Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories

Book SynopsisIllustrates the popular children''s song with scenes of a typical bus trip all around the town

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Book SynopsisHalloween is almost here, and Corduroy can''t wait! He is going to have a party. He and his friends will carve a jack-o''-lantern, bob for apples, and go trick-or-treating! But there is one problem-Corduroy needs to choose a costume. What will he wear?

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Book SynopsisMummies are cool, but they’re creepy, too! Zack has faced aliens, vampires, time-travelers, ghosts, and Bigfoot—now find out what happens when he meets teenage mummy Ikhnaton (Icky for short).

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Book SynopsisZack's classmate Andrew Clancy is always bragging. Everyone knows he's a big liar. But suddenly, Andrew is having trouble hiding the fact that he isn't telling the truth, and every time he tells another whopper, his butt grows bigger-will it ever stop?

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Book SynopsisKatie has plans to go to Suzanne's all-girl sleepover party, but Jeremy wants her to ride the hot new rollercoaster. Annoyed, Jeremy and the other boys from Class 3A decide that all girls have cooties. When Katie finds herself in Jeremy's shoes-literally-she tries to reunite the boys and girls. Will Katie's plan work? Or will it just be one big mess?

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Book SynopsisKatie Carew (nicknamed Katie Kazoo by the class bully) always wished that she could be anyone but herself. Now her wish has come true - and she keeps turning into other people!When Katie gets caught breaking the rules, first passing a note, and later with a cell phone (that isn't even her's!), she loses her recess for the day. She's had it with the school rules! When she turns into the principal, Mr. Kane, she makes a new rule - that there are no rules! Things get out of hand and Katie turns back into herself before she can fix things. The real Mr. Kane loses his job because the parents and teachers are so angry. Will Katie be able to make things right and get Mr. Kane his job back?Illustrated by John and Wendy.

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Book SynopsisIn My First Chanukah, Tomie dePaola?s gentle text and understated artwork provide insight and background into the holiday for young readers. Eye-catching foil lights up the cover!

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Book Synopsis“A bit like the great movie Toy Story and a bit like the wonderful Kate DiCamillo book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. This is a great family book.” —The Washington Post on Toys Go Out, the companion to Toys Come Home   Here is the final book in the highly acclaimed Toys trilogy, which includes the companion books Toys Go Out and Toy Dance Party and chronicles the unforgettable adventures of three brave and loving toys.   Fans of the series, as well as newcomers, will happily discover how Lumphy, StingRay, and Plastic came to live with the Girl. In six linked adventures, readers will also learn how the one-eared Sheep became one-eared, watch a cranky toy meet an unfortunate end, and best of all, learn why it’s okay for someone you truly love to puke on you. This is perhaps the most charming of three inimitably charming books destined to become classics.

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Book SynopsisIf I were a kangaroo,I'd pick you up and carry youIn my pocket, sleepyhead,And hop you gently off to bed.It's time for sleep, and this fun-to-read rhyming tale envisions the bedtime rituals of animals from whales to otters, squirrels to gorillas.So curl up, imagine your favorite animal, and...zzzzzzzzzzz.Trade ReviewPraise for If I Were A Kangaroo:"A warm, comforting tale with interesting facts appended."–Kirkus Reviews"Expressive and charming...perfect for bedtime and one-on-one sharing."–School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisFrom the creator of ARCHIE THE DAREDEVIL PENGUIN comes the unique story of two friends who can't escape all the feels.Camper is happy as a clam and Clam is a happy camper. When you live in The Happy Book, the world is full of daisies and sunshine and friendship cakes . . . until your best friend eats the whole cake and doesn't save you one bite. Moving from happiness to sadness and everything in between, Camper and Clam have a hard time finding their way back to happy. But maybe happy isn't the goal--being a good friend is about supporting each other and feeling all the feels together.At once funny and thoughtful, The Happy Book supports social-emotional learning. It's a book to keep young readers company no matter how they're feeling!

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Book SynopsisA perfectly pitched bedtime story and counting book for sleepy train lovers, illustrated in dramatic 3D sculptures!A little boy climbs into bed with a book and starts counting the train cars in it, between the engine and caboose. Ten sleepy cars going clickety-clack, reads the refrain. But as the boy counts cars and gets sleepier and sleepier, his room looks more and more like one of the train cars from his book--the sleeping car, of course! Rhythmically told by the author of the Froggy books, Sleep Train is also stunning to look at. 3D illustrator, Lauren Eldridge, has sculpted an entire train full of intricate details. Part bedtime story, part counting book, part children's fantasy, Sleep Train is a magical ride to dreamland.Trade ReviewPraise for Sleep Train:“The rich and jewel-toned illustrations of the sky turning from orange to violet as the book progresses, and the soothing rhythm, make this a perfect bedtime story.” –School Library Journal “Eldridge’s artwork is fully engrossing... a daytime delight for young railroad enthusiasts taking inspiration for their own layouts. Those will absorb the attention of young viewers who are less somnolent than their adults had hoped.” –BCCB “Lyrical.” –Kirkus “London effectively uses repetitive sounds that echo both a train’s rhythm and the soothing sounds of a lullaby. Eldridge’s sculptural images create a fittingly dreamy world.” –Publishers Weekly

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Book SynopsisThe unforgettable characters from Ink and Bone and Paper and Fire unite to save the Great Library of Alexandria from itself in this electrifying adventure in the New York Times bestselling series.   Hoarding all the knowledge of the world, the Great Library jealously guards its secrets. But now a group of rebels poses a dangerous threat to its tyranny....   Jess Brightwell and his band of exiles have fled London, only to find themselves imprisoned in Philadelphia, a city led by those who would rather burn books than submit. But Jess and his friends have a bargaining chip: the knowledge to build a machine that will break the Library’s rule.   Their time is running out. To survive, they’ll have to choose to live or die as one, to take the fight to their enemies—and to save the very soul of the Great Library....

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Book SynopsisFrom the often Caldecott-buzzed Deborah Freedman, a sweet and funny story about finding your place in the world.Carl is an earthworm. He spends his days happily tunneling in the soil until a field mouse asks him a simple question that stops him short: Why? Carl's quest takes him on an adventure to meet all the animals of the forest, each of whom seems to know exactly what they were put on this earth to do, unlike the curious Carl. But it's not until the world around him has changed that Carl begins to realize everyone, no matter how small, makes a big difference just by being themselves.Trade Review★ "Her simple storytelling is supported by fabulous illustrations. . . will help youngsters understand the wonder and interconnectedness of nature." —Booklist, starred review★ "A must-have in all collections!" —School Library Connection, starred review★ "A poignant example of the important contributions of even the smallest creature.” —School Library Journal, starred review"A pleasant, simplified examination of the significance of the lowly earthworm, just in time for garden encounters." —Kirkus Reviews"Inviting readers to think about howthey, like the indomitable Carl, 'help the earth.'" —The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisA warlord killed Caledonia's parents and kidnapped her brother. Now, on the deadly Bullet seas, Captain Caledonia Styx and her all-female crew are ready for revenge. This is Mad Max by way of Davy Jones, a high-energy, breathless adventure [about] a group of damaged girls who find home in one another. --BooklistThe pace of the book is fast and relentless, and the action sequences tense and believable, but the best moments are the ones in which the female relationships shine. --NPROne of the most spell-binding adventures of the year. This is female piracy at its best. --The San Francisco ChronicleThe best kind of fantasy. . . . impossible to put down. --PasteAfter her family is killed by corrupt warlord Aric Athair and his bloodthirsty army of Bullets, Caledonia Styx is left to chart her own course on the dangerous and deadly seas. She captains her ship, the Mors Navis, with a crew of girls and women just

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Book SynopsisImagine James Marshall's The Stupids celebrating Hanukkah, and you'd get the Latke family!Lucy Latke's family is just like yours or mine. Except that they're potato pancakes. And also, they are completely clueless. After lighting the menorah and gobbling the gelt, Grandpa Latke tells everyone the Hanukkah story, complete with mighty Mega Bees who use a giant dreidel to fight against the evil alien potatoes from Planet Chhh. It's up to the Latke family dog to set the record straight. (To start with, they were Maccabees, not Mega Bees...) But he'll have to get the rest of the Latkes to listen to him first!

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning author Pablo Cartaya comes a deeply moving middle grade novel about a daughter and father finding their way back to each other in the face of their changing family and community.A SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD HONOR FOR MIDDLE GRADEEmilia Torres has a wandering mind. It's hard for her to follow along at school, and sometimes she forgets to do what her mom or abuela asks. But she remembers what matters: a time when her family was whole and home made sense. When Dad returns from deployment, Emilia expects that her life will get back to normal. Instead, it unravels.Dad shuts himself in the back stall of their family's auto shop to work on an old car. Emilia peeks in on him daily, mesmerized by his welder. One day, Dad calls Emilia over. Then, he teaches her how to weld. And over time, flickers of her old dad reappear.But as Emilia finds a way to repair the relationship with her father at home, her community ruptures with some

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Book SynopsisA young Dominican girl navigates middle school, her strict mother, shifting friendships, and her dream of being an artist in this debut coming-of-age graphic novel inspired by the author's tween years.Eighth grade in New York City means one thing: It’s time to start applying to high schools! While her friends are looking at school catalogs and studying for entrance exams, Steph is doodling in her notebook and waiting for art class to begin. When her art teacher tells her about LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, Steph desperately wants to apply. But she’s in the Bronx, and LaGuardia is a public school in Manhattan—which her mom would not approve of. Steph comes up with a plan that includes lying to her mom, friends, and teachers. Keeping secrets isn’t easy, and Steph must decide how far she’ll go to get what she wants.Doodles from the Boogie Down is a sparkling semi-autobiographical middle grade graphic n

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Book SynopsisIn this third chapter book about Warren and his alter ego Dragon, an important lesson in learned in generosity . . . and exploding volcanoes!Warren has been invited to a birthday party by one of his new classmates, so it's birthday present shopping time! And the first toy he spots, a Deluxe Volcano Building Set Supreme, is perfect . . . for himself. It's too much money, his mother tells him, choosing another gift for his classmate. But Warren can't stop thinking about exploding volcanoes, and soon he and Dragon are thinking up ways to make money and buy the Volcano Set for themselves. A bake sale? A magic show? A car wash? All great ideas . . . that is until Warren's sister misinterprets their personal fund-raising for charity fund-raising and decides that everything they earn should go to the local children's hospital. Does this mean that Warren and Dragon will have to give all the money they make away? Good bye Deluxe Volcano Building Set Supreme!

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Book SynopsisEric Rohmann's Caldecott Honor-winning debut is now available as a Dragonfly paperback. It is at once a wordless time-travel adventure and a meditation on the scientific theory that dinosaurs were the evolutionary ancestors of birds.  Time Flies , a wordless picture book, is inspired by the theory that birds are the modern relatives of dinosaurs.  This story conveys the tale of a bird trapped in a dinosaur exhibit at a natural history museum.  Through Eric's use of color, readers can actually see the bird enter into a mouth of a dinosaur, and then escape unscathed.The New York Times Book Review called Time Flies 'a work of informed imagination and masterly storytelling unobtrusively underpinned by good science...an entirely absorbing narrative made all the more rich by its wordlessness.' Kirkus Reviews hailed it as 'a splendid debut.'  

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Book SynopsisTwo award-winning and New York Times–bestselling author join forces for a collaborative novel of awesome proportions.One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, two teens—both named Will Grayson—are about to cross paths. As their worlds collide and intertwine, the Will Graysons find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, building toward romantic turns-of-heart and the epic production of history’s most fabulous high school musical.Hilarious, poignant, and deeply insightful, John Green and David Levithan’s collaborative novel is brimming with a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of faithful fans.A New York Times Book Review Editor’s ChoiceAn ALA Stonewall Honor Book  “Will Grayson, Will Grayson is a complete romp. [It is] so funny, rude and original that by the time flowers hi

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Book SynopsisFor twenty years, Cynthia Rylant's story of childhood in the Appalachian Mountains has been an enduring favorite. Growing up in the mountains is depicted with a spare, lyrical text and beautiful, tender illustrations by Diane Goode. The book was awarded a Caldecott Honor Medal.To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, When I Was Young in the Mountains is being released with a commemorative copper-colored band.

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Book SynopsisA #1 New York Times bestseller from the creators of the beloved Dragons Love Tacos comes a rollicking, rhyme-tastic, interactive high five competition--starring YOU!Discover the lost art of the high five and improve your slapping skills just in time for the annual high five contest! From hand-limbering stretches to lessons on five-ing with finesse, readers are guided through a series of interactive challenges, each goofier than the next.Acclaimed creative duo Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri have dreamed up another one-of-a-kind, laugh-out-loud book that kids will beg to read again and again.Trade Review"A high-spirited impetus to clap hands—or better yet, someone else's." —Kirkus "The pictures offer plenty of room to receive readers’ high-five innovations, and the pages crackle with Salmieri’s neon palette and scratchy, kinetic pencil lines." —Publishers Weekly"An interesting concept will elicit giggles and enthusiasm from readers, and neon colored pencil illustrations, reminiscent of 80s spandex suits, fill pages with vibrancy and energy." —School Library Journal"This new offering from the Dragons Love Tacos team is sure to delight audiences—and should make for lively story times." —Booklist

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Book SynopsisNine-year-old Ron loves going to the Lake City Public Library to look through all the books on airplanes and flight. Today, Ron is ready to take out books by himself. But in the segregated world of South Carolina in the 1950s, Ron''s obtaining his own library card is not just a small rite of passage—it is a young man''s first courageous mission. Here is an inspiring story, based on Ron McNair''s life, of how a little boy, future scientist, and Challenger astronaut desegregated his library through peaceful resistance.

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Book SynopsisThis stunning YA debut is a timely and heartfelt speculative narrative about healing, faith, and freedom.Seventeen-year-old Marisol has always dreamed of being American, learning what Americans and the US are like from television and Mrs. Rosen, an elderly expat who had employed Marisol''s mother as a maid. When she pictured an American life for herself, she dreamed of a life like Aimee and Amber''s, the title characters of her favorite American TV show. She never pictured fleeing her home in El Salvador under threat of death and stealing across the US border as an illegal, but after her brother is murdered and her younger sister, Gabi''s, life is also placed in equal jeopardy, she has no choice, especially because she knows everything is her fault. If she had never fallen for the charms of a beautiful girl named Liliana, Pablo might still be alive, her mother wouldn''t be in hiding and she and Gabi wouldn''t have been caught crossing the border. But they have been caught and their asylum request will most certainly be denied. With truly no options remaining, Marisol jumps at an unusual opportunity to stay in the United States. She''s asked to become a grief keeper, taking the grief of another into her own body to save a life. It''s a risky, experimental study, but if it means Marisol can keep her sister safe, she will risk anything. She just never imagined one of the risks would be falling in love, a love that may even be powerful enough to finally help her face her own crushing grief. The Grief Keeper is a tender tale that explores the heartbreak and consequences of when both love and human beings are branded illegal.Trade ReviewPraise for The Grief Keeper:Summer 2019 Kids’ Indie Next List PickSummer/Fall 2019 Indies Introduce Kids’ Debuts List PickA 2020 Rainbow Book List Pick – Young AdultA 2020 Lambda Award Winner – Young AdultA 2022-2023 Land of Enchantment Book Award Nominee (NM)“Hauntingly beautiful.” —School Library Journal“Villasante writes of first love with an authentic voice, beautifully capturing its nervousness, excitement, and awe. . . A story worth reading.” —Booklist“In her debut, Villasante captures the pressures of internalized racism in immigrants...Will grip readers and provoke empathy.” —Kirkus Reviews“Villasante’s novel is for the reader who wants to get down and dirty with the emotional landscape, who wants a romance that is hard-earned and sweetly won. The Grief Keeper...[creates] a realistic yet still hopeful world seen through the gaze of an intelligent, curious protagonist.” —Shelf Awareness“[An] engrossing debut. . . Villasante builds her novel about undocumented immigrants into a suspenseful story with credible relationships, satisfying character development, and elements of science fiction.” —Publisher’s Weekly “Villasante tackles some interesting issues, especially about power and privilege, in this sci-fi touched tale of contemporary realism. . . the compelling issues and main character will keep readers absorbed and give them plenty to discuss.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“With both timeless poignancy and heartbreaking relevance, The Grief Keeper is a stunning exploration of how we love, how pain lives in us, and how we survive. Alexandra Villasante’s gift for writing the deepest emotional truths resonates through every page.” —Anna-Marie McLemore, author of Wild Beauty and Blanca & Roja

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Book SynopsisInspired by The Twelve Days of Christmas, this picture book illustrates the many different forms that kindness can take, from veteran picture book author Irene Latham.On the first day of kindness, I will give to you a hug that’s warm and true.There are many ways to be kind. Follow one girl as she expresses gratitude through kind deeds all her own—a smile or encouraging word or even shared snacks—and discovers one act of kindness inspires another. In this heartwarming lyrical text, twelve acts of everyday kindness are set to the tune of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Along with vibrant and warm illustrations, this joyous read-aloud celebrates how small acts of kindness can be practiced at any age.

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Book SynopsisA family honors their living and dead relatives as they celebrate this holiday with shared food and stories.The Day of the Dead is a happy day when Mar’s family gathers together. There are favorite dishes to enjoy, games to be played, and most importantly, stories to tell. No one in the family is forgotten because this is the day of the year when the dead come to visit the living—and for this holiday it is almost as if they’re alive again, as the family takes great joy in celebrating the things that made them special. Mar realizes she is just like her Grandpa Ramón, who kept a journal. And her sister, Paz, plays accordian, just like their great-grandfather. There are so many things that connect them all—and at dinner, Abuelita spins even more stories that make them feel close to the ones they will love forever. Ana Aranda’s tender text and vibrant art make the joy felt on this sweet day totally palpable.Trade Review"In her authorial debut, Aranda, illustrator of The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra, delivers a charming ode to the Latinx Day of the Dead holiday. A little girl narrates this sweet tale that takes readers through her family’s preparations for the event that occurs every November 1st through 2nd, in which families honor those who came before with altars, poems, marigolds, and sugar skeletons. . . . The importance of family, storytelling, and tradition shines through the text and joyous textured illustrations. . . . Warm and vibrant hues, such as the orange of the marigolds and the bright colors of the papel picado, add to the lively, celebratory mood. . . . Calaveras, or skulls, and living people mingle throughout, but the joy-filled celebration is especially evident during the fiesta scenes. The matter-of-fact text contains not a hint of fear or mourning, which might be just the right tone for some children with a recent death in the family, making this a perennial title and not one to relegate to Day of the Dead shelves or displays. . . . Great fun; a strong choice for picture book collections." --School Library Journal“Mar, Paz, and their parents have much to do to get ready to welcome family for the big celebration: getting marigolds and sugar skulls at the market, making almond cookies, and writing poems. There are special revelations about ways in which the children are like their grandfather and great-grandmother as well as singing and dancing. At the heart of it all, Abuelita is greeted joyfully and shares family stories. The illustrations are appropriately brightly colored and show off many of the elements of the Day of the Dead. The special marigolds, skulls, and symbolic monarch butterflies thread across pages, tying the celebration and the living and the dead together. Aranda explains why the holiday matters as well as the importance of learning about and preserving ancestral memories. Her text contains just enough information to be beneficial to young readers without overwhelming them. The nuances of the connections between ancestors and current generations, and between lost loved ones and living ones, are expertly captured. Above all, the story centers on the joys of family and tradition. Shines a triumphant spotlight on Day of the Dead festivities.” —Kirkus Reviews"Aranda offers a joyful, accessible introduction to a beloved holiday via one family’s preparations. Watercolor, ink, and gouache art, redolent with festive magenta, turquoise, and violet hues, first follows pigtailed siblings Mar and Paz into town to buy marigolds and sugar skulls. Back at home, decorating and cooking give way to arrivals of living relations, portrayed with varying brown skin tones, and of departed relatives. The latter—represented with smiling painted skulls and surrounded by embellishments that reference their passions—hover approvingly alongside the family, rendering the line between past and present a happy blur. The party moves into high gear when Abuelita, who 'knows all the family stories,' arrives in a swirling cloud of monarch butterflies. 'We feel close to everyone,' says Mar, amid the singing, dancing, and reminiscing, 'the living and the dead.'” —Publishers Weekly“Aranda shares a story inspired by her own family. . . . Aranda’s warm artwork incorporates bright and cheerful visual metaphors, such as swirling monarch butterflies, which represent the distance guests travel to return home for the party. The family tree in the opening pages and emphasis on family stories underscores the connection to ancestry the holiday celebrates, and the upbeat and happy tone reminds readers that remembering loved ones, even those we miss terribly, can be a source of joy.” —Booklist

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Book SynopsisA busy Hollywood couple spins a hilarious cautionary tale about what happens when you are glued to your phone.It''s a lively day at the neighborhood park. Birds are singing, squirrels are frolicking, dogs are causing a commotion--and wide-eyed children are enthralled by it all. Too bad the parents are missing everything! It''s going to take something really BIG to get them to disengage from their phones . . .This timely story, brought to life with beautiful bold art, is a great reminder to slow down and savor time together.Trade Review“Married actors Smith and Thiessen take playful aim at cellphone-addicted caregivers. . . . Smith’s bold pen-and-watercolor illustrations pop with tropical hues that aptly emphasize how vibrant the real world is when compared to a screen. A refreshing and opportune reminder to put down the phone and eye the butterflies.”—Publishers Weekly“Humorous cartoon artwork . . . vibrant atmosphere. . . . A timely comment on technology's drawbacks in today's society.”—Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisFriendship and magical realism sparkle on the page in this heartwarming, delightfully eccentric illustrated middle-grade gem from an extraordinary new literary voice. Perfect for fans of A Snicker of Magic and The Penderwicks.Alberto lives alone in the town of Allora, where fish fly out of the sea and the houses shine like jewels. He is a coffin maker and widower, spending his quiet days creating the final resting places of Allora's people.Then one afternoon a magical bird flutters into his garden, and Alberto, lonely inside, welcomes it into his home. And when a kindhearted boy named Tito follows the bird into Alberto's kitchen, a door in the old man's heart cracks open. Tito is lonely too--but he's also scared and searching for a place to hide. Fleeing from danger, he just wants to feel safe for once in his life. Can the boy and the old man learn the power of friendship and escape the shadows of their pasts?With a tender bond that calls to mind The Girl Who Drank the Moon, charming characters reminiscent of The Penderwicks, and the whimsy of A Snicker of Magic, this is a novel to curl up with, an extraordinary work of magical realism that makes the world feel like a warmer and happier place. Complete with dazzling interior illustrations, a gem from start to finish.Praise for The Boy, the Bird & the Coffin Maker:A beautifully written debut about recovering from grief and finding hope through an unlikely friendship. The writing itself is a gorgeous lyrical prose laced with magical realism, like a Gabriel García Márquez story for young readers. --BookTrust★ Woods has penned a gentle fable, one rich in hope that promotes the strength of kindness. Her magical realism nods to the like of Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez, perfectly tailoring the genre for a middle-grade audience. Anuska Allepuz's whimsical illustrations add to the magical feel. Sweet, earnest and not to be missed. --Shelf Awareness, STARRED REVIEW★ Elegantly told from start to finish and enhanced by Allepuz's evocative images and decorations, debut author Woods has created a fairy tale that will linger with readers. --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW★ This uplifting book will enthrallreaders, enveloping them in its gentle charm. --Booklist, STARRED REVIEWAwash in magical realism, this is a gentle tale of two hearts, broken by a sometimes harsh world, who find solace, comfort, healing and safety in a new family. . . . A warm-hearted, beautifully told tale. --School Library ConnectionA lyrical and melancholy tale [filled with] atmospheric writing. --School Library JournalA quietly triumphant tale. --Kirkus ReviewsA gently compelling hybrid of intrigue and enchantment . . . filled with the redeeming magic of love and life. --VOYA

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Book SynopsisA whimsical and giggle-inducing exploration of what might happen when a monster visits at bedtime from award-winning children's author Lynn Plourde and the playful imagination of #1 NYT bestselling illustrator, Mike Lowery.A Little Boy is just trying to go to sleep when a Little Monster creeps up to his window and . . . says goop-zee-googy! Or, peek-a-boo!, in case you don't speak Monster. Hilarity ensues as the Little Monster tries to play with the Little Boy despite the language barrier. While at first scared, the Little Boy comes to Little Monster's rescue when he gets hurt and the two new friends are able to play together all night long.Complete with a glossary translating the monster language used throughout, this classic nighttime adventure story will have little readers wishing for a Little Monster to knock on their window at night.

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Book SynopsisFrom #1 bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz comes the heart-pounding follow-up to The Queen's Assassin, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black.Lilac's birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Montrice. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom's assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cal is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac's sovereignty. Now Cal and Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that's ever saved them. In the riveting conclusion to Melissa De La Cruz's fantasy duet, love and magic are at war, and victory rests on a knife's edge.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Count Me In is a gem of a book both funny and heartbreaking in equal measure. With its deeply moving portrayal of the healing power of empathy, this is an important and necessary story.”—Aisha Saeed, author of the New York Times bestseller Amal Unbound “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this heartfelt novel started a movement of its own! Readers will want to stand up and cheer for Karina and Chris and Papa, and shout to every corner of the world, ‘COUNT ME IN!’”—Kathi Appelt, author of the Newbery Honor winner The Underneath“Compassionate, relatable characters. The story celebrates resilience, the power of community, and even the benefits of social media during a time when hate crimes against the Indian Diaspora are on the rise. The alternating chapters between Karina and Chris show that Americans come in all colors. Karina's message, that we are stronger together, will easily resonate with readers.”—Booklist“Karina and Chris draw on their friendship, their families, and the unexpectedly unifying power of social media for strength against fear and hatred. Fast-paced first-person narration alternates between Karina and Chris. This accessible read tackles weighty issues like racism and hatred, while the warmth of the growing friendship among Karina, Chris, and Papa carries readers through the book’s stressful conflicts to its satisfying conclusion. A solid recommendation for fans of books like Hena Khan’s Amina’s Voice and Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks’s Save Me a Seat.”—School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisExtreme weather affects two children's lives in very different ways and shows how the power of nature can bring us together.One girl. One boy. Their lives couldn't be more different.While she turns her shoulder to sandstorms and blistering winds, he cuffs his pants when heavy rains begin to fall. As the weather becomes more severe, their families and animals must flee to safety--and their destination shows that they might be more alike than they seem. The journeys of these two children experiencing weather extremes in India highlight the power of nature and the resilience of the the human spirit.Trade Review“A beautiful and important book about climate change featuring those who are most affected by it. Dairman draws inspiration from the Rabari people, an Indigenous tribe of nomadic herders and shepherds that live in northwest India . . [and] Bangalore-based Sreenivasan’s extensive research is evident in her saturated, detailed illustrations. Text and illustrations work beautifully in concert.” –Kirkus, starred review"Short rhyming lines by Dairman (The Great Hibernation) reveal what happens to each group when the weather turns nasty: on top of a split page, there’s a sandstorm (“Sand blows in”), on the bottom, a monsoon (“flooding floor”). The girl takes cover in the family’s tent—“Tie the flap!”—while the boy ducks into his rapidly flooding house: “Seal the door!” When conditions grow unbearable, both groups trek to higher, greener ground—and there, their families meet. Digitally painted spreads by Sreenivasan (Diwali) feature angular graphic forms and jewel-toned hues. The colors intensify as the weather worsens: the light from the desert sandstorm turns everything orange, and the blues and greens of monsoon country deepen. While introducing the diversity of the Indian subcontinent through thoughtful juxtaposition, this collaboration also confronts the threats that extreme weather poses to various ways of life." -Publishers Weekly, starred review"In this beautifully rendered study of contrasts and commonalities, Dairman imagines a girl and boy from two different biomes in India. . . This book not only examines climate change through the eyes of communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on the weather, but also provides a starting point for conversations on gendered roles as well as about migration as a form of survival — and how our lives are interconnected." -The Horn Book“This story was inspired by the lifestyles of the Rabari people who live in northwestern India. Their lives, as we see in this very simple yet poignant book, are intimately connected to the environment. Young readers will find the jaunty rhyme of the narrative fun to follow.” -Booklist

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Book SynopsisIf you are wondering how to begin confronting Anti-Black racism in your classroom, start with What Lane?--School Library Journal: The Classroom BookshelfSTAY IN YOUR LANE. Stephen doesn''t want to hear that--he wants to have no lane. Anything his friends can do, Stephen should be able to do too, right? So when they dare each other to sneak into an abandoned building, he doesn''t think it''s his lane, but he goes. Here''s the thing, though: Can he do everything his friends can? Lately, he''s not so sure. As a mixed kid, he feels like he''s living in two worlds with different rules--and he''s been noticing that strangers treat him differently than his white friends . . .So what''ll he do? Hold on tight as Stephen swerves in and out of lanes to find out which are his--and who should be with him.Torrey Maldonado, author of the highly acclaimed Tight, does a masterful job showing a young boy coming of age in a raciallTrade Review* “In an NYC landscape deeply shaped by race, sixth grader Stephen struggles to speak his piece. . . . Maldonado pursues a story about biracial boyhood, healthy friendships, and self-discovery while gesturing toward the influence of social movements like Black Lives Matter in reshaping what accountable friendship looks like. Voiced in the creative language of NYC youth, the novel models what it means to embrace the power of self-awareness and relationships built on mutual respect. Bridges everyday racism and accountable allyship with sincerity.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “Engaging, timely novel. . . . Maldonado (Tight) paints a vivid, relatable picture of an adventurous boy learning the rewards and dangers of straying out of his lane against the backdrop of an unfair system that could see him killed or arrested for the behaviors his white peers easily engage in. The characters are warmly realistic, by turns impulsive and regretful. In relatively few words, Maldonado elucidates matters related to racial profiling, police violence against black people, and allyship, all through the eyes of a brave kid trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review* “Maldonado depicts his young hero’s awakening to the ugly realities of contemporary American racism. Caught between his best friend Dan, and Dan’s racist cousin Chad; straddling the line between his overprotective, naive white mother and his realist, all-too-aware Black father; and doing his best to integrate his middle school friend group, biracial Stephen is finding it tricky to ‘stay wide in all lanes.’ . . . Maldonado uses a biracial adolescent boy’s perspective to draw his readers into an engaging story of identity and tough choices that will appeal to middle schoolers everywhere. An ideal choice for school book clubs and advisory.”—School Library Journal, starred review“Sixth-graders Stephen and Dan are so close that they could be twins aside from their race difference, but that difference is beginning to matter to the outside world. . . . Presents an honest account of a Black boy who has to grow up faster than his white friends, all while wishing his friend groups could just be together regardless of race. . . . Makes the point that the frequency of racist encounters means they’re daunting yet mundane, and there is an interesting dynamic between Stephen’s Black father and white mother, who both want to protect their son but take different approaches. His father and friend Wes both tie in real life details about current events such as Tamir Rice’s shooting and the Black Lives Matter movement, which adds to the authenticity and could make this selection a discussion starter.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisIf you are wondering how to begin confronting Anti-Black racism in your classroom, start with What Lane?--School Library Journal: The Classroom BookshelfSTAY IN YOUR LANE. Stephen doesn't want to hear that--he wants to have no lane. Anything his friends can do, Stephen should be able to do too, right? So when they dare each other to sneak into an abandoned building, he doesn't think it's his lane, but he goes. Here's the thing, though: Can he do everything his friends can? Lately, he's not so sure. As a mixed kid, he feels like he's living in two worlds with different rules--and he's been noticing that strangers treat him differently than his white friends . . . So what'll he do? Hold on tight as Stephen swerves in and out of lanes to find out which are his--and who should be with him. Torrey Maldonado, author of the highly acclaimed Tight, does a masterful job showing a young boy coming of age in Trade Review* “In an NYC landscape deeply shaped by race, sixth grader Stephen struggles to speak his piece. . . . Maldonado pursues a story about biracial boyhood, healthy friendships, and self-discovery while gesturing toward the influence of social movements like Black Lives Matter in reshaping what accountable friendship looks like. Voiced in the creative language of NYC youth, the novel models what it means to embrace the power of self-awareness and relationships built on mutual respect. Bridges everyday racism and accountable allyship with sincerity.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “Engaging, timely novel. . . . Maldonado (Tight) paints a vivid, relatable picture of an adventurous boy learning the rewards and dangers of straying out of his lane against the backdrop of an unfair system that could see him killed or arrested for the behaviors his white peers easily engage in. The characters are warmly realistic, by turns impulsive and regretful. In relatively few words, Maldonado elucidates matters related to racial profiling, police violence against black people, and allyship, all through the eyes of a brave kid trying to figure out who he is and where he belongs.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review* “Maldonado depicts his young hero’s awakening to the ugly realities of contemporary American racism. Caught between his best friend Dan, and Dan’s racist cousin Chad; straddling the line between his overprotective, naive white mother and his realist, all-too-aware Black father; and doing his best to integrate his middle school friend group, biracial Stephen is finding it tricky to ‘stay wide in all lanes.’ . . . Maldonado uses a biracial adolescent boy’s perspective to draw his readers into an engaging story of identity and tough choices that will appeal to middle schoolers everywhere. An ideal choice for school book clubs and advisory.”—School Library Journal, starred review“Sixth-graders Stephen and Dan are so close that they could be twins aside from their race difference, but that difference is beginning to matter to the outside world. . . . Presents an honest account of a Black boy who has to grow up faster than his white friends, all while wishing his friend groups could just be together regardless of race. . . . Makes the point that the frequency of racist encounters means they’re daunting yet mundane, and there is an interesting dynamic between Stephen’s Black father and white mother, who both want to protect their son but take different approaches. His father and friend Wes both tie in real life details about current events such as Tamir Rice’s shooting and the Black Lives Matter movement, which adds to the authenticity and could make this selection a discussion starter.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisTwo sisters must fight to the death to win the crown in this first installment of a gripping, action-packed duology set in an ancient North African-inspired fantasy world. Now in paperback.Sixteen-year-old Eva is a princess, born with the magick of blood and marrow--a dark and terrible magick that hasn't been seen for generations in the vibrant but fractured country of Myre. Its last known practitioner was Queen Raina, who toppled the native royalty and massacred thousands, including her own sister, eight generations ago, thus beginning the Rival Heir tradition. Living in Raina's long and dark shadow, Eva must now face her older sister, Isa, in a battle to the death if she hopes to ascend to the Ivory Throne--because in the Queendom of Myre only the strongest, most ruthless rulers survive.A River of Royal Blood is an enthralling debut set in a lush ancient North African inspired fantasy world that subtly but powerfully challenges our notions of power, hist

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Book SynopsisThis triumphant picture book recasts a charged phrase as part of a black girl's everyday life--hands up for a hug, hands up in class, hands up for a high five--before culminating in a moment of resistance at a protest march.A young black girl lifts her baby hands up to greet the sun, reaches her hands up for a book on a high shelf, and raises her hands up in praise at a church service. She stretches her hands up high like a plane's wings and whizzes down a hill so fast on her bike with her hands way up. As she grows, she lives through everyday moments of joy, love, and sadness. And when she gets a little older, she joins together with her family and her community in a protest march, where they lift their hands up together in resistance and strength.Trade ReviewPraise for Hands Up!"This book turns the phrase [hands up] on its head to give little ones confidence and pride, culminating in activism."—USA Today"In dynamic multi-media art, family, friends, and community fill one African-American girl's life with love. . . . Hands Up! can singularly or simultaneous serve as a kid-friendly preview of growing up, as catalyst for a conversation about the dangers of being black in America, and/or as determined reclamation of a loaded phrase."—San Francisco Chronicle“The epitome of #blackgirljoy . . . Empowering.” —Mashable * “McDaniel’s debut picture book offers a jubilant paean to a universal, everyday occurrence . . . Spare, deeply expressive mixed-media pictures by Evans feature vivid colors and inventive textures, and they underscore the power of helping hands. . . . An uplifting celebration of advocating for oneself, aiding those in need, and connecting with one’s community.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review* “This successfully delivers a message of everyday celebration in one simple gesture. As an introduction for children to social activism, this book will serve well. A terrific read-aloud for one-on-one and small group sharing.” —School Library Journal, starred review* "Sobering and celebratory both, writer and artist triumphantly assure all audiences, especially young black readers, 'You matter.'" —Shelf Awareness, starred review“A warm and necessary message of empowerment for black children, helping them see that raising their hands is a celebration of their humanity.” —Kirkus “A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while it positions very young children as leaders and agents of change.” —The Horn Book

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