My creative writings are God-inspired as well as friend-inspired that I have been working on since I've been in child care. Being a teacher to babies up to two year olds as well as a Spanish teacher to all ages; I'm always making up stories and songs, some longer than others. Most of my writings do rhyme. Most of my writings are meant to be serious, but there are a few silly writings and songs included. Most of my poems have history and biblical references to them. Of course, there are romantic poems and a fairy-tale story. My writings include poetry, songs, and a story. All three categories have both English and Spanish included in them. My creative writings are meant for all ages, male and female, believers and nonbelievers. They're also for mothers and fathers, grandparents, and children. The poetry part of my book is broken down into four chapters: preaching/sharing the gospel, educational, holiday, and random things that inspired me. The songs are all Christian-based songs. All my writings have some sort of message to them. With four chapters of poems, three chapters of songs, and one chapter with a story, my creative writings are full of wonders that come from the heart and give hope and encouragement.

In this book, author and divergent thinker Celeste Orr shares 52 of her popular togetherness tips to help families build big family togetherness on good days and bad days, in big ways and small ways, with everything from playing board games to having one-on-ones, talking about tough issues, reframing frozen pizza nights, and going after big family dreams, long-term travel, and adventure too.As a mom of teenagers who often feels like there aren't enough hours in the day or ideas in her head, and as someone who has shared these tips with families around the world in her email group and online platform, Celeste knows no effort is too small and it's never too late to build togetherness with your family - no matter what.With real-life stories and simple, honest examples, this book gives parents, grandparents, and families of all kinds a go-to list of ideas to break the disconnect that is so often a by-product of the modern-day trappings that keep us from having the kind of family life we truly want. It's great as a one-time read and also designed for those who want to keep it at their fingertips for on-the-fly togetherness suggestions when things get sticky at home.

Wonder, mysticism, heartache, and joy are the stones that set the path to one girl's journey as her destiny unfolds. In the village of Huanan, in medieval China, the deity that rules is the Great Huli Jing. Though twelve-year-old Li Jing's name is a different character entirely from the Huli Jing, the sound is close enough to provide constant teasing-but maybe is also a source of greater destiny and power. Jing's life isn't easy. Her father is a poor tea farmer, and her family has come to the conclusion that in order for everyone to survive, Jing must be sacrificed for the common good. She is sold as a bride to the Koh family, where she will be the wife and nursemaid to their three-year-old son, Ju'nan. It's not fair, and Jing feels this bitterly, especially when she is treated poorly by the Koh's, and sold yet again into a worse situation that leads Jing to believe her only option is to run away, and find home again. With the help of a spider who weaves Jing a means to escape, and a nightingale who helps her find her way, Jing embarks on a quest back to Huanan--and to herself.

A fanciful history lesson for middle graders, featuring a charming mouse named Celeste. Celeste is a mouse who is looking for a home. Is it nestled in the toe of a warm boot? In the shirt pocket of Celeste’s new friend Joseph? Or is home the place deep inside Celeste’s heart, where friendships live? Beautifully illustrated with hundreds of black-and-white drawings, A Nest for Celeste is a short novel that tells the story a mouse living in the 1800s and his friendship with John James Audubon’s young apprentice. While enjoying this sweet amd appealing story, young readers will also learn about nineteenth-century plantation life and the famous naturalist who was known for his paintings of birds and American wildlife.

An instant New York Times bestseller • A New York Times Notable Book of 2022 • Named a Best Book of 2022 by People, TIME Magazine, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Los Angeles Times, and Oprah Daily, and more • A Reese's Book Club Pick • New York Times Paperback Row Selection From the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, comes the inspiring new novel about a mother’s unshakeable love. “It’s impossible not to be moved.” —Stephen King, The New York Times Book Review “Riveting, tender, and timely.” —People, Book of the Week “Thought-provoking, heart-wrenching . . . I was so invested in the future of this mother and son, and I can’t wait to hear what you think of this deeply suspenseful story!” —Reese Witherspoon (Reese’s Book Club Pick) Twelve-year-old Bird Gardner lives a quiet existence with his loving father, a former linguist who now shelves books in a university library. His mother Margaret, a Chinese American poet, left without a trace when he was nine years old. He doesn’t know what happened to her—only that her books have been banned—and he resents that she cared more about her work than about him. Then one day, Bird receives a mysterious letter containing only a cryptic drawing, and soon he is pulled into a quest to find her. His journey will take him back to the many folktales she poured into his head as a child, through the ranks of an underground network of heroic librarians, and finally to New York City, where he will finally learn the truth about what happened to his mother, and what the future holds for them both. Our Missing Hearts is an old story made new, of the ways supposedly civilized communities can ignore the most searing injustice. It’s about the lessons and legacies we pass on to our children, and the power of art to create change.

Layla Robinson is not crazy. She is suffering from unrequited love. But it's time to move on. No more stalking, no more obsessive calling. What she needs is a distraction. The blue-eyed guy she keeps seeing around campus could be a great one--only he is the new poetry professor--the married poetry professor. Thomas Abrams is a stereotypical artist--rude, arrogant, and broody--but his glares and taunts don't scare Layla. She might be bad at poetry, but she is good at reading between the lines. Beneath his prickly façade, Thomas is lonely, and Layla wants to know why. Obsessively. Sometimes you do get what you want. Sometimes you end up in the storage room of a bar with your professor and you kiss him. Sometimes he kisses you back like the world is ending and he will never get to kiss you again. He kisses you until you forget the years of unrequited love; you forget all the rules, and you dare to reach for something that is not yours.

When does sorrow turn to shame? When does love become labor? When does chancebecome choice? And when does fact become fiction?