The Girl Of Magic And Dreams

Twelve-year-old Sophia Warner comes from a long line of Dream Watchers, humans possessing magical abilities from the Sandman himself and entrusted with protecting the Dream Realm. Frustrated by her slowly evolving powers and the continuous disapproval of the Council of Dreamers, Sophia becomes more and more reckless as she tries to force her full abilities to manifest in a desperate quest to locate her mom-who went missing in the Dream Realm four years earlier.But things take a dangerous turn when Watchers begin to go missing and the ruler of the nightmares, the Shadow Queen, is to blame. Trapped on a dark island in the world of dreams by the Sandman long ago, the evil queen craves to find enough magic to finally break free from her prison and take over the Dream Realm.As the only child Dream Watcher, Sophia is told to stay out of it. But when tragedy strikes her family, and the Council of Dreamers hesitates to intervene, Sophia is forced to make a choice. With the help of her best friend, a magical cat named Cosmo, can Sophia not only conquer her own fears and learn to control her magic, but also stop the Shadow Queen's evil plans before all is lost?

Kellen’s mother has always insisted that her only child was born male, not female—so Kellen has been raised as a boy. At school, she meets Gryffin, whose mind is as strong as his legs are damaged, and the two become friends and allies. A few years later, the two get jobs working at an inn nearby. When it is discovered that Gryffin is the kingdom’s new Dream-Maker—someone whose mere presence can help dreams come true—he is whisked away to the castle, leaving Kellen behind. By now, their friendship is shading into something more. Will it endure?

The Magic of Dreams: An American Diplomat's Journey relays the story of a retired American diplomat who served in the U.S. Foreign Service for forty-three years. Eleanor L. Akahloun shares a remarkable personal and professional journey from humble, yet inspiring beginnings in her tightly knit Cape Verdean American community in Massachusetts. Her firsthand account of working with the U.S. State Department provides a peek into her colorful adventures and valuable lessons learned from her travels across all seven continents. This book is an affirmation that dreams are magical, that there is beauty— amidst challenges— in chasing them. The memoir is written in a question-and-answer format, with a perfect blend of wit, intrigue, and light humor. The Magic of Dreams: An American Diplomat’s Journey is a fascinating read that will leave the readers inspired.

Fascinating Story about a Remarkable Woman, September 13, 2015 By M. E. Norris

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Eleanor (Penny) Lopes Akahloun's memoir. It is a fascinating story about a remarkable woman. Ms. Akahloun, a Cape Verdean American, devoted 43 years of her life to serve as a career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. She joined the Foreign Service at a time when the institution lacked diversity among its diplomatic corp. She overcame tremendous odds through perseverance, hard work, and a positive outlook-- characteristics which would help her tackle challenges throughout her life. Ms. Akahloun is someone who believes that we all have the capacity to enjoy life to the fullest. Her story is inspiring without being corny or unreal. Anyone who reads her book will take heart, no matter what their race, creed, gender, or age.

The format of the book is akin to a long interview. The author begins by relating her family background, including the astounding story of how her grandfather journeyed to America from Cape Verde. She also tells us about her parents, remarkable individuals who worked and loved hard, providing the author with a nurturing and disciplined environment. Most of the rest of her book is about her life and adventures in the various countries in which she lived and served. These included Morocco (where she met her husband), Uruguay, Kenya, and China. The author intersperses the story of her life with interesting information on the political and economic situation of the country in which she was posted as well as the U.S. foreign policy goals in the country. This makes for an enriching history lesson without bogging readers down in too much detail.

I hope that many people will read Ms. Akahloun's story and will be as strengthened and nourished as I was in reading it.

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren DeStefano comes a delightful tale of a girl who can talk to ghosts that's perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Holly Black. Pram Bellamy is special--she can talk to ghosts. She doesn't have too many friends amongst the living, but that's all right. She has her books, she has her aunts, and she has her best friend, the ghostly Felix. Then Pram meets Clarence, a boy from school who has also lost a parent and is looking for answers. Together they arrive at the door of the mysterious Lady Savant, who promises to help. But this spiritualist knows the true nature of Pram's power, and what she has planned is more terrifying than any ghost. New York Times bestselling author Lauren DeStefano is beloved by critics and readers alike, and her middle grade debut is lyrical, evocative and not to be missed.

The New Light is moving, Atlanta has fallen, and Kwen Phifer rushes towards an adversary of unimaginable power in hopes of rescuing his friends and saving our reality with the knowledge of the fact that he is far from ready.The duel he fought was to bring an end to an era and an end to the fear, but sadly this is not the case. As sure as there are others occupying this place, there are others with plans and desires that conflict. Kwen hellbent of saving everything he knows while someone else is dead set on revenge.

Fire Travel Directions, Part 1: With first light use copper, at daylight use gold, at moonlight use silver. This is the message the fire delivers to Sam, Polly, and Joe. But what exactly is fire travel, and where will it take them? Without fully understanding what they’re getting into, the three kids prepare to follow the glowing parchment’s instructions. But it’s always dangerous to play with fire, especially when it’s magic. . . .

“Action, adventure, betrayal, and poison add up to a winner." —Booklist New York Times–bestselling author Rae Carson makes a triumphant return to the world of her award-winning Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy in this extraordinary stand-alone novel. Fans of Leigh Bardugo, Kendare Blake, and Tomi Adeyemi won’t want to put this book down. Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name, a veiled past, and a mark of magic in her hair. But finally—after years and years of running, of fighting—she is about to be adopted into the royal family by Empress Elisa herself. She’ll have a home, a family. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress’s greatest rival blocks the adoption, and everything Red has worked for crumbles before her eyes. But Red is not about to let herself or the empress become a target again. Determined to prove her worth and protect her chosen family, she joins the Royal Guard, the world’s most elite fighting force. It’s no coincidence that someone wanted her to fail as a princess, though. Someone whose shadowy agenda puts everything—and everyone—she loves at risk. As danger closes in, it will be up to Red to save the empire. If she can survive recruitment year—something no woman has ever done before. New York Times–bestselling author Rae Carson returns to the world of The Girl of Fire and Thorns in this action-packed fantasy-adventure starring an iconic heroine who fights for her family and her friends, and for a place where she will belong.

Theo and her young, irresponsible mother seem trapped forever in their miserable, poverty-stricken life … but Theo can’t stop dreaming of belonging to a “real” family. When she is mysteriously adopted by the large, warm Kaldor family, her dream seems to be coming true. But as time passes, the magic of Theo’s new life begins to fade, and soon she finds herself back with her mother. Were the Kaldors real or just a dream? Who is the shadowy figure who haunts Theo’s thoughts? And, most importantly, will Theo ever be able to find a real home with a family she can truly call her own?