Layla S Room

Respect women, respect girls. Respect yourselves. Remember you are everyone who's gone before you and you are nobody that has ever been, so make it count, make it special, make a difference, make people listen, love the women who have loved you and watch us make the world move to a better place. For Layla, every day is a battleground. The pay gap, the thigh gap, over-sexed pop and selfies that are photoshopped – they're just part of the world she lives in. But that world is about to change. While breaking out of her bedroom – and with drama, comedy, poetry and music as her weapons – Layla breaks down and makes sense of the realities, difficulties and absurdities of teenage life in the UK today. Collected from a bespoke national survey, the voices of a thousand UK teens are brought to life in Layla. Their ambitions, concerns, role-models and regrets are woven together by award-winning Sabrina Mahfouz and theatre company Theatre Centre, offering a hard-hitting, yet hopeful, story. Layla's Room received its world premiere at Redbridge Drama Centre on 15 September 2016 in a production by Theatre Centre. It is ideal for students and young performers between 16 and 18 years old.

Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you? Spirited and observant, Layla’s a child who’s been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It’s her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more. Written by poet Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin, this is a story of flourishing within family and community.

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On the eve of the first day of eighth grade, thirteen year-old Layla has a pretty good idea of what's in store for her - another year of awkward social situations, mediocre grades, and teachers who praise her good behavior but find her academic performance lacking. Layla feels certain she's capable of more, but each time she tries to read or write, the words on the page dance and spin, changing partners and leaving her to sit on the sidelines. Her mother, a nurse working night shifts to keep the family afloat, is too overwhelmed to notice. And her father, whose last contribution before he abandoned the family was to name her Layla, has reappeared but been declared off-limits by her mom.This year will be different in ways that Layla couldn't have predicted. Her English teacher, Mr. McCarthy, new to the school, senses her potential. When he pushes her, she almost rises to the challenge before committing a desperate and futile act of vandalism that nearly costs her what she has gained. When Layla agrees to let her best friend Liza take the fall for her, their relationship is put to the test. Layla must rely on the guidance of her older brother and the affection of the sweet boy next door to reclaim her footing.

A sweet festive novella from New York Times bestselling author L. P. Dover. What could a small-town innkeeper and an internationally successful fashion designer have in common? Sometimes it doesn't matter, as long as the heart is all in . . . Layla Aberdeen is looking for an escape. After years as a successful fashion designer, her latest line has been a complete failure and she needs a place to lay low and recover her creative spirit. Colin Jennings, owner of Snowflake Lane Inn, isn't looking for love. When glamorous Layla rents his house for the Christmas holidays, he doesn't expect them to have much in common but soon he's searching for reasons to spend more time with her. Under the twinkling lights of the festive season this unlikely pair can feel the start of something special . . . Will they find love together in time for Christmas? *Originally published in the Christmas With You anthology Why readers love Snowflake Lane Inn: 'This was a super cute story. Colin is totally delicious!!' 'A sweet festive read from L.P Dover' 'A delightful novella' 'A great quick Christmas read' 'Another amazing story by L. P. that I absolutely love'

Zainab is a thirteen year old facing a LOT of problems that threaten to overwhelm her: manipulation, bullying, the sexual exploitation of a friend and eventually an attempted suicide. But when a teacher offers her the opportunity to direct a school house league play, Zainab thinks it might be the chance she's looking for. If she can bring the most popular bully in school, in line, maybe she can prove she fits in. Maybe... Winner of the 2001 Manitoba Young Reader's Choice Honor Award Nominated for the 2000 Ruth Schwartz Award Nominated for the 2000 Red Maple Award

Bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin, L. P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R. J. Prescott, and Amy Briggs invite you to celebrate the holidays in small-town Friendship, Massachusetts, where a mysterious newcomer decides to play matchmaker for five lucky couples. Snowflake Lane Inn, by L. P. Dover The owner of a picturesque inn gets a holiday surprise when a well-known fashion designer comes to stay and redesigns his future. Runaway Christmas Bride, by Cindi Madsen Making a new life in Friendship certainly wasn't the plan, but the spirit of Christmas - along with the rugged local sheriff - leads to a change of heart for this runaway bride. Christmas Lights, by Amy Briggs A visitor to Friendship learns the true meaning of Christmas from a single dad and his young daughter. Christmas Encounter, by R. J. Prescott A famous Formula One driver finds all roads lead to Friendship -and love - this Christmas. It's a Wonderful Holiday, by Heidi McLaughlin A workaholic finds just the right Christmas magic to remind him about the most important thing in life: spending time with his wife and family.