The Life Of Riley

Riley is cursed. No, really! After a fairground incident - TOTALLY not his fault - bad luck follows Riley everywhere, causing disaster after disaster. It's got so bad that no one wants to go near Riley, including his teachers! But when new student Brad Chicago shows up, Riley quickly realizes that Brad is the human equivalent of a good luck charm. Can Brad's good luck cancel out Riley's bad luck? Or is this yet another recipe for disaster?

Comparing the short, happy lives of rats with the long, complicated, dissatisfied lives of humans can lead to depression for the humans. The answer: simplify.

During a leisurely nap Riley awakens to an unsettling noise, while investigating the source she is met by a discourteous crow. Riley is just a kitten and naive to the outside world and questions the crow about what he is. The crow is very pompous in his description of himself and the encounter leaves Riley questioning her own self-worth. Riley sets out to find her purpose and begins her journey into a strange new world of amazing creatures. During her journey she meets many creatures that all have very important jobs such as Simon, the Crow, who is smart and keeps crops healthy; Cornelius, the Spider, who creates beautiful webs and helps keep harmful insects at bay; Felix, the Honeybee, who tends the comb, cleans the hive, gathers nectar and helps the plants to grow which keeps the air clean; and Bernice, the Beaver, who is helpful to other wildlife by providing winter-feed. Riley believes that her journey will end in failure as she returns home, only to meet a curious bat, named Bart, in her own back yard. Bart teaches Riley a valuable lesson about her purpose and the purpose of every living creature.

Enjoy best-selling author Eve Bunting’s moving story about the bond between a boy and his dog. "Maybe that's one of the reasons people get dogs, to kind of close up the empty places inside them." Eleven-year-old William never needed a friend more than now. After his parents' separation, his father's new engagement, and his grandfather's dying without any warning—adopting big, beautiful Riley is the first thing in a long time that has made him feel better. That is, until Riley innocently chases a horse. Local law states that any animal that chases livestock must be put to sleep. Suddenly William stands to lose another thing close to him. Together with his friend Grace, William begins a campaign to reverse the county commissioners' decision. But with a community divided on the issue, and the bully Ellis Porter trying to stop them at every turn, will they be able to save Riley's life? Celebrated author Eve Bunting shows William's determined struggle to fight for what he believes in. The Summer of Riley is an inspiring novel about learning to accept life's changes, the healing power of friendship, and the unending desire to protect those we love.

Van Allen sifts facts from fiction to construct as true a portrait of Riley as possible in the context of the society in which he lived."--BOOK JACKET.

"Georgia socialite Riley Sinclair is finally embracing the life she wants. But the news of her successful embryo implant pregnancy--her second chance at motherhood--brings her face-to-face with her ex-husband, Jackson. Fine. She knows how to handle him ... most of the time. Too bad the unresolved passion is complicating matters. Worse, the problems that pulled them apart are back, too! Sure, he seems to be handling their relationship differently. But with all that's gone on between them, can Riley really believe he's changed his run-when-things-get-tough habits? Some impressive proof is certainly required. And when Jackson delivers exactly that ... well, Riley might have to say yes!"--Publisher.

Riley Adams has three passions in life: family, friends and football. Despite often finding school difficult, Riley finds happiness in friendships with his ‘band of brothers and sisters’, who play for his beloved Highfield Flyers FC.

In this realistic fictional picture book children will discover everyone has a purpose, even when feeling out of place. Riley is an Irish Wolfhound who discovers why she is so big in this charming tale with whimsical watercolor illustrations.