Children & Teen Fiction Books

Book SynopsisA warm, contemporary classroom story about creative Maple Mehta-Cohen and her dyslexia, perfect for fans of Lisa Thompson, Helen Rutter and R. J. Palacio. A dyslexia-friendly book.A story for anyone who has ever felt different.Maple Mehta-Cohen has a secret: she can't read very well. Words on the page just don't make sense. Despite all her clever tricks to hide her troubles with reading, her teacher is on to her, and now she has to repeat a whole year of school. But on her first day back, Maple tells a lie about why she's there – a lie that soon spirals out of control... Will Maple find the courage to tell the truth before someone gets hurt? And can she find a way to love herself and her brain, just the way she is?Readers who have faced their own trials with school and friendships will enjoy this heartwarming story and its bright, creative heroine. "A layered, utterly readable novel" KirkusTrade ReviewListed in Pen&Inc, highlighting the best in diverse children's books, June 2022 * Pen & Inc *Featured in the October Previews -- Charlotte Eyre * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisMeet Rabbit, the international sensation, on a brand-new book adventure!Paint pots, spectacular sandcastles, bubble bath and chocolate cake... What could possibly go wrong? Thrills, spills and an Oops! or two are guaranteed in Rabbit's next adventure.Rabbit celebrates the magic of everyday life and has been spotted everywhere from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston. Rabbit can also be found on ceramics, textiles, prints and nursery decorations that are favourites in homes all around the world.Trade ReviewAnother striking succession of playful misadventures in the life of Jo Ham’s silhouette leporine character. * Red Reading Hub *

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Book SynopsisDrawing on the experiences of his Vietnamese American family and his love of ’80s sci-fi shows, Jonathan Hill crafts a funny, insightful graphic novel about the immigrant experience and the perils of middle school.Threatened with diminishing resources, Booger Lizk’t and his family flee their lizard community deep below Earth’s crust to survive above among humans. The Lizk’t family of Elberon now passes as the Tomkins family of Eagle Valley. “Tommy Tomkins” wears a human face to school but can’t seem to fit in no matter how he looks. The basketball team becomes a pipe dream when bullies label him a bug eater, and only Dung Tran, an immigrant from Vietnam and fellow outsider, sees Tommy for who he is inside, which is nothing like the outer-space lizard invaders on TV’s hottest series. Can their friendship survive the truth? In his first solo middle-grade book, award-winning creator Jonathan Hill perfectly captures the sometimes dystopian drama of middle school while reminding readers of the universal need for belonging.

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Book SynopsisIn this sweet and brightly illustrated picture book, Amy Wu must craft a dragon unlike any other to share with her class at school in this unforgettable follow-up to Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao.Amy loves craft time at school. But when her teacher asks everyone to make their own dragon, Amy feels stuck. Her first dragon has a long, wingless body, stag-like horns, and eagle claws, but her friends don’t think it’s a real dragon. Then she makes dragons like theirs, but none of them feels quite right...None of them feels like hers. After school, a story from Grandma sparks new inspiration, and Amy rounds up her family to help her. Together, can they make Amy’s perfect dragon?

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Book SynopsisDry meets Hatchet in this thrilling tale of survival following a teen girl who must lead her friends across the country to the safety of her estranged father’s survivalist compound after a mass power failure leaves the country in chaos.When seventeen-year-old Zara escaped her father’s backwoods survivalist compound five years ago, she traded crossbows and skinning hides for electricity and video games…and tried to forget the tragedy that drove her away. Until a malware attack on the United States electrical grids cuts off the entire country’s power. In the wake of the disaster and the chaos that ensues, Zara is forced to call upon skills she thought she’d never use again—and her best bet to survive is to go back to the home she left behind. Drawing upon a resilience she didn’t know she had, Zara leads a growing group of friends on an epic journey across a crumbling country back to her father’s compound, where their only hope for salvation lies. But with every step she takes, Zara wonders if she truly has what it takes to face her father and the secrets of her past, or if she’d be better off hiding in the dark.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a magical collection of seven bedtime stories for 6 to 9 year olds -- one story for each night of the week, each featuring one of the seven colours of the rainbow. The stories are all new, yet have a timeless, dreamy quality to them, which is perfect for sleepy night-time reading.The seven stories form a harmonious circle: the first story features a small girl wearing a dress as white as the stars, who discovers a casket of jewels in a forest of blue trees. In the last story, a pink butterfly flutters from an old woman's garden to a hut in the woods, where a girl in a white dress sleeps.In between are a host of other wonderful characters, including a red bird whose song inspires dreams, a boy with a golden flower, an astrologer who paints stars from his purple tower, fish that transport raindrop-jewels to an underwater sea cave, and a mother and baby possum who discover a mysterious green sanctuary.Parents and children alike will delight in the vivid imagery in these enchanting tales, which lead the imagination from the clear outlines of the waking world into the elusive realm of dreams.

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Book SynopsisThe Joys of Being a Little Black Boy is a vividly illustrated children?s book that brings to life Roy, a joyful Black boy. Roy takes young readers on a upbeat journey through history to meet some of the world?s most notable Black men?heroes who were each, at one time, a young Black boy. Teaching young children not only about these great men and moments in history but also pride and self-respect,The Joys of Being a Little Black Boybrings necessary representation to children''s bookshelves in a colorful and charming way. A guide included at the end helps adults delve into further stories, resources, and discussions on these figures of Black history and the joys of being part of that lineage.

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Book SynopsisBehind a hole in their basement wall, Chirri and Chirra discover a network of tunnels. Join them as they visit moles, discover caves full of glowing flowers, poke at the roots of growing plants, traverse a subterranean lake, and spend the night with a family of badgers! The fourth book in the Japanese Chirri & Chirra series, this underground adventure is sure to charm and delight.Trade Review"Chirri & Chirra is an utterly charming series of children’s picture books...low on the angst scale and high on the charm meter. Doi is known for her softly styled drawings on rich creamy paper. She creates the illustrations in these books with colored pencils, pastels, and crayons, crafting them to give an old-world feel, a time of innocence and simplicity. The exquisite art radiates joy and has a dreamy quality to it that reflects how children imagine their ideal world to be. These delightful books are a welcome escape for young children from their anxieties." —International Examiner"In this Japanese import, the winsome, bike-riding twins from Chirri & Chirra in the Tall Grass (2017) are back for another gently surreal adventure... The twins are identical, with black pageboys, dot eyes, pudgy, rosy cheeks, and Mona Lisa smiles; their delight in the wonders they encounter is pure, unquestioning, and totally infectious. Another charmer." —Kirkus Reviews "This Japanese import is sweetly magical and perfectly in tune with children’s acceptance of the fantastic. Smudgy colored-pencil illustrations are aglow with light and color, whimsically whisking readers along with the rosy-cheeked twins." —Booklist ★ "Another delightful adventure with the adorable twins Chirri and Chirra. ... The gorgeous, fresh colored pencil drawings portray a world of harmony between the girls and the animals. The animals have a fairy-like quality that is very appealing." —Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review ”A soft, sherbet-hued realm of kindly animals, cozy dens and delicious edible treats awaits in “Chirri & Chirra, Underground” …Like the other Chirri and Chirra books, this one will earn rapturous scrutiny from readers ages 3-8.” —Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal "unique and highly recommended..." —The Midwest Book Review "The soft-edged illustrations in colored pencils, pastels, and crayons are filled with details that will have readers wanting to pause and take a closer look." —School Library Journal, Lucia Acosta, Children’s Literature Specialist, Princeton, NJ

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Book Synopsis“Raphael loves Jerome. I say it. It’s easy.” This story follows a little boy named Raphael, whose daily rhythm is steeped in his immense affection for his friend Jerome. The two boys share jokes and snacks and plan future adventures to the Himalayas. Even when Raphael’s constant talk of Jerome is driving his parents crazy, he remains steadfast: “Raphael loves Jerome. I can say it. It’s easy.” And the truth is, when he’s with Jerome, Raphael feels happy, liked, and understood— even special. Thomas Scotto’s simple, strong, and insightful prose and Olivier Tallec’s delightful, expressive illustrations give much emotion and immediacy to the story.Trade ReviewA New York Times Notable Children's Book of 2018 A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2018 A Brain Pickings Best Children's Book of 2018 A Batchelder Honor Book of 2019 A 2019 Rainbow Book List Selection A 2018 New York Public Library Best Books for Kids Selection Selected for the 2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) Choices List ★"Some children will see simply two very good friends, while others will see validation of feelings they may not know how to express, particularly if their parents are as hostile as Raphael's. Raphael gives them the language they need: "I say—yes. Raphael loves Jerome. I say it. It's easy." Subtle, joyous, affirming. (Picture book. 4-8)" —STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews "Originally published in France, this gentle, sweet-spirited story is a testament to the power of childhood friendship and the timeless power of love. The softly colored cartoonlike illustrations by Tallec perfectly capture the mood and spirit of the text, deftly translated by Bedrick and Snelson. The result is a book to treasure." —Michael Cart, Booklist "A small boy’s passion for his best friend is expressed in heart-rendingly direct terms in this enchanting book." —The New York Times "Illustrations that are soft yet slightly quirky showcase the deep and genuine affection between the two boys, and the temporary dissonance and isolation caused by adult disproval before Raphael affirms feelings that bring him such contentment and joy. This welcome picture book offers sweet and essential conformation of emotions that children are too often encouraged to deny or suppress, particularly when it comes to same-gender friendships/relationships, and especially between boys."—The Cooperative Children's Book Center "...this picture book is childhood captured on the page." —Tasha Saecker, Waking Brain Cells "Against the smallness of his parents’ perception, Raphael takes solace in the largeness that fills his own heart. […] a crowning addition to the best LGBT children’s books" —Maria Popova, Brain Pickings "Raphael delights in his friend and in the joy and comfort he receives from him. “Raphael loves Jerome. I can say it. It’s easy,” he says. His parents’ disapproval mounts until Raphael rejects it openly, scowling and walking away from them with his arms crossed, while their tall figures loom over him. It’s notable that he’s angry rather than despondent. Raphael’s righteous anger fuels his resolve to remain loyal to Jerome and to his own heart. The poignant (and satisfying) conclusion has him restating his love for Jerome as they hold hands and run together 'from the shadow out into the light.'" —Megan Dowd Lambert, The Horn Book "People and settings are spare, but perfectly express the emotions and situations."—Katrina Yurenka, Youth Services Book Review "Raphael, the young narrator of this groundbreaking picture book, loves his friend Jerome. 'It doesn't bother me at all,' the boy explains. 'Raphael loves Jerome. I can say it. It's easy.' [...] Although Raphael's parents never put a label on it, their son's intense affection for his friend and his unfiltered expression of it clearly bother them; Dad seethes, his voice 'like sharp fish bones in my hot chocolate.' But the bond between the boys is unbreakable, and as the book closes, they blithely walk across the street together, holding hands."—Publishers Weekly "The sweetest, truest, purest depiction of childhood love"—Matthew C. Winner of The Children's Book Podcast "This flawless book is both a story of love but also the existence of adult dismissal and judgement of this kind of early love that sends young children deep into the closet without allowing them to freely be their true selves from childhood where their impulse to love who they love has yet to be formed by societies influences."—Jesica Sweedler DeHart, The Wandering Bookseller ”I have been waiting for a book like this and I worried I would never see one published.” —Alec Chunn, The Stories Guy ”In recent years here in the States, we’ve seen a small number of picture books with queer themes, but more often than not, it’s a picture book about parents who are gay. This sensitive and affirming story, like a beating heart laid bare, actually addresses the intense, devoted feelings of a child protagonist—and with such simplicity and eloquence. (At one point, Raphael marvels at how his mother doesn’t notice how he possesses a ‘secret hideout’ in Jerome’s warm smile.) Illustrator Tallec puts his palette to work to intensify the book’s emotional arc—from warm, effusive reds of the book’s beginning to darker hues when Raphael’s parents dismiss his feelings.” —Julie Danielson, Kirkus Reviews "The book describes feelings children may not be able to express, including the hurtfulness of homophobia, and one child’s courage to be honest with his own feelings and loyal to a deserving friend. Colors and metaphors add meaning to an already extraordinary tale." —Susie Wilde, The News & Observer

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Book Synopsis"Thrilling. Positively thrilling." ?Kirkus Reviews Nicolas ?Nico? Hall is sixteen when he escapes from Dr. H?s religious gay reprogramming institute in California. On his own, he assumes one identity after another to avoid recapture as he flees south to Peru and then to Mexico. Seven days older than Nico, Samuel ?Sam? Jonas Solomon is a privileged Upper West Side only child who idolizes James Bond. When his heart is broken, he vows that, like Bond, he?s never going to trust in love again. Then he meets Nico, and his heart won?t listen to any logic. Nico?s survived by living only for himself?until his love for Sam has him risking his freedom for others. Together, Nico and Sam set out to free the other teens trapped in Dr. H?s Institute, plunging readers into perils, drama, and a long-shot chance at love.To succeed, they?ll both have to be A Different Kind of Brave.

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Book SynopsisThis charming board book captures the essence of iconic Dublin. Young readers will quickly recognize this legendary city’s famous landmarks and attractions, including Phoenix Park, Dublin Zoo, Chester Beatty Library, National Museum of Ireland, Saint Patrick''s Cathedral, Dublin Castle, National Botanic Gardens, Science Gallery, Grafton Street, and more.

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Book SynopsisForced to take a job as a summer camp counselor, Elodie finds herself responsible for a horde of foul-mouthed girls while investigating a dark mystery lurking around the camp.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the 2022 Moonbeam Spirit Award Bronze Board BookROAR! Dinosaurs don’t wear shirts! Every parent knows the struggle of getting a child dressed and out the door. But with a cast of hilariously coiffed dinosaurs to teach toddlers how to stomp their feet into pant legs and reach their claws into shirts, getting dressed becomes a game. With this playful companion to How to Potty Train a Dinosaur, your little dino lover will beg to join in the fun and get dressed like a dinosaur!Trade Review"A small child doesn’t like getting dressed; luckily, his mama knows just what to do.“ROAR!” A young, brown-skinned toddler with straight dark hair pretends to be a dinosaur, but his mother (also brown-skinned) needs to get him dressed for an outing. She gently suggests that he become a Diplodocus and “RUSH INTO THIS CAVE HEADFIRST”…the “cave” in question being the neck hole of the tyke’s jersey. To get him to slide his arms into the jersey’s sleeves, his mother encourages him to “BE A VELOCIRAPTOR AND REACH YOUR CLAWS IN TO GRAB SOME FISH.” Shirt on, the child is halfway there. In this playful fashion, pants, socks, and shoes follow. Mama employs the same tactics to get through tooth-brushing and getting the tot strapped into the car. The feisty youngster puts up a struggle every step of the way (“HRUMPF! DINOSAURS DON'T WEAR PANTS”) but clearly enjoys the imaginative play, assured of his mother’s unconditional love. Throughout the book, we see the child (and the mother) on the book’s verso pages, and on the recto pages we see the ever changing dinosaur version of him, swishing his tail, crashing through the jungle, and more. Pace’s illustrations are simple and serviceable with uncluttered backgrounds. Toddlers will relate to this entertaining depiction of a universal developmental challenge (i.e. learning how to get dressed) as well as the protagonist’s impassioned tantrums.Fun from opening to clothes, err, close. (Board book. 2-4)"- Kirkus Review "Parents and grandparents, early childhood teachers, and daycare providers will be nodding their heads as they read this totally relatable picture book by Robin Currie. How to Dress a Dinosaur is an entertaining read-aloud filled with heart and humor that engages from the first page to the last. Vibrant illustrations by Alycia Pace depict a wonderfully diverse family and cast of dinosaur characters that are sure to delight! I wish I’d had this book when I was teaching kindergarten and raising my own children—I might not have had to sing dozens of nonsense songs each time I helped the children get dressed."—Vivian Kirkfield, BA, MS.Ed, author of From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves, Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe, and Sweet Dreams, Sarah: From Slavery to Inventor "How to Dress a Dinosaur captures an everyday conflict: diaper-clad 'dino' versus Mom. With places to go, Mom must navigate the daily routine—the dinosaur way! Don your shirt with a velociraptor and put your pants on with a triceratops. But beware the mama T-Rex! Hilarious art adds human features to a variety of famous dinos. It’s easy to see daily life with children in the colorfully illustrated dinos. It’ll remind you of trying to get out the door AND the Jurassic period. Perfect for the mom of any dinosaur-obsessed littles."—Ridgeway Burns, assistant director at Hinsdale Public Library "For anyone who has ever tried to help an uncooperative young child get dressed—help is on the way! How to Dress a Dinosaur by Robin Currie and Alycia Pace is a creative way to actively engage children in getting dressed by acting like a dinosaur. Getting children ready for school or daycare can be a frustrating contact sport! (I know; I have a two-year-old grandchild!) This book makes that process more of an entertaining game using active imagination. Spoiler alert: This book is not only fun and instructional, it is educational too! Children will learn the names of ten different dinosaurs and what they look like on their way to getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and hopping into their car seat to start their day! It is a ROARING good time!"—Diane Hessinger, director of children’s ministries at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and former preschool director and educator"A small child doesn’t like getting dressed; luckily, his mama knows just what to do.“ROAR!” A young, brown-skinned toddler with straight dark hair pretends to be a dinosaur, but his mother (also brown-skinned) needs to get him dressed for an outing. She gently suggests that he become a Diplodocus and “RUSH INTO THIS CAVE HEADFIRST”…the “cave” in question being the neck hole of the tyke’s jersey. To get him to slide his arms into the jersey’s sleeves, his mother encourages him to “BE A VELOCIRAPTOR AND REACH YOUR CLAWS IN TO GRAB SOME FISH.” Shirt on, the child is halfway there. In this playful fashion, pants, socks, and shoes follow. Mama employs the same tactics to get through tooth-brushing and getting the tot strapped into the car. The feisty youngster puts up a struggle every step of the way (“HRUMPF! DINOSAURS DON'T WEAR PANTS”) but clearly enjoys the imaginative play, assured of his mother’s unconditional love. Throughout the book, we see the child (and the mother) on the book’s verso pages, and on the recto pages we see the ever-changing dinosaur version of him, swishing his tail, crashing through the jungle, and more. Pace’s illustrations are simple and serviceable with uncluttered backgrounds. Toddlers will relate to this entertaining depiction of a universal developmental challenge (i.e. learning how to get dressed) as well as the protagonist’s impassioned tantrums.Fun from opening to clothes, err, close. (Board book. 2-4)"—Kirkus Review "Readers of this story see a young boy pretending to be a dinosaur, while they learn how triceratops might stomp its feet, how stegosaurus would kick a ball and swish it with his spiky tail, how pterodactyl flaps his wings as his feet leave the ground and more amazing facts about prehistoric creatures. This book combines charming text with humorous illustrations, bringing dinosaurs from the Jurassic Period into the hearts and imaginations of young readers. This title is sure to be cherished by dinosaur lovers of all ages." —Children's Literature Review "Parents and grandparents, early childhood teachers, and daycare providers will be nodding their heads as they read this totally relatable picture book by Robin Currie. How to Dress a Dinosaur is an entertaining read-aloud filled with heart and humor that engages from the first page to the last. Vibrant illustrations by Alycia Pace depict a wonderfully diverse family and cast of dinosaur characters that are sure to delight! I wish I’d had this book when I was teaching kindergarten and raising my own children—I might not have had to sing dozens of nonsense songs each time I helped the children get dressed."—Vivian Kirkfield, BA, MS.Ed, author of From Here to There: Inventions That Changed the Way the World Moves, Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe, and Sweet Dreams, Sarah: From Slavery to Inventor "How to Dress a Dinosaur captures an everyday conflict: diaper-clad 'dino' versus Mom. With places to go, Mom must navigate the daily routine—the dinosaur way! Don your shirt with a velociraptor and put your pants on with a triceratops. But beware the mama T-Rex! Hilarious art adds human features to a variety of famous dinos. It’s easy to see daily life with children in the colorfully illustrated dinos. It’ll remind you of trying to get out the door AND the Jurassic period. Perfect for the mom of any dinosaur-obsessed littles."—Ridgeway Burns, assistant director at Hinsdale Public Library "For anyone who has ever tried to help an uncooperative young child get dressed—help is on the way! How to Dress a Dinosaur by Robin Currie and Alycia Pace is a creative way to actively engage children in getting dressed by acting like a dinosaur. Getting children ready for school or daycare can be a frustrating contact sport! (I know; I have a two-year-old grandchild!) This book makes that process more of an entertaining game using active imagination. Spoiler alert: This book is not only fun and instructional, it is educational too! Children will learn the names of ten different dinosaurs and what they look like on their way to getting dressed, brushing their teeth, and hopping into their car seat to start their day! It is a ROARING good time!"—Diane Hessinger, director of children’s ministries at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and former preschool director and educator

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Book SynopsisEven ?the best little ghost in the world? gets bored sometimes! But in the award-winning Johnny Boo series, fun is never far away. For instance, check out this magic hammer…Johnny Boo lets Squiggle borrow his magic hammer so Squiggle can work on a mysterious project, but that leaves Johnny Boo with nothing to do today. He has lots of great ideas about how to spend his time while he waits, but ? oh NO! ? ends up getting bored of each and every one of them. Not to worry, though. Joined by Squiggle, the Ice Cream Monster, and a BIG new friend, Johnny Boo will still have a hilarious adventure… and maybe even learn something about sharing! It?s the perfect book for any bored kid, from Eisner-winning cartoonist James Kochalka.

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Book SynopsisAHORA ES ESPAÑOL! Con un concepto de color ingenioso, este poético libro ilustrado muestra el ciclo de vida del amado anfibio, el ajolote, en su hábitat natural.NOW IN SPANISH! With a clever color concept, this poetic picture book shares the life cycle of beloved amphibian?the axolotl?in its natural habitat.Un ajolote pudiera parecerlo, pero definitivamente No es un monstruo. Esta curiosa criatura, popularizada por Minecraft, es en realidad una salamandra que nunca perderá sus branquias o aletas. No es un monstruo explora las características del ajolote, el origen mítico de los aztecas sobre la especie y el modo en que la contaminación afecta su hábitat natural: los canales de Xochimilco en la Ciudad de México.Divertido y cautivador, este libro juguetón e informativo presenta a sus lectores curiosos un personaje fantástico que... NO es un monstruo!An axolotl may look like one, but it is certainly Not a Monster. This curious creature, made popular by Minecraft, is actually a salamander that will never lose its gills or fins. Not a Monster explores the traits of the axolotl, the Aztec origin myth about the species, and the way pollution is affecting its natural habitat: the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City.Fun and engaging, this playful and informative read-aloud introduces curious readers on one cool character who is NOT a monster!

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Book Synopsis In Alycia Pace’s board book How to Put a Dinosaur to Bed, join two siblings as they learn the value of sleep, with help from an adorable triceratops. Bedtime struggles made fun and easy! Having a dinosaur is SO much fun, but taking care of them can sure make you TIRED. Especially if your dinosaur keeps you up ALLLLLL night long. So how do you get a dinosaur to go to bed and STAY in bed? Along with a cute triceratops, two siblings learn the value of sleep as they attempt to put their dino to bed. Every parent knows the bedtime power struggle can be a waking nightmare, but with a solid routine and gentle reminders, children can learn the tools they need to stay in bed. This hilarious board book places children in the teaching role and allows them to learn the skills for themselves in a fun, easy way.

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Book SynopsisSimple text describes various bird beaks and how birds use them to eat, hunt, and gather food.

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Book SynopsisA 2021 Edgar® Award Winner, Best JuvenileA BookPage Best Book of 2020: Middle GradeA Mighty Girl's 2020 Books of the YearIntroducing Myrtle Hardcastle, your favorite new amateur detective: a wickedly smart twelve-year-old with a keen interest in criminology and a nose for murder in Victorian England. Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England. When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes he —not even her father, the town prosecutor. With sparkling wit and a tight, twisty plot, Premeditated Myrtle, the first in a series from an award-winning author, introduces a brilliant young investigator ready to take on hard cases and maddening Victorian rules for Young Ladies of Quality in order to earn her place among the most daring and acclaimed amateur detectives of her time or any other.Trade ReviewA 2021 Edgar® Award Winner, Best JuvenileA BookPage Best Book of 2020: Middle Grade A Mighty Girl's 2020 Books of the Year "A joyful thing to behold. Set in Victorian England, this mystery gleefully overturns sexist norms and celebrates independent women of intellect, with Myrtle Hardcastle leading the charge." —Booklist, starred review "Premeditated Myrtle is a book young readers will love and adults may well sneak out of backpacks and off of nightstands for their own enjoyment… Here’s hoping for more adventures with this delightful, heroic protagonist." —BookPage, starred review "Bunce crafts a truly captivating murder mystery, throwing in a delicious mix of twists, red herrings, and relatives excluded from the family fortune. Myrtle is an entertaining protagonist, not afraid to get her hands dirty, sneak into mansions after dark to find a clue, or call out sexism of men toward her scientific interests or the racism toward her governess. The book will make readers yearn for more of Myrtle’s (mis)adventures." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A saucy, likable heroine shines in a mystery marked by clever, unexpected twists." —Kirkus Reviews "[A] clever and lively Victorian English village murder mystery . . . Bunce does an excellent job of making Myrtle the lead actor but gives her a strong set of (mostly female) supporters." —The Horn Book “Bunce’s detective series opener features a quirky, winning narrator and a lively secondary cast . . . A generous, well-wrought relationship between governess and charge complements tightly plotted twists . . . Myrtle is as clever as she is determined, and her expertise—seen in evidence collection and courtroom antics—is certain to delight genre stalwarts and mystery novices alike.” —Publishers Weekly “In the tradition of heroines like Flavia de Luce and Harriet the Spy, Myrtle is a fine example of the Victorian scientific female—smart, inquisitive and fearless. Written with a terrific mixture of humor and suspense, Premeditated Myrtle is a perfect read for any budding detective.” —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of the Her Royal Spyness series

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Book SynopsisTHE MAGICAL STARFRUIT TREE tells the story of a greedy peddler, Ah-Di, a kind-hearted young boy, Ming-Ming, and an old beggar on a hot day. In spite of the heat and the old man''s apparent thirst, the miserly peddler refuses to give him a juicy starfruit. Although he has little, Ming-Ming offers to buy a piece of fruit for the old man. The beggar gratefully accepts and eats the fruit, saving only one seed. Calling for someone to bring him a pot of hot water, he plants the seed. The old man uses his magic to make the seed grow, blossom, and bear fruit, all before the eyes of the bewildered crowd. In the end there is enough fruit for everyone, the peddler is chastised for his greedy ways and Ming-Ming is rewarded for his generosity.Retold and illustrated by a Chinese author and Chinese artist, THE MAGICAL STARFRUIT TREE is a traditional story that teaches values to children through example. It also touches on one of the main tenets of the Chinese culture, which is to honour your elders and treat them with respect.

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Book SynopsisSocial anxiety, her parentsâ divorce, and messy friendships wonât stop Millieâs pursuit of what she wantsâin roller derby or in love. But her own lies might . . .

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Book SynopsisA dazzling and evocative novel about love and loss-with a dash of thrilling mystery-for fans of Mindy McGinnis and Courtney Summers.Owl has always been her freest self in the mountains, tracking, hiking, and exploring the steep forested acres of her aunt and uncle's maple sugar farm. They never speak of the childhood tragedy that left her partially deaf and sent her father to jail. All Owl wants is to stay safe at the farm, her favorite place in the world, her refuge from those who would treat her differently.Owl's sheltered existence is blown wide open by Cody-the magnetic, dangerous young man hired to help with the season's sugaring off. Cody seems to see the real her, to look past her hearing loss in a way no one else does. Together, they find comfort in their similarities and exhilaration in their differences, and risk a romance their families are desperate to stop.But then Owl hears her father will be released from prison, and a seemingly motiveless murder shakes the foundations of her small town. When the crime draws all eyes to Cody, Owl realized he is in far more serious trouble than anyone knows-and it's followed him to her mountain.*ITW Thriller Award Finalist*

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Book SynopsisIn a charming new chapter-book series by a social-change advocate, young Frankie emulates her journalist mama by reporting on household news with the help of her sister and an unlikely news crew.Frankie's mama is leaving to cover a breaking news story. Frankie, Papa and Frankie's teenage sister, Raven, are all proud of Mama, even though they miss her when she's away. But Frankie has a great idea: she can make her own news show! After all, Mama has told her that news is happening around her all the time. With a little assistance from her friends including her doll Farrah, Robert the toy robot, and her tabby cat, Nina Simone Frankie prepares for her first broadcast. And when she hears someone crying in the house, she knows that's the developing story she must cover.With sweet illustrations throughout, this engaging new series embraces communication and compassion and is a refreshing portrayal of Black women in journalism.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisAime Cesaire was a poet and, later, a politician from the Caribbean island of Martinique, who spoke out against the sufferings and humiliations endured by the peoples of the former French colonies. In Aime Cesaire: No to Humiliation, we are with Cesaire in 1930s Paris. The young Martinican poet and his friends Leopold Sedar Senghor and Leon Gontran Damas are launching the Negritude movement. Together, they celebrate their Black African roots, protesting French colonial rule and policies of assimilation. They invite West Indians, Senegalese, Guyanese, and others to reject the suffocating French colonial presence and to take pride in their accents, their cultures and their shared histories. Aime''s great book-length poem, Notebook on the Return to the Native Land, and other works, are a global inspiration. His speeches enliven the crowds back home in Martinique, and he rises in the political arena, defending Martinican identity. As a writer, as the Mayor of Fort-de-France and deputy of the French National Congress, Aime Cesaire continues to write and to fight against colonial power and for the dignity of Black peoples everywhere.

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Book SynopsisCan skateboarding save the world?! Level up from total noob to cosmic hero in this totally epic graphic novel that will kickflip your brain.Sam and her little sister, Gearhead, just wanted a crew to belong to. But when the Too Cool Crew takes over their skating territory, this motley bunch of misfits will have to seriously level up if they want to win it back. Along the way, they?ll encounter a whole circus of wacky weirdos, including an overzealous security guard, a shadowy group of spooky ghouls, a mysterious cult of woodland creatures, and?gulp?an all-powerful ancient god of skating!Packed with unforgettable characters, mind-blowing action, and more twists than an X Games street course, Shred or Dead is the story of four weird kids with a chance to become legends…if they don?t garf it up.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisIt was a day that started out like so many others, but it would not end up like any other!Join Stephanie as she learns a lesson from her mom about the big difference one little person can make! If the action or inaction of one person can affect people around the world, imagine what a smile, a hug, or a shared word of encouragement could do! Read on for the fantastic journey of The Yawn that Went Around the World!

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Book SynopsisNo matter how hard she tries, Ashton cannot keep her head down. Not after Sheva is dragged off a train in front of her.Augland 54 is the Pacific Northwest’s most extravagant theme park. Those with Suits choose the body they want and live the life of their dreams…and those without Suits work for the Artificial Existence Center, or AEC. As long as the workers keep their heads down, Augland provides food and shelter from the post-war world outside its domed walls.When Ashton is sent to the new Land of Legends park, she discovers that Augland is keeping secrets—inside and outside of its walls—and they’re more violent than she ever expected. So she decides to fight back. After all, if Augland is going to make her dress up as a red-headed warrior princess, then she’s more than willing to become one.In a corporation-ruled world inhabited by the augmented bodies of the wealthy, securely cut off from the rest in life-extending pods, Ashton exposes the sham of corporate success and refuses to remain a cog in the machine. The only thing that matters now is freedom.

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Book SynopsisWhen Maya dreams she?s lost in the jungle, she must rely on Ganesha?s wisdom to guide her back home?and back to herself. An engaging and beautifully illustrated story that introduces kids to one of the most well-known deities in the Hindu/Buddhist world.After a hard day, Maya drifts into a dream where she meets an elephant-headed boy named Ganesha, who she learns to trust as her guide back home.Leading Maya with bravery, wisdom, and love, Ganesha teaches Maya how to overcome fear as they make their way through the challenging obstacles of a wild jungle. Upon waking, Maya is able to invoke the spirit of Ganesha as she starts her day.The story is followed by resources for further learning about Ganesha, including an illustrated glossary of symbolism that kids can look for in the story.Of the hundreds of gods in Hindu mythology, Ganesha is one of the most beloved. Considered the guide to discovering the meaning of life and living it well, Ganesha is invoked within us whenever we choose to act like him?patient, kind, brave, thoughtful, and, above all, fearless. Whether for everyday reading or special occasions like Ganesh Chaturthi, I Dream of Ganesha is a delightful celebration of this beloved Hindu deity.

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Book SynopsisFoo Foo likes to eat junk food, so the Fitness DAWGS share with him their favorite foods and teach him about the different categories of fruits and vegetables, including berries, tropical fruits, leafy greens, and root vegetables. Fun at the Farmers Market with the Fitness DAWGS is designed to educate children and encourage them to eat different types of fruits and vegetables. The Fitness DAWGS introduce children to exciting new fruits and vegetables to try, such as gooseberries, yuca, bok choy, and star fruit, while they explain the nutritional value of fresh produce and the proper daily serving size they should try to eat. With colorful illustrations and a focus on personal health, Fun at the Farmers Market with the Fitness DAWGS emphasizes the importance of increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables children consume to prevent medical issues related to obesity, such as diabetes.

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Book SynopsisAll Noah Mitchell wants is to meet his online crush, MagePants69, IRL. He knows the boy lives in the same small town, but his crush’s overprotective parent won’t ever let them meet. So on a hunch when M’s offline obligations start matching Noah’s mother’s rehearsals, Noah decide to join the musical for a shot at love. Used to being ignored at home and bullied at school, the theatre is even more than Noah bargained for. While Noah does get closer to his crush - Eli - Noah doesn’t want to risk revealing their online connection and ruining their friendship for romance until he’s sure it’s true love. But when all Noah’s secrets come spilling out after the debut performance, he must pick up the pieces and finally sort out who can be forgiven, what love is worth saving, and what it means to stand up for himself.

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Book SynopsisA teen boy thinks his vaping habit is harmless until it becomes a crippling addiction of nightmarish dimensions in this searing young adult novel from Newbery and National Book Award winner Cynthia Kadohata.Sixteen-year-old Jacob is pretty damn sick of his parents always being on his case about vaping. It’s not like he’s shooting up or knocking back pills. Until something changes, so slowly Jacob isn’t even aware it’s happening. Instead of vaping every now and then when he wants to, he’s vaping all the time because he has to. And soon, Jacob and his friends need even more than vaping and are stumbling their way into the sprawling drug culture of Southern California, where girls sell pictures of themselves for vape and pill money, and the dealers are cutthroat. The more desperate the teens become, the more money they need. And to get that money they’re being blackmailed into an impossible choice—and an end you won’t see coming.

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