Understanding Colonial Handwriting, Stryker-Rodda Harriet

Beckoning music, gleaming horses, the lure of the carousel. Cecilia says merry-go-rounds are for little kids, but Jo feels there's something mysterious and not at all childish about the carousel that has appeared overnight in Marley Street. there's something odd about the beckoning music, something strange about the gleaming horses. And why are certain people able to gain entrance to the carousel while others - try as they will - have to give up and turn away? Jo feels she must try to get in. She must buy a ticket - but will she be leading herself and Cecilia into danger?

Ages 9+

Pigs can't fly. Can they?

'I wish something would happen!' said Rachel. 'Something interesting!'

Afterwards, she would remember what she'd said and how she'd felt, that rainy Saturday morning, and she would think, 'That was really the beginning, ' and her stomach would give a little jolt, and the tips of her fingers would tingle. But at the time she didn't know what was in store. All she knew was that she was bored. Bored with having a cold and having to stay in bed. Bored with the rain drumming on the roof. If only something unlikely or unexpected would happen for a change. Something exciting - something wonderful.

'Maybe it will!' her father said, 'And pigs might fly!'

Ages: 9+

Fete day has surprises in store for Sam, but are they all a dream! Something very strange is going to happen to Sam. In the spare room, the room with the stained-glass windows, the second-hand clothes hang in rows, stirring sunlight. Sam walks through the rows, brushing velvety sleeves, touching lace. The clothes are to be sold at the school fete on Saturday. They all carry neat price tags. Everything is ready. Sam knows that some of the clothes are Special. Her mother has told her so. But she is soon to find out just how Special they really are. Yes, something very strange is going to happen to Sam this afternoon. Afterwards, she may be very tempted to think it all has been a dream.

Ages 9+