The Uncommoners #1: The Crooked Sixpence

The Uncommoners #1: The Crooked Sixpence
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2017-01-31
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0553498452

Anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their lives can’t miss this fantasy series opener. Dive into a secret underground city below London where ordinary objects are capable of extraordinary magic! "Part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling! A terrific debut." —Soman Chainani, New York Times Bestselling Author of the School for Good and Evil series Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems… When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to the hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Soon their house is ransacked by unknown intruders, and a very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, a secret underground city called Lundinor where ordinary objects have amazing powers. There are belts that enable the wearer to fly, yo-yos that turn into weapons, buttons with healing properties, and other enchanted objects capable of very unusual feats. But the forces of evil are closing in fast, and when Ivy and Seb learn that their family is connected to one of the greatest uncommon treasures of all time, they must race to unearth the treasure and get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late. Debut novelist Jennifer Bell delivers a world of wonder and whimsy in the start of a richly uncommon series. "An auspicious trilogy opener." -Kirkus Reviews

The Frozen Telescope

The Frozen Telescope
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Corgi
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018-07-05
Genre: Children's stories
ISBN: 9780552572910

After the thrilling events which concluded The Smoking Hourglass, Ivy, Seb and Valian think they've vanquished their enemies, and those of Lundinor, forever. It turns out their adventure was only just beginning . . . Ivy and Seb can't wait to join Valian for their first ever overseas uncommon adventure - they're meeting in Nubrook, the completely astonishing and totally-different-to-Ludinor trading market hidden underneath New York. But there's no time to enjoy looking round all the incredible sights - they're on a mission to find Valian's long-lost sister, Rosie. But it seems they're not the only ones looking for her. Once again the Dirge rear their terrifying heads, and it appears they're after not only Rosie, but another enormously powerful Great Uncommon Good object. But what do they want it for? And can Ivy, Seb and Valian stop them from finding it?

The Shadows of Doom

The Shadows of Doom
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Crown Books For Young Readers
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2019
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0553498479

Siblings Ivy and Seb Sparrow return to Lundinor with their friend Valian to thwart Selena Grimes, who, as the leader of the Dirge, plans to condemn the uncommoners to a disastrous fate.

The Uncommoners #2: The Shadows of Doom

The Uncommoners #2: The Shadows of Doom
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Yearling
Total Pages: 354
Release: 2020-01-28
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0553498509

Anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their lives can't miss the second book in this fantasy series. Dive into a secret underground city where nothing is as it seems... "Part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling! A terrific series." -Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series Ivy and her older brother Seb are back in Lundinor--the underground city where enchanted objects can do incredible things, if they're uncommon. But not everyone is thrilled for their arrival. Namely, Selena Grimes, the wicked ghoul who will stop at nothing to return her guild, the Dirge, to their former glory. So when Ivy and Seb learn that Selena is after the Jar of Shadows, one of the five most powerful uncommon objects, they know it's up to them to find it first. But there's more than just Selena to worry about this trading season. A deadly game of Grivens, an escaped shape-shifting convict, and foes disguised as friends lurk in the shadows. Ivy will have to figure out who they can trust--before they all meet their uncommon ends. "It's impossible not to hear the chimes of Harry Potter ringing through." -The Telegraph

Schadenfreude

Schadenfreude
Author: Tiffany Watt Smith
Publisher: Little, Brown Spark
Total Pages: 143
Release: 2018-11-20
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 0316470295

An entertaining and insightful exploration of schadenfreude: the deliciously dark and complex joy we've all felt, from time to time, at news of others' misfortunes. You might feel schadenfreude when... the boss calls himself "Head of Pubic Services" on an important letter a cool guy swings back on his chair, and it tips over. a Celebrity Vegan is caught in the cheese aisle. an aggressive driver cuts you off -- and then gets pulled over. your co-worker heats up fish in the microwave, then gets food poisoning. an urban unicyclist almost collides with a parked car. someone cuts the line for the ATM -- and then it swallows their card. your effortlessly attractive friend gets dumped. We all know the pleasure felt at someone else's misfortune. The Germans named this furtive delight in another's failure schadenfreude (from schaden damage, and freude, joy), and it has perplexed philosophers and psychologists for centuries. Why can it be so satisfying to witness another's distress? And what, if anything, should we do about it? Schadenfreude illuminates this hidden emotion, inviting readers to reflect on its pleasures, and how we use other people's miseries to feel better about ourselves. Written in an exploratory, evocative form, it weaves examples from literature, philosophy, film, and music together with personal observation and historical and cultural analysis. And in today's world of polarized politics, twitter trolls and "sidebars of shame," it couldn't be timelier. Engaging, insightful, and entertaining, Schadenfreude makes the case for thinking afresh about the role this much-maligned emotion plays in our lives -- perhaps even embracing it.

Language at Large

Language at Large
Author: Alexandra Aikhenvald
Publisher: BRILL
Total Pages: 630
Release: 2011-07-27
Genre: Language Arts & Disciplines
ISBN: 9004207686

The volume brings together important essays on syntax and semantics by Aikhenvald and Dixon, highlighting their expertise in various fields of linguistics. The first part focusses on linguistic typology, covering case markers used on verbs, argument-determined constructions, unusual meanings of causatives, the semantic basis for a typology, word-class-changing derivations, speech reports and semi-direct speech. The second part concentrates on documentation and analysis of previously undescribed languages, from South America and Indigenous Australia. The third part addresses a variety of issues in grammar and lexicography of English. This includes pronouns with transferred reference, comparative constructions, features of the noun phrase, and the discussion of 'twice'. The treatment of Australian Aboriginal words in dictionaries is discussed in the final chapter.

Seven Uncommoners

Seven Uncommoners
Author: Ridhima Verma
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2014
Genre: Businesspeople
ISBN: 9788172345396

The Uncommoners #1: The Crooked Sixpence

The Uncommoners #1: The Crooked Sixpence
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Yearling
Total Pages: 338
Release: 2018-09-11
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0553498460

Anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their lives can’t miss this fantasy series opener. Dive into a secret underground city below London where ordinary objects are capable of extraordinary magic! "Part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling! A terrific debut." —Soman Chainani, New York Times Bestselling Author of the School for Good and Evil series Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems… When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to the hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Soon their house is ransacked by unknown intruders, and a very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, a secret underground city called Lundinor where ordinary objects have amazing powers. There are belts that enable the wearer to fly, yo-yos that turn into weapons, buttons with healing properties, and other enchanted objects capable of very unusual feats. But the forces of evil are closing in fast, and when Ivy and Seb learn that their family is connected to one of the greatest uncommon treasures of all time, they must race to unearth the treasure and get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late. Debut novelist Jennifer Bell delivers a world of wonder and whimsy in the start of a richly uncommon series. "An auspicious trilogy opener." -Kirkus Reviews

Wonderscape

Wonderscape
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Walker Books
Total Pages: 345
Release: 2020-06
Genre: Accident investigation
ISBN: 9781406391725

Waterstones Children's Book of the Month for June 2020! Toppsta Children's Book of the Month for June 2020! Gaming and time travel collide in this exhilarating middle-grade adventure, from bestselling author Jennifer Bell. THE GAME IS ON. TRAVEL WITH WONDER. When Arthur, Ren and Cecily investigate a mysterious explosion on their way to school, they find themselves trapped aboard The Principia - a scientific research ship sailing through hazardous waters, captained by one Isaac Newton. Lost in the year 2473 in the Wonderscape, an epic in-reality adventure game, they must call on the help of some unlikely historical heroes, to play their way home before time runs out. Jumanji meets Ready Player One in this fast-paced adventure featuring incredible real-life heroes, from the internationally bestselling author of The Uncommoners series. "A whirlwind of fun and mystery across space and time." Thomas Taylor, author of Malamander "Eight-plus readers with a taste for adventure and science will immerse themselves in the Uncommoners author Jennifer Bell's exciting new Wonderscape" - 'Books of the Month', Guardian "A breakneck sci-fi romp that's perfect for gamers, puzzle fiends and fact-fans." Ross Montgomery, author of Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door "With the mind-expanding wonder of A Wrinkle in Time, the tech-wizardry of Ready Player One, and a generous sprinkling of Jennifer Bell's unique magic, Wonderscape is unmissable." Sinéad O'Hart, author of The Eye of the North "Wonderscape is an expertly crafted, breakneck speed adventure." BookTrust "Bell puts a clever and highly inventive spin on the middle-grade fantasy adventure." The Bookseller "A fun-filled, character-driven, fast-paced, vibrant story ... together with its thought-provoking, science-embracing and hero-referencing narrative, it will almost certainly win both hearts and minds." 'Children's Book of the Week', Press Association

The Uncommoners #3: The Deadly Omens

The Uncommoners #3: The Deadly Omens
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2020-01-28
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0553498533

Anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their lives can't miss the third book and final showdown in this fantasy series. Return to Lundinor, the underground city that holds the world's greatest treasures . . . and its biggest threats. "Part Tim Burton, part J. K. Rowling! A terrific series." --Soman Chainani, New York Times bestselling author of the School for Good and Evil series After years of searching, Ivy gets word that her best friend Valian's long-missing sister Rosie may be hidden in the uncommon trading city of Nubrook, located under the populated New York City. The kids reunite to scour Nubrook for any sign of Rosie, but the hunt leads to one of the last remaining Great Uncommon Good: the Sands of Change, an enchanted necklace that turns objects--and people--into their opposites. The ever-powerful Dirge guild is no doubt also on the hunt for the pendant, so Ivy and her friends are in a race against time to find Rosie and put an end to the Dirge once and for all! Don't miss the epic conclusion in the fight to save the uncommon world.