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Racing was a men’s sport - and then came the women. Danica Patrick is from the United States. Mika Duno is Venezuelan. Laleh Seddigh is from Iran. They race with men, and they are winners. Read their stories.

A young couple, Della and Jim, who, despite their financial struggles, each sacrifice their most prized possession to buy a Christmas gift for the other, leading to an ironic yet poignant conclusion.

The House of the Seven Gables is the home of an important family: the Pyncheons. They have the house and a lot of land, but no money and many problems. Is there a curse on the family? This is a story about money, murder, and love.

When a fisherman opens an old jar, a giant comes out. When a donkey opens its mouth, gold falls out. There is magic in these five fairy tales. Good people are often very unhappy — but in the end they have happy lives.

After his parents die, young David Balfour goes to the house of his uncle Ebenezer. But his uncle is a dangerous man. When he puts David on a ship to America, a difficult and dangerous time begins. But who is the stranger on the ship? Can he help David?

The stories in this book are exciting and sometimes very strange. Some are sad and some are happy. We meet many interesting people − a young man in love, a lonely customer in a shop, a shy soldier. Strange things happen to all these people. But life is strange sometimes.

Charles Hatfield Baker III, one of the richest men in New York City, suddenly disappears. His daughter, Julia, wants to find him. The directors of his company want power and money. Do they know where he is? And what is Project Omega? Can Julia find her father and save his company?

There are three exciting short stories in this book. They are all about …fear! Three people are in dangerous places. What can they do? Will anybody help them?

The year was 1963, and Beatlemania was only just beginning. Soon the Beatles had fans all around the world. For the rest of the 1960s their music led the way and they changed modern music forever. This book tells the story of the greatest band in the world from the early days in Liverpool to the Beatles’ music in the world today.

Claire goes to stay with her Aunt Min in a village that has an old castle, with a black tower. The castle has a dangerous secret, but what is it and can Claire find out?

There are three men, a boy and a dog in a balloon over the Pacific, but only two men and the boy arrive on a strange island. Mysterious things happen to them there. Are there other people on the island? Where is the other man and his dog? Will they see their homes again?

Three stories, three ghosts. A young woman marries an older man. His first wife is dead. Or is she …? Why does a dead man walk through his house each night? An old woman has a house with a tower. Why does she visit a young man in his dreams?

This is the story of an Aboriginal boy and two American children in the Australian desert. When they meet the boy, Mary and Peter learn about the desert. They follow him to food and water. But they are lost. Can they finish their journey and find their way home?

British English Sir Robert Chiltern is a successful politician and an honest man. He is an ideal husband for the beautiful and serious Lady Chiltern. But somebody knows a dangerous secret about Sir Robert. Can Sir Robert’s charming Society friends save his job and his marriage? This Penguin Reader play is written for acting— making English come alive.

Farm work isn’t Joe’s idea of holiday fun. He wanted to spend the summer surfing. But when he finds himself in the middle of a disagreement about GM (genetically modified) crop trials, life becomes more interesting. He also meets two very different girls. But what do they really want from him?

Katy and her boyfriend Tom are happy in their band, Steel City. But then Tom gets a new guitar and the trouble begins. Suddenly he can play very well, but he seems to be a different person. Why is he always so angry? When Katy discovers the secret of the guitar, she is very afraid. Can she save her boyfriend’s life?

In the 1930s Grey Owl was the most famous North American Indian in the world. He wanted to save his land, its forests and animals. He wanted to change the world. He also had a very strange secret. This book tells his true story.

Mark Twain is one of America’s most famous and best-loved writers. He wrote about every important subject of his time. Twain’s stories are usually amusing but with a serious message too. You will read about people’s hopes and fears, happiness and terrible sadness—and wonderful practical jokes!

Marion’s dream is coming true. She only needs a room for one more night before she can marry Sam. Driving through the night, she’s lost and tired. Then she sees the Bates Motel. She thinks she is lucky. But there, something terrible is waiting for her.

Sarajevo is under siege. There is little food or water and the city is attacked, every day, from the hills. Ordinary people try to live their lives, but they are losing hope for the future. Then, one day, some decide to wait in a line for bread…

A mysterious stranger has come to the island where Costas lives. Why is the man there, and why is he looking at Eagle’s Rock? Costas wants to be the first person to climb the dangerous rock. But will the stranger climb it first?

A diamond necklace is stolen from a museum. Everyone who works at the museum could be guilty. But who really took the necklace, and why? The police suspect Paul, a young student. So, Paul must find the real thief.

Persephone Hadley is six months pregnant with a mixed-race baby. In their society this fact alone will threaten the child’s life every day. To make matters worse, the baby’s father, Callum, is dead. He was hanged for terrorism months ago, but his presence still torments Sephy. And she’s not alone. Callum’s brother, Jude, blames Sephy for the death, and thirsts for revenge...in the form of her life.

Guy Haines is travelling through Texas on a train when a stranger invites him to share a meal. But the stranger has a terrible plan. ‘You murder my father, and I’ll murder your wife,’ he suggests. So begins Guy’s journey into a world of madness, lies and death.