Embedded and Real-Time Java Systems

When Kay reluctantly agreed to join the youth group at Stone Mission Church in Orange County California, she expected the Jesus talk and the dorky singalongs and the colorful posters about dodging temptation. What she didn't expect was to stumble on her youth group leaders, Meg and Cortland, in the middle of a read-deal exorcism. Turns out they're both soldiers in a secret organization of demon hunters in a war that's heating up, and even if Kay wanted to stay on the sidelines, she doesn't have a choice - she's a "Blight," a human who demons can't possess, and apparently that's made her a target. Will Kay find her place in a world that's so much more God-fearing and monster-fighting than what she's used to? Will the Stone Mission youth group find common cause with their badass peers of other faiths? Or will a pack of small-time demons use Blights like Kay as the key to starting some real big trouble?

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories to discover amazing people and events that shaped our world. Meet the Timekeepers, a secret organisation of kids who keep the course of history on track – and history needs them! A villain called DeLay is set on causing chaos… When the hands on their special watches start to spin backwards, the Timekeepers know that DeLay has been up to no good, and it’s up to them to put things right. The Timekeepers travel back to 1890s New York City and the laboratory of Nikola Tesla.On the eve before Tesla is set to reveal his latest invention, the X-Ray Machine, the time pirate DeLay, disguised as Tesla's rival Thomas Edison, steals the machine. The Timekeepers begin a pursuit around NYC in search of the machine to ensure history stays on track. This children’s chapter book series offers:- An introduction to history in a way that blends a fun story with real facts, and also includes a non-fiction section with additional infor

Embark on a thrilling new adventure set in the world of Minecraft, where danger lurks at every turn, and our heroes must protect the Minecraft server from being shut down forever. Following the events of the Minecraft Woodsword Chronicles and the Minecraft Stonesword Saga series, the Evoker King has evolved into the Evoker Kid, a total noob who wants to experience everything the world of Minecraft has to offer. Unfortunately, he walks into danger at every turn, so it’s up to Morgan, Harper, and their friends to keep him safe.But even more unfortunately in the real world, they’ve all been sent Ironsword Academy Middle School for the remainder of the school year. Now they’re all noobs who will have to navigate the strange new school’s hallways, try to make friends with new kids and avoid a principal who would like nothing better than to shut down their video game time. Can they get the Evoker Kid to a safe destination before someone pulls the plug on their Minecraft server … permanently?

Lola couldn't believe her luck when the rabbit she rescued from the forest was... a fairy! The second book in the beautifully illustrated Lola and Larch series, filled with fairies, friendship and magic, for young readers.Magical adventures in a forest full of fairies with everyone's favourite human-fairy best friend team, Lola and Larch, for fans of Rainbow Magic and Isadora Moon.Euphorbia Spurge has sent bad magic across the forest and it's turning all the plants wild! Lola's granny is thrilled because her garden is looking lush, but Larch is sure she saw a courgette wave and smile at her - and they're not supposed to do that, are they? It's time for Lola and Larch to head into the forest and grapple with a green-fingered fiend!Beautifully illustrated throughout, Lola and Larch is a heart-warming, funny celebration of friendship. It's the perfect series for readers who like fairies, magic, and very naughty rabbits!"A real winner" Irish IndependentHave you read Lola and Larch's other

Application of Artificial Intelligence in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Energy Management presents the state-of-the-art in hybrid electric vehicle system modelling and management. With a focus on learning-based energy management strategies, the book provides detailed methods, mathematical models, and strategies designed to optimize the energy management of the energy supply module of a hybrid vehicle.The book first addresses the underlying problems in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) modeling, and then introduces several artificial intelligence-based energy management strategies of HEV systems, including those based on fuzzy control with driving pattern recognition, multi objective optimization, fuzzy Q-learning and Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) algorithms. To help readers apply these management strategies, the book also introduces State of Charge and State of Health prediction methods and real time driving pattern recognition. For each application, the detailed experimental process

‘One of the most powerful books in the social sciences ever written’ Thomas Piketty'The twentieth century's most prophetic critic of capitalism' Prospect‘Polanyi’s revolutionary work is a must-read’ Mariana MazzucatoKarl Polanyi's landmark 1944 work is one of the earliest and most powerful critiques of unregulated markets. Tracing the history of capitalism from the great transformation of the industrial revolution onwards, he shows that there has been nothing 'natural' about the market state. Instead of reducing human relations and our environment to mere commodities, the economy must always be embedded in civil society.Describing the 'avalanche of social dislocation' of his time, Polanyi’s hugely influential work is a passionate call to protect our common humanity. ‘Polanyi's vision for an alternative economy re-embedded in politics and social relations offers a refreshing alternative’ Guardian‘Polanyi exposes the myth of the free market’ Joseph E. StiglitzWith a new introduction by G

The first volume of the award-winning romantic comedy manga – that's now also a hit anime series – with over a million copies in print in Japan!Girl meets boy the old-fashioned way - in an online game. The first volume of the popular manga that inspired the anime series!College student Akane has just been dumped by her boyfriend. Heartbroken, she decides to quit the online RPG they used to play together, but instead of deleting her account, she logs in and battles low-level enemies to relieve her stress and hurt feelings. There, she meets Yamada, an elite pro gamer so reclusive that Akane can’t decide if he’s awkward or alluring.When Akane encounters her ex at a gaming convention, she makes the snap decision to pretend Yamada is her boyfriend and soon the two of them are spending more time together in the game and in real life. The problem is, Yamada is only interested in the game. As Akane's feelings grow, will Yamada's focus stay on the game?Volume 1 includes Chapters 1-9.

Back to the Future meets When You Reach Me in this powerful novel by National Book Award nominee Lisa Graff, in which a young girl is able to make sense of the present--and change her future--by meeting her father in the past. As far as twelve-year-old McKinley O'Dair is concerned, the best thing about living in Gap Bend, Pennsylvania, is the Time Hop--the giant party the town throws every June to celebrate a single year in history. That one day is enough to make the few things that aren't so fantastic about McKinley's life--like her crabby homeroom teacher or her super-scheduled father--worth suffering through. And when McKinley learns that this year's theme is 1993, she can't wait to enter the Time Hop fashion show with a killer '90s outfit she's designed and sewn all on her own. But when the Time Hop rolls around, nothing goes as planned. In fact, it's the biggest disaster of McKinley's life. Before she knows what's hit her, McKinley somehow finds herself in the real 1993--and it's

An internationally bestselling series of board books with amazing real-life sounds!This brand new edition includes replaceable AAA batteries and an exciting 'Look and Find' game on the final page. Press the button, recognise the sounds, then point at the right picture!It's time to listen to beautiful classical music from Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Push the buttons to hear the songs!Aimed at babies and toddlers, this ground-breaking series of interactive board books has a button on every spread, which plays one of five different exceptional quality sound effects.Children of every age will be captivated as they bring the artwork to life with five amazing real-life sounds. Other titles in the series include: Listen to the Dance Music, Listen to the Classical Music, Listen to the Music, Listen to the Music from Around the World, Listen to the Carnival of the Animals

Learn the art of writing effective AI prompts and break into an exciting new career field Writing AI Prompts For Dummies gets you started on the path toward becoming an "AI psychologist" capable of getting all types of output from AI systems. This book walks you through the process of mining great results from leading platforms, so you can save time, solve problems, explore creative ideas, conduct research, and beyond. Even if you're brand new to using AI chatbots, you'll be able to follow the jargon-free explanations and instructions inside to learn how to ask questions and make requests in terms any AI can understand. Then, you can convert your new skill into greater productivity in your life, or even into a new career. Prompt engineering is a fast-growing career opportunity with six-figure salaries attached. Who knows? This Dummies guide could be your launchpad to a future as an AI whisperer. Explore the top AI chatbots, creativity engines, and productivity toolsLearn how to write b

The ***THE INSTANT TOP FIVE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*** SHE WILL KILL YOUR WORST ENEMY. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS KILL HERS. 'Dazzling' SUNDAY TIMES Best Thriller Books of 2023 'Steve Cavanagh's twists hit you between the eyes.You never see them coming' ANTHONY HOROWITZ 'Unputdownable...one of the most ingenious thrillers I've read in a long time.' ALEX MICHAELIDES 'Smart, stylish and fearless - the ultimate treat for crime fiction fans' JANICE HALLETT One dark evening in New York City, two strangers meet by chance. Over drinks, Amanda and Wendy realise they have so much in common. They both feel alone.They both drink alone. And they both desperately want revenge against the two men who destroyed their families. Together, they have the perfect plan.If you kill for me, I'll kill for you... 'An absolute humdinger of a thriller - fiendishly clever and totally compelling.' TM LOGAN 'This guy is the real deal. Trust me' LEE CHILD 'Steve Cavanagh writes the best hooks in the business' MICK HERRON

Girl meets boy the old-fashioned way--in an online game. The first volume of the popular manga that inspired the anime My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. When college student Akane is dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to quit the online RPG they used to play together. But instead of deleting her account, she logs in and battles low-level enemies to relieve her stress and hurt feelings. There, she bumps into Yamada, a player so blunt he's practically rude. As it turns out, Yamada is something of a pro-gaming legend, and when Akane meets him again in real life, he's actually sensitive and kind--if oblivious. Soon, the two of them are spending more time together in-game and in real life. The problem is, Yamada is only interested in the game. As Akane's feelings grow, will Yamada's focus stay on the game? Volume 1 includes Chapters 1-9.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is now a major motion picture on Netflix and the inspiration for the spin-off series XO, Kitty--now streaming on Netflix!A Time Best YA Book of All Time (2021) Lara Jean's love life gets complicated in this New York Times bestselling "lovely, lighthearted romance" (School Library Journal) from the bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series. This special edition features a deluxe faux notebook cover with real elastic enclosure and a new foreword from the author--a true love letter to both new and established fans of the series. What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them...all at once? Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved--five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, be

'And we're going to live here, happily ever after, just like a fairy tale.'When Dad tells Luna and her little sister Aurora that they're moving to live in a real tower, it's almost like they've stepped inside a fairytale. But everything is not as magical as it first seems. The tower needs patching up, Dad still doesn't have a job and they're not even allowed in the room up at the very top.When it's time to start at their new school, Luna quickly finds a friend, but six-year-old Aurora absolutely hates the children in her class. She prefers to spend her time with her imaginary friend Tansy. Aurora's make-belief life causes problems for them all - and it seems like Aurora really believes Tansy exists...Is there really a curse on the tower - and will Luna be able to break it?A spine-tingling tale from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

A brand new, ghostly middle grade story about siblings and friendship from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.'And we're going to live here, happily ever after, just like a fairy tale.'When Dad tells Luna and her little sister Aurora that they're moving to live in a real tower, it's almost like they've stepped inside a fairytale.But everything is not as magical as it first seems. The tower needs patching up, Dad still doesn't have a job and they're not even allowed in the room up at the very top.When it's time to start at their new school, Luna quickly finds a friend, but six-year-old Aurora absolutely hates the children in her class. She prefers to spend her time with her imaginary friend Tansy. Aurora's make-belief life causes problems for them all - and it seems like Aurora really believes Tansy exists...Is there really a curse on the tower - and will Luna be able to break it?A spine-tingling tale from the bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

From Tapas Media, the same webtoon platform that brought you Magical Boy, comes Rainbow!, a new LGBTQ+ YA graphic novel series!Teenager Boo Meadows has pink hair and a very vivid imagination -- she has trouble separating from the real world. In her daydreams, she dances beautifully at balls or fights monsters as a magical girl. In reality, she has a complicated home life, work stress, school stress, and a wicked crush on the girl of her dreams. When a new student, Mimi, arrives at school, Boo starts exploring a side of herself that she never considered before. As she grows closer with Mimi, it may finally be time for Boo to face reality . . . Who is the real Mimi? The one in her dreams? Or the one in real life?Rainbow! is perfect for fans of Heartstopper and Magical Boy, full of heart, adorable illustrations, and a storyline that any teenager can relate to!

With special bonus content – a letter to readers from Alice OsemanThe second novel by the phenomenally talented Alice Oseman, author of Solitaire and graphic novel series Heartstopper – now a major Netflix series.What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?Frances has always been a study machine with one goal, elite university. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret – not even the person she is on the inside.But when Frances meets Aled, the shy genius behind her favourite podcast, she discovers a new freedom. He unlocks the door to Real Frances and for the first time she experiences true friendship, unafraid to be herself. Then the podcast goes viral and the fragile trust between them is broken.Caught between who she was and who she longs to be, Frances’ dreams come crashing down. Suffocating with guilt, she knows that she has to confront her past…She has to confess why Carys disappeared…Meanwhile at uni, Aled is alone, fighting even darker secrets.I

An internationally bestselling series of board books with amazing real-life sounds!This brand new edition includes replaceable AAA batteries and an exciting 'Look and Find' game on the final page. Press the button, recognise the sounds, then point at the right picture! It's time to listen to classical music from Mozart, Vivaldi, Strauss and more! Push the buttons to hear the amazing orchestra! Aimed at babies and toddlers, this ground-breaking series of interactive board books has a button on every spread, which plays one of five different exceptional quality sound effects. Children of every age will be captivated as they bring the artwork to life with five amazing real-life sounds.

Tag along with the Timekeepers in these history-themed adventure stories to discover amazing people and events that shaped our world. Meet the Timekeepers, a secret organisation of kids who keep the course of history on track – and history needs them! A villain called DeLay is set on causing chaos… When the hands on their special watches start to spin backwards, the Timekeepers know that DeLay has been up to no good, and it’s up to them to put things right. In this installment, The Timekeepers are transported back in time to 1889 to visit the World's Fair and the unveiling of the newly-built Eiffel Tower.But shortly after arrival, DeLay steals the blueprints for the building! It's up to the Timekeepers to track down the plans for the building, stop DeLay and save the day. This children’s chapter book series offers:- An introduction to history in a way that blends a fun story with real facts, and also includes a non-fiction section with additional information such as, timelines, quizzes

'I seemed to be seeing double. I saw two Edies instead of one - but they weren't the same.' Edie is fascinated by Victorian times, and she's just desperate to be cast in the lead role of her drama club production of Oliver. When she's given a real Victorian notebook she's determined to write the best story ever, all about a girl in a workhouse.But when she starts writing, something strange happens. Edie finds herself in Victorian London. She feels the same, but everything around her is completely different to what she knows.Soon, she realises she's living the life of another Edie Trimmer - and is in danger of being sent to a real workhouse!Will she forget everything she knows about her other life - and will she ever be able to make it back to her family?A heart-warming time slip adventure about family and friendship from the much-loved, bestselling Jacqueline Wilson.

For fans of Richard Osman and Anthony Horowitz, a fiendishly fun locked room murder mystery from the author of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone —this time set on a train full of mystery writers, agents, editors, and fans.When the Australian Mystery Writers’ Society invited me to their crime-writing festival aboard the Ghan, the famous train between Darwin and Adelaide, I was hoping for some inspiration for my second book. Fiction, this time: I needed a break from real people killing each other. Obviously, that didn’t pan out.The program is a who’s who of crime writing royalty:the debut writer (me!)the forensic science writerthe blockbuster writerthe legal thriller writerthe literary writerthe psychological suspense writerBut when one of us is murdered, the remaining authors quickly turn into five detectives. Together, we should know how to solve a crime.Of course, we should also know how to commit one.How can you find a killer when all the suspects know how to get away with mur

Hitori “Bocchi” Gotoh once played guitar in solitude, but ever since Nijika roped her into joining Kessoku Band, she’s started to emerge from her shell...kinda. She may still be a nervous wreck, but with a show or two under her belt, a part-time job, and even some real-life friends, those rocker fantasies don’t seem so unrealistic anymore! However, the band’s about to face its biggest challenge yet-performing onstage at the school festival! Can Bocchi hold it together and become a rock legend, or will she embarrass herself in front of the entire student body? (Why not both?!)

The AI Revolution is Here. Discover its Dynamic Applications in Networking, Cybersecurity, and More.AI is having a profound impact on nearly every sector of the workforce. Huge professional and financial opportunities await in the key domains of computer networking, cybersecurity, IoT, and cloud computing. The AI Revolution in Networking, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies will give you the edge you need to harness AI for your benefit. Learn how AI can efficiently identify shadow data, fortify security measures, generate predictive analytics in real time, and so much more.In this comprehensive guide, Cisco professionals Omar Santos, Samer Salam, and Hazim Dahir engage you in both AI application and theory through practical case studies and predictions of future trends, which makes this book not just a valuable guide for today, but an indispensable resource for tomorrow.You'll discover how AI is building robust bridges in collaboration tools and turning IoT into a super-intelligen

Evie Porter has everything a nice, Southern girl could want: a perfect, doting boyfriend, a house with a white picket fence and a garden, a fancy group of friends. The only catch: Evie Porter doesn't exist. The identity comes first: Evie Porter. Once she's given a name and location by her mysterious boss Mr. Smith, she learns everything there is to know about the town and the people in it. Then the mark: Ryan Sumner. The last piece of the puzzle is the job. Evie isn't privy to Mr. Smith's real identity, but she knows this job will be different. Ryan has gotten under her skin, and she's starting to envision a different sort of life for herself. But Evie can't make any mistakes--especially after what happened last time. Because the one thing she's worked her entire life to keep clean, the one identity she could always go back to--her real identity--just walked right into this town. Evie Porter must stay one step ahead of her past while making sure there's still a future in front of her.

In the era of 'Algorithmic Medicine, ' the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare holds immense potential to address critical challenges faced by the industry. Drawing upon the expertise and experience of the authors in medicine, data science, medical informatics, administration, and entrepreneurship, this textbook goes beyond theoretical discussions to outline practical steps for transitioning AI from the experimental phase to real-time clinical integration. Using the Translational Science methodology, each chapter of the book concisely and perspicuously addresses the key issues associated with AI implementation in healthcare. Covering technical, clinical, ethical, regulatory, and legal considerations, the authors present evidence-based solutions and frameworks to overcome these challenges. Engaging case studies and a literature review of peer-reviewed studies and official documents from reputed organizations provide a balanced perspective, bridging the gap between

Accounting Information Systems 4e covers the four roles for accountants with respect to information technology: users of technology and information systems, managers of users of technology, designers of information systems, and evaluators of information systems. Accountants must understand the organization and how organizational processes generate information important to management. The focus of Accounting Information Systems 4e is on the accountant's role as a business analyst in solving business problems by database modeling, database design, and business process modeling. Unlike other texts that provide a broad survey of AIS related topics, this text concentrates on developing practical business analysis skills through real-world examples, problems, and projects. Whether you are developing a new course for AIS or incorporating AIS materials into your existing curriculum, Accounting Information Systems 4e will help your students develop the technological skills they need for their f

This textbook introduces readers to the fundamental notions of modern probability theory. The only prerequisite is a working knowledge in real analysis. Highlighting the connections between martingales and Markov chains on one hand, and Brownian motion and harmonic functions on the other, this book provides an introduction to the rich interplay between probability and other areas of analysis.Arranged into three parts, the book begins with a rigorous treatment of measure theory, with applications to probability in mind. The second part of the book focuses on the basic concepts of probability theory such as random variables, independence, conditional expectation, and the different types of convergence of random variables. In the third part, in which all chapters can be read independently, the reader will encounter three important classes of stochastic processes: discrete-time martingales, countable state-space Markov chains, and Brownian motion. Each chapter ends with a selection of illu

Battle of the Artisans tells the story of Tangtun, a conflicted, artistic twelve-year-old in 5th-century BCE China, who sets out to save his father from a killer. He crosses wits with his macho father and a vengeful king, armed thieves, and disgruntled villagers, and in the process, discovers new powers that rock his Bronze-Age world. In the end, what matters most is not Tangtun’s artistic abilities or his father’s muscles and might but that they realize the strength of acting together.This novel portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. No one knows exactly why these bells were made, but Bennett provides a well-researched and persuasive solution to the mystery through her story of Tangtun and his village on the Yangtze River.Every historical novel is an imagined introduction to a topic and a time. Battle of the Artisans invites readers to explore further the world and the science of the bells of Marquis Yi, to learn more abou

Rarely in the history of international tax law have there been so many evolutions in such a short space of time: In a dizzying array of reports, work programmes, consultations and announcements, the OECD, with the active support of the EU, has created a framework for a global minimum tax (Pillar Two or GloBE). In the meanwhile, jurisdictions are faced with the practical difficulties of incorporating an incredibly complex set of rules into their domestic legal systems. This book aims to shed light on the fundamental and technical issues surrounding the global minimum tax. It seeks to unravel the complex ramifications of GloBE's technical framework and aims to explore the relationship between the OECD's soft law materials, including the OECD's GloBE Model Rules and the GloBE Commentary, tax treaties and the EU's recently adopted GloBE-Directive.The author not only analyses Pillar Two from a technical and a policy perspective but also provides for a comprehensive examination of the compat

Two Books in one! Episodes 17 & 18 in the hit Bad Guys series - now a hit feature film animation! "I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" - Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man They sound like the Bad Guys, they look like the Bad Guys... and they even smell like the Bad Guys.But Mr Wolf, Mr Piranha, Mr Snake and Mr Shark are about to change all of that - whether you want them to or not! EPISODE SEVENTEEN: LET THE GAMES BEGIN! It’s time to stop messin’ around . . .In this book, the One IS going to be reunited with the Others. You ARE going to actually meet the REAL DREAD OVERLORD SPLAARGHÖN. And ONE CHARACTER is going to change EVERYTHING you thought you knew.This is the one you’ve been waiting for! EPISODE EIGHTEEN The newest installment in the BAD GUYS series!ABOUT THE SERIES Full of hilarious line illustrations throughout Fans of Dog Man, Cat Kid and Captain Underpants will love this series Perfect for children who a struggling with reading - or who jus

'A Christmas book about kindness and cheer to make even Scrooge's heart melt' Dame Jacqueline Wilson on The Christmas Carrolls The Christmariffic Carrolls hit NEW YORK! Funny festive middle grade from the founder of Authorfy, perfect for 8+ fans of Matt Haig, Ben Miller, Sibeal Pounder's Tinsel, and the Nativity! films The Christmas-crazy Carrolls are back - and this time, they're in NEW YORK! Holly and her family are about to lead the famous Christmas parade in New York City! But there's a hitch. They have been invited to join the EXCLUSIVE Christmas Club, whose members are among the MOST CHRISTMASSY FAMILIES IN THE WORLD. They simply have to follow the mysterious White Reindeer to find the Christmas Club's secret headquarters in Manhattan.But when the White Reindeer shows up in the MIDDLE of the Christmas parade, the Carrolls are faced with a dilemma . . .Should they stay, or should they go? With loveable New York characters, a mystery surrounding Holly's mum Snow's real name, and a

New Kid meets The Baby-sitters Club in this graphic novel series opener about the Curlfriends, four inseparable Black girls who show us the meaning of true friendship--and being your true self. Charlie has a foolproof plan for the first day at her new middle school. Even though she's used to starting over as the new kid--thanks to her military family's constant moving--making friends has never been easy for her. But this time, her first impression needs to last, since this is where her family plans to settle for good. So she's hiding any interests that may seem "babyish," updating her look, and doing her best to leave her shyness behind her...but is erasing the real Charlie the best way to make friends? When not everything goes exactly to plan--like, AT ALL--Charlie is ready to give up on making new friendships. Then she meets the Curlfriends, a group of Black girls who couldn't be more different from each other, and learns that maybe there is a place for Charlie to be her true self af

Bursting with Christmas magic, discover the heart-warming true story of a little owl who's discovered living in the world's most famous Christmas tree. When Little Owl’s home is cut down by people saying it will make a beautiful Christmas tree, she’s not sure she wants anything to do with Christmas, whatever that is. But when she wakes up, she finds that her tree has been transported to the Big City! Far from home, she's soon to find out the true meaning of Christmas.Inspired by the real life story of the little owl who found her way to New York in the famous Christmas tree outside the Rockefeller Center and who featured in Marvel's hit series Hawkeye on Disney+. Co-written by Ellen Kalish, caretaker of the real owl, The Christmas Owl is a charming story of friendship, compassion, and the true meaning of this special time of year.

“Monsters, mayhem, and a little family magic will have readers rooting for Valentina!” -- Kwame Mbalia, New York Times bestselling authorIt takes a special person to end up in detention on the last day of school.It takes a REALLY special person to accidentally burn down the school yard while chasing a fire-breathing chipmunk.But nothing about Valentina Salazar has ever been "normal." The Salazars are protectors, tasked with rescuing the magical creatures who sometimes wander into our world, from grumpy unicorns to chupacabras... to the occasional fire-breathing chipmunk.When Val's father is killed during a rescue mission gone wrong, her mother decides it's time to retire from their life on the road. She moves the family to a boring little town in upstate New York and enrolls Val and her siblings in real school for the first time.But Val is a protector at heart and she can't give up her calling. So when a mythical egg surfaces in a viral video, Val convinces her reluctant sibl

When a shiny idol is a sad mess in real life, can his number one fan help him stay upbeat? High schooler Utage Kinoshita works part-time as a housekeeper so that she can afford her fangirl obsession with Tamon Fukuhara, her favorite member of boy band F/ACE. When work serendipitously sends her to the home of her idol, she discovers that the real Tamon couldn't be more different from his wild and sexy onstage persona! Tamon is an insecure mess in real life, and what's worse, he's threatening to quit! Utage refuses to let anyone stand in Tamon's way--least of all himself. What's a fangirl to do but roll up her sleeves and support her favorite singer with everything she's got?

*A brand-new recipe book inspired by the amazing worlds of Roald Dahl!*'I've eaten many strange and scrumptious dishes in my time . . .'So spoke the Grasshopper as, in James and the Giant Peach, he told us about the most incredible food he'd eaten - some of which you wouldn't even believe was real!Mice with rice, earwigs cooked in slime, fresh dragon's flesh and curried slugs and much much more.Now YOU can create the most amazing food from the world of Roald Dahl in this incredible new recipe book, inspired by stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Giraffe the Pelly and Me, and Danny Champion of the World. With easy step-by-step guides to making the most marvellous (and most revolting) recipes, and hints and tips for budding young chefs, this book will give you everything you need to cook amazing dishes. Each recipe will be beautifully illustrated by a host of amazing artists.

Learn How to Better Understand Distributed System Design and Solve Common Problems Enterprises today rely on a range of distributed software handling data storage, messaging, system management, and compute capability. Distributed system designs need to be implemented in some programming language, and there are common problems that these implementations need to solve. These problems have common recurring solutions. A patterns approach is very suitable to describe these implementation aspects. Patterns by nature are generic enough to cover a broad range of products from cloud services like Amazon S3 to message brokers like Apache Kafka to infrastructure frameworks like Kubernetes to databases like MongoDB or Actor frameworks like Akka. At the same time the pattern structure is specific enough to be able to show real code. The beauty of this approach is that even if the code structure is shown in one programming language (Java in this case), the structure applies to many other programming