It is the mid-seventeenth century in Boston. Hester Prynne, dignified and silent, is led through prison doors to her public shaming by members of the Puritan town. Holding her illegitimate child to her breast, and bearing a bright scarlet letter “A” embroidered on her bodice, Hester must now struggle to create a new life for herself and her child within this censorious community. When her missing spouse reappears, reveals himself to her, and takes...

"Like most boys, Tom Sawyer would rather play hooky than go to school. But Tom's lively imagination and thirst for adventure lead him into the most extraordinary situations, from a search for buried treasure to the accidental witness of a murder in a graveyard. All of his exploits -- tricking his pals into whitewashing a fence, sharing his medicine with the family cat, disrupting a church service with a pinching insect -- are flavored with the humor...

"As one of the many installments in Jules Verne's Voyage Extraordinaire series, Journey to the Center of the Earth promises high stakes and thrilling adventure. When Professor Otto Lidenbrock bought an ancient runic manuscript, which chronicles the lives of Norwegian Kings, he did not expect to learn of anything but the history of Icelandic leaders. However, upon further inspection, Lidenbrock and his nephew, Axel, find that the manuscript includes...

The Last of the Mohicans is the second andmost popular of James Fenimore Cooper's five Leatherstocking Tales. Set in 1757 during the fierce French and Indian wars, Cooper's classic novel of adventure follows an adroit scout and his companion as they weave through the lush and spectacular wilderness of upstate New York, fighting to save the beautiful daughters of a fort commander from a treacherous Huron renegade. With its death-defying chases and...

Black Beauty enjoys a carefree upbringing in a pleasant meadow with his mother, where his gentle first master trains him well until he is reluctantly forced to sell him. Through a long and varied life, Black Beauty passes from one owner to the next; some treat him well, others are so cruel that they inflict lasting damage. Anna Sewells biographical novel about a horse is one of the bestselling books of all time, and her depiction of Victorian society's...

"Published in 1883, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is one of the most popular interpretations of the English hero. Influenced by the classic texts, author Howard Pyle creates a cohesive narrative full of action, adventure and humor. Although intended for children, this story's an enjoyable read for all ages."--Page 4 of cover.