The Stars Shine Bright


Book Description

FBI Special Agent Raleigh Harmon novels always bring edge-of-your-seat suspense. After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Raleigh is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life. Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who’s fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger—and more sinister—is ruining Emerald Meadows. She’s never felt more alone. Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can’t turn to her family for support. They’re off-limits while she’s undercover, and her mother isn’t speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh’s fiancé wants them to begin their life together—now—precisely when she’s been ordered not to be herself. With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who’s behind the track’s trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiancé will make things better—or worse. Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she’s faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright. Gripping suspense The Raleigh Harmon novels are best enjoyed in order, but can also be read as standalones: Book 1: The Stones Cry Out Book 2: The Rivers Run Dry Book 3: The Clouds Roll Away Book 4: The Mountains Bow Down Book 5: The Stars Shine Bright Book length: approximately 110,000 words Includes discussion questions for book clubs




Shine Bright


Book Description

American pop music is arguably this country’s greatest cultural contribution to the world, and its singular voice and virtuosity were created by a shining thread of Black women geniuses stretching back to the country’s founding. This is their surprising, heartbreaking, soaring story—from “one of the generation’s greatest, most insightful, most nuanced writers in pop culture” (Shea Serrano) “Sparkling . . . the overdue singing of a Black girl’s song, with perfect pitch . . . delicious to read.”—Oprah Daily ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, The Root, Variety, Esquire, The Guardian, Newsweek, Pitchfork, She Reads, Publishers Weekly SHORTLISTED FOR THE PORCHLIGHT BUSINESS BOOK AWARD A weave of biography, criticism, and memoir, Shine Bright is Danyel Smith’s intimate history of Black women’s music as the foundational story of American pop. Smith has been writing this history for more than five years. But as a music fan, and then as an essayist, editor (Vibe, Billboard), and podcast host (Black Girl Songbook), she has been living this history since she was a latchkey kid listening to “Midnight Train to Georgia” on the family stereo. Smith’s detailed narrative begins with Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved woman who sang her poems, and continues through the stories of Mahalia Jackson, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, and Mariah Carey, as well as the under-considered careers of Marilyn McCoo, Deniece Williams, and Jody Watley. Shine Bright is an overdue paean to musical masters whose true stories and genius have been hidden in plain sight—and the book Danyel Smith was born to write.




Shine!


Book Description

Everyone deserves to shine in this sparkling book about a girl who's trying to find her place in the universe--and middle school--from the New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library! Shine on! might be the catchphrase of twelve-year-old Piper's hero--astronaut, astronomer, and television host Nellie Dumont Frisse--but Piper knows the truth: some people are born to shine, and she's just not one of them. That fact has never been clearer than now, when her dad's new job has landed them both at Chumley Prep, a posh private school where everyone seems to be the best at something and where Piper definitely doesn't fit in. Bursting with humor, heart, science, possibilities, and big questions, Shine! is a story about finding your place in the universe--a story about figuring out who you are and who you want to be. BONUS! Science experiment included!




The Light of the Midnight Stars


Book Description

Experience an evocative combination of fantasy, history, and Jewish folklore in this lush and lyrical fairytale-inspired novel from the author of The Sisters of the Winter Wood. Deep in the Hungarian woods, the sacred magic of King Solomon lives on in his descendants. Gathering under the midnight stars, they perform small miracles and none are more gifted than the great Rabbi Isaac and his three daughters. Hannah, bookish and calm, can coax plants to grow even when the weather is bitterly cold. Sarah, defiant and strong, can control the impulsive nature of fire. And Levana, the fey one, can read the path of the stars to decipher their secrets. But darkness is creeping across Europe, threatening the lives of every Jewish person in every village. Each sister will have to make an impossible choice in an effort to survive—and change the fate of their family forever. Praise for The Light of the Midnight Stars: "Storytelling as spellcasting. Rossner has conjured something vivid and wild and true."—Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies "Rossner creates a lush, immersive world through which the sprawling plot meanders, punctuated by moments of intense grief. The result is as lovely as it is heartbreaking." —Publishers Weekly "Rossner's tale is as lyrical as the slow growth of roots, the quick dance of fire, and the stately procession of the stars. Blending folktale with history, hope with tragedy, its touch will linger on your heart long after you put it down."—Marie Brennan For more from Rena Rossner, check out The Sisters of the Winter Wood.




Little Star


Book Description

Little Star always wanted to be a wishing star for little boys and girls. He becomes very special after mother superior gives him some light to fall out of the sky and wished upon by two little boys. He becomes their special wishing star.




The Special Little Star


Book Description

A small star, shining brightly in the heavens, is dreaming some very big Christmas dreams. And when joy and happiness enter the world in the form of a tiny baby boy, this special little star may just see his dreams come true!




The Little Star


Book Description

Will The Little Star rise to the occasion?




The Tiny Star


Book Description

A beautiful and gentle story about life and death from beloved author Mem Fox, illustrated by rising star Freya Blackwood; its star imagery, and sense of rebirth make it a perfect choice for the holiday season. In this touching and timeless story, a star falls to earth where it becomes a baby and is embraced and cared for by the community. Renowned author Mem Fox's tender text about the journey of life is beautifully rendered by Freya Blackwood whose luminous illustrations capture the warmth and complexity of growing up. This a unique and moving story to be cherished by all ages and shared for generations to come. "Mem Fox's books are like a warm blanket; they have a way of making the world seem a little cosier." --Sunday Age (Australia)




Hope Shines Bright


Book Description

Hope Shines Bright is a story of a little star who could not shine as brightly as her friends. Because of this, she was made fun of and bullied by stars who were brighter than she. It is with the help of Faith, an angel friend, that she learns how to patiently wait for God to show her the purpose He had in mind for Hope. She would shine like never before and for a very special occassion. She hand "Saved her twinkles, every one..." to be used above the place where the Christ Child was born. God often uses the least likely among us to carry out his purpose. This is a very important lesson for adults and children. We must always look deeper and realize that God can use us all. Faith, Hope and understanding can be taught with the use of this beautifully illustrated book. Children and adults will love the story.




Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, I Know Exactly What You Are


Book Description

Two siblings going to bed describe what stars really are--giant balls of hot, dense gas millions of miles from the Earth--in a book that examines constellations, atmospheric turbulence, and black holes.