Eliza is ousted by her new stepmother from her family and finally makes her way to London - only to be thrown straight into prison for stealing a mouthful of bread. At this point Eliza's life takes some remarkable twists as she learns to survive the sordid prison life, is rescued by a woman she has never met before pretending to be her aunt - but for what exactly? - and befriends Nell Gwynn who introduces her to the courtly intrigue, politics and glamour of the court of King Charles. And then Eliza finds out about her true background....

Velvet is a laundress in a Victorian steam laundry. With both her mother and father dead, she has to rely upon her own wits to make a living. The laundry is scalding, back-breaking work and Velvet is desperate to create a better life for herself. Then Velvet is noticed by Madame Savoya, a famed medium, who asks Velvet to come work for her. Velvet is dazzled at first by the young yet beautifully dressed and bejewelled Madame. But Velvet soon realizes that Madame Savoya is not all that she says she is, and Velvet's very life is in danger . . . A romantic and thrillingly exciting new novel from an acclaimed and much loved historical writer for teens

The backdrop of this story is set to England, under the reign of Queen Elizabeth-I. The story spans three years of those times, from 1585 to 1587. During that period, an unfortunate but significant event in the history of England took place. It was the beheading of Mary, Queen of Scots. A major part of the story winds around this event, though the subjects are involved only indirectly. However, in totality, the story is about spectacular fortune changes in the lives of two young women. About the story: Edith and Mabel lost their homes and traveled to London from Cheltenham in search for a job. They endured a lot of hardship before both were able to land a job. But then, they got separated from each other. In a twist of fate, Edith got herself into a dangerous situation at her workplace. Charged with the murder of a co-worker, she was sentenced to death. On the other hand, Mabel was fortunate. Apart from her normal duties, she served as an undercover agent for Queen Elizabeth’s secret service. Given the circumstances, will Edith and Mabel ever get a chance to meet again?

Volume II has more engaging, motivating, and meaningful titles and activities to share with your students. Impact literacy in your school by inspiring even the most reluctant students to pick up books and read. This popular book includes curriculum-related activities for educators to pick up and use right away to meet national standards and raise students' test scores. Find age-appropriate titles on the American Library Association (ALA) and International Reading Association (IRA) recommended reading lists for your students.

In 1666, Hannah and Sarah escape London, leaving behind plague and death as well as their sweets shop, and when it is safe, Hannah and her younger sister Anne return, only to face the city's Great Fire.

Kitty is living a happy, carefree life as a dairymaid in the countryside. The grand family she is employed by looks after her well, and she loves her trade, caring for the gentle cows and working in the cool, calm dairy. And then, of course, there is Will, the river man who she thinks is very fond of her, and indeed she is of him. Surely he will ask her to marry him soon? Then one day disaster strikes: Will disappears. Kitty is first worried and then furious. She fears that Will has only been leading her on all this time, and has now gone to London to make his fortune, forgetting about her completely. So when Kitty is asked to go to London to pick up a copy of Pride and Prejudice, the latest novel by the very fashionable Jane Austen, Kitty leaps at the chance to track down Will. But Kitty has no idea how vast London is, and how careful she must be. It is barely a moment before eagle-eyed pickpockets have spotted the country-born-and-bred Kitty and relieved her of her money and belongings. Dauntingly fast, she has lost her only means of returning home and must face the terrifying prospect of stealing in order to survive - and of being named a thief . . .