah will be forced to confront everything that led her here, everything that will finally show her which direction to turn... In her first YA novel, Costa-shortlisted author Kit de Waal responds to the classic Moby Dick with entirely new characters, a VW campervan, and by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl who's determined to find a new life, far away from her unconventional upbringing. "An emotionally charged book" - Daily Mail "Fresh and defiantly original ... what a beautiful book" - Sarah Moore Fitzgerald "An emotional coming of age tale of escape, mission, and ultimately, self-knowledge" - The Big Issue

As an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father, Harry Potter struggles with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs while his youngest son, Albus, finds the weight of the family legacy difficult to bear.

A handy field guide for the optimum stargazing experience, whether you’re travelling, camping, or in your own backyard! The night sky is full of amazing things to see, from shooting stars and constellations, to planets and satellites, but it can be hard to tell what you’re seeing, or where to look for the best view. 100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky lets you know what you can expect to see on any given night, whether you’re using a small telescope, or just your naked eye. 100 Things to See in the Southern Night Sky—especially for those south of the equator—includes background information on the makeup, appearance, and history of each celestial object, along with easy-to-follow instructions on the best way to catch a glimpse of these cosmic glories. With this helpful guide you’ll have the world on a string—or more precisely, the sky in your hands.

Are you a medieval fighter? Do you participate in SCA heavy-list, or live steel combat? Are you wondering how to get your fighting to the next level? Maybe you struggle to land telling blows. Maybe you've developed an injury using sub-par techniques.Maybe you've been playing so long, you're not sure how to keep going.Fortunately, this book has the answer to each of those situations, and countless others.Introducing: The Bellatrix System THE system for medieval armored combat.Condensing the better part of sixty years of martial arts and SCA armored combat experience, Duke Paul of Bellatrix has compiled his methods, techniques, and tactics into one place for every fighter to benefit from.His fighting system can be applied by ANYONE, regardless of height, weight, age, gender, physicality, or skill level.The techniques described in this book are applicable to all styles of armed combat, includingThe Society for Creative AnachronismHistorical European Martial ArtsBattle of the NationsWith decades of experience in martial arts and postural therapy, Duke Paul's methods are safe for anyone of any body type or skill level to employ.His system, detailed in this book, is not only the most comprehensive system for armored combat available, it is the best one.

The #1 national bestseller “Marvelous . . . viciously funny and acutely intelligent” (Maclean’s), When We Lost Our Heads is the spellbinding story of two young women whose friendship is so intense it not only threatens to destroy them, it changes the course of history Marie Antoine is the charismatic, spoiled daughter of a sugar baron. At age twelve, with her pile of blond curls and unparalleled sense of whimsy, she’s the leader of all the children in the Golden Mile, the affluent strip of nineteenth-century Montreal where powerful families live. Until one day in 1873, when Sadie Arnett, dark-haired, sly and brilliant, moves to the neighbourhood. Marie and Sadie are immediately inseparable. United by their passion and intensity, they attract and repel each other in ways that set them both on fire. Marie, with her bubbly charm, sees all the pleasure of the world, whereas Sadie’s obsession with darkness is all-consuming. Soon, their childlike games take on the thrill of danger and then become deadly. Forced to separate, the girls spend their teenage years engaging in acts of alternating innocence and depravity, until a singular event unites them once more, with devastating effects. After Marie inherits her father’s sugar empire and Sadie disappears into the city’s gritty underworld, the working class begins to foment a revolution. Each woman will play an unexpected role in the events that upend their city—the only question is whether they will find each other once more. From the beloved Giller Prize-shortlisted author who writes “like a sort of demented angel with an uncanny knack for metaphor” (Toronto Star), When We Lost Our Heads is a page-turning novel that explores gender and power, sex and desire, class and status, and the terrifying strength of the human heart when it can’t let someone go.

This compendium showcases EVERY character ever mentioned in the Harry Potter books, films and play: the good, the bad and the misunderstood. With more than 700 entries, this book is packed from cover to cover! J.K. Rowling’s collection of mystical multitudes is what makes the wizarding world so enchanting. To dive into Harry’s story is to immerse yourself in the richness of a magical universe filled with wizarding history, culture and lore. A world of witches, wizards, owls, elves, non- magical people, anti-non-magical-people people, folks who can talk to snakes and snakes who used to be folks. There are mind-readers, shape-shifters, centaurs, giants, ghosts (nearly headless and fully formed) and one enormous, extremely ill- tempered tree. This massive tome details every character created by J.K. Rowling and appearing in the official Harry Potter canon of books, movies and plays. Each entry highlights one character, where you will find details of when the character was first mentioned, appearance, wizard school, house, patronus, wand, related family members, skills and achievements, personal history and more. The Compendium also include genealogical charts and family trees for the major characters, world maps detailing important locations, homes and schools, as well as charts detailing alliances between characters.