The Land Beyond The Wall

A picture book blending a sweet fairy tale with the realness of immigration, inspired by the author-illustrator’s own experiences moving to a new home. Emma lives on the grey, cold, lonely side of a wall, where people speak in whispers and no flowers grow. On the other side, there is happiness and color, but she can never go there. When Emma's parents disappear, she is sent to live with her Aunt Lily, who, “just like the land withered from lack of sunshine, was broken by the life she led.” One day, Aunt Lily discovers Emma drawing and dashes her niece’s dream of becoming an artist. That is, until the day a strange boat captain, and an even stranger boat, arrive, and she leaves her world behind forever. Following Emma’s arrival in a strange land (Halifax's Pier 21), her placement in a group home, and the discovery of her voice through art, The Land Beyond the Wall is a beautifully rendered allegory that uses magic realism to confront the harsh realities of immigration, and the universal struggle of finding one’s voice, and one’s place in the world. “These types of autobiographical stories for young readers serve a dual purpose: on the one hand they let children know that they are not alone, not the only ones who have come through hardship and awfulness. On the other, they offer inspiration, a message directly from the author that says, “I did it. You can, too.” That Charles relates her personal fairy tale with such delicacy and style is a bonus.” —Quill & Quire (Toronto, ON)

Emma lives on the grey, cold side of the wall, the Iron Curtain, where people speak in whispers and no flowers grow. On the other side there is happiness and colour, but she can never go there. One day, Emma's neighbour betrays them to the police and her parents disappear. She is sent to live with her miserable Aunt Lily. She disapproves of Emma's drawing and dashes her niece's dream of becoming an artist. That is, until a strange boat arrives and Emma leaves her world behind forever.

From the critically acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Sharon Kay Penman comes the story of the reign of King Baldwin IV and the Kingdom of Jerusalem's defense against Saladin's famous army. The Kingdom of Jerusalem, also known as Outremer, is the land far beyond the sea. Baptized in blood when the men of the First Crusade captured Jerusalem from the Saracens in the early twelfth century, the kingdom defined an utterly new world, a land of blazing heat and a medley of cultures, a place where enemies were neighbors and neighbors became enemies. At the helm of this growing kingdom sits young Baldwin IV, an intelligent and courageous boy committed to the welfare and protection of his people. But despite Baldwin's dedication to his land, he is afflicted with leprosy at an early age and the threats against his power and his health nearly outweigh the risk of battle. As political deception scours the halls of the royal court, the Muslim army--led by the first sultan of Egypt and Syria, Saladin--is never far from the kingdom's doorstep, and there are only a handful Baldwin can trust, including the archbishop William of Tyre and Lord Balian d'Ibelin, a charismatic leader who has been one of the few able to maintain the peace. Filled with drama and battle, tragedy and romance, Sharon Kay Penman's latest novel brings a definitive period of history vividly alive with a tale of power and glory that will resonate with readers today.

Meet Gudrid, a Viking girl, just 15 years old, but she already knows what she wants. That doesn’t include staying home and weaving sails day after day for her father’s boat. The sea is in her blood and she dreams of sailing to a distant land where none of her people have ever set foot. Her foster mother has taught her all the healing ways and the ancient magic of her Viking people. Gudrid can see the future, heal disease, and speak with spirits, but is powerless until she can be more than just the Chief’s daughter. She wants to make her own choices and live her own life. Explore Gudrid’s world as she battles for her own sense of self, her survival at the edge of the world and her discovery of love and love’s many faces as we voyage with her. Sail through the storm to the new found land in the year 1000AD with Gudrid and her people. Their compelling story of desire, sorrow, terror and love with a cast of unforgettable characters will intrigue, disturb and draw you deeply into the Viking world.

This book is an exciting adventure story, part action, part archaeological. A trail of strange coins leads to the Antarctic, where harsh weather and strange creatures create problems. Filled with danger and suspense, this classic adventure story is easy to read and fast-paced with a thrilling quest. First published in 1901, it has stood the test of time.

A series of maps to illustrating the lands and cities of George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.