This layered story will impact different ages differently. The storyline conveys the gruffness expected from a pirate and his mates, while a repetitive pattern incorporates rich descriptors of pirate life. But when pirate Boris suffers loss, illustrations convey deep sadness even a tough character can feel, and readers understand the importance comforting companions offer.

In this classic, inspiring story based on true events, a girl's loyal Labrador goes blind. Helping him cope becomes the focus of Helen's life. Together they fight the chain that holds him and threatens to break his spirit, until Helen comes up with a solution so new, so daring, there's no way it can fail.

WHAT HAPPENED THIS AFTERNOON IS TOO TERRIBLE TO WRITE. . . . PLEASE, GOD, LET WILL LIVE. AND, PLEASE, GOD, FORGIVE ME. All Will Ames ever wanted to do was farm. But when he's injured in a farm accident, Will is left without a leg -- and without his future. There's no place on a farm for a cripple. And so, after a long winter of healing, Will and his sister Cassie, who blames herself for the acci ...