The story of a mature bushbaby named Lucy, who lives in an exotic animal collection in New York, meets a lost baby otter shrew named Jafar, who is a very long way from home! He lives in Uganda, Lucy has no idea where that is. Jafar is quite young and scared now that he is so far from home. But Lucy promises to get him back to his home, no matter what it takes. There is quite a bit of turbulence though. But Lucy made a promise already and she plans to keep that promise. So once she springs him loose, they are off on their way to Africa! It is a land far away and it takes several months to get there. In the meantime, Jafar is growing up in size, but not in spirit. He wants Lucy to stay with him forever. Lucy cannot do it, but after a while she relents. But is not happy. Find out what happens in this harrowing tale of two friends. One is trying to help the other, and the other just wants to be a little bit selfish. So will Jafar really grow up and learn to fend for himself?

Growing Up is Hard to Do, yet there are very few comprehensive “how to” manuals for young people, to help them negotiate and understand what momentous changes occur on the winding road between infancy and adulthood. In this helpful, highly readable manual, Dr. Spence, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, with further sub-specialty training in Pediatric Gynecology, examines each stage of development, pointing out the many difficulties that may be encountered along the way. He tackles the issues head-on: conception, the early years, off to school with potential bullying, childhood sexual abuse and what happens during puberty. In warm, empathetic, and accessible language, concerns like sex, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and gender issues are discussed. In addition, he delves into subjects such as smoking, alcohol, marijuana, illegal drug use and the risks of the Internet and teenage driving. Nutrition, obesity, anorexia and exercise are highlighted. The last chapter comments on the value of completing one’s education and choosing an appropriate career. In treating young people for over forty years, Dr. Spence has seen many teenagers and their families suffer the tragic consequences of poor or uninformed choices. He wrote Growing Up is Hard to Do to provide honest, unfiltered information in the hope of helping young readers avoid many of the “potholes” of early life. Though the book is written specifically for young people negotiating growing up, parents, caregivers and teachers will also find it very helpful in providing information and context for further discussion.

"If the Mountain Were Smooth" tells the story of a troubled twenty-year-old trying to find herself in New York City. In the midst of a troubling scandal, involving high-level military personnel and civil rights, Gabby must make difficult decisions that will affect not only her life, but the lives of those around her. This fast-paced, emotion-driven novel pulls at the hearts of readers.

Waking Up Is Hard To Do is a poetic journal in which the author, James Valentic, writes to, at times, and at other times, about his Lord, his wife, and other relationships as well. In this book, you'll find poems relating to his faith, his at times turbulent marriage to his best freind, Sharon and a spotlight on some difficult strongholds James has had to overcome in the waking up of his heart and soul to his patient God, and his longsuffering wife, and his blessings and responsibilities as a believer in Christ, a husband, and a father. Throughout is a recurring theme of spiritual, mental, and emotional renewal and laying hold of the promises of God in Christ Jesus.

One of the most popular songs in music history becomes one of the most delightful children's books ever. Rise and shine! It's morning time. The alarm clock's ringing, the birds are singing. Everything's saying: get up, get going! Breakfast is warming, school is calling. The street's are bustling, all the world is stirring. It's sure to be a happy day with this bright and sunny picture book, with new lyrics based on the hit song by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Daniel Miyares's delightful art opens the eyes with its vivid colors, playful details, and adorable collection of animal characters. Warm and friendly and full of fun, this is a musical and visual celebration of the everyday joys of home, family, and neighborhood.

DIVDIVAt the height of the Cold War, a dead woman turns up in a bomb shelter/divDIV Black River Falls used to be a boring small town, but at the pinnacle of the Cuban Missile Crisis, nowhere in America can be boring anymore. As the country awaits nuclear annihilation, Iowa gubernatorial favorite Ross Murdoch has a crisis of his own: There is a dead woman in his bomb shelter./divDIV Murdoch tells his lawyer, Sam McCain, that the corpse was planted there by his enemies in the local police force, and begs McCain to clear his name before Election Day. The dead woman was mistress to four of the town’s most powerful men—any of whom might have wanted her dead. As the nation’s nuclear paranoia reaches a fever pitch, McCain searches for a killer and learns that there are certain kinds of disaster for which even the finest bomb shelter is no match./divDIV/div/div

A film archetype as old as film itself, the man-child has been an enduring comedy subject. Classics as diverse as Hail the Conquering Hero (1944) and The Apartment (1960) have used the immature male to drive plots and press the importance of growing up. But he was not born fully formed--it took the shifting social norms of decades to mold the atrocious behavior of the puerile buffoon we know today. The man-child has come under scrutiny in recent years. Prominent writers, including David Denby and A.O. Scott, have criticized the modern comedian behaving in shamelessly childish ways. This book provides a comprehensive examination of the character of the man-child, from Andre Deed, who debuted on screen in 1901, to Seth Rogen. The author discusses changing cultural attitudes about maturity, what it means to be an adult, what it means to be a child and how those things are becoming increasingly confused.

These poems speak for themselves. The writer has been mindful of the tale that George Bernard Shaw made certain that whatever he wrote be understandable to his valet. The poems written herein make no effort to be obtuse, elitist, mysterious or otherwise opague. Poetry is blessed with so many advantages, it requires merely a simple rendition of the thoughts that occur. It places no other burdens on the poet. These poems recount the unique passage through life of one man.

"This book aids entering college students - and the people who support college students - in navigating college successfully. In an environment of information overload, where bad advice abounds, this book offers readers practical tips and guidance. The up-to-date recommendations in this book are based upon real students, sound social science research, and the collective experiences of faculty, lecturers, advisors, and student support staff. The central thesis of the book is that the transition to adulthood is a complex process, and college is pivotal to this experience. This book seeks to help young people navigate the college process. The student stories in this book highlight how the challenges that college students can encounter vary in important ways based on demographics and social backgrounds. Despite these varied backgrounds, getting invested in the community is crucial for college success, for all students. Universities have many resources available, but students need to learn when to access which resources and how best to engage with people serving students through different roles and with distinct expertise. There is no single template for student success. Yet, this book highlights common issues that many students face and provides science-based advice for how to navigate college. Each chapter is geared toward college students with a focus on the life stage that many entering college students are in: emerging adulthood. In addition to the student-focused chapters, the book includes an appendix for parents and for academics, along with supplemental website materials of instructional activities related to the content of the book."--