Whoever breaks the curse on the twelve princesses of Sylvania will win a handsome reward.

Sharp-witted Reveka, an herbalist’s apprentice, has little use for princesses. She does, however, have use for the reward money that could buy her a position as a master herbalist.

But curses don’t like to be broken, and Reveka’s efforts lead her to deeper mysteries. As she struggles to understand the curse, she meets a shadowy stranger (as charming as he is unsettling) and discovers a blighted land in desperate need of healing. Soon the irreverent apprentice is faced with a daunting choice—will she break the curse at the peril of her own soul?

Merrie Haskell was born on April 10, 1975. She has lived all over the state of Michigan, from Sault Ste. Marie to Ypsilanti. After a detour to North Carolina, she returned north to the Residential College of the University of Michigan for a degree in biological anthropology. Merrie now lives in Saline, Michigan, with her husband and stepdaughter.

"An egocentric preschooler . . . and an enthralled baby are placed in a room with a collection of toys and a bemused canine observer. Let the fun begin! The preschooler quickly lays claim to everything in sight: "Mine. Mine. Mine, mine, mine... The discovery of the dog's water dish turns the story into a giddy, soppy free-for-all that culminates in the baby taking its (presumed) first steps to tackle the preschooler, while shrieking "MINE" in utter adoration."

Shutta Crum is the author of ten picture books and two novels most of which have garnered major review attention and awards. She was honored by being invited to read at the 2005 White House Easter Egg Roll. In 2010 Shutta was chosen to tour American military schools throughout Japan. Her website is at http://shutta.com.

When Gilda Joyce's mother announces her engagement to a man from Florida, Gilda is appalled. She hasn't even given him the "Joyce Family Application" yet! But as the wedding preparations get under way, Gilda realizes she has much bigger concerns. Why does her soon-to-be stepdad keep calling Mrs. Joyce by his ex-wife's name? And why is Mrs. Joyce acting like she's possessed? With only a few short days before her mother says "I do," Gilda knows this much for sure: it's going to take every ounce of her sleuthing skill and psychic savvy to solve this one!

Jennifer Allison’s various careers have included work as a news reporter and high school English teacher, in addition to many odd jobs that have helped her generate ideas for characters and stories. Jennifer currently lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Michael, and their three children – Max, and the twins, Marcus and Genevieve.

Zachary would do anything to join the Society Of Utterly Rotten, Beastly And Loathsome Lawbreaking Scoundrels, the world's most horrible gang of super villains. So when Zachary hears SOURBALLS is looking for a new member, he jumps at the chance. Zachary and his sidekick, Newt, hatch a devious plan. They will turn the mayor into a zombie who obeys their every whim. But Zachary and Newt are not the only ones itching to get into SOURBALLS. Armed with only a cheap Box of Rotten and a large helping of luck, they have to fight not only to join SOURBALLS, but to survive! Bwa-ha-ha!

Allan grew up near Lansing, and currently lives outside Chicago with his wife, two daughters, and two goldfish. The goldfish are vicious. Book one of his middle-grade chapter book series, The Rotten Adventures of Zachary Ruthless (HarperCollins) launched in Spring, 2011.

Life is just about perfect for Tayleigh. She has an awesome boyfriend and her best friend is fantastic. On a whim, Tayleigh makes a wish on some melting snow and then forgets it. The next day, her brother is accepted into an elite program at the University of Michigan and she wins a computer! Has her snow wish worked? It’s not long before things start to go wrong. Her friend gets suspended from school for cheating and Tayleigh gets kicked off the dance team. It’s time to figure out how to fix the mess she made before anything else happens!

Wendy Tackett is an avid reader and likes to encourage children to
read. She wrote The Snow Wish as a way to inspire her nieces to read
and hopes it will encourage other kids to start reading and dreaming. Become a fan at facebook.com/thewishseries.

When David hears that his grandfather has sold his dairy farm and is coming to live with his family in Grosse Ile in Michigan, he is excited. When David used to visit Grandad’s farm, Grandad showed him lots of wonderful things. Now it’s David’s turn, and there are so many things he wants to share with Grandad. In this poignant story of a boy’s relationship with his grandfather, Martha Bennett Stiles and Daniel San Souci have captured the urgency of a child’s desire to be accepted by, and to give in return to, someone he loves.

Martha Bennett Stiles has written a number of books for young readers, including Darkness Over The Land, an ALA Notable Book. Mrs. Stiles lived for a number of years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, before moving to her present home in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Stegosaurus had spikes along its back. Triceratops had long, sharp horns. Tyrannosaurus rex was enormous. Millions and millions of years before the first people lived, these fascinating creatures ruled the Earth. To find out where they came from, you have to look way back in time . . . 3.5 billion years ago! Come explore the biggest mystery of all: Where did dinosaurs come from? Read and find out!

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld is the award-winning author of more than sixty books. When she’s not reading, researching, writing, or editing, Kathleen loves to spend her free time exploring, doing fieldwork, and preparing fossils in the laboratory for her local natural history museums. She lives in Berkeley, California.

An original fairy tale about a poor baker who finds a beautiful bed for his wife in a strange new shop - for free! The bed has magical powers, and that night the couple flies across the heavens to meet a master baker who gives them some magic yeast that will make them the best - and richest -bakery in town. But the yeast will test the baker's integrity and will eventually teach the baker and his wife about the true riches of love and loyalty.

Nancy Willard, a lecturer in English at Vassar College, has written numerous books for both adults and children. Her collection of poems for children, "A Visit to William Blake's Inn," was a Newbery winner and a Caldecott Honor book. She has also illustrated several books.

The footprints of dinosaurs that walked the Earth millions of years ago can still be seen today. Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld introduces young readers to the important inferences about dinosaurs that can be drawn from their fossilized footprints. The illustrations provide excellent details of both the dinosaurs and their tracks. The final pages feature a classic fossil-modeling activity.

Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld's books include "Terrible Tyrannosaurs" and "Dinosaur Babies," which School Library Journal said "will be welcomed with deserved delight by young dinophiles." She has also written "Dinosaur Parents, Dinosaur Young," an ALA Notable Book. She lives in Berkeley, California.

When a sleepy little boy's fear of a late-night thunderstorm makes him forget the comfort and safety of his bedroom, he turns to his dad for solace and security. This beautifully illustrated work includes a CD with the lullaby "The Storm Song," which will make you want to sing along and sing away the fear of the storm.

Kirk R. Lignell got the inspiration for his first children's book from a terrific springtime thunderstorm in 2005. He lives in Ann Arbor with wife, Susan, PHARD'94, and children, Morgan and Connor.