orphans

When fifteen-year-old Iranian American Marjan discovers her murdered father was secretly a veterinarian to magical creatures, she realizes she must take up his mantle, despite the many dangers.

Seventh-grader Hercules Beal has to figure out how to fulfill his teacher's assignment of performing the Twelve Labors of Hercules in real life, and discovers important things about friendship, community, and himself along the way.

Dan and Amy Cahill are given the choice of receiving a million dollars or uncovering the thirty-nine clues hidden around the world that will lead to the source of the family's power, but by taking on the clues, they end up in a dangerous race against their own family.

The beast, who tried to eat Bethany twice and controlled Ebenezer Tweezer for years, is declared no longer dangerous and delivered back to Ebenezer and Bethany's house, but the beast's newfound manners may not be as polished as everyone thought.

Fleeing from the orphanage where she lives, Grace makes a deal with the witch in the nearby woods--if Grace can learn all the witch's spells, she must make Grace her apprentice--an agreement that leads to an unexpected bond, and an unimaginable sacrifice.

In World War II England, orphaned siblings William, Edmund, and Anna are evacuated from London to live in the countryside, where they bounce from home to home in search of someone willing to adopt them permanently.

"Ellie and Seth know more than most people do about living amongst gods. Ellie, an inventor with a tragic past, was once forced to become the human Vessel for the most wicked god of all, the Enemy; Seth, a mysterious boy with no memories, has just discovered that he's actually a god himself. So when they escape the City and all of its inhabitants who want them dead, they hope to find a new island--free of gods--to call home. Months on a homemade raft have stretched their patience with each other, but at last they spot land--and when they arrive, it seems like every bit the paradise they'd been dreaming of. But the tropical island has its secrets just as the City did, and Ellie and Seth are faced with impossible questions about who they can trust and who they can't--including each other"--Provided by publisher.

"Aisha has suffered a devastating loss. Her parents were killed in a car crash, and now she must move to decrepit and derelict Detroit to live with her ailing grandmother. However, shortly after moving in, Aisha's grandmother's health rapidly deteriorates. With her dying breath, she summons the dark spirit that has protected their family for generations to watch over Aisha. At first it seems that this spirit, whom Aisha refers to as the Keeper, is truly doing as her grandmother asked, caring for Aisha and keeping her safe; however, it soon becomes clear that this being can only sustain itself by stealing life from others. As the Keeper begins to prey on the apartment building's other residents, Aisha and her friends must come together to destroy it . . . or die trying"--Amazon.

The orphan caretaker of the holy Sanctum who possesses unique skills, Catrin witnesses a murder that traps her between a killer and the brilliant detective investigating the case, forcing her to hide her own secret gifts, which could save her and those she loves from becoming the next victims.

"After a brutal revolution Callipolis is ravaged by famine and the Pythians are ready for revenge, so it's up to Annie, Lee, and newcomer Griff to decide what to fight for, and who to love"--Provided by publisher.