Hungary 1609, and Maria, a young peasant girl, is an accomplished seamstress who dreams of a more prosperous life, away from the constant threat of war, famine and disease. Then an old woman arrives at the cottage and informs Maria that she has been chosen by Countess Elizabeth Bathory to sew a series of elaborate gowns.

Entranced by the nobility, Maria dreams of receiving lavish attention and being invited into Countess Bathory's inner circle. But upon arriving at the castle she suspects she is in terrible danger. Servants are beaten and then disappear, the Countess herself is prone to fits of rage, and there are screams in the middle of the night. As Maria explores the castle and unravels its inner secrets, she finds herself a prisoner, as well as an unwilling pawn in Countess Bathory's murderous plot to retain both her power and beauty.

Hungary 1609, and Maria, a young peasant girl, is an accomplished seamstress who dreams of a more prosperous life, away from the constant threat of war, famine and disease. Then an old woman arrives at the cottage and informs Maria that she has been chosen by Countess Elizabeth Bathory to sew a series of elaborate gowns.

Entranced by the nobility, Maria dreams of receiving lavish attention and being invited into Countess Bathory's inner circle. But upon arriving at the castle she suspects she is in terrible danger. Servants are beaten and then disappear, the Countess herself is prone to fits of rage, and there are screams in the middle of the night. As Maria explores the castle and unravels its inner secrets, she finds herself a prisoner, as well as an unwilling pawn in Countess Bathory's murderous plot to retain both her power and beauty.

From Puritan tracts and chapbooks to fairy tales and Victorian poems, from zombies and werewolves to ghosts and vampires, the gothic has become an important part of children's literature. This book explores how Gothicism is crucial in helping children progress through different stages of growth and development. It examines five famous texts--Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market, Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio, Neil Gaiman's Coraline, three versions of Little Red Riding Hood, and J.M. Barrie's play and then novel Peter and Wendy--incorporating renowned psychologist Erik Erikson's landmark theories on psychosocial stages of development. By linking a particular stage to each of the aforementioned texts, it becomes clearer how anxiety and terror are just as important as happiness and wonder in fostering maturity, achieving a sense of independence and fulfilling one's self-identity. Gothic elements give shape to children's fears, which is precisely how children are able to defeat them, and through their interactions with the ghosts and goblins that inhabit fantasy worlds, children come to better understand their own world, as well as their own lives.

Timothy Dimmick is a geeky young kid trying to survive his senior year of high school and make good on a promise to his late father: become a world-class ninja and secure his legacy as the Bruce Lee of New England. But the path he takes is littered with stumbling blocks.His mother's too busy shopping to be a loving parent, his sister lives to get him into trouble, and his best friend is a high-school dropout who is writing the Great American Screenplay from the point of view of a fetus. Tim will go to any lengths to contact his father, including a phone call to a psychic hotline and a s ance conducted by a Turkish exchange student. Also complicating Tim's life are Uncle Jack and his weird ideas about religion, a rap-loving therapist, and an Asian cyber-girlfriend.

From Almost Famous to Whale Rider, this is a fun look at 60 films that best define what it means to be an adolescent. Each entry identifies the genre, provides a brief plot summary, lists the key themes, and explains why the film is an essential viewing for teens everywhere.