Power Families

Ever-loyal Maddalena, a diminutive, blue-eyed, black slave, has borne Cosimo de' Medici a son and seen him rise to the position of cardinal. Now, late in life, she finds herself committed to a convent, as part of a scheme to protect the Medici bank from ruin by Cosimo's sons, by hiding a fortune in gold for Cosimo's grandson Lorenzo to inherit. But as the months go by, and the gold does not appear, her faith in Cosimo begins to wane, and with it, her confidence in her own worth. Has she been duped?

Encore.org founder and CEO Marc Freedman tells the story of his 30-year quest to answer some of contemporary life's most urgent questions: With so many living so much longer, what is the meaning of the increasing years beyond 50? How can a society with more older people than younger ones thrive? In a poignant book that defies categorization, Freedman finds insights by exploring purpose and generativity, digging into the drive for longevity and the perils of age segregation, and talking to social innovators across the globe bringing the generations together for mutual benefit.

When Parker and Ellie McFadden's mysterious aunt Sadie shows up in the aftermath of the dramatic events at Haven House, they realize their world is about to get a lot bigger. They've been invited to join an underground society called the Sentry, a group comprised of powerful individuals tasked with protecting the planet. At Mountain Harbor, a summer training camp for junior members of the Sentry, Ellie and Parker will be given a chance to hone their newly realized abilities in a secure space.

Are you ready to have kids? More and more gay men are turning to adoption and surrogacy to start their own families. An estimated two million American LBGTQ people would like to adopt and an estimated 65,000 adopted children are living with a gay parent. Unlike other parenting books that have whole chapters focusing on things specifically related to mothers (such as how to get the perfect latch when breastfeeding), this parenting book replaces those sections with things relevant to gay dads.

Find the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. Dr. Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way, has led a team of anointed leaders to produce the New Spirit-Filled Life Kingdom Dynamics Audio Devotional in the New King James Version (NKJV). This outstanding resource offers a fresh look at the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit, addressing important issues of Spirit-filled living in the context of solid biblical scholarship.

Everyone needs some faith and hope! This book is just the ticket, with a collection of some of the best stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul's past on answered prayers, the power of love, family, and making a difference. These true stories, written by regular people, tell of prayers answered miraculously, amazing coincidences, rediscovered faith, and the serenity that comes from believing in a greater power, appealing to Christians and those of other faiths - anyone who seeks inspiration.

This book provides an in-depth exploration of parenting styles and their profound influence on a child's emotional, social, and intellectual development. By breaking down authoritative, authoritarian, permissive, and neglectful parenting, the book offers a clear analysis of how each approach affects children's confidence, academic abilities, emotional regulation, and long-term success.

Society thrives when the family thrives. A family thrives in wholeness and completion. Take the king or queen off a chess board and the game doesn’t go as it should. You take the queen, and every other piece is exposed and vulnerable. You take the king, and the game is over. Sadly, we’ve watched incompleteness in the family increase dramatically in our lifetimes. There are certainly many factors at play in that reality, but the one I want to target here is a powerful one. It’s the Dad factor.

Cribsheet meets The S--t No One Tells You in this no-holds-barred, judgment-free parenting guide that sets the record straight on every hot-button parenting topic by longtime journalist and founder of the viral #NoShameParenting movement.

Contrary to what was once believed, ADHD that starts earlier in childhood usually persists into the teen years. Yet even experienced parents are often caught unawares by the fresh challenges that adolescence brings. This book is one of the few to address ADHD in the context of teen friendships, dating, curfews, sports, and extracurricular activities. It also offers practical advice from a leading psychologist on determining readiness to drive and instilling good homework and study habits.

“But I’m bored.” Parents constantly hear these three dreaded words from their kids, and it’s no secret why—our kids don’t know how to play by themselves anymore and make their own fun. Busy schedules, on-demand screens, and safety concerns have transformed the landscape of play for children today, and parents have been unfairly expected to fill in the gap. We love our kids, but we don’t need to play with them 24/7 to be a good parent!

Joining Jesus as a family is simpler than you think and a lot more fun! Christian parents want to raise their children to be life-long followers of Jesus. But many parents watch their children grow up, leave home, and then walk away from the faith. What went wrong? And how can a new generation of parents avoid the same result? Greg and Susan Finke identify what Jesus shows us in the gospels to help parents become more intentional and practical in raising Jesus-followers.

Ever tried a 'quick' grocery run with your toddler, only to feel like you’ve walked into a circus, minus the entertaining clowns and popcorn? I know that scenario all too well. Parenting isn't about living up to everyone else's expectations but rather tuning into and accommodating our children's unique needs. This journey revealed something universal: our parenting struggles are real, and they're shared. Whether it's the frantic morning rush, persuading a child to eat their greens, or navigating an explosive tantrum in public, parenting is ripe with opportunities for growth.

Motherhood is demanding (to say the least), but when all of your mental and physical energy is directed towards a tiny human, you are neglecting yourself. And when you are neglected, you don’t have the energy or strength to take care of your completely dependent newborn. But you’re probably thinking how can I possibly put my needs above those of my baby? The truth of the matter is, your baby needs you to be at your best, and this is achieved through self-care. Self-care has many misconceptions, and due to the prefix, it’s all too often associated with selfishness.

This book isn’t about being a perfect parent—it’s about becoming a more present and emotionally grounded one. You’ll gain practical tools for repairing emotional ruptures, strengthening the bond with your child, and building a healthier, more connected family dynamic.

Being a teenager has never been easy, but in recent years, with the rise of the Internet and social media, it has become exponentially more challenging. Bullying, once thought of as the province of queen bees and goons, has taken on new, complex, and insidious forms, as parents and educators know all too well.

Inside ADHD Raising an Explosive Child, you will discover new ways to help your child with their condition and improve their quality of life, with tips and advice. With ADHD Raising an Explosive Child, you can learn new approaches to a demanding child that will provide you with the tools you need to improve every aspect of their life and yours.

When my parents drop in for an unscheduled visit, a hastily prepared spare room reveals a dark secret. A skeleton is hidden inside the closet walls, and the dead body was a pixie! With rapid-fire revelations coming from my mother and an invisible creature stalking the library, it's hard to grab a moment's peace. Add to that an enraged uncle - the same one who tried to cheat me out of my inheritance - and I'm halfway to wishing I'd never heard of Oakleaf Glade.

When Jeremy and Emily Freeman’s teenage son Caleb was in a devastating car accident, doctors gave him a 10 percent chance of survival. Fear of losing a child was all too fresh for the Freemans—their seven-year-old son, Trey, had died just four years earlier from a genetic immunodeficiency. But God. In #butGod Jeremy shares the incredible story of Caleb’s recovery, the darkness that nearly overtook their family in the waiting, and the #butGod movement that captured the prayers of Christians around the world.

A pioneering music educator reveals how music can supercharge early childhood development - and how parents and educators can harness its power.