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PREORDER NOW to receive the limited deluxe edition—only available on the first printing while supplies last! This striking deluxe hardcover edition features metallic edges, illustrated endpapers, a special case stamp, and foil jacket effects.Bestselling author Andrew Joseph White returns with another horrific YA thriller: a profound portrait of a struggling teen trying to convince the world—and himself—that he's better than the serial killer who raised him.Morgan Slaughter, a seventeen-year-old trans boy with autism, put his serial killer father in prison years ago. Despite that, everyone thinks Morgan will grow up to be just like his dad: including his volatile mother, the documentary crew following their family, and maybe himself.Desperately, Morgan latches onto his father's final victim—the only one who was never identified—hoping that if he unravels the mystery, he'll finally prove he's better than the man who hurt him. But this puts Morgan in the crosshairs of classmate Felicity Keating, who knows the truth about Morgan's childhood—that he wasn't just a witness to his father's brutality, he was an accomplice. And if he doesn't let them help with his investigation? They'll tell everyone.Forced to confront his past, Morgan's ugly but carefully controlled world unravels. The film crew is manipulative. His mother's temper spirals into malice, then violence. And Morgan and Felicity may be more tightly intertwined than either of them can stomach . . .You're No Better is a gritty and unapologetic coming-of-age suspense about teens who grew up surrounded by cruelty and are clawing their way to adulthood the only way they know how.

“The verse is sprightly, but the pictures are the true stunners.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)When a circus ship runs aground off the coast of Maine, the poor animals are left on their own, but they soon win over the wary townspeople with their kind, courageous ways. So well do the critters blend in that when the greedy circus owner returns to claim them, villagers of all species conspire to outsmart the bloated blowhard. With buoyant rhymes and brilliantly caricatured illustrations evoking the early nineteenth century, Chris Van Dusen presents a hugely entertaining tale about the bonds of community—and a hidden-pictures spread for eagle-eyed readers of all ages.

The #1 New York Times bestseller and beloved classic includes an afterword from the author.One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries—and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie. “This book is (I hope) a hymn of praise to dogs, friendship, and the South,” Kate DiCamillo said of her best-selling debut novel, which has been awarded a Newbery Honor, translated into nearly thirty languages, and turned into a major motion picture. The story of a preacher’s daughter named Opal whose life is transformed by a scruffy dog named Winn-Dixie continues to touch the hearts of readers of all ages.

What would I do? Award-winning journalist Anna Crowley Redding brings readers into the action with this look at five epic tales of survival—and tragedy. Have you ever wondered what you would do in a life-or-death situation? If survival meant acting quickly, decisively, and correctly, would you have what it takes to avoid catastrophe? In this heart-stopping follow-up to The Danger Files: Real-Life Disasters, investigate some of the most harrowing survival stories in history. Witness the challenges faced on a 1921 expedition into the far reaches of the Arctic north; jump into a raging inferno with the goal of putting out and escaping a wildfire; outrun and outlast the Mount St. Helens eruption; face Hurricane Katrina; and use your wits—and science—to survive on your own in the frigid sea, lost praying for rescue. With access to case files full of critical facts and clues, you’ll be challenged to determine for yourself what happened in these true tales and why.

Noah Z. Jones, creator of the Disney animated series Fish Hooks, unveils a funny and irreverent chapter-book series for young fans of quirky mysteries.When something strange happens at Nosedive Junior High, most people know there’s one place to go for help: the janitor’s closet. That’s where Piper Corduroy—a very serious sixth-grader with an uncanny knack for solving mysteries and explaining the unexplainable—runs the Broom Room Detective Agency. But it turns out that Nosedive has too many secrets for just one detective to handle. Piper needs help. Fred Sassafras—an enthusiastic mystery fanatic—applies for the job, but Piper is not sure if he is the right fit. When school prankster Belly Buttons comes to the office seeking their help because someone has been stuffing his pockets with muffins, Piper decides that it is the perfect opportunity to see whether Fred really has what it takes. Turns out, mysteries at Nosedive aren’t always what they seem . . . Expressive illustrations add to the charm of this clever mystery series that will appeal to reluctant readers and kids ready to move on from series like The Bad Guys and Dog Man.

Will Mr. Popperman ever call on the little red chicken? She knows the answers! A beloved, ever-excitable character can’t help but be in the frame when Caldecott Honoree David Ezra Stein leads a class trip to the museum.The little red chicken’s class is going to the art museum today, and their teacher, Mr. Popperman, is cautioning them to be on their best behavior. This means raising their wing when they want to say something and not calling out. But there’s so much to see and learn at the museum! For instance, what feeling does Edvard Munch convey in his painting The Scream? What animal would you add if you were the painter of The Peaceable Kingdom? Chicken knows all the answers, but amazingly, she’s never called on, even when she calls out, raises her wing (while calling out), or jumps around moaning (but not calling out). Will Chicken ever have a chance to express herself? With insight and signature visual humor, David Ezra Stein brings back the Interrupting Chicken in a scenario that kids everywhere will find all-too-frustratingly relatable.

Caldecott Honoree Shawn Harris uses mirrored images to tell the story of two queens, two knights, and a duel over one shared hill in this astonishingly symmetrical picture book.Two castles sit on a hill, home to two queens. But the queens would rather not share, and each sends a knight to joust for the land. Two queens is one too many for this hill, the queens concurred.Let's hold a duel. The one who wins will rule the hill in whole. There's just one problem—when the winner stands up in the middle of the field, no one is sure which side he came from. Maybe neighborly sharing is back in vogue! After all, they have so much in common. The illustrations in Duel follow one simple rule. Each pair of facing pages is perfectly symmetrical, mirrored over the gutter of the book. Even the colors are the result of squish painting, wet paint pressed between center-folded paper. Shawn Harris's self-imposed artistic dare has resulted in a visually arresting and effortlessly funny picture book that kids are sure to ask for on repeat. And to the bold, Duel whispers: what might you create, if you set yourself a challenge?

A teenage ghost in love with life becomes bound to the house of the grieving artist who summoned her via Ouija board in this darkly funny YA paranormal.One hot dog with banana peppers. That's all Hot Dog wants. An invisible teenage ghost, she haunts a food cart outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Until one night, she's accidentally summoned via Ouija board to a house party in Florida . . . where finally finally finally, people can see her.All the party guests scatter, except for Logan: the cool artist girl who doesn't just see Hot Dog, she actually wants to talk to her. Logan, who isn't scared of Hot Dog's stitched mouth or chattering dress. Logan, who's grieving her own dead BFF—and called Hot Dog by mistake.Hot Dog wants to prove it's not a mistake. She can be Logan's new best friend. She can go to Logan's Halloween party. She can eat snacks, have sleepovers, and hang out. She can definitely smile without scaring people. Exactly like a real, human girl. There's one problem: Hog Dog's not a real, living human girl, and something in Logan's sprawling house knows it. It scratches like rats in the walls. It opens a secret door in Logan's attic. It wants to drag Hot Dog into the nothingness where dead things go. And unless Hot Dog can confront the dark truth of how she died, it will unmake Logan too. Gorgeously strange and stunningly written, this YA paranormal masterfully melds camp and creep into a beyond-the-grave coming-of-age.

A gorgeous gift edition of a Christmas classic with a soft cloth spine and gold foil, illustrated by the beloved creator of Strega Nona.'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house / Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. This beautiful gift edition of a beloved Christmas classic features Tomie dePaola's iconic illustrations in a wonderful new package. With a soft cloth spine and gold foil, this is the perfect Christmas gift for the whole family to enjoy.While the family sleeps, rosy-cheeked St. Nicholas appears, filling the stockings with dolls and blocks, toy animals and candy canes, before taking off over the snow-capped hills in his sleigh. Called "a shareable Christmas treasure" in a Booklist starred review, The Night Before Christmas was Tomie dePaola's 100th book when it was originally published and has been in print for over 30 years. Tomie dePaola's warm, nostalgic illustrations brings this beloved holiday poem to life, full of cheerful details kids will love to pore over.

From the creator of the Cleopatra in Space series comes a wildly imaginative, enormously thrilling, and deeply felt story of treasure-hunting friends.Best friends Rion and Zyla live in the fantastic world of Helix, where treasure hunting was once a way of life. Nowadays, though, it seems like people are more concerned with researching the past than looking for real treasure in the present. Life has gotten pretty dull, which is how Rion likes it. He lost his parents to adventure, so playing video games and hanging around his guardian Henry’s dusty, failing bookstore are all he wants to do. Then Rion discovers hidden pages in a cryptic journal left by his parents. They give clues to the biggest treasure of them all—the last prize of the famed treasure hunter Orion Flynn! It’s clear what Rion’s parents would have wanted him to do, plus Henry needs the money to stay in business. Fearless Zyla insists they have to act fast—the treasure can only be found during the once-a-decade Silver Moon, which will shine for the next six days. Accompanied by a magical fox girl, the friends make their way through twisting caves, colorful forests, and mountainous spires, encountering a host of fascinating creatures along their way to a discovery so great, it will unlock the past, present, and future.

In an adventure from the creator of Judy Moody, a girl meets a fairy that looks just like her—a discovery sure to enchant every reader who believes that magic awaits on the other side of the door. Hic! Eliza has a bad case of the hiccups. According to her neighbor Mr. McQuestion, that might mean that elves are trying to get her attention. It might mean that they need her elph. Help, that is! So through the tiny fairy door Eliza and Haiku, her dragonfly familiar, tumble—straight into another adventure on the Other Side. First, they meet Eliza’s fairy double, a mini version of Eliza but one who is wearing funny clothes and a funny hat and acting, well, funny. Then they meet the other elves of Elfindor, who claim that Eliza’s double is not her true double but an imposter. Who should they believe? Shape-shifting, stolen identities, and mirror images are all part of a mixed-up brew that has Eliza wondering, Who is what, and what is who?

In this riveting true story of courage and resilience during the coronavirus outbreak, a bold girl on a bicycle races against time across India to save her father and control her own destiny.With a mysterious virus infecting people the world over, spreading faster than science can keep up, India is in lockdown. Train, plane, and bus services have been suspended to check the contagion. Far from home and frightened, poor migrant workers like Jyoti’s father, who labor in the city and send money home to their families, are beginning to flee by the millions. Jyoti has been caring for her dad, who is seriously injured and cannot escape on foot. She knows that if they don’t leave now, there’s a good chance they won’t both make it back home alive. Does she have the grit, iron will, and stamina to pedal 700 miles to safety on a rickety hot-pink bicycle with her 250-pound father on the back? Even with the support of unexpected friends, this will be the challenge of a lifetime. This rich tapestry of a young teen’s celebrated feat weaves together historical, political, and personal backdrops, exploring themes of social pressures, prejudice, family, income inequality, and government failure as well as the age-old bondages of caste and gender.

Where is the real Princess in Black? A case of hilarious costume confusion leads some neighborhood trick-or-treaters to discover their inner heroes thanks to the power of a good disguise.It’s a dark and silly night, and Princess Magnolia is wearing her Princess in Black cape and mask over her clothes—just enough to pass as a Halloween costume in a hurry. She can’t wait to go trick-or-treating! This year, Princess in Black costumes are popular, and so are monster disguises, like the little orange guy with horns yelling “GOAT!” as the kids shout “trick or treat!” When the little monster devours an onion, however, along with an eraser and a bar of soap (not to mention a rock), and as he politely asks for a goat at each door, it’s clear to Princess Magnolia that something isn’t quite right. And—oh no—the next house is Duff’s goat shack! With half of her monster-fighting outfit at home, who can come to the poor critters’ rescue? Halloween hijinks meet high-spirited heroics in a special Princess in Black adventure that’s a treat all around.

"An imaginative triumph that will mesmerize readers" —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)With dozens of major awards between them, a revered poet and a versatile artist pool their mastery to sing the praises of an undersea wonder.A graceful bundle of nerves three times as ancient as the dinosaurs, the jellyfish is no fish but a spineless invertebrate without brain, heart, blood, or bones. Inside glass tanks in crowded aquariums, jellies hold visitors rapt with their slow-motion water ballet. Most of the world’s nearly four thousand species emit an otherworldly light, glowing red, yellow, violet, or blue in the underwater dark. Fifty species boast deadly venom, including pink meanies with boa-like tentacles, box jellies with two-dozen eyes apiece, and deadliest of all, cubozoans the size of human thumbnails. Coretta Scott King Award–winning author Carole Boston Weatherford brings poetry and playfulness to natural science as she shares her fascination with a singular creature. Fourteen wildly divergent poems—by turns dramatic and serene—pulse with life. From spreads of shimmering bioluminescence to graphic panels, stylish artwork blends poetry with science and fact with folklore and myth to form the ideal introduction to the “immortal” and mysterious jellyfish.

This poignant and sensitively illustrated picture book captures the maelstrom of emotions that arise when a friendship has run its course.A young girl’s stomach dips when she passes the house where her best friend once lived. The friend hasn’t moved away, but she may as well have. The girls used to walk to school together. They liked the same things. They fought and then made up—until the next time, and the next. But the rotten feelings have piled up, and now the girls avoid each other. Dad says that happens. Friends drift apart. Remembering the fun times helps, and as new bonds bloom, the anger and hurt fade. Illustrated with gentleness and warmth, this honest, moving text evokes an authentically childlike voice to help children master with hope and confidence the complex emotions that come from a changing relationship.

From Newbery Honoree Rajani LaRocca and Caldecott Honoree Cindy Derby comes a luminous picture book about finding beauty in the things that frighten us.Vibhi is scared of the dark. But when she hears a voice one night, speaking softly about being afraid of the light, Vibhi is intrigued. The voice belongs to a shadowy girl named Layla, and Vibhi is determined to help her overcome her fear of the light. As the two meet night after night, they find they have much in common—and that, perhaps, neither the dark nor the light is scary when you’re with a friend. Infused with light, warmth, and wisdom, this beautifully crafted and exquisitely illustrated picture book will soothe small children to sleep and awaken readers of all ages to dream outside the lines.

Did you know that turtles are great singers? Or that trees love to gossip with their fungi friends? Or that fish farts almost started a war? The world around us is full of chatter—it turns out that we just aren’t listening.Did you know that whether humans are paying attention or not, the rest of nature is busy communicating through sound, sight, chemicals, and touch? Crackling with tongue-in-cheek wit and accessible science, this third installment in the Your Hidden Life series offers insights into animal navigation, neurotransmitters, and other hidden messaging. From meteorologist crickets and flirtatious flowers to gossiping trees and rumbling earthworms, from the love songs of turtles to the fish farts that triggered an international incident, this compendium of strange-but-true facts pairs interviews with diverse scientists and bountiful back matter with wisecracks, clever spot art, and scatological delights to keep readers guessing, chortling, and (painlessly) learning. Rally your senses and get ready to eavesdrop! This lively peek into the amazing world of microbes, replete with a kid-pleasing “ick” factor, is chock-full of facts, humor, and fun illustrations. Microbes are everywhere: outside, indoors, on your body, in your body. In fact, only about half of our bodies’ cells are human cells—the rest are microbes. Whether helping people digest their food or using mind-control techniques to lure mice into the path of hungry cats (no, really), microbes form an unseen jungle all around us. Through zany facts, hilarious and sometimes disgusting illustrations, and interviews with experts in their fields, aspiring young scientists (or kids who just want to be grossed out) will discover a hidden world In which your health depends on a myriad of microbes, houseflies get zombified by fungi, and termites are saving the planet one fart at a time. With fun extras, including sidebars, limericks, and even a lesson on how to draw E. coli, this “eww”-worthy treasure trove for kids is an engrossing romp into the microbe drama unfolding where you might least expect it.

Unlikely best pals Shermy and Shake go on a fun road trip, meet a brand-new baby, and spend the weekend at a real sleepaway camp in a season full of adventure and steadfast friendship. Awesome-possum!Shermy takes his time and thinks things through, while his best friend, Shake, likes to jump in with both feet. But like peanut butter and sweet pickles, the two boys go together perfectly. Whether it’s crafting leprechaun traps, going to Camp Hootie Hoot with the Owl Scouts, or tackling the school talent show (Shake wants to perform, but Shermy would prefer to cheer from the audience), they bring out the best in each other—even when things are tough. When Shermy’s dog Wally escapes from the yard, Shake comes running to help Shermy search everywhere. And when Shake is nervous about meeting his new baby sister at the hospital, Shermy shows him how to hold her safely. Humor, worry, and excitement flavor a series of charming adventures in the fourth and final kid’s-eye-view installment of this delightful series.

In her debut as author-illustrator, Neha Rawat offers a story joyfully rooted in Indian traditional culture, sibling love, and multidimensional girlhood. Gauri and her sister, Nandini, are opposites, like sunshine and shade. Gauri is rough and tumble, fond of soccer and skateboarding. Nandini is stylish, gentle, and poised. But one day, while her sister practices Bharatanatyam, Gauri hears Nandini’s ghungroos jingling. Enchanted by the tinkling ankle bells, Gauri must try the dance for herself. As her sister teaches her rhythm, graceful hand movements, and elegant poses, Gauri stomps along . . . but her ghungroos sound jittery and offbeat, her mudra isn’t pretty, and she can’t stay balanced. Soon she despairs of ever dancing as beautifully as her sister. Will Gauri have to give up on her dreams of exploring her more graceful side? Featuring an author’s note about Indian classical dance, this playful picture book debut invites readers to break out of their prescribed roles and experience the joys of working hard on something new.

Loki’s fifth diary in the award-winning comedy series, now featuring doodle-packed stained edgesVinir the elf is staying in Midgard disguised as a school boy. To preserve the peace and prevent him from trying to murder Loki (again), Odin sends the goddess Freyja to pose as Vinir’s guardian. Soon Thor starts receiving mysterious fan mail, Valerie and Georgina start bickering and, worst of all, Hyrrokkin seems to have taken against Loki! It's up to Loki and a suspiciously besotted Vinir to figure out what mischief is afoot…

"A romp with tongue firmly in cheek." —Booklist (starred review)What happens when the Chosen One decides to go on strike? Tassie has always dreamt of a life of adventure and exploration. Instead, she’s stuck in the Citadel under the care of the Chief Steward, well away from any form of danger. When the Wisest of the Wise Witches comes to visit and proclaims her the Chosen One, destined to save her people from death and destruction, Tassie realizes why she’s spent her life under lock and key—in order to fulfill a prophecy. Can she refuse the role and find an alternative? Along with her best friend, a griffin named Spin, she embarks on a hilarious epic quest through magical lands in a race against time.

Discover the incredible story of how the world came together to create an orbiting laboratory in space in this absorbing book energized by striking, stylish illustrations. On a clear night, if you’re lucky, you can look up at the sky and spot what looks like a star moving very fast. It is hard to fathom, but this is actually the International Space Station, traveling at twenty times the speed of sound, circling the earth once every ninety minutes. One of humankind’s greatest inventions for exploring and living in space, the ISS is packed with some of the most technologically sophisticated equipment and facilities ever invented. In this follow-up to Curiosity: The Story of a Mars Rover, readers learn how the ISS was launched piece by piece and constructed in orbit; how astronauts live on the station (playing music in zero gravity, running marathons, reading to children on Earth); and how the groundbreaking experiments conducted onboard are changing life on our planet. This compelling picture book celebrates the wonders of space while reminding us that when we work together, there is no limit to how far we can go.

"A delightful fantasy told with tenderness and wonder." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)A modern classic in the making, this magical new series, beautifully illustrated in black and white, is perfect for fans of adventure stories and secret worlds hidden within our own.While hunting for a time capsule that his grandma buried in the woods years ago, Max never expects to discover the home of a small magical creature. Nor does he expect that magical creature to have an extensive collection of lost items, all cataloged and labeled. Yet this is how he meets Tuftorious Snook, collector of lost objects, and just one of the many Finders living in Silverthorn Forest. Thrilled by his discovery, Max can't wait to find out more about these extraordinary creatures. But when he accidentally breaks the most important rule – never steal – he's banished from their home. But with the woods under threat, can Max somehow find a way to save Tuft and the other Finders before it's too late?

Coming to find you, ready or not! The first title in a brand new middle-grade horror series by the award-winning author Christopher Edge.Nobody knows who started the Darkive. It's a database filled with first-hand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences. Ghosts; paranormal entities; weird anomalies. Each one is stored with a bank of evidence to prove the story. Are you ready to dive in? Adam didn't think his summer holiday could get any worse. His camping trip with his best friend, Sol, seems to be doomed. They've been arguing, and now they find themselves in a strange, abandoned town, where they are told to take part in a game of hide-and-seek. But the rules are hard to follow. And who, or what, are they hiding from?

"Achingly tender and leavened with hope." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)Regan has two rules: Don’t fall in love. Don’t have hope. In a world where everyone knows the date they will die, wild-child Regan works at a luxury resort as a “Juliet” for the Romeo & Juliet Service, promising to provide the illusion of star-crossed romance to rich boys on end-of-life retreats. She gets to live life on the edge—skydiving, partying, and doing a host of other people’s bucket-list thrills—then moves on to her next client. But when world-famous Death Date researchers the Dalys arrive, she’s tasked with her hardest client yet, their overachieving, stone-faced son. Jude Daly sees right through the setup—he thinks she’s a parasite, and, frankly, she thinks he’s an entitled jerk. They agree to fake romance for the sake of Jude’s parents and Regan’s job, but as contempt turns into something else, will Regan ignore her ironclad rules so she and Jude can take on Fate together? Or will his impending Death Date catch up with them first? A compelling and heartbreaking twist on Romeo and Juliet, in which Regan realizes she might have to stop living like today is her last—and start living like it isn’t.

From the ocean’s depths to a boat’s deck to the spacecraft Voyager, join best-selling author Nicola Davies and award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup in celebrating the beauty and power of the humpback whale and its mysterious song. The music of our aquatic neighbors, humpback whales, echoes through the ocean depths, stringing sounds together like beads on a necklace. With their whoops and wails, roars and whistles, the whales listen and learn, copying the distinctive patterns from one another—before making their own unique additions and spreading new songs across the seas. Follow the lyrical story of one whale’s spectacular song, at once mysterious and majestic, as it traverses the world’s oceans. A note from the author describes the first time she was able to hear the humpback song in the wild, while an end note offers further details on how the whales’ song is shared.

Big-thinking Sama loves coding, but is she skilled enough to fit in at Tech Club? This is a playful and STEM-rich story inspired by the real life of its seventeen-year-old author.Sama’s starting middle school! Maybe Tech Club will be a good place to fit in. She’s into solving problems, building clever machines, and collecting beautiful data, plus her friend Nancy has given her a cool book on coding. But everyone at Tech Club is already so good at coding—will Sama’s contributions be enough for her to be included in the Code Crusher championship? Sama proposes a project to help a stressed-out bus driver develop a time-saving route, but the club leader thinks the coding isn’t complex enough. When Sama befriends new neighbor Zoe (who built her own hovercraft!), however, the two girls inspire each other, and soon Sama bounces back with a bunny-based board game that teaches kids how to code while having fun. Could this game be the key to getting to the championship? Precise coding vocabulary and examples are woven seamlessly into this lively story, based on the real-life computer science adventures of its author, young tech entrepreneur Samaira Mehta.

Puns and pratfalls abound when the Fastest Feathers Race gets off and running in this hilarious follow-up to the first Marty Moose story about an earnest mailmouse and his excitable bunny sidekick.Normally, the dutiful mouse named Marty Moose would be swinging his mailbag over his shoulder to start his delivery rounds, but today is not a normal day—the post office is closed for the Little Ditch Fastest Feather Race! Even though competitors are birds only, with Betty Beaker the clear favorite, Marty and half of Little Ditch await eagerly on the sidelines. But right before the race begins, Marty is tasked with retrieving the misdelivered race prize (a ridiculously heavy golden egg) and getting it back to the finish line before the runners return. Panicking postcards! As their feathered friends squawk out of the gate, Marty and his loyal, loopy rabbit pal Nibbles must set off on a madcap race of their own, braving a perilous tree climb (thwack!), crawling under a blinding fog, crossing paths with a stream of racers, and falling into the clutches of a gang of ferret bandits that are cleverly disguised as ducks . . . As fast-paced and comical as the avian runners, this lighthearted romp is bound to satisfy fans of Marty Moose and new readers alike.

From an award-winning storyteller comes a sweeping historical tale of honor, star-crossed lovers, and loyalty, set during the violent Viking invasion of York, England Tor is the youngest son of the mighty king of Norway, whose prowess is the stuff of legend and whose hundreds of ships and thousands of Vikings are now set to invade the great city of York, England. Eager to prove himself, Tor is sent ahead to scout, using his charm and guile to gather information. Meanwhile, in an Anglo-Saxon village south of the city, Kata yearns for something beyond her small world of planting and harvesting. When Kata and Tor meet, their hearts are set alight. As the eve of battle draws closer, fear, resentment, and prejudice swell; Tor watches the cruelty of his beloved kinsmen as they advance toward the city while the local earls descend into unscrupulous political machinations. Caught in the middle, Kata and Tor must question everything they thought they knew about fate, choice, and belonging. Where do their loyalties lie—heart or home? Love, military strategy, and a lush historical setting are woven into this passionate and painstakingly researched tale.