The Scorpion

Newberry Honour Award Winner & National Book Award Winner. Matt is six years old when he discovers that he is different from other children and other people. To most, Matt isn't considered a boy at all, but a beast, dirty and disgusting. But to El Patron, lord of a country called Opium, Matt is the guarantee of eternal life. El Patron loves Matt as he loves himself - for Matt is himself. They share the exact same DNA. As Matt struggles to understand his existence and what that existence truly means, he is threatened by a host of sinister and manipulating characters, from El Patron's power-hungry family to the brain-deadened eejits and mindless slaves that toil Opium's poppy fields. Surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards, escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. But even escape is no guarantee of freedom . . . because Matt is marked by his difference in ways that he doesn't even suspect. Praise for The House of Scorpions: 'It's a pleasure to read science fiction that's full of warm, strong characters... that doesn't rely on violence as the solution to complex problems of right and wrong. It's a pleasure to read.' Ursula K. LeGuin 'Fabulous' Diana Wynne Jones Also by Nancy Farmer: The Sea of Trolls Land of the Silver Apples The Islands of the Blessed The Lord of Opium

The teenage princess of a future-world Canadian superpower, where royal children are held hostage to keep their countries from waging war, falls in love with an American prince who rebels against the brutal rules governing their existences.

On April 11, 2002, nearly a million Venezuelans marched on the presidential palace to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chvez, Led by Pedro Carmona and Carlos Ortega, the opposition represented a cross-section of society furious with Chvez's economic policies, specifically his mishandling of the Venezuelan oil industry. But as the day progressed, the march turned violent, sparking a military revolt that led to the temporary ousting of Chvez. Over the ensuing, turbulent 72 hours, Venezuelans would confront the deep divisions within their society and ultimately decide the best course for their country - and its oil - in the new century. An exemplary piece of narrative journalism, The Silence and the Scorpion provides rich insight into the complexities of modern Venezuela.

A debut novel that's as sharp as a knife's point. Plain Kate lives in a world of superstitions and curses, where a song can heal a wound and a shadow can work deep magic. As the wood-carver's daughter, Kate held a carving knife before a spoon, and her wooden charms are so fine that some even call her "witch-blade" -- a dangerous nickname in a town where witches are hunted and burned in the square.

Thomas Crocker and SEAL Team Six are back for another adrenaline packed adventure from former SEAL commando Don Mann. When a cargo ship is captured by pirates off the east coast of Africa, SEAL Team Six is called into action. What looks at first like a simple search and rescue turns much more perilous when the ship's cargo is revealed to be yellowcake, a critical component in nuclear weaponry. Thomas Crocker and his squad are dispatched to Libya with a clear objective: to secure the dangerous materials before terrorists can unleash nuclear havoc on the world. Hunt the Scorpion is a lightning-fast thrill ride - a bold new chapter in the Thomas Crocker SEAL Team Six adventures. It will leave readers breathless, charged, and ready for the next op.

With all my degrees and knowledge, how could I have lived with my head in the sand for so long? I'm thinking of nicknaming myself 'Ostrich'... head in the sand, backside flopping around in the air, going around in circles, tripping over my own long legs and awkward feet, never getting anywhere at all. it certainly seems an appropriate label, especially given the latest mess I'm now working my way through.Dr. Magdalena LaSige, a thirty-three-year-old criminal archepsychologist, throws herself headfirst into finding a kidnapped Carmelite nun—the sister of her former professor, The handsome and wealthy Dr. Peter Janus. She is given ancient pictures and symbols sent from the kidnappers, clues in an archetypal trail of deceit. The Pyramids of Giza, DNA codes, constellations, medicine, money—these symbols, stories, and legends all combine to challenge everything Magdalena has taken for granted as truth. And the truth seems to be the last thing Dr. Janus wants to discuss. What is his connection with the pharmaceutical companies he consults for, and how does that play into the kidnapping? is the 'scorpion's sting' a medical project or something much more sinister? Painfully aware of her limitations, Magdalena uncovers religious, medical, and governmental lies while racing against time. Will she solve the mystery, or will the truth behind the deceptions leave Magdalena paralyzed by the scorpion's sting?

Ruthlessness comes with a price. The Scorpion Raiders are a ruthless clan, traveling through the jungle and raiding villages and caravans. As the only child of their leader, Claire has lived a safe, comfortable life tucked away from their violence. Her one desire is to join her father, but he refuses to allow it. Her safe life has one major perk—her best friend, Gavin. But just when their friendship builds into something deeper, Claire finally gets the chance she's been waiting for—a chance to join the Scorpion Raiders and win her father's affection. Will she choose love with Gavin, or will she choose the quality her father treasures above all others—ruthlessness? This is a standalone story in the Luminous Lands series, and it features characters from the novel The Scorpion's Lullaby. additional keywords: high fantasy, jungle, scorpions, dragons, thieves, weapons, French, goddess, warriors, strong girl protagonist

A furiously paced psychological thriller about a woman accused of attempting to murder her son, perfect for fans of Paula Hawkins Shortly after a fractious weekend away with her family, Gaelle wakes up injured in a psychiatric hospital in Berlin. Her seven-year-old son is in a coma in another hospital--and the police suspect her of attempting to murder him. With no memory of what happened but convinced of her innocence, Gaelle escapes and begins a determined hunt for the truth. Michael is a contract killer working for Scorpio, a ruthless organization that spares no-one, where any agent who violates the rules signs their own death warrant. When Michael decides to reject an assignment, he knows he must run for his life. One makes a living by killing, the other would kill to survive. And soon their paths will cross... An exhilarating addition to the Walter Presents Library.