Short For Teens

On the night before her Choosing, there were whispers of war in the air. After binding herself to Clarent, Opal is given a grim prophecy of her future. Alone and ostracized from her clan, she finds an unlikely ally in the sorceresses' leader, Joan. Joan is the reason the Sorceress clan wants to attack. She's prophesied to pull Excalibur from its stone. But her clan wants its powers for a darker purpose. They have to band together to stop the Sorceress clan's invasion. Excalibur is on their side, but they’re outnumbered five to one. Can Opal escape this war unscathed?

Filo's got girl problems! But at least they won't track him down at the Show, where he's working on his uncle's show-bag stall. Or will they? And talking about disappearing, what's happened to his Uncle Mike?

Jonathan is attracted to the ornate mirror from the first moment he sees it in the antique shop where he works after school. But there is something wrong with the mirror, something evil - as Jonathan will discover after he accidentally gets a trace of his blood on its surface in this disturbing tale of terror.

In Aunt Cyrilla's Christmas Basket, Lucy Rose tries to talk her folksy Aunt Cyrilla out of bringing her big, bulgy, funny-looking basket to the city to deliver Christmas goodies to their relatives in the city. When their train is stranded during a snow storm, Aunt Cyrilla and her fellow passengers team up to provide a proper Christmas morning for the little ones in their care.

It's Christmas Eve in Ingleside and a family reunion is underway. Old Nanny looks on at all the merriment and is angry that no one has spoken a word about the recently deceased Miss Avis. Unable to bear it any longer Nanny creates a miniature holly wreath to bring to Miss Avis' grave. But shortly after she arrives, she hears footsteps approaching the grave.

The End of the Young Family Feud: A week before Christmas, Aunt Jean wrote to Elizabeth, inviting her and Alberta and me to eat our Christmas dinner at Monkshead. We accepted with delight. Aunt Jean and Uncle Norman were delightful people, and we knew we should have a jolly time at their house.

Out on the prairie, the Joseph family is all astir with concealing their Christmas gifts for one another. But will Santa come this year? After all, the crops had failed this summer and they were on short commons. When their town neighbors, the Ralstons ask to take refuge overnight at the Joseph's on Christmas Eve, they make a shakedown bed in front of the fire. But what will become of the big bundle of gifts they carried in with them?

Clorinda laments being poor around Christmastime to her Aunt Emmy. Emmy remarks that some of the best presents aren't bought and paid for and declines to explain, only asking Clorinda to think it out. When she does this, Clorinda determines to give a little bit of herself in priceless presents to her loved ones near and far.

In Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves, Anne Shirley's guardian Marilla keeps Anne dressed in plain, dark clothes unlike the other girls her age. Matthew Cuthbert, Anne's kindred spirit and sometime benefactor, struggles to figure out how to solve this problem. He overcomes his shyness to ensure that a wonderful, unexpected present is waiting for Anne on Christmas day.

Bertie Ross has a few more deliveries to make for Sampson's store before the New Year's holiday. After a delivery at the Forbes' house, Dr. Forbes' daughters invite cold-looking Bertie in to get warm and ask why he isn't wearing mittens. Explaining that he lent them to his sickly brother William John, the sisters hatch a plan to provide a proper New Year's celebration with the Ross brothers and provide them with a little holiday warmth in the meantime.

Ida Mitchell, a third-year student at the Clifton Academy, is spending the holidays at her boarding-house, unable to go home because her siblings have the measles. Another Ida Mitchell, who is a second-year student at Clifton is also spending the holidays away from home. When a fruit cake intended for Ida is accidentally delivered to the other Ida, third-year Ida can't bring herself to break the truth to second-year Ida, for whom the cake has brightened an otherwise difficult time.

Prissy's Uncle Richard and her father haven't exchanged words in eight years since a property dispute created hard feelings. When Prissy overhears Uncle Richard saying he has to travel for work on New Years' day, she resolves to sneak into his house and cook him a proper holiday dinner. Uncle Richard returns early and catches Prissy in the act. Can Prissy's kind gesture be the beginning of a reconciliation between the brothers?

In the aftermath of Sophie's ordeal, Weston will make some uncharacteristic decisions to distance himself from the past in an attempt to change the future. But, while venturing into the improbable, the present sneaks up in a chilling way that will lead to Wes' unexpected submission. Suddenly, Sophie will find herself watching as both his immortal secret and his own existence are threatened. Continuously intriguing, The Broken Lake takes listeners to a place where eternal bonds confront a division that is sure to leave everyone wondering whom they can trust.

Weston Wilson is not immortal, and he is of this world. But, aging is not part of his existence, and 18-year-old Sophie Slone is determined to find out why. In doing so, she could also uncover something about her own life expectancy that she may not want to know. Suddenly, immortality will mean everything and nothing all at the same time. Intensely fascinating and rich with determination, The Pace brings together romance, mystery, and suspense in a compelling bond that is sure to have readers asking for more.

"You're a useless lump, Boxer. You'd forget your own head if it wasn't screwed on." With that sort of grief, why should Boxer stay around? He hates the new school. He's scored another detention. So what? Who cares anyway? He's not coming back. Ever.

Fall into a world of wonder as it feels like you are standing right beside the character. From sprinting away from hoards of green-glowing skeletons to a simple kiss that could sweep you off your feet. Feel the goosebumps on your arms as you hear the deafening sound of doom walking towards you. This short story collection offers a variety of unknown worlds to humankind.

A solar eclipse sends a couple of teens hurtling through time, as they find themselves several centuries in the past. Without the slightest of clues as to what had allowed the impossible to happen, Cameron and his companion struggle to survive in a dangerous world, while working toward piecing together the time-traveling puzzle back to their time. Does the pair of spoiled brats have what it takes to not only survive but work together to get back to the year 2020?

A young prince, heir to the Tiego throne is approached by a sorcerer. The odd fellow presents the prince with a solution to his dilemma but for what seems like a measly price. Has anyone ever known life to be so convenient? Is Prince Majes truly willing to relinquish his title for love?

Tales about sticky confectionary, talking fish, restless gargoyles, mysterious magical eggs in the depths of space, a reasonable giant rat, worlds made with words, and worlds drowned in rivers of chocolate.... For teenagers and children. (Some suitable for adults as well.)

A collection of original Christmas short stories and three retellings.