Welcome to the Hall of Horrors, HorrorLand's Hall of Fame for the truly terrifying.When 11-year-old Steven Sweeney is tricked into drinking a strange mixture of chemicals by his classmates, things begin to get strange. Either his toothbrush is growing, or he is shrinking! Steven has to navigate his way through gigantic dust bunnies, enormous birds, and other once seemingly harmless, everyday items to get to his best friend's house for help. Will he be able to make it through the da...

This short story pulled from Seven American Stories, and originally published in Harper’s in 1930, is a classic of historical fiction.

Clumsy, diffident Dick Mount and clever Maggie Gordon live in isolated clearings in New York’s Mohawk Valley. Both just sixteen, they are young and inexperienced—and unprepared for the tragedies that will befall them. When Dick’s brothers are killed by marauding Indians in the fall of 1777, and Maggie’s father falls desperately ill, they must turn to each other to face the perils of the time.Based on the true story of the Mount boys who were killed by Indians, Wilderness Cleari...

In 1756, New York State was still a British colony, and the French and the Indians were constant threats to young Edward and his family. When his father was called away to watch for a raid from the north, only Edward was left to protect Mama and little Trudy. His father had shown him how to use the huge matchlock gun, an old Spanish gun that was twice as long as he was, but would Edward be able to handle it if trouble actually came?Originally published in 1941, The Matchlock Gu...

Cadmus Henry, mounted on one of the finest mares in Virginia and perfectly turned out from head to toe, dreams of charging intrepidly into battle under the orders of General Lee himself. Unfortunately, young Cadmus can write and is therefore assigned to a desk. But when an unexpected chance to volunteer for scout duty presents itself, Cadmus jumps at it. He learns too late that that, rather than riding into battle and proving himself a hero, he will be floating over enemy lines in a balloo...

This tale from Newbery Medal–winning author Walter D. Edmonds is based on a story found in Lydia Maria Child’s Letters from New York.An adventuresome youth determined to travel the world, Tom Whipple leaves his mother in New York and signs up for sea duty on a ship bound for Russia. As he sails, he makes up his mind to see the czar—and to present him with a gift.

In this classic short story, Newbery Medal–winning author Walter D. Edmonds tells the story of Uncle Ben, who, free of his domineering wife for a spell, finds a whale in the bay while out with his friend Henry. When they bring it back with them, they discover they can earn a little cash by turning it into a side show attraction.

A collection of sweet, tender, poetic, beautiful, heart-wrenching, sensual love stories.These stories share a common theme of love, set in a time period before cell phones and social media."Second Best" by B. L. Aldrich, performed by Hillary Huber. 1944. The South. Can a heartbroken young woman learn to love again?"Didn't It Rain" by Kathryn Burns, performed by Becca Balanger. 1964. Manchester. A teenager realizes her love for music...and for a girl."The Pai...

An absorbing, deeply moving adventure story from the Newbery Medal–winning author of The Matchlock GunWhen John Haskell’s father dies, he leaves behind a mountain of debt for his family to overcome. John had never given much thought to his father’s financial iniquities, but now he finds himself faced with the responsibility of paying back those who are owed.With the aid of an Indian trapper, John sets about the hard work of clearing his family’s name. Through two h...

This collection features seven tales inspired by America’s colorful history, from colonial times to the early twentieth century, including the Newbery Medal winner The Matchlock Gun.In The Matchlock Gun, young Edward must protect his family from marauding Indians when his father is called away. In Two Logs Crossing, John Haskell spends two harsh winters fur trapping with a wise Indian to pay off his father’s tremendous debt. And in Tom Whipple, a...

Celebrated artist and author Eugene Yelchin drew on his own experience growing up in Soviet Russia to pen this Newbery Honor Book. Breaking Stalin's Nose follows 10-year-old Sasha Zaichik, who wants nothing more than to be a Young Pioneer in Stalin's Communist Party. But when his father, a member of the State Security police, is arrested the night before the Young Pioneer ceremony, Sasha is left to re-evaluate everything he's been taught about Stalin and what it truly means to be a good co...

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman comes the funny and heartwarming sequel to the word-of-mouth hits UNGIFTED and SUPERGIFTED.School has never been a problem for twelve-year-old super-genius Noah Youkilis—at least not until he gets an admission letter to the prestigious Wilderton University. The last thing Noah wants is to go straight from eighth grade into college. Will his life ever just be normal?!Meanwhile, Noah’s best frie...