David Almond's extraordinary novels have established him as an author of unique insight and skill. These stories encapsulate his endless sense of mystery and wonderment, as they weave a tangible tapestry of growing up in a large, loving family. Here are the kernels of his novels — joy and fear, darkness and light, the healing power of love and imagination in overcoming the wounds of ignorance and prejudice. These stories merge memory and dream, the real and the imagined, in a collection of exquisite tenderness.

Contents:

• Introduction
• The Middle of the World
• Counting the Stars
• Beating the Bounds
• The Baby
• The Angel of Chilside Road
• The Time Machine
• Barbara's Photographs
• Jonadab
• The Subtle Body
• Behind the Billboards
• Chickens
• The Fusilier
• My Mother's Photographs
• Loosa Fine
• The Kitchen
• Jack Law
• Buffalo Camel Llama Zebra Ass
• Where Your Wings Were
• Acknowledgments