Eleanor Hodgman Porter

Calderwell had met Mr. M. J. Arkwright in London through a common friend; since then they had tramped half over Europe together in a comradeship that was as delightful as it was unusual. As Calderwell put it in a letter to his sister, Belle:...

Optimism often fades to cynicism as children mature into adults. When we last saw Pollyanna, in an eponymous book, she had become paralyzed after a nasty fall and it looked like she could very likely grow bitter under the circumstances. In Pollyanna Grows Up even the healing of her crippled legs and opportunity to travel to Europe don’t guarantee happiness. Growing up she faces times both good and bad.

"I, Bertram, take thee, Billy," chanted the white-robed clergyman.

An abridged version of the tale of orphaned, eleven-year-old Pollyanna, who comes to live with austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, bringing happiness to her aunt and other members of the community through her philosophy of gladness. Pollyanna knows the secret to finding a smile -- even when really bad things happen. From the moment she arrives in Beldingsville, she shares her Glad Game with everyone around her. But the person who needs Pollyanna's help the most doesn't want it. - Publisher.

Award-winning author Tim Lebbon takes fantasy to new heights in his thrilling new epic as unlikely allies struggle to keep the light of hope burning against a tide of unending darkness...Noreela teeters on the brink of destruction, but at its center pulses a magic grown stroner than ever before. Now the Mages have raised an army of terrifying warriorsand unstoppable war machins. Their goal: the annihilation of all Noreela through a reign of bloodhsed and death unlike any ever imagined.But Noreela's last survivors will not go quietyly into the never-ending darkness. One man will lead a desperate band of rebels, including a witch, a fledge miner, and a dreaming librarian. For an ancient prophecy predicts that the future of magic will emerge in a child still unborn--if only our heroes can stay alive until dawn.From the Trade Paperback edition.

Mary Marie tells her story, initially through the eyes of pre-teen through 16. In some ways mature, in others one might think very child-like for the age she was. There is definite charm in her honest innocence. It is a redemptive story. A portrait of her parents, as well as those who influenced her parents lives - and thusly her own. In the end, however we may disagree with some of it all, we are relieved that eventually she escapes a pitfall herself. And one can believe (: it is a realistic hope that her marriage will end up with a happily-ever-after after all, as they achieve a healthy balance between the practical and the enchanting. Fair Warning: Very involved with aspects of both divorce and reconciliation.