Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The final, riveting chapter of the Truly Devious murder series. Throughout this intricately woven, fast-paced whodunit, Johnson demonstrates how proximity to wealth and power can mold and bend one's behavior, whether with good or—here largely—devious intent. The brainy secondary characters' quirky talents and interests complement Stevie's sleuthing skills; . . . they include diversity in socioeconomic background, mental health challenges, physical disability, and sexual orientation. A richly satisfying, Poirot-like ending for Johnson's inspired and inspiring teen sleuth." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this hotly anticipated trilogy finale, Johnson pulls out all the stops, filling the thrillingly nimble narrative with classic mystery conventions. A striking foray into an examination of what mysteries can ever truly be solved, and a satisfying send-off for a series that will be missed." — Booklist “Maureen Johnson brings her delectable ‘Truly Devious’ murder mystery trilogy to a thrilling conclusion, neatly tying together her dueling narrative threads, one set in 1936 and the other in the present day, with an action-packed finale during a blizzard at Ellingham Academy in the mountains of Vermont.” — Buffalo News "This will be essential reading for the many fans of the first two books. This trilogy ender is fun, satisfying, and a genuine treat for teens and adult mystery fans." — School Library Journal “Readers will be eager to know the novel’s conclusion but will never want the book to end. Replete with intrigue, thoughtfulness, and depth, The Hand on the Wall is a mystery of the moment and for the ages.” — San Francisco Book Review “The perfect mix of intimate character moments, intriguing epiphanies, and dangerous situations make it an overwhelmingly satisfying conclusion.” — Hypable “This was an absolutely perfect finale to an engaging series.” — YA Books Central "This inclusive, inventive, and vastly entertaining series has been a boon to YA literature. As a layered, complex character who solves crime while also battling anxiety, Stevie Bell reads like the redoubtable love child of Jessica Fletcher and Adrian Monk. There will hopefully be more Stevie Bell mysteries to come." — Horn Book Magazine “This hip mystery trilogy finale is an addictive page-turner that piles on the murder plots and intrigue in two time periods. This is the kind of absorbing series that teens and up will be reading and rereading for years to come.” — Common Sense Media “With a cast of unique and lovable characters, The Hand on the Wall is an exciting read. You’ll be wondering the whole time who did it and rooting for Stevie with the case, and maybe a little bit with her love life as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.” — Suspense Magazine “A gripping page-turner with twists and turns nestled within every book, this intertwining mystery series is written to seamlessly blend into the next…. Sherlock Holmes collides with Nancy Drew in this modern day crime mystery.” — Independent Voice Newspaper Praise for TRULY DEVIOUS “Be still, my Agatha-Christie-loving beating heart.” — Bustle “Jumping between past and present, Johnson’s novel is deliciously atmospheric, with a sprawling cast of complex suspects/potential victims, surprising twists, and a dash of romance. As in her Shades of London books, Johnson remains a master at combining jittery tension with sharp, laugh-out-loud observations.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Remember the first time reading Harry Potter and knowing it was something special? There’s that same sense of magic in the introduction of teen Sherlock-in-training Stevie Bell. Parallel mysteries unfold with cleverly written dialogue, page-turning brilliance and a young sleuth just as captivating as Hercule Poirot.” — USA Today (four stars) “A suspenseful, attention-grabbing mystery with no clear solution. The versatile Johnson is no stranger to suspense, and this twisty thriller will leave plenty of readers anxious for more.” — Booklist “The Agatha Christie-like ecosystem pairs with lacerating contemporary wit, and alternating past and present scenes makes for a multilayered, modern detective story.” — New York Times Book Review Praise for THE VANISHING STAIR “In this second . . . installment, Johnson gives and she takes away: a few major mysteries are satisfying solved, but other long-standing riddles remain tantalizingly indecipherable, and several new ones come into play by the enigmatic end. Readers, hang tight: there’s one more round to come, and if the signs are right, it’ll be to die for.” — Booklist "Ramps up the intrigue. Throughout this volume, Johnson's compelling would-be Sherlock proves to be as bad at personal relationships as she is adept at solving mysteries. Teen angst soars as Johnson delightfully conjures up more nefarious deeds from the mountain mist." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “Take it from the world’s most impatient reader: If the Truly Devious series is basically one long mystery book, The Vanishing Stair is a middle part so enjoyable you won’t even want to skip to the end.” — Entertainment Weekly “In this second installment of her marvelous Truly Devious series, Maureen Johnson offers thrilling suspense, sly wit, a memorable cast of characters and more pieces of her deliciously intricate puzzle.” — Buffalo News “Waiting for the next installment of Maureen Johnson’s Agatha Christie-Sherlock Holmes-classic mystery homage series was torture, but The Vanishing Stair is oh so worth it.” — Bustle

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Book Synopsis(Although his disruptive antics and pranks have given him a rep too.)When a gun is found at a neighborhood hangout, Thelonius and his pals become instant suspects.Trade Review“Readers will love watching these two uniquely gifted black boys explore the complicated tensions between impulses and choices, independence and support, turnin’ up and getting through.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A rare and much-needed glimpse into the world of exceptional learners.” — School Library Journal “[Broaddus] sheds revealing light on the nature of systemic profiling, based on class, race, and neurodiversity, at schools and within society.” — Publishers Weekly Through its discerning, young Black protagonist, [The Usual Suspects] tackles difficult subjects with nuance, humor, and heart, always bringing it back to the characters. A great choice for upper middle-graders in search of a fun and meaningful read. — Booklist "I want this book, so full of wit and intelligence, raw honesty and clever plotting, to be so well known that when I say “The Usual Suspects” to a room of librarians, their first thoughts involve neither Casablanca or Keyser Soze but this work by Maurice Broaddus." — School Library Journal Review of the Day

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Book SynopsisFrom the author-illustrator of Pirate, Viking & Scientist comes the story of a wild boy's first day of school!

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Book SynopsisMargie Kelly''s perfect skirt was dress-coded on her very first day of middle school. Upset and embarrassed, Margie spends the whole day in oversized gym shorts, setting the tone for the whole day. Everything that could go wrong, certainly does!But when Margie realizes that the dress code is only applied to the girls and not the boys, she gets mad. Really mad. The dress code is keeping girls from learning. The boys act like they rule the school. And the teachers turn a blind eye. Something has to change! And then Margie comes up with the best idea. She''ll plan a school-wide protest.As Margie moves forward with her plans, she comes to realize that her own privilege is part of the problem, and not everyone''s voices are being heard. Will Margie make meaningful change for all students?

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Book SynopsisMargie Kelly Breaks the Dress Code is fiercely smart, funny, and feminist. This thoughtful novel should be handed to every middle schooler. -Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of The Only Black Girls in TownA timely and necessary novel about one girl''s fight against gender inequality at her middle school and the lessons she learns along the way from rising author Bridget Farr-now in paperback!Margie Kelly''s perfect skirt was dress-coded on her very first day of middle school. Upset and embarrassed, Margie spends the whole day in oversized gym shorts, setting the tone for the whole day. Everything that could go wrong, certainly does!But when Margie realizes that the dress code is only applied to the girls and not the boys, she gets mad. Really mad. The dress code is keeping girls from learning. The boys act like they rule the school. And the teachers turn a blind eye. Something has to change! And then Margie comes up with the best idea. Sh

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Book Synopsis This back-to-school favorite is the perfect book for welcoming someone new—or for laughing yourself silly!Hooray! You're finally here! But where were you? A bunny bounces through a range of emotions in this hilarious picture book about how difficult it is to wait. At first it's ecstatic that you, the reader, have arrived. But then it lets you know that waiting for you took too long, was way too boring, and even became insulting. The bunny is ready to forgive everything if you'll promise to stay. Just hold on one second—it needs to take a phone call. Wait! Come back! Where are you going? This funny, energetic, in-your-face story is just right for anyone who needs to practice a little patience, or for welcoming a new friend, student, or family member.

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Book SynopsisYou did it! Off you go! You''re on your way! And you''re taking me with you...right? A bunny bursting with excitement wants you to know it''s your biggest fan, it''s been cheering for you every step of the way, and you''d better bring it along wherever life leads you next. After all, you''d have so much fun together-more fun than a birthday party! And you''d make a super strong team-stronger than duct tape! So it deserves to come with you. But wait...where exactly are we going?This spirited story about the big moments in life and moving on to the next adventure is just right for graduation celebrations-or any special time of the year.

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Book SynopsisA hilarious yet reassuring back-to-school picture book by humorist, novelist, and TV writer Simon Rich–a clever and sweet follow-up to I’m Terrified of Bath Time, where a child's backpack frets about first-day-of-school jitters!  In this hilarious yet reassuring back-to-school picture book, a backpack deals with first-day-of-school nerves and feeling out of place. Filled with crowded hallways, lonely cafeteria tables, toilet stalls, and the signature existential angst of Simon Rich, this fun read-aloud will have kids braving classrooms with a smile (and maybe taking better care of their trusty backpacks...).

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Book SynopsisONE OF TIME MAGAZINE’S 100 BEST YA BOOKS OF ALL TIME  •  NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERA modern-day classic from Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli, this beloved celebration of individuality  is now an original movie on Disney+!And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Stargirl. From the day she arrives at quiet Mica High in a burst of color and sound, the hallways hum with the murmur of “Stargirl, Stargirl.” She captures Leo Borlock’ s heart with just one smile. She sparks a school-spirit revolution with just one cheer. The students of Mica High are enchanted. At first. Then they turn on her. Stargirl is suddenly shunned for everything that makes her different, and Leo, panicked and desperate with love, urges her to become the very thing that can destroy her: normal. In this celebration of nonconformity, Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli weaves a tense, emotional t

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Book SynopsisA couple of friends can't keep from laughing during class on the first day of school, in this companion to The Yawns Are Coming from the illustrator of the Ordinary People Change the World series!Two best friends are so excited to go back to school. They're in the same class, their classroom is full of art supplies, and they've even made a new friend. But then it happens: Just as the teacher introduces herself, the GIGGLES show up! They're everywhere and impossible to escape. And as if that wasn't embarrassing enough, soon a GUFFAW shows up, and then the CHUCKLES! What will their teacher think if they can't avoid laughing in the middle of her first lesson? Trade Review"This will be much appreciated by any youngsters who’s tried and failed to not crack up in a serious situation . . . Youngsters who appreciated Eliopoulos’ previous foray into the personification of the feels in The Yawns Are Coming! will relish this livelier tale." —BCCB"This could be the book that gets all the giggles out for restless children . . . great pacing and a keen understanding of what tickles children make this a choice to consider closely." —School Library Journal

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