Cat Life

Tess has always understood her role in her family. She is supposed to be the "okay" one. The one no one has to worry about. But all Tess does is worry, constantly picking at her fingers every time a new worry arises. Still grieving her best friend's death, she is consumed by the fear that everything was her fault and her sadness that Colette is never coming back. When her mom decides a change of location might do her good, Tess finds herself on an airplane bound for her aunt's house in a small town in Wyoming and a summer vacation attending art camp.

When Victoria returns to her childhood home for her twin sister's wedding after decades of a strained relationship with her family, she recalls the devastating trauma of the high school romance that tore her family apart. As a pretty, popular high school sophomore, Victoria discards boys as easily as she finds them, unlike her bookish and brilliant twin. When the senior football captain with a reputation of his own develops an interest in her sister, Victoria becomes wary. She’ll do anything to protect her twin, no matter what the cost.

Every night, while 16-year-old London Lane is asleep, her memory of that day is erased. In the morning, all she can “remember” are events from her future. London is used to relying on reminder notes and a trusted friend to get through the day, but things get complicated when a new boy at school enters the picture.

Willow’s home is in an abandoned mailbox, and she'd rather stay put. Outside, kids scream and soccer balls collide, trees look like monsters, and rain is noisy in a scary kind of way. It's much nicer to stay inside, drawing. But then, a young boy drops a letter in Willow's mailbox: it's a note to the moon asking for a special favor. Willow knows that if she doesn't brave the world outside, the letter will never be delivered and the boy will be heartbroken. Should she try? Can she?

One morning, an old woman brings the little Toymaker a candy tin she played with as a girl. The little Toymaker takes the tin and TA-DA! comes back with a sparkling new toy for the old lady. But it seems that what she truly wants was lost a long time ago. And it will take all the Toymaker's skill, magic, and empathy to bring it back for her.

Astrid has returned to Oceali with only one thing on her mind: revenge. Her sister, Princess Vega, has taken everything from her, in a desperate pursuit of the crown. Astrid could not care less about the crown, but if it will make her sister miserable, she’d gladly take it from her. But at what cost? What else is Astrid willing to sacrifice to make her sister suffer? Her friends? Her life?

Emotions run high when Starlit challenges Hamilton to a race. Hamilton's certain he can't lose, and Starlit's sure she'll win. The characters plan a course that takes the trolls through Hamilton's world. It's an action-packed race. Yet that's when the story takes an unexpected turn.

Hannah and Nat were teenagers when their mum died in a terrible accident. The pain of it tore them apart, creating a rift that they’ve never been able to bridge. Neither is able to understand or appreciate her sister’s perspective, each quick to be riled by the other. Both women have been indelibly shaped by the tragedy. Hannah is controlling, desperate to protect her loved ones in a way she failed to do with her mum. Meanwhile, Nat is forever running from the "selfish daughter" label that she was marked with after the accident.

At first glance Emma and Lucie seem very different, but they share an unspeakable vice. Beautiful, wealthy Emma appears to have it all with a loving husband and a seemingly successful life, but a restless craving has driven her to foolish actions. Meanwhile, young widow Lucie is struggling to make ends meet while coping with a troubled five-year-old.

The stories in Here Until August follow the fates of characters who, by choice or by force, are traveling beyond the boundaries of their known worlds. These are people who move with the seasons. We meet them negotiating reluctant or cowardly departures, navigating uncertain returns, or biding the disquieting calm that so often precedes moments of decisive action.

Rudy is not a very nice rat according to Rosa Raccoon and the other children. He does bad things and says mean stuff and no one wants to play with him. So Hamilton decides to have a talk with Rudy. However, when Rudy Rat sees Hamilton Troll, he gets so afraid he runs off, which clues in Hamilton that Rudy may need a friend more than they thought. Hamilton then encourages the children to put their "PAWS" together for friendship.