If you’re like me, in the wintertime you like to hibernate. Sitting down with a good book, a cat purring in your lap and a cup of hot cocoa steaming beside you is the ultimate pleasure on a cold winter’s night. Trite or not, these are the sorts of activities that make me happiest when the snow is blowing and the streets are dangerous on long, cold winter nights. Although I recommend any of our books, here are three that should keep you warm and satisfied — hot cocoa notwithstanding.

Fiction is my first choice on blustery nights. Getting lost in a whole different world is deliciously tantalizing. What better for getting “lost” than our new release L.O.S.T. by Debbie Federici and Susan Vaught. L.O.S.T. has it all — suspense, heroism, fighting and romance. Oh yeah, and a little magic thrown in for good measure. The premise is this: Brenden is an ordinary teenage boy, on a road trip to visit a friend when he is thrown helplessly into another world. His kidnapper is Jazz, Queen of the Witches. At only 16 years old, Jazz must find a way to save her world from the evil Nire — an ancient Witch gone bad. Her only hope is Bren, the mythical Shadowalker. Only, Bren doesn’t know he’s supposed to be a savior. He also doesn’t know how to use magic, fight, or, apparently, even how to concentrate on anything. Plus, he’s more than a little angry to be thrown into a completely different world — not by his own choice. If the two can stop fighting for more than five minutes, they might stand a chance against the impending evil. But neither of them believes in miracles. Told in both Jazz and Bren’s point of view, this book is a riveting must-read for your wintertime blues. For an exciting excerpt from this amazing book, check out the boxes on the next page.

Speaking of different worlds, how about a foray into the dangerous, complicated world of the gods? What would it be like to be face-to-face with Odin? To watch Thor throw his hammer? Loki play his tricks? For fifteen-year-old Samuel of The Raven’s Ring Pin, it’s more than just a fantasy.

When Samuel moves to Yellowstone National Park during the winter, he has no idea what’s in store for him. Bored out of his wits in the Inn his family inhabits (his Dad is the Inn’s caretaker), Samuel begins to explore his surroundings. He comes across two unusual ravens in the attic of the old Inn, and with them, an old brooch. He discovers that this is no ordinary brooch — with it, he can talk to the ravens. And even more disturbing, it transports him and the ravens to a completely new world. The world of the Norse gods.

Stuck in a new, formidable land, facing dangers untold in a hostile world, Samuel must find the strength and courage to get back home alive. In the process, he learns about himself and the world, and confronts a powerful evil that threatens the existence of the very gods themselves. For a small taste of this larger-than-life book, read the excerpt in the boxes provided.

Winter months are also a time to learn new skills and explore those avenues you’ve always been curious about. Harry Potter fan? Want to learn real magick? Check out The Book of Wizardry by Cornelius Rumstuckle. Against his own best judgment, fourth generation Wizard and President of the Wizard’s Guild, Mr. Rumstuckle, bequeaths upon the world his vast and ancient knowledge. Of course, he’s not going to make it easy. After you read the twenty-two lessons he magnanimously gives you, you’re expected to go through “The Wizard’s Adventure” to prove your mettle. If you make it through — intact — you can become a member of the Wizard’s Guild. But, beware. It’s not as easy as it sounds.

Besides sphinxes and lions, vampires and trolls, there are deadly passageways and conniving villagers. Surviving the adventure is just half the fun. If you can make it to the end, you still have to decipher a code to earn your place in the Wizard’s Guild. Remember, this is important knowledge you’re getting! We wouldn’t want just anyone in the Guild, right? If you’re interested in reading a bit more, you might want to look at the excerpt provided.

So, now that you have some suggestions, it’s time to make that hot cocoa. There are many other exciting books in Llewellyn’s Teens & ‘Tween line, so make sure to check out our new website: teen.llewellyn.com. The website has more than just books — there are experts to whom you can direct your questions; information on all sorts of body, mind and spirit subjects; horoscopes and much, much more. We want to deliver what you want to read, so be sure to give us your feedback! Please write to megana@llewellyn.com with any suggestions for future projects. In the meantime, have a warm winter and happy reading!

From L.O.S.T. by Debbie Federici and Susan Vaught

“Bren.” I leaned forward again as his attention turned back to me. “Unless you help me defeat Nire, we will all die. Witches and humans alike.”
An incredulous look passed across his features. “Yeah, right. You’re trying to tell me that you think I can help you cream some Shadowmaster dictator who’s been kidnapping and killing witches.” He ran his hand through his thick hair and laughed, but it was hollow at best. “Jazz, you are out of your fu-flippin’ mind. I’m no hero.”
It took all my years of training to keep my voice calm, to not let him see the fear his denial caused me. “I speak the truth. I need your assistance.”
“Why me?” Bren’s warm brown eyes focused on my face. “What’s so special about me?”
“I—I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling that strange chill of fear again. I dismissed it. The twinge of concern made no sense, and it was beginning to make me angry. “But I went in search of the Shadowalker. The spell I cast—to bring me the soul who could stop Nire—delivered you to me. You, out of all the people in the non-witching world.”
Bren raised an eyebrow, and his mouth twitched. “Your magic made me feel like I had to pee?”
I smiled despite the heaviness in my soul. “Not . . . exactly. But the magic brought you, the true champion, to me.”
“Can magic make a mistake? Because this has gotta be a mistake.” Bren’s face darkened. “I’m nobody’s champion, except for maybe my baseball team—but even there, I make lots of errors. And my mom—she’s the only other person who believes in me.”
“No.” I shook my head. “Magic never makes a mistake. Only witches make mistakes.”
“Sh—crap,” he muttered. “I sure fit in with all the loonies here. I can’t get anything right.”
My heart ached at his words. It took everything in me not to grab his hand again, but I maintained control. “You don’t believe in yourself. That’s natural in the unconverted. Your talent is strong, though. I believe in you already. I know you can find the power to defeat Nire.”

From The Raven’s Ring Pin by John Anacker

For a moment Samuel’s heart leapt with joy, for the figures gathered at the base of the tree were human. But as Samuel neared, his new-found hope was dashed. From under iron helmets and behind wooden shields, these men stared out at him malevolently. Suddenly, a wild man dressed in a bear-hide cape sprang from their ranks and began stomping the ground in front of the others, sending up a cloud of dust. With a jerk, he tore off his cloak and began swinging an axe above his head in a huge circle. His eyes were mad and white foam flecked his lips. A wild hiss went up from the mob, and they all began to beat their weapons upon their shields.
Samuel stumbled a step back, and Balder grasped his shoulder to steady him. Rag edged closer, his beak nervously clacking together.
Suddenly the mob parted and a woman, taller than the tallest man and dressed in mail, stepped forward and cried, “Enough!” The din ceased in a second but the ranks of warriors continued to growl and stare like caged dogs at Samuel and Balder. The woman then turned to the three of them and said in a frosty voice, “All who come to this throne must bow before Odin, the All Father.”

From The Book of Wizardry by Cornelius Rumstuckle

It’s not easy, you know. Not easy at all. Some people spend their whole lives trying to work magic and never really get the hang of it, poor things.
Of course you’ll have this book to help you.
That’s never happened before, not in the whole history of Wizardry. There has never been an official handbook of the Wizards’ Guild issued to just anyone.
I’m not sure I approve.
But still, they’ve given me the job of teaching you, so that’s what I’m going to do. By the time you’ve worked your way through this book, you’ll be a Wizard all right. And a good one, even if it kills me.
Maybe you’ll even be good enough to join the Wizard’s Guild. That’s a long way down the road, of course. You’ll have to work your way right through this book before you even think about it. And I mean work. No goofing off the way you do at school.
If you’re serious about becoming a Wizard, you’ll need to start at the beginning and work your way right through to the end. You’d think that would be obvious, but I’ve known some who tried it backwards. I’ve even known a few who started at the middle and worked in both directions at once. You won’t hear much more of them, I can tell you.
Here’s how it will happen.
First, I’ll teach you the Theory of Wizardry. Don’t imagine you can skip that part, because you can’t. I’m not having the country full of Wizards who don’t know what they’re doing. Far too dangerous.
Besides, you’ll need a bit of theory if you’re going to survive the Wizard’s Adventure.