Over 25 hands-on recipes to create robust and highly-efficient cross-platform distributed applications with the Boost.Asio libraryAbout This BookBuild highly efficient distributed applications with easeEnhance your cross-platform network programming skills with one of the most reputable C++ librariesFind solutions to real-world problems related to network programming with ready-to-use recipes using this detailed and practical handbookWho This Book Is ForIf you want to enhance your C++ network programming skills using the Boost.Asio library and understand the theory behind development of distributed applications, this book is just what you need. The prerequisite for this book is experience with general C++11. To get the most from the book and comprehend advanced topics, you will need some background experience in multithreading.What You Will LearnBoost your working knowledge of one of the most reputable C++ networking libraries—Boost.AsioFamiliarize yourself with the basics of TCP and UDP protocolsCreate scalable and highly-efficient client and server applicationsUnderstand the theory behind development of distributed applicationsIncrease the security of your distributed applications by adding SSL supportImplement a HTTP client easilyUse iostreams, scatter-gather buffers, and timersIn DetailStarting with recipes demonstrating the execution of basic Boost.Asio operations, the book goes on to provide ready-to-use implementations of client and server applications from simple synchronous ones to powerful multithreaded scalable solutions. Finally, you are presented with advanced topics such as implementing a chat application, implementing an HTTP client, and adding SSL support. All the samples presented in the book are ready to be used in real projects just out of the box.As well as excellent practical examples, the book also includes extended supportive theoretical material on distributed application design and construction.Style and approachThis book is a set of recipes, each containing the statement and de*ion of a particular practical problem followed by code sample providing the solution to the problem and detailed step-by-step explanation. Recipes are grouped by topic into chapters and ordered by the level of complexity from basic to advanced.

Learn the A to Z of building excellent Splunk applications with the latest techniques using this comprehensive guideAbout This BookThis is the most up-to-date book on Splunk 6.3 for developersGet ahead of being just a Splunk user and start creating custom Splunk applications as per your needsYour one-stop-solution to Splunk application developmentWho This Book Is ForThis book is for those who have some familiarity with Splunk and now want to learn how to develop an efficient Splunk application. Previous experience with Splunk, writing searches, and designing basic dashboards is expected.What You Will LearnImplement a Modular Input and a custom D3 data visualizationCreate a directory structure and set view permissionsCreate a search view and a dashboard view using advanced XML modulesEnhance your application using eventtypes, tags, and macrosPackage a Splunk application using best practicesPublish a Splunk application to the Splunk communityIn DetailSplunk provides a platform that allows you to search data stored on a machine, analyze it, and visualize the analyzed data to make informed decisions. The adoption of Splunk in enterprises is huge, and it has a wide range of customers right from Adobe to Dominos. Using the Splunk platform as a user is one thing, but customizing this platform and creating applications specific to your needs takes more than basic knowledge of the platform.This book will dive into developing Splunk applications that cater to your needs of making sense of data and will let you visualize this data with the help of stunning dashboards.This book includes everything on developing a full-fledged Splunk application right from designing to implementing to publishing. We will design the fundamentals to build a Splunk application and then move on to creating one. During the course of the book, we will cover application data, objects, permissions, and more. After this, we will show you how to enhance the application, including branding, workflows, and enriched data. Views, dashboards, and web frameworks are also covered.This book will showcase everything new in the latest version of Splunk including the latest data models, alert actions, XML forms, various dashboard enhancements, and visualization options (with D3). Finally, we take a look at the latest Splunk cloud applications, advanced integrations, and development as per the latest release.Style and approachThis book is an easy-to-follow guide with lots of tips and tricks to help you master all the concepts necessary to develop and deploy your Splunk applications.

Gear up for a roller-coaster ride into the world of JavaScript and programming with this easy-to-follow, fun, and entertaining project-based guideAbout This BookGet to know the concepts of HTML and CSS to work with JavaScriptExplore the concepts of object-oriented programmingFollow this step-by-step guide on the fundamentals of JavaScript programmingWho This Book Is ForIf you've never written code before or you are completely new to the world of web programming, then this book is the right choice for you. This book is for kids of age 10 years and above and parents who are completely new to the world of programming and want to get introduced to programming.What You Will LearnLearn how to work with Google Developer tools to iterate, debug and profile your codeDevelop a Battleship game using the basic concepts of HTML and CSSGet to know the fundamentals of JavaScript programmingCreate our own version of Pac Man game.Discover the vital concepts of object-oriented programmingIn DetailJavaScript is the most widely-used programming language for web development and that's not all! It has evolved over the years and is now being implemented in an array of environments from websites to robotics. Learning JavaScript will help you see the broader picture of web development.This book will take your imagination to new heights by teaching you how to work with JavaScript from scratch. It will introduce you to HTML and CSS to enhance the appearance of your applications. You’ll then use your skills to build on a cool Battleship game! From there, the book will introduce you to jQuery and show you how you can manipulate the DOM. You’ll get to play with some cool stuff using Canvas and will learn how to make use of Canvas to build a game on the lines of Pacman, only a whole lot cooler! Finally, it will show you a few tricks with OOP to make your code clean and will end with a few road maps on areas you can explore further.Style and approachThis is an easy-to-follow, informative, and fun guide that takes a project-based approach to teaching programming in JavaScript. You will learn everything you need to get started with serious web application development.

Discover how to build iOS and watchOS applications in Swift 2 using XcodeAbout This BookGets you up and running with Swift programming without any prior iOS development experience.A fast paced guide showing best practices and lets you get up to speed with Swift to quickly build your own iOS applicationsA unique practical approach to make your life with Swift easy.Who This Book Is ForAre you interested in learning SwiftDo you want to write iOS applications in SwiftIf yes, then this is the book for you. No prior iOS programming experience is assumed; however, having some experience with any programming language will be beneficial.What You Will LearnDive into Swift and explore its innovative and powerful syntaxWork with Swift in Xcode to get a unique and productive approach to developmentFind out how to create complete iOS applicationsDiscover rapid prototyping with a Swift playgroundGet to know how to use the Swift storyboard to develop multi-page applicationsGet to grips with parsing JSON and XML data from network sourcesBuild a network client for GitHub repositories, with full source code on GitHubIn DetailSwift was considered one of the biggest innovations last year, and certainly with Swift 2 announced at WWDC in 2015, this segment of the developer space will continue to be hot and dominating.This is a fast-paced guide to provide an overview of Swift programming and then walks you through in detail how to write iOS applications. Progress through chapters on custom views, networking, parsing and build a complete application as a Git repository, all by using Swift as the core languageStyle and approachThis fast-paced practical guide will quickly give you hands-on experience with all the features of Swift programming. Following the practical examples in the book will help you successfully create your own iOS applications.

Master BeagleBone programming by doing simple electronics and Internet of Things projectsAbout This BookQuickly develop electronics projects that interact with Internet applications using JavaScript and PythonLearn about electronics components such as sensors and motors, and how to communicate with them by writing programsA step-by-step guide to explore the exciting world of BeagleBone—from connecting BeagleBone to doing electronics projects and creating IoT applicationsWho This Book Is ForIf you want to learn programming on embedded systems with BeagleBone by doing simple electronics projects, this book is for you. This book is also helpful to BeagleBone owners who want to quickly implement small-scale home automation solutions. It is assumed that you have familiarity with C and Python programming. Some familiarity with electronics is helpful but not essential.What You Will LearnConnect your BeagleBone to a computer in different ways and get the Cloud9 IDE running to quick-start programming on the BeagleBoneGet to know about BeagleBone extension pins such as GPIO and how to connect various electronics components with BeagleBoneRead and write to various electronics components such as LED, Push-button, sensors, and motorsGrasp in-depth theory on Analog, PWM, and BUS programming and the electronics components used in programsHandle data to and from various BUS supporting modules such as UART, I2C, and SPI using the Adafruit BBIO Python libraryWrite real-life IoT applications in JavaScript and Python such as shooting an e-mail on overheat and controlling a servo motor remotelyMake use of online free cloud services to store and analyze sensor data collected on the BeagleBoneDiscover what else can be done using the BeagleBoneGet to grips with embedded system BUS communicationIn DetailThe whole world is moving from desktop computers to smartphones and embedded systems. We are moving towards utilizing Internet of Things (IoT). An exponential rise in the demand for embedded systems and programming in the last few years is driving programmers to use embedded development boards such as Beaglebone.BeagleBone is an ultra-small, cost-effective computer that comes with a powerful hardware. It runs a full-fledged Debian Linux OS and provides numerous electronics solutions. BeagleBone is open source and comes with an Ethernet port, which allows you to deploy IoT projects without any additions to the board. It provides plenty of GPIO, Anlaog pins, and UART, I2C, SPI pins which makes it the right choice to perform electronics projects. This gives you all the benefits of Linux kernel such as multitasking, multiusers, and extensive device driver support. This allows you to do programming in many languages including high-level languages such as JavaScript and Python.This book aims to exploit the hardware and software capabilities of BeagleBone to create real-life electronics and IoT applications quickly. It is divided into two parts. The first part covers JavaScript programs. The second part provides electronics projects and IoT applications in Python.First, you will learn to use BeagleBone as tool to write useful applications on embedded systems. Starting with the basics needed to set up BeagleBone and the Cloud9 IDE, this book covers interfacing with various electronics components via simple programs. The electronics theory related to these components is then explained in depth before you use them in a program. Finally, the book helps you create some real-life IoT applications.Style and approachAn easy-to-follow guide full of real-world electronics programs and quick troubleshooting tips using BeagleBone. All the required electronics concepts are explained in detail before using them in a program and all programs are explained in depth. Most of the theory is covered in the first part; while the second part gives you some quick programs.

Over 80 recipes to get up and running with CentOS 7 Linux serverAbout This BookA practical guide to install, configure, administer and maintain CentOS 7 serversAn in-depth guide to the CentOS 7 operating system, exploring its various new features and changes in server administrationPresents tricks and solutions to tackle common server issues with the help of practical examples and real-life scenariosWho This Book Is ForThis book is targeted at beginner and more experienced system administrators alike who want to use CentOS as their server solution. Readers do not need much pre-knowledge or experience at all to work with this book.What You Will LearnInstall and configure CentOS 7 Linux server system from scratch using normal and advanced methodsMaintain a performance-based and secure server solution by deploying expert configuration advice and managing software packagesMonitor, manage and develop your server's file system to maintain a stable performanceGain best practice methods on sharing files and resources through a networkInstall and configure common standard services such as web, mail, FTP, database and domain name server technologiesIntroduce you to the world of operating-system-level virtualization using the Docker platform.Understand the fundamentals of the Security-Enhanced Linux access control architectureMonitor your IT infrastructure using NagiosIn DetailThis book will provide you with a comprehensive series of starting points that will give you direct access to the inner workings of the latest CentOS version 7 and help you trim the learning curve to master your server.You will begin with the installation and basic configuration of CentOS 7, followed by learning how to manage your system, services and software packages. You will then gain an understanding of how to administer the file system, secure access to your server and configure various resource sharing services such as file, printer and DHCP servers across your network. Further on, we cover advanced topics such as FTP services, building your own DNS server, running database servers, and providing mail and web services. Finally, you will get a deep understanding of SELinux and you will learn how to work with Docker operating-system virtualization and how to monitor your IT infrastructure with Nagios.By the end of this book, you will have a fair understanding of all the aspects of configuring, implementing and administering CentOS 7 Linux server and how to put it in control.Style and approachThis book is a practical reference guide with hands-on examples and solutions to real-world administration problems. It covers in-depth and comprehensive information on CentOS 7 and its new features.

Build high-speed and highly scalable telephony systems using OpenSIPSAbout This BookInstall and configure OpenSIPS to authenticate, route, bill, and monitor VoIP callsGain a competitive edge using the most scalable VoIP technologyDiscover the latest features of OpenSIPS with practical examples and case studiesWho This Book Is ForIf you want to understand how to build a SIP provider from scratch using OpenSIPS, then this book is ideal for you. It is beneficial for VoIP providers, large enterprises, and universities. This book will also help readers who were using OpenSER but are now confused with the new OpenSIPS.Telephony and Linux experience will be helpful to get the most out of this book but is not essential. Prior knowledge of OpenSIPS is not assumed.What You Will LearnLearn to prepare and configure a Linux system for OpenSIPSFamiliarise yourself with the installation and configuration of OpenSIPSUnderstand how to set a domain and create users/extensionsConfigure SIP endpoints and make calls between themMake calls to and from the PSTN and create access control lists to authorize callsInstall a graphical user interface to simplify the task of provisioning user and system informationImplement an effective billing system with OpenSIPSMonitor and troubleshoot OpenSIPS to keep it running smoothlyIn DetailOpenSIPS is a multifunctional, multipurpose signalling SIP server. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is nowadays the most important VoIP protocol and OpenSIPS is the open source leader in VoIP platforms based on SIP. OpenSIPS is used to set up SIP Proxy servers. The purpose of these servers is to receive, examine, and classify SIP requests. The whole telecommunication industry is changing to an IP environment, and telephony as we know it today will completely change in less than ten years. SIP is the protocol leading this disruptive revolution and it is one of the main protocols on next generation networks. While a VoIP provider is not the only kind of SIP infrastructure created using OpenSIPS, it is certainly one of the most difficult to implement.This book will give you a competitive edge by helping you to create a SIP infrastructure capable of handling tens of thousands of subscribers.Starting with an introduction to SIP and OpenSIPS, you will begin by installing and configuring OpenSIPS. You will be introduced to OpenSIPS Scripting language and OpenSIPS Routing concepts, followed by comprehensive coverage of Subscriber Management. Next, you will learn to install, configure, and customize the OpenSIPS control panel and explore dialplans and routing. You will discover how to manage the dialog module, accounting, NATTraversal, and other new SIP services. The final chapters of the book are dedicated to troubleshooting tools, SIP security, and advanced scenarios including TCP/TLS support, load balancing, asynchronous processing, and more.A fictional VoIP provider is used to explain OpenSIPS and by the end of the book, you will have a simple but complete system to run a VoIP provider.Style and approachThis book is a step-by-step guide based on the example of a VoIP provider. You will start with OpenSIPS installation and gradually, your knowledge depth will increase.

Automate and control your home using the power of the BeagleBone Black with practical home automation projectsAbout This BookBuild, set up, and develop your circuits via step-by-step tutorial of practical examples, from initial board setup to device driver managementGet access to several kinds of computer peripherals to monitor and control your domestic environment using this guideThis book is spread across 10 chapters all focused on one practical home automation projectWho This Book Is ForThis book is for developers who know how to use BeagleBone and are just above the “beginner” level. If you want to learn to use embedded machine learning capabilities, you should have some experience of creating simple home automation projects.What You Will LearnBuild a CO (and other gas) sensor with a buzzer/LED alarm to signal high concentrationsLog environment data and plot it in a fancy mannerDevelop a simple web interface with a LAMP platformPrepare complex web interfaces in JavaScript and get to know how to stream video data from a webcamUse APIs to get access to a Google Docs account or a WhatsApp/Facebook account to manage a home automation systemAdd custom device drivers to manage an LED with different blinking frequenciesDiscover how to work with electronic components to build small circuitsUse an NFS, temperature sensor, relays, and other peripherals to monitor and control your surroundingsIn DetailBeagleBone is a microboard PC that runs Linux. It can connect to the Internet and can run OSes such as Android and Ubuntu. BeagleBone is used for a variety of different purposes and projects, from simple projects such as building a thermostat to more advanced ones such as home security systems.Packed with real-world examples, this book will provide you with examples of how to connect several sensors and an actuator to the BeagleBone Black. You’ll learn how to give access to them, in order to realize simple-to-complex monitoring and controlling systems that will help you take control of the house. You will also find software examples of implementing web interfaces using the classical PHP/HTML pair with JavaScript, using complex APIs to interact with a Google Docs account, WhatsApp, or Facebook. This guide is an invaluable tutorial if you are planning to use a BeagleBone Black in a home automation project.Style and approachThis step-by-step guide contains several home automation examples that can be used as base projects for tons of other home automation and control systems. Through clear, concise examples based on real-life situations, you will quickly get to grips with the core concepts needed to develop home automation applications with the BeagleBone Black using both the C language and high-level *ing languages such as PHP, Python, and JavaScript.

Welcome to Spencer. Population: 814. It's a backward town—and it's hiding a terrible secret.When Stephen's dad says they're moving, Stephen knows it's pointless to argue. They're broke from paying Mom's hospital bills, and now the only option left is to live with Stephen's grandmother, a woman as bitter and stuck as the town of Spencer itself.Stephen's summer starts looking up when he meets punk girl Cara and her charismatic twin brother, Devon. The twins have family problems of their own and aren't exactly close, but Stephen is drawn to them, each for different reasons. With Cara, he feels safe and understood—and yeah, okay, she's totally hot. In Devon and his group, he sees a chance at making real friends.Only, as the summer presses on, and harmless nights hanging out in the cemetery take a darker turn, Stephen starts to suspect that Devon is less a friend than a leader. And he might be leading them to a very sinister end.Mixing classic horror elements with a darkly funny coming-of-age story, New York Times bestselling author Heather Brewer brings her razor-sharp edge to a story about the dangerous power of belief and the cost of blind loyalty, taking readers to the brink of madness and past the point of no return.

Already an international hit, a sly, sizzling mystery—the first in a sensational crime series—set in the Italian Alps, reminiscent of the works of Andrea Camilleri, Donna Leon, and Henning MankellAfter getting into serious trouble with the wrong people, Deputy Police Chief Rocco Schiavone is exiled to Aosta, a small, touristy alpine town far from his beloved Rome. The sophisticated yet crotchety Roman despises mountains, snow, and the provincial locals as much as he disdains his superiors and their petty rules. But he loves solving crimes.When a mangled body is discovered on a slope above Champoluc, Rocco immediately faces his first challenge—identifying the victim, a complex procedure complicated by his ignorance of the customs, dialect, and history of his new home. Proud and undaunted, Rocco makes his way among the ski runs, mountain huts, and aerial tramways, meeting instructors, alpine guides, the enigmatic folk of Aosta, and a few beautiful locals eager to give him a warm welcome. It won't be easy, this mountain life, especially with a corpse or two in the mix. But then there's nothing that makes Rocco feel more at home than an investigation.An insightful observer of human nature, Antonio Manzini writes with sly humor and a dash of irony, introducing an irresistible hero—a fascinating blend of swagger, machismo, and vulnerability—in a colorful and atmospheric mystery series that is European crime fiction at its best.

The basis for the classic film starring Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman, Saratoga Trunk unfolds the story of Clio Dulaine, an ambitious Creole beauty who more than meets her match in Clint Maroon, a handsome Texan with a head for business -- and an eye for beautiful young women. Together they do battle with Southern gentry and Eastern society, but in their obsession to acquire all they've ever wanted, they fail to realize they already have all they'll ever need -- each other.

Former D.C. cop Leigh Ann Warren is starting a new job and looking forward to a blissful wedded life. But someone is not willing to let her escape so easily -- a lethal adversary with a grudge who's determined to make Leigh Ann pay ... and keep paying.What begins as a series of petty harassments quickly escalates into more serious crimes, as a stranger driven by hate and unburdened by conscience steals Leigh Ann's identity to threaten her extended family. And when her invisible enemy graduates to murder, Leigh Ann realizes that there's only one way to take back her life and stop the terror: She must beat a killer at her own twisted game.

Part mystery, part love story, and part coming-of-age tale in the vein of The Perks of Being a Wallflower and The Spectacular Now.There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, Sam's best friend, Hayden, was dead. And all he left Sam was a playlist of songs and a suicide note: For Sam—listen and you'll understand. To figure out what happened, Sam has to rely on the playlist and his own memory. But the more he listens, the more he realizes that his memory isn't as reliable as he thought. And it might only be by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him that he'll finally be able to piece together his best friend's story. And maybe have a chance to change his own.Playlist for the Dead is an honest and gut-wrenching first novel about loss, rage, what it feels like to outgrow a friendship that's always defined you—and the struggle to redefine yourself. But above all, it's about finding hope when hope seems like the hardest thing to find.

Published to commemorate its 75th anniversary, The World Is Round brings back into print the classic story created by Gertrude Stein and Clement Hurd.Written in her unique prose style, Gertrude Stein's The World Is Round chronicles the adventures of a young girl named Rose—a whimsical tale that delights in wordplay and sound while exploring the ideas of personal identity and individuality. This stunning volume replicates the original 1939 edition to a T, including all of Clement Hurd's original blue-and-white art printed on the rose-pink paper that Stein insisted upon. Also featured here are two essays that provide an inside view to the making of the book. The first, a foreword by Clement Hurd's son, author and illustrator Thacher Hurd, includes previously unpublished photographs and sheds light on a creative family life in Vermont, where his father and mother, author Edith Thacher Hurd, often collaborated on children's books. The second essay, an afterword by Edith Thacher Hurd, takes readers behind the scenes of the making of The World Is Round, including the numerous letters exchanged between Hurd and Stein as well as images of Stein with the real-life Rose and her white poodle, Love.

Discover a new middle grade series full of madcap adventure, mythological creatures, humor, and heart. The world's unlikeliest hero is also its only hope in this spirited tween fantasy debut, perfect for fans of How to Train Your Dragon and The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom.For generations, Finn's family has protected Darkmouth from the fierce magical creatures known as Legends. Now the Legends are plotting a major attack, and it's Finn's turn to defend his hometown. So it's too bad he's the worst Legend Hunter in history.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You comes the touching, unforgettable story of three generations of Irish women faced with the fundamental truths of love, duty, and the unbreakable bond that unites mothers and daughtersEstranged from her mother since she ran away from her rural Irish home as a young woman, Kate swore an oath that she'd always be a friend to her daughter, Sabine. But history has a way of repeating itself, and Kate now faces an ever-widening chasm between herself and her daughter. With Sabine about to make her own journey to Ireland to see her grandmother, Kate is left wondering how they ever made it here, and what she can do to close the gap between them.For Joy, seeing her granddaughter is a dream come true. After the painful separation from Kate, she's looking forward to having time with Sabine. Yet almost as soon as the young woman arrives, the lack of common ground between them deflates her enthusiasm. And when Sabine's impetuous, inquisitive nature forces Joy to face long-buried secrets from her past, she realizes that perhaps it's time to finally heal old wounds.

Get ready to put aside all your calorie counting, appetite suppressing, no-pain-no-gain diets. Cynthia Sass, author of S.A.S.S. Yourself Slim and coauthor of Flat Belly Diet!, introduces the surprising superfood that is the secret to weight loss. Called “pulses,” this unique class of protein-rich carbs (including filling and satisfying lentils, beans, and chickpeas) actually boosts calorie- and fat-burning, whittles away belly fat, prevents snack attacks, and creates long-lasting energy. Plus, they’re gluten free, readily available, and affordable!In Slim Down Now, Cynthia Sass reveals the scientifi cally demonstrated power of pulses, which she has incorporated into a dynamic, fl exible weight-loss plan that focuses on how these supershredders can ultimately transform your body.The 30-day challenge asks you to put aside your usual weight-loss methods and adopt an entirely new approach to food, health, and weight management. You start with the four-day Rapid Pulse, where you make one simple recipe (a pudding!) daily for four days . . . but in those four days, you’ll lose up to 8 pounds! Then, you move on to the Daily Pulse, a 26-day program where you include one serving of pulse each day. Sass’s plan includes a simple DIY meal-building strategy you’ll love, as well as delicious, deprivation-free recipes, including a savory veggie quiche, garlicky shrimp scampi, and even oven-roasted potatoes. In fact, there is an entire chapter on desserts, including mouth-watering brownie bites and mini pumpkin spice muffi ns. The meal plan includes grocery lists and restaurant options and can be followed by gluten-free eaters, vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.?In addition to this new approach to eating, Sass reveals that less exercise rather than more can actually be the key to successful weight loss. Forget feeling pressure to spend hours on an elliptical or at exhausting boot camp classes. With this program, exercise becomes a more organic part of your day, rather than that nagging item on your to-do list. Bonus: you’ll also learn a simple five minute technique that will boost your mood and overall happiness.?Sound too good to be trueWe promise it’s not. Get started today, and see the pounds melt away.

This magical adventure set in an enchanted castle surrounded by thorns tells a tale of the power of memory and story, forgiveness and strength, and the true gifts of craft and imagination. By the acclaimed author of?The Princess Curse?and?Handbook for Dragon Slayers, this original fantasy is perfect for fans of Gail Carson Levine, Karen Cushman, and Shannon Hale.When blacksmith apprentice Sand wakes up in a ruined castle, he has no idea how he got there, but the thorny brambles that surround the walls prevent him from leaving. As he begins to fix up the castle in order to survive, everything he touches somehow works better than it should. Then, as he continues to explore, Sand discovers the castle’s secrets, including its long lost heir, Perrotte. Together they must fully repair the broken castle if they ever want to leave.

There is no better introduction to R.K. Narayan than this remarkable collection of stories celebrating work that spans five decades. Characters include a storyteller whose magical source of tales dries up, a love-stricken husband who is told by astrologers he must sleep with a prostitute to save his dying wife, a pampered child who discovers that his beloved uncle may be an impostor or even a murderer. Standing supreme amid this rich assortment of stories is the title novella. Told by the narrator's grandmother, the tale recounts the adventures of her mother, married at seven and then abandoned, who crosses the subcontinent to extract her husband from the hands of his new wife. Her courage is immense and her will implacable -- but once her mission is completed, her independence vanishes. Gentle irony, wryly drawn characters, and themes at once Indian and universal mark these humane stories, which firmly establish Narayan as one of the world's preeminant storytellers.

Paddington Bear becomes a celebrity when he takes portraits of the Brown family with a very old camera. Thanks to the unique results, a local shop puts the photos on display. And that's just the first adventure this extraordinary bear finds himself in. From wallpapering to mystery-solving, Paddington does it all with the sense of wonder and playful charm that readers have come to love.First published in 1959, More about Paddington is the second novel by Michael Bond chronicling the adventures of this classic character. Paddington has warmed the hearts of generations of readers with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. This brand-new paper-over-board edition of the classic novel contains the original text by Michael Bond and illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.

A collection of thirty-six forty eerie, mysterious, intriguing, and very short stories by the acclaimed authors Stefan Bachmann, Katherine Catmull, Claire LeGrand, and Emma Trevayne. The Cabinet of Curiosities is perfect for fans of Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and anyone who relishes a good creepy tale. Great for reading alone or reading aloud at camp or school!The book features an introduction and commentary by the authors and black-and-white illustrations throughout.