Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories

Book Synopsis The second book from critically acclaimed author Leslie C. Youngblood, about family, identity, and learning to stand up for what's right -- now in paperback!   Georgie has no idea what to expect when she, Mama, and Peaches are plopped down in the middle of small town USA–aka Bogalusa, Louisiana–where Mama grew up and Great Aunt Vie needs constant care.   Georgie wants to help out at the once famous family diner that served celebrities like the Jackson 5 and the Supremes, but everyone is too busy to show her the ropes and Mama is treating her like a baby, not letting her leave her sight. When she finally gets permission to leave on her own, Georgie makes friends with Markie–a foster kid who'd been under Aunt Elvie's care–who has a limb difference and a huge attitude.   Then Markie asks Georgie to help her find her mom, and suddenly summer has a real purpose. But as Georgie and Markie's histories begin to entwine, Georgie becomes more desperate to find the truth. But words spoken cannot be taken back and once Georgie knows the truth, she may even find a way to right past wrongs and help Aunt Vie and Markie out after all.

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Book SynopsisEveryone in Clade City knows their days are numbered. The Great Cascadia Earthquake will destroy their hometown and reshape the entire West Coast-if they survive long enough to see it. Nuclear war is increasingly likely. Wildfires. Or another pandemic. To Griff, the daily forecast feels partly cloudy with a chance of apocalyptic horsemen. Griff''s brother, Leo, and the Lost Coast Preppers claim to be ready. They''ve got a radio station. Luminous underwater monitors. A sweet bunker, and an unsettling plan for disaster-ready rodents. But Griff''s more concerned about what he can do before the end times. He''d like to play in a band, for one. Hopefully with Charity Simms. Her singing could make the whole world stop.When Griff, Leo, and Charity stumble upon a mysterious late-night broadcast, one song changes everything. It''s the best band they''ve ever heard-on a radio signal even the Preppers can''t trace. They vow to find the music, but aren''t prepared for whe

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Book Synopsis“Highly relatable to many parents, this handy how-to guide tells kids how to add a little pizzazz to Mom's workday with a little glitter and a four-legged assistant.” —Today For fans of Boss Baby and How to Babysit a Grandma comes an entertaining read aloud for parents working from home with their little ones.  It isn't always easy working from home. Luckily, Mom's little one is a natural boss at keeping her organized, leading meetings, and making calls—or so it seems. But when Mom starts looking frazzled, will her helper know what to do? Diana Murray's rollicking rhyme paired with Cori Doerrfeld's energetic illustrations will bring parent and child together after a long workday at home. 

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Book SynopsisAfter the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience.   When Zack’s younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from the pain. Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks, including the great domed stone Tower with its cryptic message hidden in the ceiling. Zack blames himself for his sister’s death, and he struggles to find comfort in his new surroundings. Until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there’s something that seems a bit strange about Ann—and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him. This masterful novel thoughtfully explores how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.'Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story….An adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers.' —Booklist 'Guterson sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure.' —Publishers Weekly 'The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story....An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel.' —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisAfter the tragic loss of their sister, Zack and his siblings band together to investigate a Morse Code-inspired mystery in this stunning novel about grief and resilience.   When Zack’s younger sister dies in a tragic accident, his family moves to a small town in the Northwest to try and heal from the pain. Vista Point is home to many mysterious landmarks, including the great domed stone Tower with its cryptic message hidden in the ceiling. Zack blames himself for his sister’s death, and he struggles to find comfort in his new surroundings. Until he meets Ann, a girl who lives in the area and shows Zack all the special places to be discovered. But there’s something that seems a bit strange about Ann—and perhaps a secret she is keeping from him. This masterful novel thoughtfully explores how a season of pain can evolve into a summer of healing.'Guterson does a splendid job of conjuring up the ideal setting for a classic summer story….An adventure that begs to be read by flashlight under bedcovers.' —Booklist 'Guterson sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure.' —Publishers Weekly 'The fascinating cipher that ties it all together is the highlight of this wholesome, gentle story....An inspirational throwback for families seeking tales with a classic feel.' —Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisIn this reinvention of the classic holiday carol 'The 12 Days of Christmas,' five golden rings become five Nana hugs, eight maids a-milking become eight mugs of cocoa, and much more, as a family comes together to celebrate the holidays.In the first hour of Christmas Santa left for me…a kitten underneath the Christmas tree!   It’s December 25th, and one big family isn’t wasting a minute of this special day! Grandparents arrive, cousins build snowmen, Uncle Lee tells jokes, Auntie takes pictures, and the whole family shares a holiday feast before it’s finally time to say goodbye and good night. This fun-filled, modern take on the classic song celebrates the most important part of Christmas Day: being together.

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Book SynopsisPerfect for Lunar New Year and Valentine's Day The perfect gift book for all of your loved ones! This lyrical, gorgeously illustrated picture book celebrates creativity and a family's love.​I drew a heart, and another one after... The hearts filled the pages, spilled over the edges, all these hearts that were in no way the same… A little boy spends the day drawing hearts—wavy hearts, wiggly hearts, wide hearts and tiny hearts, broken hearts and polka-dotted hearts—and each heart a reminder of a favorite memory: dancing, kite flying, first steps, and more. This poignant and lyrical book with vibrant illustrations celebrates a multigenerational family, creativity, and love.

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Book Synopsis A 2019 New York Times Best Illustrated Children''s Book For fans of Ed Young and Peter Sis, this breathtaking picture book, from LBYR''s first Emerging Artist Award Winner, Jin Xiaojing, is the perfect read for anyone who has lost a loved one. A young girl has never met her grandpa. He passed away before she was born, but she misses him every day. She often wonders...what did he look like? Grandma says: His face was shaped like the moon, his mouth was good at telling stories, and his hair was as curly as a bird''s nest. With the help of her grandma and the rest of her loving family, will this young girl be able to imagine her grandpa''s face in her mind--and feel the love that he shared with others?

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Book SynopsisGo on a journey of discovery, magic, science, and hope with this remarkable debut novel about a girl''s powerful connection to a mysterious lake.Twelve-year-old Addie should stay away from Maple Lake. After all, her twin brother, Amos, drowned there only a few months ago. But its crisp, clear water runs in Addie''s veins, and the notebook Amos left behind -- filled with clues about a mysterious creature that lives in the lake''s inky-blue depths -- keeps calling her back.So despite her parents'' fears, Addie accepts a Young Scientist position studying the lake for the summer, promising she''ll stick to her job of measuring water pollution levels under adult supervision. Still, Addie can''t resist the secrets of Maple Lake. She enlists the lead researcher''s son, Tai, to help her investigate Amos''s clues. As they collect evidence, they also learn that Maple Lake is in trouble -- and the source of the pollution might be close to home. Addie finds herself caught between the science she has always prized and the magic that brings her closer to her brother, and the choice she makes will change everything.

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Book SynopsisLike every other thirteen-year-old, Blue is struggling to become comfortable with her changing body. Unlike every other thirteen-year-old, she''s also dealing with a life-threatening endocrine system, a super cute diabetic alert dog named Otis, and a pair of way too overprotective parents. On top of all that, she''s still reeling from the recent death of her beloved, treasure-hunting-obsessed grandfather, who made her promise that she''d never stop looking for their family''s mythical fortune.Desperate to honor his legacy, Blue vows to spend every day of the summer searching the ocean for the treasure with Otis by her side. But then she''s saddled with Jules, the spoiled thirteen-year-old daughter of a vacationing movie star, who refuses to leave her side. While Blue initially resents having to babysit this new intruder, the two soon become friends, especially once Jules proves she knows her way around an adventure or two.With Jules and Otis by her side, will Blue learn how to get out

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Book SynopsisHi, I''m Rumi.Some of my friends have one mom and one dad.Some have one mom or one dad.I have two dads. Daddy and Dada.Daddy sings songs with me. Dada reads me stories.Every family is different.And that''s pretty cool.This sweet, open-hearted book began as a love letter from authors Ryan Brockington and Isaac Webster to their daughter -- and became a joyous celebration of love, family, and acceptance for all to read and share.

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Todd Parr captures the beauty of spring in this sweet and silly book about the wonders of a season. With his colorful illustrations, playful humor, and inclusive storytelling, beloved author Todd Parr has long been a favorite among young readers and caregivers. His books promote an essential message of love and acceptance that is inspiring, empowering, and accessible.Spring is here! The birds are singing.  Everyone is sneezing—ACHOO! And change is in the air.  From rolling down hills and dancing in the rain to celebrating mothers and honoring heroes everywhere, spring is a wonderful time of year! Todd Parr uses his signature blend of humor and heart to introduce young readers to all the delights of the season. 

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Book SynopsisTwelve-year-old Milo Moss has been on a mission to achieve his family''s lifelong goal: breaking a Guinness World Record. It''s why he and his parents, along with thousands of others, are standing in the middle of a football stadium dressed as human-sized cockroaches.But when the record attempt doesn''t exactly go as planned, Milo and his family are failures once again. Now more than ever, Milo needs support from his best friend, Jesse (who also happens to be his nephew--don''t ask, it''s complicated). But when Jesse discovers the truth about Milo''s record attempt, he pressures him to come clean to the whole school.Desperate to avoid public humiliation, Milo must team up with an unlikely ally to stop the record madness once and for all. Will Milo be able to leave behind his dream of breaking into Guinness? Or will he learn that sometimes there''s more to life than winning?

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Book SynopsisLonglisted for the Green Earth Book Award For fans of The Invisible String and I Wish You More, this hopeful picture book follows a mother and son at bedtime as they dream of a better world by wishing for kindness, community, and helpfulness.  At bedtime, a child asks his mother what it is that she wishes for. She has many wishes—to respect nature and the earth, to give shelter to those in need, to lend a helping hand. No matter her wish, one thing is clear: there are lots of ways to show and encourage kindness. With gentle rhyme and lyricism, this loving read aloud delivers a comforting message about the role kindness plays in our everyday lives. It’s a gentle reminder that our wishes, when put into action, can help improve the world. Perfect for: – Parents, grandparents, and educators—this is a great conversation starter! – Gift givers in search of heartfelt and hopeful books about world peace – Readers who want to discuss the impactful ways children can help make the world a better place 'A lovely book; these messages will make children aware that simple acts can make a big difference for everyone.' —School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisHow can you discover who you really are when everything threatens to consume you?Danny is home for the summer after the most anticlimactic year of her life: freshman year at Harvard. It turns out it''s not so easy to be ''Valedictorian of the World'': she''s failing pre-med, left mid-semester to enter treatment for an eating disorder, and is drifting apart from her childhood best friend. One by one, Danny is losing all the underpinnings of her identity. And then, when she finds herself attracted to an older, edgy girl she met in rehab, she finally feels like she might finding a new sense of self that feels right. But when tragedy strikes, her self-destructive tendencies come back to haunt her in more ways than one as Danny struggles to find a way to just be herself--whoever that self really is.With an unfiltered and starkly memorable voice that''s at turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Love and Other Carnivorous Plants brilliantly captures that often painful turning point in teens'' liv

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Book SynopsisA darkly funny debut for fans of Becky Albertalli, Matthew Quick, and Ned Vizzini about a nineteen-year-old girl who''s consumed by love, grief, and the many-tentacled beast of self-destructive behavior.Freshman year at Harvard was the most anticlimactic year of Danny''s life. She''s failing pre-med and drifting apart from her best friend. One by one, Danny is losing all the underpinnings of her identity. When she finds herself attracted to an older, edgy girl who she met in rehab for an eating disorder, she finally feels like she might be finding a new sense of self. But when tragedy strikes, her self-destructive tendencies come back to haunt her as she struggles to discover who that self really is. With a starkly memorable voice that''s at turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Love and Other Carnivorous Plants brilliantly captures the painful turning point between an adolescence that''s slipping away and the overwhelming uncertainty of the future.

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Book SynopsisA powerful and imaginative story about a girl fighting to find her way back home from a mind-bending land of the lost. When Henry?s father goes missing in the forest on her tenth birthday, her entire world shatters. The last thing she expects is for him to emerge from the trees exactly one year later, unharmed and bearing a gift for her?a strange necklace. Everyone says her father?s reappearance is a miracle, but Henry wants real answers to her questions. Where did her father go? How did he get back? And what?s the truth behind his gift? Wearing the necklace and carrying only a simple map, Henry enters the same forest that swallowed her father. But beyond the trees, she finds a world more incredible and dangerous than she ever imagined. It?s a place for all who are lost, and there?s no clear method of escape. As Henry follows in her father?s footsteps and searches for a way home, she discovers that the truth she?s seeking isn?t as simple as she hoped, and if she wants to leave this world, she?ll have to be braver than she?s ever been.

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Book SynopsisBefore Joe rolled in / I was the ten-year-old King / of all I surveyed / Now that he''s here / It''s perfectly clear / That I / am in the way.James is NOT a fan of his new little brother, Joe. His parents adore Joe and don''t have time for James anymore. What is an older sibling supposed to do?!When James stumbles upon a baby-changing station that can exchange younger siblings for much more exciting things, he is faced with endless options. Should he choose the night-vision googles, a cool chemistry set, a guitar, or keep his baby brother? James is put through the ultimate test until he realizes that being a big brother is not so bad after all.With sly humor, playful rhymes, and dynamic art, The Baby-Changing Station celebrates the timeless theme of older-younger sibling rivalry with a humorous magical twist perfect for readers of all ages.

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Book SynopsisThis bounce-to-the-beat picture book by America’s favorite rapping teacher from Chicago is a tribute to the sights and sounds of a city neighborhood and the special bond between brothers as they help each other overcome their fears.    Today is June 19th, Juneteenth’s what they say and for my family, it’s a very special day. But sometimes the hood feels scary when we’re walking around. I wish I could stay home where it’s safe and sound. Where the dogs aren’t BARKING, and the cars aren’t HONKING, and the streetlights aren’t FLICKERING. But when Big Bro tells me it will all be okay, I know the noises can’t hurt me and ruin my day.

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Book Synopsis In this tantalizing mystery that''s filled with laugh out loud moments and reads like a middle-grade version of the movie Clue, Ernestine is the smart, spunky, and fearless Nancy Drew for today''s young readers! We all know and love Ramona, Matilda, and Harriet the Spy. Now meet Ernestine. When a series of suspicious accidents befalls the wealthy residents of the retired artists'' home where she works, Ernestine is determined to piece together clues to find the real culprit. She suspects it might be a zombie, but maybe greedy relatives can be just as scary! Catastrophe has never been so much fun!

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Book SynopsisTwelve-year-old Pavi Sharma is an expert at the Front Door Face: the perfect mix of puppy dog eyes and a lemonade smile, the exact combination to put foster parents at ease as they open their front door to welcome you in. After being bounced around between foster families and shelter stays, Pavi is a foster care expert, and she runs a business teaching other foster kids all she has learned. With a wonderful foster family in mom Marjorie and brother Hamilton, things are looking up for Pavi.Then Pavi meets Meridee: a new five-year-old foster kid, who is getting placed at Pavi''s first horrendous foster home. Pavi knows no one will trust a kid about what happened on Lovely Lane, even one as mature as she is, so it''s up to her to save Meridee.With help from Hamilton, brooding eighth grader Santos, and Hamilton''s somewhat obnoxious BFF Piper, they set off on an important mission with life-changing stakes. Pavi will stop at nothing to keep Meridee safe.

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Book SynopsisHead Peloton Instructor Robin Arzón follows up New York Times bestseller Strong Mama with Strong Baby, tracking the first milestones of a baby’s life, using Robin’s signature mantras as motivation. There's a new addition to our strong family! Now that Pequeño is born, mom and baby are ready to move together. From tummy time, to sitting up and crawling, to those exciting first steps, baby is growing stronger every day. And mom and dad are right there with her, laughing, dancing, working out, and resting. Because this family is stronger together.   Preaching progress over perfection, Robin Arzón uses her popular Peloton mantras to pair with baby’s first physical milestones, encouraging parents and baby to move together.

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Book SynopsisFor fans of Kelly Barnhill, Wolfish is an expansive, adventurous fantasy unlike anything you've ever read, inspired by the myth of twin boys Romulus and Remus. Shortlisted for the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction! Twelve-year-old Rae is content as the adopted daughter of shepherds, helping with the flock and reveling in the beauty of her family’s hillside farm. But after a frightening encounter with a wolf—to whom she feels a sudden, peculiar connection—Rae realizes there is much more to her past, and her future, than she could have imagined. Meanwhile, a young girl named Alba goes about her days as an oracle’s apprentice, a duty that confines her to a distant, watery cave. But when she bestows a troubling prophecy on the rising boy-king, her words unintentionally begin a reign of terror, and send Alba on a desperate mission alongside Rae and the wolf. Inspired by Roman mythology, this mysterious and uniquely magical adventure explores the intricate roles of nature and fate in our lives, the power of language to shape our world, and the boundless importance of love and kindness.

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Book SynopsisA powerful and inspiring imagined story about real-life civil rights activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta that reminds us that even our biggest heroes started out small. Her grandpa calls her “Lolita Siete Lenguas”—Little Lola, Seven Tongues, all fighting to be heard. Lola tries not to make so much noise, but when she witnesses injustices in her own neighborhood, she knows she can’t keep quiet. Can Lola find a way to use her voice for change? ¡Sí, se puede! Inspired by the real-life civil rights activist and labor leader Dolores Huerta, Lola Out Loud is an inspirational picture book reminding us that sometimes one strong voice is just what is needed.

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Book Synopsis A lovely, lyrical ode to the magic of sisterhood by beloved former first daughters and bestselling authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush. A young girl''s wish is granted when a new sister arrives. While the baby can''t do much, over time the big and little siblings become inseparable, playing and dancing, imagining and laughing. By each other''s sides, they are smarter, kinder, and braver than they ever thought they could be. And they are forever sisters first. This exquisite celebration of the bond between sisters is inspired by the spirited childhood of Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller Sisters First: Stories from Our Wild and Wonderful Life.

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Book SynopsisCharlotte's Web meets My Sister's Keeper in this charming story told from the alternating perspectives of a boy with a fatal heart condition and the pig with the heart that could save his life.

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Book SynopsisThe true story of a family's Christmas miracle, by Grammy Award-winning artist Kimberly Schlapman, founding member of the platinum-selling country music band Little Big Town.

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Book Synopsis This sweet story about animal parents and children reminds readers of the best part of Christmas—sharing beautiful songs, special stories, fun games, and favorite treats with the ones we love most, big and small.Skating on a frozen pond, decorating the fanciest gingerbread house ever, rereading a favorite story.... These favorite tastes, smells, sights, and sounds of the holiday come to life as parent and child mice trim the tree, birds warble carols, rabbits share hugs, and more. Wintertime celebrations are the perfect time to be together!Join these adorable animal parents and children as they share joyful moments with each other and discover the most wonderful, lasting gift of all.

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Book Synopsis From furry bears to silky hares, Caldecott Honoree Nancy Tafuri celebrates the extra special bond between daddies and their babies in this perfect gift for Father's Day.Little ones love daddy hugs.Feathered hugs . . . whiskered hugs . . . cozy hugs.Just-daddy-and-me hugs.All across the woodlands, animal daddies and their little ones cuddle up together. From furry bear hugs to silky hare hugs, Nancy Tafuri celebrates all the hugs that are extra special because they are just-daddy-and-me hugs. A special author's note includes a list of critters to seek and find on each page, along with their scientific names.

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Book SynopsisMagical realism meets Southern Gothic in this commanding young adult debut from Ciera Burch about true love, the meaning of home, and the choices that haunt us.Welcome to Coldwater. Come for the ghosts, stay for the drama.Jericka Walker had planned to spend the summer before senior year soaking up the sun with her best friend on the Jersey Shore. Instead she finds herself in Coldwater, Maryland, a small town with a dark and complicated past where her estranged grandmother livessomeone she knows only two things about: her name and the fact that she left Jericka's mother and uncle when they were children. But now Jericka''s grandmother is dying, and her mother has dragged Jericka along to say goodbye.As Jericka attempts to form a connection with a woman she''s never known, and adjusts to life in a town where everything closes before dinner, she meets ghost girl Kat, a girl eager to leave Coldwater and more exciting than a person has any right to b

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Book SynopsisBatter up! Ballpark Mysteries combine baseball action with exciting whodunits for early chapter book readers!   Mike and Kate can’t wait to watch their rookie hero Dusty Martin in action. But something is throwing the Blue Jays’ star off his game. Then, when no one else is looking, Mike sees mysterious ghost lights flying across the field. Is the ballpark haunted? And could Dusty have seen the lights, too?   Ballpark Mysteries are the all-star matchup of fun sleuthing and baseball action, perfect for readers of Ron Roy’s A to Z Mysteries and Matt Christopher’s sports books, and younger siblings of Mike Lupica fans. Each Ballpark Mystery also features “Dugout Notes,” with more amazing baseball facts.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review'Beautifully illustrated' - Jean’s Thoughts'Fantasy-filled, lyrical text, enchanting & expressive illustrations and a humorous plot' - Luggy Library'Magical' - Alice’s Magical Library'A delight' - Red Reading Hub

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Book SynopsisA NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST • A powerful coming-of-age story about grief, guilt, and the risks a Filipino-American teenager takes to uncover the truth about his cousin's murder.A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the CenturyBrilliant, honest, and equal parts heartbreaking and soul-healing. --Laurie Halse Anderson, author of SHOUT A singular voice in the world of literature. --Jason Reynolds, author of Long Way DownJay Reguero plans to spend the last semester of his senior year playing video games before heading to the University of Michigan in the fall. But when he discovers that his Filipino cousin Jun was murdered as part of President Duterte's war on drugs, and no one in the family wants to talk about what happened, Jay travels to the Philippines to find out the real story.Hoping to uncover more about Jun and the events that led to his death, Jay is forced to reckon with the many sides of his cousin before he can face the whole horrible truth -- and the part he played in it.As gripping as it is lyrical, Patron Saints of Nothing is a page-turning portrayal of the struggle to reconcile faith, family, and immigrant identity.

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