Books With Flair

One day Sophie comes home from school to find two questions in her mail: "Who are you?" and "Where does the world come from?" Before she knows it she is enrolled in a correspondence course with a mysterious philosopher. Thus begins Jostein Gaarder's unique novel, which is not only a mystery, but also a complete and entertaining history of philosophy.

The international bestseller about life, the universe and everything. When 14-year-old Sophie encounters a mysterious mentor who introduces her to philosophy, mysteries deepen in her own life. Why does she keep getting postcards addressed to another girl? Who is the other girl? And who, for that matter, is Sophie herself? To solve the riddle, she uses her new knowledge of philosophy, but the truth is far stranger than she could have imagined. A phenomenal worldwide bestseller, SOPHIE'S WORLD sets out to draw teenagers into the world of Socrates, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel and all the great philosophers. A brilliantly original and fascinating story with many twists and turns, it raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the origin of the universe.

Finding two thought-inducing philosophical questions in her mailbox, Sophie enrolls in a correspondence course with a mysterious philosopher, and begins receiving some equally strange letters. 25,000 first printing.

When future film director Sophie LaCroix visits Williamsburg, Virginia, her imagination sends her straight into the eighteenth century. An unlikely heroine, Sophie’s forced to use her new-found war tactics to foil a heinous plot and save a friend from impending humiliation by the popular girls.

The story of a boy and his father on a car trip through Europe, searching for the boy's mother, who left many years ago to find herself. Structured as a deck of cards -- each chapter is one card in the deck -- The Solitaire Mystery subtly weaves together fantasy and reality, fairy tales and family history.

In Tsawalk, hereditary chief Umeek develops a theory of "Tsawalk," meaning "one," that views the nature of existence as an integrated and orderly whole, and thereby recognizes the intrinsic relationship between the physical and spiritual. Umeek demonstrates how Tsawalk provides a viable theoretical alternative that both complements and expands the view of reality presented by Western science. Tsawalk, he argues, allows both Western and indigenous views to be combined in order to advance our understanding of the universe. In addition, he shows how various fundamental aspects of Nuu-chah-nulth society are based upon Tsawalk, and what implications it has today for both Native and non-Native peoples.

Sophies World; journeys of the lost soul is about the life I lived. I had been confronted with an issue of a new disease that no one in the world knew what to do. The disease is not the only problem I was to address, but I was also pregnant at the time with twins. Unfortunately, I had moved to this country the previous year with my husband and two young children This matter was left to the authority to decide what they were to do with me and my unborn babies. It is about how the problem was solved that send me into a very dark place. I had been given five years to live; fortunately, I out lived this period. The story is about if I had only known what I know now. It is about what I did to survive. It also about what I discovered about living in general. Above all, the miracles that exist in this world I live in. In the end, my story had to be told to the world because the story has a massage for everyone.

A brilliant and concise account of the lives and ideas of the great philosophers—Plato, Aristotle, Bacon, Spinoza, Voltaire, Kant, Schopenhauer, Spencer, Nietzsche, Bergson, Croce, Russell, Santayana, James, and Dewey—The Story of Philosophy is one of the great books of our time. Few write for the non-specialist as well as Will Durant, and this book is a splendid example of his eminently readable scholarship. Durant’s insight and wit never cease to dazzle; The Story of Philosophy is a key book for any reader who wishes to survey the history and development of philosophical ideas in the Western world.

This is Pay It Forward meets the #BeKind movement, as seen through a Jewish principle. It's Grandpop's birthday, and all he wants is one little thing: for Sophie to change the world. He wants Sophie to do a mitzvah—something kind for others. But what exactly does that mean? As Sophie shares, teaches, helps her friends, takes care of birds, and picks up litter, she wonders which of these acts, if any, might change the world. By performing this sequence of poignant mitzvahs with an open heart, unending empathy, and a big imagination, Sophie's about to discover that what sounds like an impossible task just might be the best way to live life. In this exploration of an essential part of Jewish traditional teaching, Sophie's efforts to grant Grandpop's wish show that the smallest acts of kindness are what truly change the world. TIMELESS: Mitzvahs are a time-honored tradition and a central part of Judaic practice. This universal, timeless picture book shares a meaningful message about doing good in the world that will always be welcome and needed. A JEWISH PERSPECTIVE: This story explores an aspect of Jewish culture that is applicable to anyone interested in improving their world, making it a book that is both relevant and relatable to kids who are Jewish and non-Jewish alike. SPREAD KINDNESS: This book shows a variety of kind actions and engages with how kindness and good deeds can affect and lift up friends, family, and entire communities. BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS: The art in this book is bright and cheerful, perfect for engaging kids and getting them excited to learn how they, too, can change the world! Perfect for: • Jewish families • Jewish schools and learning centers • Teachers • Parents looking for books about kindness