Williwaw Winds is a tale of disaster at sea inspired by the authors sons true story. Jake Bergren, only 16, has a bad attitude as he begins his first-ever crab fishing trip in Alaskan waters. Hes angry: toward his dad for caring more about his sister than about him toward Freddy, the crewman who forever taunts and teases him toward himself for running away from brotherly responsibilities at home toward God for allowing his sister to suffer after her accident When violent winds threaten their fishing boat, Jakes priorities suddenly change. Is he strong enough to help the crew save their boat? Is he brave enough to jump into their tiny life raft? Will they survive the 100-knot winds? Did the Coast Guard hear their May Day call? Will he ever see his family again? An inspiring tale. Keeps you on the edge of your seat as you watch a boy come of age. --Boyd Sutton, Former Editor, The Wisconsin Writers Journal By itself, the tale is a sea story worthy of Jack London, but like The Sea Wolf, there is much more here than a yarn of misadventure there is a depth of spirituality in her writing that isnt heavy-handed or preachy, but serves as a reminder of the grace of God in extremis If there is any failing in Bairs tale, it is that it is far too short a time to spend in Jake Bergrens world. --Rick Olivo, Reporter, The Daily Press, Ashland, Wis.

If you want to know Alaska inside and out, there is no better reference than THE ALASKA ALMANAC.. Updated annually with facts and figures on geography, history, economics, sports, cultures, and people of the Last Frontier, this information-packed volume is a must-have for Alaskans and visitors alike. Celebrating its thirtieth birthday this year, this handy little guide is chock-full of Alaskana, from the beautiful to the bizarre. As always, the wit and wisdom of Mr. Whitekeys continues to delight readers with his wacky-but-true Alaska factoids. Did you know . . . Arctic researchers on the northern tundra have reported up to 9,000 mosquito bites per minute. There are 166,000 moose in Alaska. Each one produces approximately 400 ""moose nuggets"" per day. Alaskans are the second highest per capita consumers of SPAM. in the nation. ""Gold nuggets about Alaska."" -- The Associated Press

In this beautifully illustrated mock-autobiography for middle-grade readers, Wind speaks directly to the reader, telling fascinating stories that show their cultural, historical and technical importance to humans. Make no mistake: Wind is not shy or humble. Wind is violent, impulsive, arrogant and unpredictable — now playing with a kite, then tearing down a forest. With the help of diagrams and fact-filled sidebars, Wind explains what causes the air to move, describes their favorite forms (katabatics, hurricanes, tornadoes) and shows how they influence the landscape (sand dunes, wind power). Readers will come to know the full breadth of Wind's physical, historical and psychological presence. Moving seamlessly between science, history and myth, this book is an engrossing and unique look at an elemental force.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE EDWARD STANFORD ADVENTURE TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR On 1 April 2011, rower and adventurer Sarah Outen set off in her kayak from Tower Bridge for France. Her aim was simple: to circle the globe entirely under her own steam - cycling, kayaking and rowing across Europe, Asia, the Pacific, North America, the Atlantic and eventually home. A year later, Sarah was plucked from the Pacific ocean amid tropical storm Mawar, her boat broken, her spirit even more so. But that wasn't the end. Despite ill health and depression, giving up was not an option. So Sarah set off once more to finish what she had started, becoming the first woman to row solo from Japan to Alaska, as well as the first woman to row the mid-Pacific from West to East. She kayaked the treacherous Aleutian chain and cycled North America, before setting out on the Atlantic, despite the risk of another row-ending storm... Dare to Do is more than an adventure story. It is a story of the kindness of strangers and the spirit of travel; a story of the raw power of nature, of finding love in unexpected places, and of discovering your inner strength. It is about trying and failing, and trying again, and about how, even when all seems lost, you can find yourself.