Early Seventeenth-Century Rome
For as long as she can remember, Carmela Tofana has desperately wanted one thing: to be allowed behind the counter of her mother's apothecary in Campo Marzio, Rome. When she turns sixteen, she's finally allowed into the inner sanctum: the workroom where her mother, Giulia Tofana, and two assistants craft renowned remedies for their customers. But for every sweet-smelling flower extract in the workroom, there's another potion requiring darker ingredients. And then there's Aqua Tofana, the apothecary's remedy of last resort for husbands who are just as deadly as any disease. In all Carmela's years of wishing to follow in her mother's footsteps, she never realized one tiny vial could be the death of them all.

A sharp-witted teenage thief leads a team of skilled misfits in a dangerous and daring heist for fortune, freedom and revenge against a corrupt Pope in Renaissance Italy in Caitlin Schneiderhan's clever YA debut, Medici Heist.

Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue and opulence, murder and betrayal. Seventeen-year-old conwoman Rosa Cellini arrives in the city the same day that the Medici Pope, Leo X, returns to take up the reins of power. This is not a coincidence. The new Pope is extorting a mountain of indulgence money from the people of Florence to bolster his power and standing, and Rosa has a plan to take it back.

To pull off the Renaissance's greatest robbery, she'll recruit a team of specially-chosen, highly-skilled misfits: Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, and Giacomo, the irrepressible master of disguise. To top it all off, and to smooth their entrance into the fortress-like Palazzo Medici, Rosa even enlists the reluctant help of the famed artist Michelangelo.

But as the authorities draw closer and the Medici's noose pulls tighter around the land, old secrets resurface and tensions in the group start to flare. What began as a robbery could be the key to saving the city itself--if Rosa and company don't destroy each other first.

Through strange events, a little burgher maid becomes mistress of a castle of robber barons. This lonely castle of Adlerstein perched high on the rocks above a dangerous ford, is known as the eagle's eyrie. Here the twin barons are born and grow to manhood. The story tells of their love for each other, and of the separation of the brothers after the battle at the ford. How the feud between the rival barons is healed and a chapel of peace is built at the terrible ford, concludes one of the best known tales of Charlotte Yonge. Expressive illustrations by noted illustrator Marguerite de Angeli accompany the text.

Delve into the magical world of Geoffrey Chaucer, where chivalry, love, and redemption come to life in vivid detail. Adapted with finesse by H. E. Haweis, these stories open a window into medieval Europe for a new generation of readers.

'The Golden Key: Chaucer for Children' is a delightful adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's timeless works, masterfully retold for a younger audience. This enchanting collection introduces children to the whimsical characters, engaging narratives, and moral lessons found in Chaucer's famous tales.From the adventurous Knight's Tale to the humorous Miller's Tale, each story is retold in language that captures the imagination while remaining accessible to modern readers. The book serves as a wonderful introduction to classic literature, fostering a love for storytelling and an appreciation for the richness of the English language. Whether read aloud or enjoyed independently, 'The Golden Key' opens the door to a world of wonder, laughter, and learning that will resonate with children and adults alike.

Through strange events, a little burgher maid becomes mistress of a castle of robber barons. This lonely castle of Adlerstein perched high on the rocks above a dangerous ford, is known as the eagle's eyrie. Here the twin barons are born and grow to manhood. The story tells of their love for each other, and of the separation of the brothers after the battle at the ford. How the feud between the rival barons is healed and a chapel of peace is built at the terrible ford, concludes one of the best known tales of Charlotte Yonge. Expressive illustrations by noted illustrator Marguerite de Angeli accompany the text.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona--and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona...

...And will rewrite all their fates, forever.

A sharp-witted teenage thief leads a team of skilled misfits in a dangerous and daring heist for fortune, freedom and revenge against a corrupt Pope in Renaissance Italy in Caitlin Schneiderhan's clever YA debut, Medici Heist.

Welcome to Florence, 1517, a world of intrigue and opulence, murder and betrayal. Seventeen-year-old conwoman Rosa Cellini arrives in the city the same day that the Medici Pope, Leo X, returns to take up the reins of power. This is not a coincidence. The new Pope is extorting a mountain of indulgence money from the people of Florence to bolster his power and standing, and Rosa has a plan to take it back.

To pull off the Renaissance's greatest robbery, she'll recruit a team of specially-chosen, highly-skilled misfits: Sarra the tinkerer, Khalid the fighter, and Giacomo, the irrepressible master of disguise. To top it all off, and to smooth their entrance into the fortress-like Palazzo Medici, Rosa even enlists the reluctant help of the famed artist Michelangelo.

But as the authorities draw closer and the Medici's noose pulls tighter around the land, old secrets resurface and tensions in the group start to flare. What began as a robbery could be the key to saving the city itself--if Rosa and company don't destroy each other first.

Elisabetta longs for romance, though she thinks she's too plain. Then, on a visit to Florence, she catches the eye of the great Leonardo da Vinci, and falls for a boy, Giuliano de Medici. It's a dangerous time to be involved with a Medici. As tragedy and chaos threaten their happiness, Elisabetta faces the bittersweet truth of love.

Un soir, Sophie revient de ses cours l'Universit , quand elle est soudainement blouie par une lumi re intense. Prise de vertige, et sans trop savoir pourquoi ni comment, elle se retrouve en plein coeur de Paris... en l'an 1767 Ne pouvant retourner chez elle, elle est recueillie par Nicolas et lyse, qui l'aideront s'int grer la vie du 18e si cle, dans un milieu dont elle ignore tout des convenances et des r gles.

Au cours d'un bal, Fran ois, un arrogant et s duisant aristocrate, prouve une curiosit et une fascination pour cette jeune fille au comportement et aux mani res si peu convenus. Si Sophie s'amuse, au d but, des efforts du beau comte pour percer son secret, de tragiques incidents lui font craindre les r percussions qu'entra nerait la r v lation de sa v ritable identit ...

Dans cette aventure pleine de rebondissements, revisitant avec humour l' poque des romans de cape et d' p e, Louise Royer allie ses deux passions, l'histoire et la science, pour le plus grand plaisir des lectrices et des lecteurs.

1499. Children are disappearing in Venice. Rumor has it a demon is to blame, but no one knows for sure. Beatrice de la Piet , an orphan on the brink of a new life, cannot be bothered with such stories though. Meeting the expectations of her new employer, Cassandra Fedele, is all she cares about, and she'll do anything to hold onto her new apprenticeship as a cook and maid in her household. Demons and missing children will have to wait.

When Signora Fedele's requirements of Bea take a sharp turn from domestic work to more academic pursuits however, the orphan begins to fear one day she may let the famed scholar down. Matters only become more complicated when Bea meets a girl obsessed with stopping the demon she was so determined to forget. Prompted by her new friend's dedication to justice, and bolstered by the humanistic education she never bargained on receiving, Beatrice reluctantly dives into the danger and daring that flow through the heart of her watery world.

Delve into the magical world of Geoffrey Chaucer, where chivalry, love, and redemption come to life in vivid detail. Adapted with finesse by H. E. Haweis, these stories open a window into medieval Europe for a new generation of readers.

'The Golden Key: Chaucer for Children' is a delightful adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer's timeless works, masterfully retold for a younger audience. This enchanting collection introduces children to the whimsical characters, engaging narratives, and moral lessons found in Chaucer's famous tales.From the adventurous Knight's Tale to the humorous Miller's Tale, each story is retold in language that captures the imagination while remaining accessible to modern readers. The book serves as a wonderful introduction to classic literature, fostering a love for storytelling and an appreciation for the richness of the English language. Whether read aloud or enjoyed independently, 'The Golden Key' opens the door to a world of wonder, laughter, and learning that will resonate with children and adults alike.

Adaptive Reader Modern Editions: Bringing Classics to All Readers

Macbeth - Adapted for Struggling Readers

Our goal is to make classic literature accessible to readers of all abilities. Adaptive Reader's modern editions of Macbeth maintain the essence of Shakespeare's original while adapting the language for greater accessibility. Whether you're the parent or teacher of a reluctant reader, someone reading below your grade level, or are just seeking a more approachable version of this classic, our editions are tailored to meet your needs.

Silver Edition:

• Tailored for Ages 12 and Up
• Page Count: 132
• Total Word Count: 15,787
• Unique Words: 2,439

Perfect for younger readers or those looking for a less complex introduction to this timeless story, the Silver Edition simplifies sentence structures and vocabulary while keeping the story's core intact.

Learn more about our inclusive, adaptive versions of classic texts at www.adaptivereader.com.

Step into the shadowy realm of Shakespeare's Macbeth, a world where ambition leads to treachery and power corrupts absolutely. This timeless tragedy, a masterpiece of English literature, continues to captivate readers with its profound insights and dramatic intensity.

Immerse yourself in the turbulent life of Macbeth, a brave Scottish general whose thirst for power transforms him into a tyrant. Driven by a prophecy and spurred by his manipulative wife, Lady Macbeth, he embarks on a blood-soaked path to the throne. The vivid characters, from the enigmatic witches to the tortured Macbeth himself, create a compelling narrative that explores the darkest corners of the human soul.

Shakespeare's rich, poetic language weaves a spellbinding story that delves into themes of ambition, guilt, and fate. Macbeth is not just a play; it's a psychological journey into the heart of darkness. This edition, with its comprehensive annotations, brings the Elizabethan era to life, offering a deeper understanding of its timeless themes and linguistic beauty.

Perfect for students, scholars, and Shakespeare enthusiasts, this edition of Macbeth is a must-have for anyone seeking to explore the depths of one of the greatest plays ever written. Embrace the dark allure of Macbeth and add this classic to your collection today. Experience the power, the tragedy, and the enduring legacy of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Plotinus (204/5-270 C.E.) is a central figure in the history of Western philosophy. However, during the Middle Ages he was almost unknown. None of the treatises constituting his Enneads were translated, and ancient translations were lost. Although scholars had indirect access to his philosophy through the works of Proclus, St. Augustine, and Macrobius, among others, it was not until 1492 with the publication of the first Latin translation of the Enneads by the humanist philosopher Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) that Plotinus was reborn to the Western world.

Ficino's translation was accompanied by a long commentary in which he examined the close relationship between metaphysics and anthropology that informed Plotinus's philosophy. Focusing on Ficino's interpretation of Plotinus's view of the soul and of human nature, this book excavates a fundamental chapter in the history of Platonic scholarship, one which was to inform later readings of the Enneads up until the nineteenth century. It will appeal to scholars and students interested in the history of Western philosophy, intellectual history, and book history.

In the Houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and--if they survive--marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely. Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest thief in Verona--and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona...

...And will rewrite all their fates, forever.

One elven prince fighting for his empire.

Five damsels contending for His Majesty's heart.

One realm erupts into chaos with both rebels and invaders taking their final stand against the Velazian Empire. Who will make it out alive?

Warning: if you like intense drama, action, adventure, and plot twists that'll knock your socks off, this novel might be just for you. Side effects to reading might include staying up all night to finish the book, crying, or laughing; possibly all at the same time. Read at your own risk!

--

Prince Zadkiel narrows his choices in marriage down to five girls, each of whom has won his heart. As rebels continue to attack the RMC contestants, spies run rampant in the palace, and tension with Baylor and Payonna reaches its peak, the Velazian royal family realizes that they have more enemies than they thought. Prince Zadkiel wonders if he will live to see the day he becomes crowned ruler of the Velazian Empire.

--

Beware, a sense of humor required!

Book one, two, and four can be read first in the series. The Fate of the Empire is the continuation of book two.

Triggers: No gore. A clean romance with spice, appropriate for older teens, 15+.

IN THE WINTER OF 1535, young Kate Carey lives with her mother and her new family, far from the royal court. Unhappy with her life and wanting to escape her home, she accepts the invitation of Anne Boleyn, the aunt she idolises, to join her household in London.



The dark, dangerous labyrinth of Henry VIII's court forces Kate to grow up fast as she witnesses her aunt's final tragic days - and then she discovers a secret that changes her life forever.

All things must end-all things but love.

A harsh winter is coming. With it, a dark and pitiless magic...

Lukas wants only two things: to rebuild his castle home in time to make it through the coming winter and to reconnect with the sister who was stolen from him in a plot against his family.

But then an astrologer appears with foreboding news: his old adversary, Inquisitor Waldemar von Schönborn, has stolen three royal artifacts, which are required to coronate a new German emperor. With these valuable objects--the sword, the crown, and the scepter--he could blackmail the empire. The treasures are currently hidden in three different places in the old imperial city of Prague.

To protect his homeland and help him find the artifacts, Lukas will need his three best friendsu--all members of the elite fighting group known as the Black Musketeers. He'll also need his feisty little sister, Elsa, whose magical gifts may be the key to stopping the inquisitor's latest scheme.

They head for Prague immediately, but the adventure that awaits them there will put their courage and their friendship to the ultimate test.

1605 is a time of danger and persecution for English Catholics.

Seventeen-year-old Mary Wilshaw and her older brother Rob both come to work at Lyde Hall in the West Midlands - a house where Catholic priests are often hidden from the authorities. Mary, employed by the lady of the house as an embroiderer, falls in love with young David Hawley, the lady's secretary.

But nothing at Lyde Hall is what it seems. Who is David? And what dangerous secrets is Rob hiding?

Soon Mary herself is in danger as she tries to protect those she loves.

Plotinus (204/5-270 C.E.) is a central figure in the history of Western philosophy. However, during the Middle Ages he was almost unknown. None of the treatises constituting his Enneads were translated, and ancient translations were lost. Although scholars had indirect access to his philosophy through the works of Proclus, St. Augustine, and Macrobius, among others, it was not until 1492 with the publication of the first Latin translation of the Enneads by the humanist philosopher Marsilio Ficino (1433-1499) that Plotinus was reborn to the Western world.

Ficino's translation was accompanied by a long commentary in which he examined the close relationship between metaphysics and anthropology that informed Plotinus's philosophy. Focusing on Ficino's interpretation of Plotinus's view of the soul and of human nature, this book excavates a fundamental chapter in the history of Platonic scholarship, one which was to inform later readings of the Enneads up until the nineteenth century. It will appeal to scholars and students interested in the history of Western philosophy, intellectual history, and book history.