Cynthia Voigt

Fredle, a young mouse cast out of his home, faces dangers and predators outside, makes some important discoveries and allies, and learns the meaning of freedom as he struggles to return home.

"When Max's parents leave the country without him, he must rely on his wits to get by, and before long he is running his own--rather unusual--business"--

Self-reliant Max Starling, a twelve-year-old detective and problem solver, struggles to keep his identity a secret as he investigates a case of arson, while cryptic messages from his still missing parents indicate that they need rescuing.

Abandoned by their mother, four children begin a search for a home and an identity.

"Solutioneer Max Starling travels to a fictional South American country to rescue his parents who have become embroiled in a political power grab"--

In a time of winter famine, the People tell the legend of Jackaroo, a masked outlaw who comes at night to aid the destitute and helpless, and sixteen-year-old Gwyn, the innkeeper's daughter, begins a quest to find the truth behind the legend--or maybe start a legend of her own.

Preferring to be cut from the team rather than break his own rules, which include closing himself off rather than letting down his guard, Bullet Tillerman learns from his friend Patrice that running well does not mean running away.

There are some who say that the Lady Fortune
has a wheel, and all men are fixed upon it.
The wheel turns, and the men rise, or fall,
with the turning of the wheel.
Birle has agreed to be wed to the huntsman Muir as an escape from the drudgery of life at her father's inn — but the moment she looks into the bellflower blue eyes of the man she comes upon stealing one of her father's boats, Birle knows she cannot marry...

Since he was little Oriel has lived on the Sixth Damall's island, where all the boys are terrorized and trust is a luxury that no one can afford, so even though he has been chosen as the Seventh Damall, Oriel takes the most prized gemstone a beryl, engraved with a falcon, and leaves the island with his only friend, Griff--but the Kingdom on the mainland has its own dangers, which the two must face.