"It is up to Nick Slate to find the last of Nikola Tesla's powerful inventions--or face devastating consequences"--

Meet Samuel Todd When he wakes up, Samuel Todd looks in the mirror to make sure he's still Samuel Todd. The mirror is just the first of the great inventions that Samuel Todd celebrates every day. From the belt loops and Velcro that make it easier to get and stay dressed, to the training wheels that make four wheels twice as good as three, to one last check with the mirror before bedtime (yes, he's still Samuel Todd), his day is filled with important inventions that make his life better -- and more fun. Who but two-time Newbery Medalist E.L. Konigsburg could so perfectly capture a child's wonder at everyday miracles like step stools and french fries?

From the author of THE PARENT AGENCY comes a thrilling, funny and touching new adventure. Fred and Ellie are twins. But not identical (because that's impossible for a boy and a girl). They do like all the same things, though. Especially video games. Which they are very good at. They aren't that good, however, at much else - like, for example, football, or dealing with the school bullies. Then, they meet the Mystery Man, who sends them a video game controller, which doesn't look like any other controller they've ever seen. And it doesn't control any of their usual games. When the twins find out what it does control, though, it seems like the answer to all their problems. And the key to all their wildest dreams. At least it seems like that...

What's "Your" Favorite color? Samuel Todd likes colors, colors of all kinds. Colors are full of surprises: A pumpkin is all orange, but not all orange is a pumpkin. And if pink is supposed to be for little girls, why are boy flamingos just as pink as girl flamingos? Most surprising of all is that -- even though all colors are great -- some of the best things have no color at all. After all, what color is a hug or a song? As in "Samuel Todd"s Book of Great Inventions," two-time Newbery Medalist E. L. Konigsburg gets inside the mind and heart of a little boy marveling at the world he lives in, and creates a fresh and perceptive look at everyday things.

Dearest Reader: The story you now have in front of you is a real-life miracle. Beware, though: for even the most incredible miracles can sometimes come with a price. For ten-year-old Emily Sweet, the price could be her very life. If you decide to read this book, be warned that you will experience Emily Sweet's highs and lows as if you are alongside her. On one hand, you will find her story uplifting, exciting, and inspiring. You'll ride along as she discovers a magical bottle with a life-changing message inside, and travels on both an invisible hot air balloon and a whale-shaped submarine. You'll be there when she converses with talking animals and discovers new and exciting friends on a wondrous secret island filled with super-cool inventions, boundless adventure, and a special child-saving company whose leader happens to be a six-foot, four-inch panda bear doctor! But Emily has her share of disappointment, too. You'll experience Emily's many unpleasantries, like being abandoned at birth and being sent to live with a wretched, hideous pet grooming foster mom. When Emily comes down with a mysterious illness, she rubs shoulders with an evil, child-hating doctor armed with an army of grotesque, masked, killer mall mannequins -- determined to not only stop her and other unfortunate children from being happy, but to destroy the special child saving company and the giant panda bear doctor who runs it. Please help children in need by reading this story, then spread the word so others will also read it. Hopefully, together, we can make sad children happy, one story at a time. For the Children, Dr. Henry J. Baer CSFR Inc. Secretisland4.com "In Emily's Miracle, Chris Lombardi speaks with a true voice; allowing the innocence of youth to inform, enlighten, and guide us all towards those paths we seek; an engaging, imaginative, page turning ride." -- Chris Lemmon, (Actor/Writer and author of "A Twist of Lemmon: A tribute to my father"). "Emily's Miracle is a feast for the senses... Lombardi blends fresh creativity with a sense of stated purpose." -- Thomas Hill. Launchpad book reviews.