Children’s / Teenage fiction and true stories

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Book SynopsisMuriel''s family can''t afford a Passover seder this year? but an act of kindness and a mysterious stranger change everything.It''s the spring of 1933 in Washington, D.C., and the Great Depression is hitting young Muriel''s family hard. Her father has lost his job, and her family barely has enough food for their daily meals, let alone for a Passover seder. They don''t even have any wine to fill the prophet Elijah''s ceremonial cup.With no feast to rush home to, Muriel wanders by the Lincoln Memorial, where she encounters a magician performing astonishing feats. In awe, Muriel sets her last penny at his feet.That night, Muriel and her family experience a holiday miracle. What mysterious benefactor has filled the seder table? When Muriel sees Elijah''s cup is empty again, she has a good idea.This fresh retelling of the classic I.L. Peretz story, best known through Uri Shulevitz''s 1973 adaptation The Magician, has been richly illustrated by noted graphic novelist Sean Rubin, who based his art on photographs of D.C. in the 1930s. An author''s note with information about the Passover holiday is included.An Association of Jewish Libraries Spring Holiday HighlightA Booklist Editors'' ChoiceA CSMCL Best Multicultural Children''s Book of the Year

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Book SynopsisA clever lamb outsmarts a nosy wolf in this humorous fable about internet privacy for young children.When a furry stranger named Rolf starts asking Mitzi questions about her name, where she lives, where her mom and dad work, and more, the clever Mitzi quickly devises a strategy to dispatch the nosy wolf using her dance skills!A refrain of “That’s Private!” teaches kids the importance of privacy when it comes to sharing personal information while hilarious visual gags keep the reading experience light. Perfect for teaching children how to use the internet in a safe, respectful manner, Mitzi and the Big Bad Nosy Wolf is just the book for today''s young digital citizens.Back matter includes Mitzi’s Rules for Digital Citizenship, which outlines best practices when using the internet, from safety to cyberbullying; a glossary that include such terms as public, private, and digital footprint; and a memor

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Book SynopsisTwo cats. One cake. Who will get to enjoy the tasty dessert? A fun, simple story that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own. This is mine!No, this is mine!When a cake falls off a cart at the bakery, two cats claim it. A clever fox offers to help them share, but bit by bit eats the cake all up himself! With easy-to-read dialogue and cheerful art, The Cats and the Cake will have children laughing and reading at the same time.This book has been officially leveled by using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level GradientTM leveling system.The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high-quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read again and again with their p

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Book SynopsisIntroduce your child to the Paralympics--where physically disabled world-class athletes exemplify strength, determination, and courage.Lucas and Eddie, two physically disabled friends, visit the Paralympics and cheer on blind and physically challenged athletes as they compete in running, swimming, sitting volleyball, para archery, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair basketball, and more. Readers learn about some of the rules that expedite play and that even the playing field. For example, blind runners wear blindfolds so none of the competitors (some totally blind and some with limited sight) have an unfair advantage. Also, all of the blind competitors are tethered to guides. Author Igor Plohl, who lost the use of his legs after a spinal injury, is a teacher and passionate advocate for raising awareness of physical disability. As a teacher, he knows the questions children ask and how to answer them.

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Book SynopsisLucas fell, and now he lives with a disability. A story of grit and resilience.When Lucas falls off a ladder, he damages his spine and can''t use his legs anymore. He can''t stand on them and he can''t walk on them.Read about how, with self-determination as well as with the love of friends and family, Lucas can drive a car, play sports, and be a teacher again!The author, Igor Plohl, used his own experiences as a paraplegic and as a teacher to speak to children about disability, resilience, and grit.

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Book SynopsisA lush and beautiful fantasy set in a world where music is magic and the fate of many thrones lies with one girl…Twelve-year-old Elissa has been raised in seclusion as a devotee of the Mother Goddess. She is a special child, a blessed child, a child who can sing miracles into being. Her voice can heal wounds, halt landslides, cure hunger—and even end wars. But there are those who would use her gift for darker things. And when Elissa finds herself the farthest from home she’s ever been—along with her vain and jealous music tutor, Lucio—she will have to develop the judgment to decide who wants to use her song to heal… and who wants to use her song to hurt.   “Unique.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books“Excellent.”—Booklist“Captivating.”—School Library Connection “Enthralling.&rd

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Book SynopsisAfter being abandoned by her mother in a most unusual place, a defiant heroine sticks to her plan for staying hidden—even though getting caught could mean saving her life.Twelve-year-old Mouse calls an amusement park home.Nobody notices her, and that's the way she likes it. Mouse sweeps the streets and wears a uniform she “borrowed” and sleeps on the top floor of the Haunted House of Horrors. She knows which security guards to avoid, eats the bagel left out each morning for the Ghost of Summer (a popular theme park legend), and even has the taco guy convinced that her lunch is paid for. She has her special hiding methods down to a science. But one morning, a girl named Cat comes looking for Lauren Suszek. Cat notices her, and Mouse doesn’t like it. Mouse cannot let this nosy pest find out who she really is! If Mouse gets discovered living in the park, Mama might come back for her, and Mouse doesn’t want that. Or—ev

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Book SynopsisIn this timely reissue, a father and son help their community claim the right to vote in the post Civil-War South.A son teaches his father how to write his name so he can vote for the first time in this historical tale filled with warmth and strength by Coretta Scott King Honor winner Colin Bootman''s expressive oil paintings.  In a new author’s note, veteran teacher and author Gwendolyn Battle-Lavert expands upon the obstacles facing African American voters in the aftermath of the Civil War and the fight to end voter suppression that goes on even today. Simms knows election day will be a big day for his papa, and for all of Lamar County. For the very first time, Papa will get to vote. But Simms wishes his papa could write his own name, so he could go to the courthouse with head held high. And Simms is determined to teach Papa, because, like his father, he knows that freedom doesn’t come easy.   

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Book SynopsisLucas fell, and now he lives with a disability. A Level G story about resilience that first graders can read on their own.Lucas is a happy lion.One day Lucas Falls.Can Lucas be happy again?When Lucas falls off a ladder, he hurts his spine and can''t use his legs anymore. He can''t stand on them and he can''t walk on them. Through self-determination and with the love of friends and family, Lucas learns new ways to take care of himself and have fun.With easy-to-read language and cheerful art, children can learn about physical disabilities while they grow their confidence as readers.This book has been officially leveled by using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level GradientTM leveling system.For early-to-mid first grade readers, Level G books feature more complex storylines than prior levels, and a wider variety of structure and punctuation.  Illustrations offer support for decoding the more challenging vo

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Book SynopsisWhere could Bongo be? Help a young boy find his beloved toy—and figure out how it got lost to begin with.  Eric Velasquez's cozy and playful story is now available in Spanish.The boy knows Bongo was right there with him this morning. But now, Bongo is missing. He asks his whole family if they've seen the stuffed toy.  Yo no sé, says his abuela. I don't know.  Mamá and papá haven't seen him either. And Gato just meows and runs away.  When he finds Bongo, the boy is thrilled—but he still doesn't understand how his toy ended up there. So that night, he sets a trap to catch the Bongo thief. . . . Eric Velasquez's detailed, expressive illustrations follow the boy's investigation throughout his home, giving readers a glimpse of a warm, multi-generational familia Afro-Latina.

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Book SynopsisPerfect for family storytime or emergent readers, this affectionate look at the ups and downs of preschoolers in the big city is sure to make you smile.In thirteen brief, illustrated vignettes, young Harris gets into big and little adventures at home, at his best friend Ayana''s house, and throughout his diverse city neighborhood.That''s why they call permanent markers permanent, Harris'' mother says as she surveys Harris and Ayana''s handiwork in his bedroom.Thes short, charming tales-- all inspired by author Amy Schwartz''s experiences as a parent-- capture a preschooler''s sense of wonder and possibility, as well as the beauty of young friendships. With very short text supported by bright illustrations, this is an excellent storytime choice for young readers beginning to read on their own-- or a great choice to share together with the ones you love.A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionA Bookpage Best Book of the Ye

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Book SynopsisLucas fell, and now he lives with a disability. A Level G story about resilience that first graders can read on their own.Lucas is a happy lion.One day Lucas Falls.Can Lucas be happy again?When Lucas falls off a ladder, he hurts his spine and can''t use his legs anymore. He can''t stand on them and he can''t walk on them. Through self-determination and with the love of friends and family, Lucas learns new ways to take care of himself and have fun.With easy-to-read language and cheerful art, children can learn about physical disabilities while they grow their confidence as readers.This book has been officially leveled by using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level GradientTM leveling system.For early-to-mid first grade readers, Level G books feature more complex storylines than prior levels, and a wider variety of structure and punctuation.  Illustrations offer support for decoding the more challenging

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Book SynopsisFour sisters search for true family in this story of resilience by a Newbery Honor author. Now available in paperback.When the McCready sisters'' parents are washed away in a tsunami, their Great Aunt Martha volunteers to have them live with her on her farm in British Columbia. But while they are traveling there, Martha dies unexpectedly, forcing Fiona, the eldest, to come up with a scheme to keep social services from separating the girls - a scheme that will only work if no one knows they are living on their own.Fiona approaches their grouchy and indifferent neighbor Al and asks if he will pretend to be their live-in legal guardian should papers need to be signed or if anyone comes snooping around. He reluctantly agrees, under the condition that they bring him dinner every night.As weeks pass, Fiona takes on more and more adult responsibilities, while each of the younger girls finds their own special role in their atypical family - But even if things see

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Book SynopsisA bullied 12-year-old boy must find a new normal after his mother has a stroke and his life is turned upside down.William Wyatt Orser, a socially awkward middle schooler, is a wordsmith who, much to his annoyance, acquired the ironically ungrammatical nickname of “Worser so long ago that few people at school know to call him anything else.Worser grew up with his mom, a professor of rhetoric and an introvert just like him, in a comfortable routine that involved reading aloud in the evenings, criticizing the grammar of others, ignoring the shabby mess of their house, and suffering the bare minimum of social interactions with others.But recently all that has changed. His mom had a stroke that left her nonverbal, and his Aunt Iris has moved in with her cats, art projects, loud music, and even louder clothes. Home for Worser is no longer a refuge from the unsympathetic world at school that it has been all his life.Feeling lost, lonely, and overwh

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Book SynopsisSeparated from his siblings, 11-year-old Virgil must survive a dangerous forest fire using only his wits and the lessons his late mother taught him about the wilderness.Virgil is making his older siblings trek to a mountain lake on a trip unlike any they''ve taken before. They carry precious cargo: the ashes of their beloved mother, who asked that her remains be scattered at her favorite spot. Then a forest fire is sparked by a bolt of lightning at the exact moment when their van breaks down, and the journey quickly turns to disaster.Virgil finds himself separated from his brother and sister. With the fire moving closer and closer, he isn’t sure he can make it alone in the wilderness. But with the memory of his late mother, a science teacher, and all her lessons about the ecosystem and fire safety to guide him, he quickly learns that survival starts with letting go of your fears and taking action.Fire on Headless Mountain is a thrilli

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Book SynopsisThis funny story with charming illustrations--about friendship, animals, and jumping!--is now available in Spanish!A bug, a cow (over the moon, of course) . . . even a hippo can jump. Kids and animals leap into the air in this sweet, simple book by beloved children's author-illustrator David McPhail, now translated into Spanish. Cozy watercolor illustrations depict the very basic Spanish text, helping beginning readers learn new Spanish vocabulary. Uncluttered text keeps the same basic pattern on each spread, so new readers can focus on learning Spanish conjugation patterns. ¡Me gusta leer! provides emerging Spanish language readers with translations of popular I Like to Read® books. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on books for kindergarten through first grade. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quality illustrations

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Book SynopsisA girl?s community joins hands to fight intolerance in this richly illustrated picture book that sings with hope for young readers.Leila loves going to Hebrew school and hearing stories of mighty kings and quick-witted queens. Being Jewish is a part of her story, and learning Hebrew connects her to her ancestors. L?dor V?dor! From one generation to the next! But when Leila?s synagogue gets vandalized, she isn?t sure what she wants.Something that used to make her feel special now just makes her feel different.Then Leila?s classmates and community come together to repair the synagogue. This compassionate gesture makes Leila realize that everyone around her is different?and that?s a beautiful thing.Lyrical text and gorgeous, textured collage art by award-winning illustrator Selina Alko enhance this uplifting story about honoring a diverse community. Back matter provides a springboard for age-appropriate conversations about inclusion and bridge-building between cultures. Perfect for fans of All Are Welcome and The Proudest Blue.A Sydney Taylor Notable BookNational Jewish Book Award - Tracy and Larry Brown Family Award Winner

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Book SynopsisBig Dog wants to be friends. But what is a friend? asks Little Dog. Readers will learn the answer in this funny, heartwarming story, now available in Spanish.Friends have fun, Big Dog explains. They could take a train to the zoo, a bus to the boats, or a rocket to the moon. But before the friends can execute their plans, it starts to snow. The dogs go to their homes where Big Dog takes a bath while Little Dog puts on his boots to go outside.But when Little Dog falls and is buried in snow, will Big Dog hear Little Dog's plaintive woofs and come to the rescue? Yes! Because friends help friends. ¡Me gusta leer! provides emerging Spanish language readers with translations of popular I Like to Read® books. The award-winning I Like to Read® series focuses on books for kindergarten through first grade. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high quali

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Book SynopsisAn award-winning retelling of the Biblical creation story from a star of the Harlem Renaissance and an acclaimed illustrator.

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Book SynopsisJoin the animals of the zodiac as they make noodles for a party in this festive book from an award-winning author and food editor.It’s almost time for the party! One-by-one all the animals of the zodiac go up the hill, each one carrying an ingredient. Horse trots up the hill with a big wok. Goat strolls up the hill with wild onions. Except for snake, that is. It’s his birthday! All of his friends have prepared long noodles to celebrate his long and happy life. Simple text is paired with delightful, friendly art in this joyous look at the Chinese tradition of preparing long noodles to celebrate birthdays, the New Year, and other festive occasions. A kid-friendly recipe for how to make Dragon Beard Noodles, a dish popular in Northern China, is included as well as a note on the Chinese Zodiac.

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Book SynopsisThe most huggable book a toddler will ever love from a master of picture-book artistry.Bear has a cozy, fluffy cuddle; Elephant, a big, strong cuddle; even Porcupine has a careful, prickly cuddle. But Kitty''s brother hugs the best! Follow along Kitty''s journey and learn that there are many different ways to show affection, and all of them matter most when shared with others. Jane Cabrera''s picture books have received worldwide attention and two Oppenheim Toy Portfolio awards. Her incomparable style has made her books a must-have for parents, teachers, and librarians for over a decade.

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Book SynopsisTwelve-year-old Violet Crane is an only child in a lonely household who longs to be part of the gregarious family that’s just moved in next door.With a mother struggling with anxiety, a father who recently moved out, and no siblings to commiserate with, socially awkward Violet Crane feels like she is starting middle school with less going for herself than that of your average kid. When the rambunctious Walker family moves in next door, Violet can’t help but wish she could become a part of their household—everyone and everything seems so normal compared to her own. After she meets them, Violet falls in love with all five Walker siblings and especially with Mrs. Walker, who is nothing like her own mother.  Violet and Reggie, the black sheep of the Walker family, find that they have an easy understanding of each other, and it doesn’t hurt that they are in the same grade at school.  But then

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Book SynopsisA devastating tornado tears apart more than just houses in this striking novel in verse about a girl rebuilding herself. Before the storm, thirteen-year-old Quinn was happy flying under the radar. She was average. Unremarkable. Always looking for an escape from her house, where her bickering parents fawned over her genius big brother.       Inside our broken home / we didn’t know how broken / the world outside was.But after the storm, Quinn can’t seem to go back to average. Her friends weren't affected by the tornado in the same way. To them, the storm left behind a playground of abandoned houses and distracted adults. As Quinn struggles to find stability in the tornado’s aftermath, she must choose: between homes, friendships, and versions of herself.       Nothing that was mine / yesterday is mine today.Told in rich, spectacular verse, Carolin

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Book SynopsisA baby blanket is a very special gift, but what happens when you grow up and it comes undone? Is it time to let go, or to make something new?While Cole''s mama waits for his arrival, she knits him a baby blanket. After he is born, the bond between baby and blanket is instant. So much so that as Cole grows older, the two are inseparable, until the day he notices the blanket is slowly coming unraveled.Cole tries playing with it the way he always had but it doesn''t work and he decides to let go of what is now a bundle of yarn. But Mama isn''t quite ready to let go and knits the yarn into something new--a sweater--delighting Cole. The bond is once again instant.Leanne Hatch brings this story of growing up and taking things with us in new ways to life with her warm text and richly textured art. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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Book SynopsisTwo disabled queer teens find belonging in this poignant platonic love story about singing, signing, and solidarity.Casey Kowalski once dreamed of becoming a professional singer. Then the universe threw her a life-altering curveball?sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss?just before her family?s move from Portland to Miami. Now, she?s learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person while trying to conceal her hearing loss from her new schoolmates.Hayden González-Rossi is also keeping secrets. Three generations of González men have risen to stardom on the soccer field, and Hayden knows his family expects him to follow in their footsteps, but he wants to quit soccer and pursue a career on Broadway. If only his Generalized Anxiety Disorder didn?t send him into a debilitating spiral over the thought of telling the truth.Casey and Hayden are both determined to hide who they really are. But when they cross paths at school, they bond over their shared love of music and their mutual feeling that they don?t belong, and the secrets come spilling out. Their friendship is the beating heart of this dual-perspective story featuring thoughtful disability representation, nuanced queer identities, and a lovably quirky supporting cast.

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Book SynopsisHow does this city garden grow? With help from L?il Sissy and her siblings--and love, love, love! A celebration of nature, family, and food.Visiting the city from her home in the suburbs, an African American girl sees how a few packets of seeds, some helping hands, and hard work transform an empty lot in a housing project into a magical place where vegetables grow and family gathers. It?s the magic of nature in the heart of the city!Bernette Ford?s autobiographical story is a loving glimpse at a girl, her siblings, and her uncle, and their shared passion for farming. L?l Sissy?s fascination with measurement, comparison, and estimation introduces children to STEM concepts. And the progress of Uncle John?s garden introduces readers to the life cycle of plants.Frank Morrison, winner of multiple Coretta Scott King awards and an NAACP Image Award, depicts dramatic cityscapes as well as the luscious colors and textures of Nature. A Smithsonian Magazine Best Children''s Book of the YearA BCCB Blue Ribbon BookA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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Book SynopsisBear has fast legs. Turtle has a fast mind. Who will win the race? A fun Native American tale that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own.Ready, set, go! Bear will go over the ice. Turtle will go under the ice. Bear runs fast. But where is Turtle?When a quick-footed bear and a quick-witted turtle race across a frozen lake, Turtle has a secret plan to win! Written and illustrated by Mohawk author-illustrator Arihhonni David, this easy reader based on a Native American tale combines exciting storytelling and easy-to-read language.This book has been officially leveled by using the Fountas & Pinnell Text Level GradientTM leveling system.The award-winning I Like to Read series focuses on guided reading levels A through G, based upon Fountas and Pinnell standards. Acclaimed author-illustrators--including winners of Caldecott, Theodor Seuss Geisel, and Coretta Scott King honors--create original, high-quality illustrations that support comprehension of simple text and are fun for kids to read again and again with their parents, teachers or on their own!

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Book SynopsisHow will we get to the party? Let''s make cars and drive, or make boats and float! Let''s go! This easy reader kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own.Let?s go!A little creature and five friends want to go to the party, but it?s too far. With the simple text, even the youngest readers can follow along with their creative solutions?building cars, skis, and boats out of the very paper they?re drawn on!Comics-lovers can now share the fun with their kids, students, siblings, and younger friends who are learning to read!I Like to Read Comics are perfect for kids who are challenged by or unengaged in reading, kids who love art, and the growing number of young comics fans. Filled with eye-catching art, humor, and terrific stories these comics provide unique reading experiences for growing minds.I Like to Read Comics, like their award-winning I Like to Read counterpart, are created by celebrated artists and support reading comprehension to transform children into lifelong readers. We hope that all new readers will say, ?I like to read comics!?

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