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This hair-raising collection presents some of Edgar Allan Poe's most ingenious and gripping tales, notably "The Tell-Tale Heart," in which the guilt-ridden narrator recounts his compulsion to commit murder. Other captivating stories include "The Fall of the House of Usher," concerning a most unnerving visit to the home of an old friend; "The Cask of Amontillado," a parable of an attempt at revenge that goes way too far; "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," the forerunner of modern detective fiction, starring a sleuth even cleverer than Sherlock Holmes; and other riveting yarns: "The Pit and the Pendulum," "Ligeia," "William Wilson," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Black Cat," and "The Purloined Letter." Lovers of strange and mind-bending fiction will delight in these classic tales by Poe, the creator of the American Gothic horror story and one of the greatest masters of suspense.

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Among the most popular children's books ever written, The Jungle Book (1894) comprises a series of stories about Mowgli, a boy raised in the jungle by a family of wolves after a tiger has attacked and driven off his parents. Threatened throughout much of his young life by the dreaded tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli is protected by his adoptive family and learns the lore of the jungle from Baloo, a sleepy brown bear, and Bagheera, the black panther.Subtle lessons in justice, loyalty, and tribal law pervade these imaginative tales, recounted by a master storyteller with a special talent for entertaining audiences of all ages. Included are such tales as «Rikki-tikki-tavi,» a story about a brave mongoose and his battle with the deadly cobra Nag; Mowgli's abduction by the monkey people; and «Toomai of the Elephants,» in which a young boy witnesses a secret ritual and is honored by his tribesmen.This inexpensive, unabridged edition of The Jungle Book promises to enchant a new generation of young readers, as it recalls to their elders the pleasure of reading or hearing these stories for the first time.

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Rejected by her embittered mother and scorned by her classmates, Elnora Comstock seeks consolation in nature amid the wilds of eastern Indiana's Limberlost Swamp. Teeming with danger as well as beauty, the vast marshland offers Elnora an unexpected way to build a better life.Gene Stratton-Porter's A Girl of the Limberlost has captivated readers since its initial appearance in 1909. Its realistic characters are headed by an intelligent, independent heroine who has served as a positive role model for generations. Its portrait of Elnora's blossoming friendship with a young man who shares her joy in nature depicts a pure romance, rooted in shared interests and mutual respect. Written by a popular Midwestern author of the early twentieth century, this is a book to cherish.

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Teeming with monsters, magic, and adventure, this captivating children's classic by one of America's greatest writers retells six legendary tales of incredible warriors and evil creatures.Using a fictional narrator who tells engrossing stories to his young relatives on quiet hillsides, in secluded vales, and other attractive settings, Nathaniel Hawthorne draws his readers into the imaginative and ancient world of Greek mythology. There, they meet King Midas, the man with an unusual power, in «The Golden Touch»; Hercules, the legendary hero and strongman, in «The Three Golden Apples»; cruel witches with snakes for hair, in «The Gorgon's Head»; and «The Chimaera,» a monster that is part lion, part goat, and part snake. An enchanting account of Pandora and an enticing box is recounted in «The Paradise of Children,» while «The Miraculous Pitcher» tells a heartwarming tale about the rewards of hospitality and goodness.An excellent way to acquaint youngsters with a number of classical heroes and evil-doers, A Wonder Book will enchant readers of all ages.

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Charles Lamb, a distinguished English essayist, collaborated with his sister, Mary, to create enthralling prose retellings for young readers of some of Shakespeare's most beloved works. This selection from their 1807 publications features The Tempest;  A Midsummer Night's Dream; As You Like It; The Merchant of Venice; King Lear; Macbeth; The Taming of the Shrew; Romeo and Juliet; Hamlet; and Othello."What these tales shall have been to the young readers," Charles Lamb wrote, «that and much more it is the writers' wish that the true plays of Shakespeare may prove to them in older years — enrichers of the fancy, strengtheners of virtue, a withdrawing from all selfish and mercenary thoughts, a lesson of all sweet and honorable thoughts and actions. To teach courtesy, benignity, generosity, humanity: for of examples, teaching these virtues, his pages are full.»Simple and compelling, these vibrant retellings of the great playwright's timeless tales will undoubtedly charm readers of all ages.

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After days of being tossed and battered by a raging storm, the ship on which the narrator, his wife, and their four sons are passengers smashes against a reef — and the last lifeboat pulls away without them. Next morning, the intrepid, loving little family finds itself cast away on an uninhabited island. Never losing hope, they retrieve what they can from the ship and construct a life for themselves through their own resourcefulness — building a tree house, finding such foods as coconuts, sugarcane, honey, and potatoes, and securing themselves against danger. Adventure follows adventure as they explore the island, encounter wild birds and terrifying animals, plant crops, build sturdier shelters, and settle in for a long stay. Although there are many hardships, the family lives in peace and harmony, and even rescues a girl who was stranded on a nearby island.Johann David Wyss (1743-1818), a pastor in Bern Switzerland, after observing how enthralled his four sons were by the story of Robinson Crusoe, decided to create his own Robinson — a Swiss one, with a family just like his own — in order to entertain and instruct the boys. Many years later, his son Johann Rudolf Wyss, who had become a librarian and a professor of philosophy, convinced his father to allow him to complete and edit the charming story, which was published for the first time in 1813.Long a favorite of children and young adults, this thrilling account of a family’s struggle against overwhelming odds retains a lasting appeal for readers who admire the family’s loving spirit and the enterprising manner in which they prevail. Featuring the best English-language adaptation — done by William H. G. Kingston in 1889 — this unabridged edition of the immensely popular tale is sure to enthrall a new generation of readers.

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This gripping, fast-paced book tells the dramatic story of the epic 1839 voyage of the schooner Amistad and her cargo of Africans bound for slavery in the New World. Under the leadership of Cinque, a young African farmer, the Africans revolt and seize the ship. They start for home, but instead of reaching Africa, they wind up in New England. The story of these events and the resulting trial of the captured Africans was front-page news at the time. Were they rebellious slaves and mutineers — «property» that must rightfully be returned to its owners — or honest men and women trying to regain their freedom?James W. Ivy, editor of the NAACP's official publication, The Crisis, commented at the time of the book's release, «Sterne has written a terse tale of great power. She presents her scenes with force and color and scrupulous sense of character.» The subject of a critically acclaimed motion picture, Amistad (1997), the story of the Amistad is retold here — by a well-known author of books and plays for young people — in an exciting, readable style that will thrill young readers with its «you-are-there» flavor, authentic recreation of the facts, and accurate, and dignified portrayal of the central characters.

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Escape to the idyllic charms of Sherwood Forest and join in the jolly fellowship of the greenwood with these rollicking tales featuring one of the world's best-known and most beloved outlaws. Meet Robin Hood and his loyal circle of merry men, a lovely crowd of fun-loving freebooters, whose dashing exploits and daring maneuvers have been celebrated in story and song for over 800 years.The legend begins with the transformation of young Robert Fitzooth, rightful heir to the earldom of Huntington, into Robin Hood — peerless archer, gentleman robber, and friend to the unfortunate. A spirited series of vignettes recounts the entry of each of the famous merry men into the brotherhood of the forest. Thrilling episodes include a vigorous exchange with Little John upon the right-of-way to a footbridge, the bold rescue of Allan-a-Dale's bride, and a forceful midstream encounter with Friar Tuck. The colorful cast features such celebrated characters as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham, faithful Maid Marian, and noble King Richard the Lionhearted.Redolent with adventure and romance, the immortal adventures of Robin Hood will delight readers of every age and fancy.

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In this much-loved children's classic first published in 1906, the comfortable lives of three well-mannered siblings are greatly altered when, one evening, two men arrive at the house and take their father away. With the family's fortunes considerably reduced in his absence, the children and their mother are forced to live in a simple country cottage near a railway station. There the young trio — Roberta, Peter, and young Phyllis — befriend the porter and station master.The youngsters' days are filled with adventure and excitement, including their successful attempt to avert a horrible train disaster; but the mysterious disappearance of their father continues to haunt them.The solution to that painful puzzle and many other details and events of the children's lives come to vivid life in this perennial favorite, a story that has captivated generations of readers and, more recently, delighted television and movie audiences. In this inexpensive, unabridged edition, it will charm a whole new audience of young readers with its warmth and appeal.

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Peter Pan — a little boy who doesn't want to grow up — has run off to Never-Never Land where he becomes the leader of a wild tribe of Lost Boys. This amazing fantasy land is also home to Tinker Bell the fairy, the Indian princess Tiger Lily, and a ragtag band of pirates led by Peter's longtime enemy, Captain Hook.Somewhere along the way, Peter manages to lose his shadow, and while searching for it, meets the Darling children — who immediately become his friends. After a quick lesson in flying, they're all off to Never-Never Land and one thrilling adventure after another.Over the years, James M. Barrie's delightful tale, made even more familiar through Broadway plays, television, and motion pictures, has charmed generations of youngsters. This complete, unabridged edition promises to captivate countless new readers with its timeless appeal.

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