An ambitious, lavishly illustrated survey of the most valuable of precious gems

Due to their striking green color, emeralds are highly prized as a beautiful addition to all kinds of jewelry. They have been used for thousands of years, especially by the ancient Egyptians and Incas. Over time, technology has changed the way these gems are extracted from the earth and shaped into glittering jewels. Through accessible text and enlightening fact boxes, readers discover the process behind the creation of valuable pieces of emerald jewelry. Full-color photographs display the dazzling beauty of emeralds.

Readers will be mesmerized by this fascinating text about glittering, green emeralds. The book unlocks the mystery of how emeralds form, and sheds light on the mining and refining processes, the gem's properties, and its main uses. Dazzling photographs of the gleaming gemstones will enthuse readers. This intriguing take on curricular subject matter is the perfect supplement to elementary life science education.

"A strong . . . trilogy, invoking just a little Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events along the way."—Realms of Fantasy Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage. Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about. Until now. Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world . . . a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is true—what they do can change history, and it's up to them to set things right. "A new Narnia for the tween set."—The New York Times "[A] fast-paced, fully imagined fantasy."—Publishers Weekly "Echoes of other popular fantasy series, from "Harry Potter" to the "Narnia" books, are easily found, but debut author Stephens has created a new and appealing read . . ."—School Library Journal, Starred Review

"How could we forget? Our world is stained with the blood of religious conflict and fanaticism, yet we managed to forget that for hundreds of years in medieval Spain, Christians, Muslims and Jews lived together in relative peace, sharing languages and customs, whispering words of love across religious boundaries, embracing a level of mutual acceptance and respect unimaginable today. Together, they launched one of the great intellectual and cultural flowerings of history. Our world aches for a future graced with tolerance and peace. Let us join together in reawakening the glory of medieval Muslim Spain, of al-Andalus. Emeralds of the Alhambra is a love story set in the resplendent Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, during the Castilian Civil War (1367-1369), a time when Muslims took up their swords to fight alongside Christians. Here is the story of William Chandon, a Christian knight, and the Sufi Muslim princess, Layla al-Khatib. As Chandon's influence at court grows, he becomes trapped between his forbidden love for Layla and his Christian heritage, the demands of chivalry and political expediency. Chandon and Layla must make choices between love and honor, war and peace, life and death, choices which ultimately will seal Granada's fate as the last surviving stronghold of Muslim Spain. Emeralds of the Alhambra is the first book in the series Anthems of al-Andalus" --Back cover.