A well-known and much loved selection of the best traditional modern English verse. It contains many famous, and often quoted poems, and also provides young people with an introduction to good poetry.

Poetry in themes : Landscapes - Sea - Animals - Children - People - War - Mystery - Reflections.

Lightning provides: 32 books with 3 levels of differentiation per book; whole texts that provide NLS genre coverage; linked themes across fiction, non-fiction and the wider curriculum; focussed teaching support for each book including comprehension and writing activities; and a teaching and practice CD that provides opportunities for ICT.

ELGIN AWARD WINNING POETRY COLLECTION FROM MARY SOON LEE Rhysling Award winner Mary Soon Lee has created a fantastic world that is marvelous in scope. Drawing upon elements from Asian and Celtic culture while incorporating dragons, bloody wars, horsemanship, kingship and other tropes of the genre, she never ignores the human cost of heroism. Gorgeous black-and-white illustrations by M. Wayne Miller complete this first book of The Sign of the Dragon, and epic fantasy in verse. "And what will you pay for the crown, little princeling? Gold? Men? A song?" "My freedom!" he shouted at her. "Well," she said, "that's a start."

This vibrant anthology celebrates the dragon; full of fire, venom and fury, hurtling through the skies to bring terror and destruction or invested with mystic symbolism, wisdom and spiritual significance. In ancient Greece and Biblical times these dangerous beasts abducted maidens and held cities to ransom, while in Northern Europe they brooded in caves, guarding hoards of treasure. All these deadly beasts were finally thwarted by heroes, archangels or magicians of their day, audacious warriors of skill and courage. Chinese dragons have a more mystical and less combative history; closely connected with water and bringing thunder and life-renewing rain. Similarly the ancient American dragon, the feathered serpent, is the symbol of rain. Wherever they come from, and whatever their threat or blessing, dragons are always uniquely magnificent, wayward and wrathful. This book celebrates their ferocity, fire and dangerous magnificence.

Through the Archway: Memoirs of Mouse, Day Boy at Penly Grange, is a vivid portrait of an English prep school in the 1950s and a story of close friendship and bitter rivalry. When, after almost fifty years, Timothy Moss (nicknamed Mouse) unexpectedly meets the notorious school bully Burton, he is surprised to find his memories of his old school being challenged. Now on the brink of retirement, he sets out to record his version of the education and eccentric characters at Penly Grange Preparatory School for Boys in the 1950s. Not only a book about entertaining and unforgettable personalities, this semi-autobiographical novel is a compelling study of memoir writing which explores the deep attachments of childhood, the highs and lows of growing up, and the healing and insight that can be gained from revisiting the past. Suitable for all adults and children over 13. Revised edition December 2007.