A boy and his elephant escape into the jungle when the Viet Cong attack his village immediately after the Vietnam war.

This first book-length analysis of Amazon’s Kindle explores the platform’s technological, bibliographical, and social impact on publishing. Four Shades of Gray offers the first book-length analysis of Amazon’s Kindle and its impact on publishing. Simon Peter Rowberry recounts how Amazon built the infrastructure for a new generation of digital publications, then considers the consequences of having a single company control the direction of the publishing industry. Exploring the platform from the perspectives of technology, texts, and uses, he shows how the Kindle challenges traditional notions of platforms as discrete entities. He argues that Amazon’s influence extends beyond “disruptive technology” to embed itself in all aspects of the publishing trade; yet despite industry pushback, he says, the Kindle has had a positive influence on publishing. Rowberry documents the first decade of the Kindle with case studies of Kindle Popular Highlights, an account of the digitization of books published after 1922, and a discussion of how Amazon’s patent filings reflect a shift in priorities. Rowberry argues that while it was initially convenient for the book trade to outsource ebook development to Amazon, doing so has had adverse consequences for publishers in the mid- and long term, limiting opportunities for developing an inclusive and forward-thinking digital platform. While it has forced publishers to embrace digital forms, the Kindle has also empowered some previously marginalized readerships. Although it is still too early to judge the long-term impact of ebooks compared with that of the older technologies of clay tablets, the printing press, and offset printing, the shockwaves of the Kindle continue to shape publishing.

Just in time for the 10th anniversary of Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys's award-winning debut novel, and inspiration for the major motion picture Ashes in the Snow, is now a gorgeous graphic novel! From #1 New York Times and international bestselling author and Carnegie Medal winner of Salt to the Sea comes a story of loss and of fear--and ultimately of survival--in a brand-new four-color format. "Few books are beautifully written, fewer still are important; this novel is both." --The Washington Post A New York Times notable book An international bestseller A Carnegie Medal nominee A William C. Morris Award finalist A Golden Kite Award winner June, 1941. A knock comes at the door and the life of fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas changes forever. She's arrested by the Soviet secret police and deported from Lithuania to Siberia with her mother and younger brother. The conditions are horrific and Lina must fight for her life and for the lives of those around her, including the boy that she loves. Risking everything, she secretly passes along clues in the form of drawings, hoping they will reach her father's prison camp. But will her messages, and her courage, be enough to reunite her family? Will they be enough to keep her alive? A moving and haunting novel perfect for readers of The Book Thief, now available as a stunning graphic novel.

'Kouun is "good luck" in Japanese, and one year my family had none of it.' Just when Summer thinks nothing else can possibly go wrong, an emergency whisks her parents away to Japan, right before harvest season. But the mortgage has to be paid, and so Summer's grandparents are going to help with harvest instead - taking Summer, her little brother Jaz and their dog Thunder with them. Obaachan and Jiichan are… well, they're old fashioned, and demanding. Between helping Obaachan cook for the workers, covering for her when her back pain worsens, and worrying about her little brother, who can't seem to make any friends, Summer has her hands full. Then one of the boys who Summer has known forever starts paying extra attention to her. But what begins as a welcome distraction from the hard work soon turns into a mess of its own… and once again Summer ends up disappointing Obaachan. But that's the thing about luck - bad luck can always get worse. And when that happens, Summer has to figure out how to change it and save her family, even if it means further displeasing Obaachan. Surely kouun is coming soon…?

Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac. But in this classic novel of romance and suspense from New York Times bestselling author Kay Hooper, a strong man who always takes what he wants is challenged by an alluring woman who is not easily kept. Ruthless, charismatic, and devastatingly handsome, Andres Sereno rules the small South American island of Kadeira with an iron first—and he has abducted the irresistible Sara Marsh to keep her out of harm’s way. Of course, Andres has ulterior motives: He is determined to convince Sara that she cannot live without him. Overwhelmed by his urgent desire, Sara finds Andres hard to resist. But can she trust a man with darkness in his soul and danger in his blood? Blindsided by a sudden storm with no safe harbor in sight, Sara has no choice but to embrace the fierce warrior who holds her captive. Though Andres tries to shield her from his violent side, Sara knows that she’s tempting fate. Before risking everything, Sara must walk through fire and discover the strength within herself. Only then can she surrender to the primitive force of their desire.

Ever since Tin can remember he's wanted to be an elephant trainer. At twelve years old, he's the youngest - and in his eyes the best - elephant handler in his village. Tin can think of nothing he'd rather do that spend all day with his elephant, Lady, looking after her and playing together. But Tin's peaceful, idyllic life is changed dramatically when the Viet Cong attack his village and he finds himself held hostage by the terrifying soldiers who don't care if he lives or dies. Can Tin find the courage to escape from his captors and save not only his own life, but his precious elephants too?

Combining details about specific people with analysis of the trends that have shaped their lives, this book exposes the aging urban underclass. It focuses on the lives of the elderly African Americans and Latinos in pockets of New York City, where wages are low, and crime is often high.