New Arrivals

Brilliant Star: One Garden, Vol. 52, No. 1. This issue focuses on appreciating diversity and fostering unity among diverse people. Compelling content includes:

• Find out how Bahá’u’lláh transformed one man’s prejudice into love;
• Learn how ‘Abdu’l-Bahá treasured unity among people of different races;
• Explore diversity in nature with Maya’s bingo game;
• Create your passport for world citizenship;
• Craft a cool place for diverse birds to grab a snack;
• Quiz yourself on how you embrace a variety of cultures and backgrounds;
• Find out kids’ ideas for stopping prejudice and racism and staying hopeful;
• Discover how seeing the Earth from space changes an astronaut’s perspective;
• Choose someone you’d like to know better and conduct your own “Stargazer” interview.

From silly to serious, here is a compilation of sixteen fictional stories about walking your own path, finding friends, and fighting everyday battles. Read together, or read alone for ages 9 and up.

• How can Mica compete at the science fair when parents are helping the other kids?
• Niccolo doesn’t want to play in the symphony this summer, but can he bring himself to blow the audition?
• How will Jenna and Abby ever become astronauts if they're stuck on the farm, and lost in the maize?

A biogrpahy of Agnes Alexander, the only Hand of the Cause of God to be mentioned in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wrote of her: "I declare by the Lord of Hosts that had this respected daughter founded an empire, that empire would not have been so great," and described her as "the daughter of the Kingdom, the beloved maid-servant of the Blessed Perfection." During her 70 years of service to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, Agnes Alexander opened Hawaii, Japan, and Korea to the Bahá’í Faith, travelled with Martha Root in China and served across the Pacific Ocean. This book is based on Agnes Alexander’s own accounts of the establishment of the Bahá’í Faith in Hawaii and Japan, but more especially on the 40 years of research by Duane Troxel into her life. This is the story of an exceptional life.

The story of a well-connected, wealthy woman from the West whose devotion to a spiritual leader from the East transformed her life into one of selfless service to humanity. This biography traces the journey of Laura Barney from her pampered childhood to her life as a feminist, global-thinker and peace-builder who was twice decorated by the French Legion of Honor.

Having an inquisitive mind searching for spiritual awakenings, as a young woman Laura learned about the teachings of an eastern spiritual leader and traveled to ‘Akká to meet Him, attracted to the teachings of oneness of humankind, gender equality and world peace. She put questions to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of the prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, Bahá’u’lláh. The result was the publication of a unique book, Some Answered Questions, which is considered part of the sacred texts.

Her travels to Palestine, Egypt, and Iran and to Japan, Indochina and India as well as her travels across North America provided her with insights into the reality and challenges experienced by others. She served on different committees with the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the International Council of Women for 50 years. She was a pioneer in many areas, championing the rights of women, advocating for world peace, providing tools for the education of young people, and supporting humanitarian activities around the world.

A new book of prayers and meditative passages designed especially for junior youth and youth. The period of adolescence is a potent time of change, and this compilation aims to support youth to make time for prayer, meditation, and reflection. Beyond that, it is also meant to inspire young people to feel spiritually empowered to Strive, that their “actions day by day may be beautiful prayers.” It is organized thematically around a number of topics, such as trust in God, joy, difficulties, justice, service, and more.