Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Divorce, separation, family break-up

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Book Synopsis'It's good that I've found this secret place . . . No one can get to to me up there. It's totally safe.'In real life, Jake is never safe. He lives in constant fear of his mother's violent boyfriend. But in his imaginary tower he can dream up his own father - the stranger who gave him a cuddle and a fluffy duck the day he was born and went away for ever. Jake doesn't believe dreams ever come true. But sometimes they do - in strange and surprising ways.Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, Jake's Tower by Elizabeth Laird is a powerful and moving novel that spotlights the issue of domestic abuse.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect tool to comfort and educate children whose parents may be separating or divorcing. If My Parents Are Divorced provides parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers the opportunity to speak with children about this important topic.What happens when parents separate?The idea of parents taking a break from or ending their relationship is scary and sad for children of all ages. The subject arises when Marie tells her kindergarten class that her neighbor's parents are going to separate. It's not an easy topic to discuss, and some kids around the table don't like to talk about what's happening, but Marie and her friends soon learn that they're not alone in their feelings or experiences and realize that they can share their fears and worries with their friends.If My Parents Are Divorced shows how different families can deal with a separation and which insecurities may arise in the minds of children. The author gently conveys how important each child's feelings are and illustrates ways that the the child may feel better as time passes. This book is the ideal starting point for talking to preschoolers and grade schoolers about separations, divorce, and break-ups. It is designed to help children with their emotional development and to help process and understand their parents' decisions.In If My Parents Are Divorced, award-winning author and illustrator Dagmar Geisler draws attention to this sensitive subject and provides advice for not only the children who are experiencing their parents' divorces, but also those who are witnessing their friends in these situations and want to provide listening ears and support.

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Book SynopsisThe essential 10-step guide for children whose parents are splitting up, containing expert insight and practical tips from child psychologist, Angharad Rudkin, and co-written by children's author Ruth Fitzgerald.Finding out that your parents are splitting up can feel scary and upsetting. It can also be hard to know who you can talk to about it. But you are NOT alone.Psychologist Angharad Rudkin is here to guide you on this journey with 10 simple steps that will help you to feel calmer, stronger, confident and more positive about the future. From acceptance and resilience, to communication and compassion towards other people, this book will help you tackle the tricky situations that a divorce can bring, and answer some of the questions going through your head.With practical and positive tips, this book will show you that change is a tough journey, but with the right survival kit, you will reach a happier destination!

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Book SynopsisEleven-year-old December knows everything about birds, and everything about getting kicked out of foster homes. All she has of her biological mum is the book she left behind, The Complete Guide to Birds, Volume One, and a photo with a message: 'In flight is where you'll find me.' December knows she's truly a bird, just waiting for the day she transforms and flies away to reunite with her mum. The scar on her back must be where her wings have started to blossom – she just needs to practise and to find the right tree. She has no choice; it's the only story that makes sense. When she's placed with Eleanor, a new foster mum who runs a taxidermy business and volunteers at a wildlife rescue, December begins to see herself and what home means in a new light. But the story she tells herself about her past is what's kept December going this long, and she doesn't know if she can let go of it ... even if changing her story might mean that she can finally find a place where she belongs.Trade ReviewReaders will enjoy the defiant, confident voice of December and the flowing, compassionate prose. A strange, wonderful read. * CBI Reading Guide 2019-20 *

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Book Synopsis_______________ 'Original, compulsive, uplifting: this is another triumph for Balen' - Alex O'Connell, The Times Children's Book of the Week 'Balen's best book yet: ambitious, funny, spirited, moving, heartfelt and bold all at once. She's a force to be reckoned with' - Ross Montgomery _______________ From the author of October, October, winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022, comes a life-affirming story about blended families and learning to find room in your heart for new life and new love. Tom is still quiet and timid, even though his dad has been gone for nearly two years now. Zofia is the opposite. Inside her there’s a raging storm that makes her want to fight the whole world until she gets what she wants. And what she wants is for scaredy-cat Tom to get out of her life. Tom hates loud, unpredictable Zofia just as much, but he’s moving into Zofia’s house. Because his mum and Zofia’s dad are in love … and they’re having a baby. Tom and Zofia both wish the stupid baby had never happened. But then Tom’s mum gets ill, and it begins to look horribly like their wish might come true … A story of learning to trust, trying to let go and diving into the unknown with hope in your heart, with a stunning cover illustrated by CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal winner Sydney Smith. _______________Trade ReviewI love Katya Balen’s clear-eyed, poetic writing style, first encountered in The Space We’re In and October, October. She has a special ability to dig deep into the emotional lives of the children she writes about; she is always privy to their darkest thoughts, always on their side. Original, compulsive, uplifting: this is another triumph for Balen. -- Alex O'Connell * The Times Children's Book of the Week *This is Balen's best book yet: ambitious, funny, spirited, moving, heartfelt and bold all at once. She's a force to be reckoned with * Ross Montgomery *This story literally took me by storm. A brave heart-dive into the deep emotions of Tom and Zofia, it’s beautifully told with care and tenderness * Jasbinder Bilan *I loved this book. The deftness with which Katya creates such passionate, funny, broken, brave characters. What an achievement. Katya Balen can break your heart and make you snort with laughter in the same sentence * Natasha Farrant *Katya Balen is rapidly becoming one of my favourite writers. This is a beautiful book that will capture you from the first page. An incredible book by an incredible writer. I loved it * Lisa Thompson *A bold, bright story of blended families, and how two remarkable children cope when their lives change dramatically. Katya Balen’s writing fizzes with her trademark originality and voice. This is another stunningly good read from one of my favourite authors * Emma Carroll *I loved this book * Hilary McKay *Heartbreaking and heart-warming in equal measure – warm, compassionate, insightful, lyrical, beautiful and uplifting * Catherine Bruton *I absolutely LOVE all Katya's writing and I adored reading this book. It's such a beautiful, subtle story which just transported me into the worlds of Zofia and Tom and like all the very finest stories, it has left a little shard of those lives within it lodged deep in my heart * Sophie Kirtley *A sensitive story about stitching a new family together from frayed pieces. So vividly imagined you can taste the salt in the air * Aisha Bushby *The Light in Everything is a moving, truthful, unflinching close up of a story, that proves how difficult it can be being a human among other humans, but how rewarding too when you allow yourself the space to breathe * A.F. Harrold *Katya Balen’s October, October is a very special new addition to the shelf and deserves classic status * Times Children's Book of the Week *Quite simply one of the most beautiful books I've ever read * Kiran Millwood Hargrave on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *October, October is fierce with a wild love. It draws you in to its heart, shakes you with a fury, wraps you in a spell of storytelling. In lyrical prose, Katya Balen gives us a modern day heroine filled with courage. I loved every page * Jackie Morris *Wise and bright - I loved it. * Hilary McKay on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *It's EXQUISITE. Read it. Wild yourself. Open your heart to it. Written with the pen of a poet and the soul of Mother Earth. Glorious. It's like nothing else I've ever read. Liz Hyder on OCTOBER, OCTOBER * Liz Hyder on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *The most wonderful, original treasure of a story * Emma Carroll on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *I’ve also just been introduced to the first two stunning children’s books by Katya Balen, both published by Bloomsbury: The Space We’re In and October, October. If you have a middle-grader, or know one, or are one ... treat yourself -- Daniel Hahn * Books of the Year, The Spectator *One of the most beautiful children’s books I’ve ever read * Natasha Farrant on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *A tear-jerker about family that shows us things that are important and true, and promotes compassion -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week *This sensitive, heartbreaking story boasts a wonderful narrative voice and secret codes that add another layer of intrigue * Guardian on THE SPACE WE'RE IN *Now and then, and only now and then, a book changes us. The Space We’re In does that. It’s ferocious and it’s visionary * Kevin Crossley-Holland *

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Book SynopsisTwelve-year-old Anna’s parents are going through a rough patch, but Anna can’t let them split up. Not when it might mean living apart from Anto, her twin brother. Anto might be a boy, and he might not speak (except using Lego bricks), and he might carry a coat hanger about like it's his closest friend, but that doesn’t stop the two of them being like peas in a pod. It’s a twin thing, and nobody’s going to separate them. So Anna hatches a plan: get the whole family on a plane to Italy. Her parents have always been happiest on holiday. How can they fail to fall back in love at a swanky hotel with an actual pool to swim in and everything! But when Anna discovers more about why her family has grown apart, suddenly a happy holiday in Italy seems about as likely as swimming on the moon …Trade ReviewConaghan, a beautiful writer who loves to surprise, takes this unlikely pair of cowboys on a road trip to the north of the country. And so Bruce becomes the father figure Lenny needs, Lenny the responsibility Bruce craves as their back stories get a slow reveal. * Alex O'Connell, The Times Children's Book of the Week on Cardboard Cowboys *With the feel of a modern-day classic, this book will make readers cry but is also hysterically funny and life-affirming * BookTrust Great Books Guide 2021 on Cardboard Cowboys *This is an energetic charmer of a book * Irish Times on Cardboard Cowboys *

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Book SynopsisThree starred reviews! ?Heartfelt and hilarious, witty and wise, with indelible characters and laugh-out-loud humor. A fantastic read for any season of the year.? ?Stuart Gibbs, New York Times bestselling author In New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson?s middle grade debut ?brimming with heart, summer nostalgia, and a bit of mystery? (Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author), a young girl gets to know her mom?s side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.For as long as Ryanna Stuart can remember, her summers have been spent with her father and his new wife. Just the three of them, structured, planned, and quiet. But this summer is different. This summer, she?s received a letter from her grandparents?grandparents neither she nor her dad have spoken to since her mom?s death?inviting her to stay with them at an old summer camp in the Poconos. Ryanna accepts. She wants to learn about her mom. She wants to uncover the mystery of why her father hasn?t spoken to her grandparents all these years. She?s even looking forward to a quiet summer by the lake. But what she finds are relatives?so many relatives! Aunts and uncles and cousins upon cousins?a motley, rambunctious crew of kids and eccentric, unconventional adults. People who have memories of her mom from when she was Ryanna?s age, clues to her past like a treasure map. Ryanna even finds an actual, real-life treasure map! Over the course of one unforgettable summer?filled with s?mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve?Ryanna discovers a whole new side of herself and that, sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.

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Book SynopsisSixteen-year-old Porter Delancy has his future figured out, but his nice, neat plans are shaken when a man he believes may be his father suddenly appears in his Toronto neighbourhood. As Porter looks for answers, it begins to seem that all hes ever going to find are more questions.

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Book SynopsisIn the same way as it is for teenagers, the window of opportunity for children for preventing serious problems later in life is one year from the time of separation. If the anxiety or concern remains untreated, teens from single or blended families are three times more likely to need psychological help. This workbook contains forty activities to help younger children to cope in these difficult situations. It focuses particularly on getting kids out of the middle and making them more self-reliant. Every child whose parents are going through a divorce needs this workbook!

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Book SynopsisA sweet children's book that explains co-parenting and shared custody in such a positive way! Mila has two homes: some days she lives with Mommy and some days she lives with Daddy. Today she is going to her mommy’s house. Everything is a little different at Mommy’s than at Daddy’s. But Mommy and Daddy both think Mila is the sweetest girl in the whole world. A warm and simple story about a girl whose parents are divorced. For toddlers ages 30 months and up, with a focus on the child’s daily life. At Clavis, our focus is on what’s best for children. We believe that books play an important role in each new phase in life. Our toddler books are tailored for every stage from 0 to 3 and focus on the five most important themes in their life: daily life, skills, emotions, the world, and language development. The age range and theme of every book in our toddler series can be found on the back cover in the form of a colored train.Trade Review"Mila is a young girl who loves her life at both Daddy’s house and Mommy’s house. She goes in between the two, telling the reader what is different at each one. Though the routines are basically alike, each parent adds his or her own nuance to the way things are done. No matter where she is, Mila knows both parents love and care for her. The author provides a story about what is often a reality for children whose parents have divorced. This topic does not appear in literature for the youngest child very often, so this book could find a good home on library shelves. Children who go back and forth between parents can perhaps see themselves in Mila’s story and find comfort in it." - Free Library of Northampton Township "This was a cute book about a girl who's parents are divorced and so she has two of everything; two beds, two homes, and two parents that love her. This book would be a good book to explain an upcoming separation/divorce in a positive way." - Indigo "A very positive picture book which aims to reassure children of divorcing or separating parents. Featuring a family of color as protagonists are positive for those looking to give their children books where they can see other children who look like them - which can sometimes be more challenging to find! With the message of 'different but equal,' the book considers daily routines and is firmly rooted in the child's world." - British Council Paris "Mila Has Two Beds by Judith Koppens is the kind of book that I would love to see more often. Divorce is something that affects many families with both young and older children. It is something that can be confusing for children while they learn to handle the feelings that can accompany this big change in their life. This book shows that you do not have to have a favorite parent or that one place or way of doing things is better than the other. You can have a good time, nice things, and great routines that are entirely different but absolutely fine the way they are. It is possible to have two great parents that live in separate houses and still be happy. The illustrations by Anouk Nys are beautiful and the words are appropriate for explaining each situation to small children. I would love to see more about this and co-parenting." - Isabelle Wagner

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Book SynopsisJillian isn''t so sure she needs a third grandma now that her stepdad is joining the family, but can her brand-new Bubbe win her over?When Jillian joins Bubbe for some mom-mandated matzo ball soup making, she realizes she has room in her heart (and stomach!) for one more grandmother. But how can she convince Noni and Gram she still loves them just as much? A super soup celebration, of course! Chaos in the kitchen leads to matzo ball soup, spicy gazpacho, meatball soup, and a trio of grandmas united in their love for their family. Complete with all three soup recipes, Brand-New Bubbe captures the warmth of blended family and honors the joys of cooking with the ones you love.

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Book SynopsisWhen Joel and Olivia sit down to dinner, with two of their favorite dinosaurs, Olivia can’t help but point out that her dinosaur is better. Olivia’s dinosaur can play the trumpet while riding her bike, and her house is in the shape of a rabbit. Her dinosaur can make her own jam, and she even eats electric eels. But Joel’s dinosaur can swim like a shark, and his teeth sometimes glow in the dark. And he’s really good at jumping and sliding on his knees, he has x-ray vision, and he’s not afraid of bees. Of course, with so many impressive qualities, it’s hard to say which dinosaur is really better, but things get even trickier when a third dinosaur joins them at the dinner table. What could be more fearsome than a dinosaur that once ate a volcano and wears slippers the color of rainbows?The wonderfully funny, imaginative, and vibrant illustrations are perfectly matched to this new take on a dinosaur story, and the loosely rhyming text is hilarious and unexpected. With a battle unlike any dinosaur fight you’ve seen before, this book is perfect for all dinosaur lovers, siblings, and parents alike. Simon Coster’s debut picture book is a worthwhile addition to any child’s library and is sure to get some giggles during story time.Sky Pony Press, with our Good Books, Racehorse and Arcade imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of books for young readers—picture books for small children, chapter books, books for middle grade readers, and novels for young adults. Our list includes bestsellers for children who love to play Minecraft; stories told with LEGO bricks; books that teach lessons about tolerance, patience, and the environment, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.Trade Review"True to the spirit of children’s imaginations, this playful story is a quick and fun read. The author is a self-taught artist whose painted illustrations are large and bright, reflecting the larger-than-life feats Olivia and Joel create. Each new skill the dinosaurs acquire appears on a new page, against a white background, making them stand out and capture attention. The cartoonish font and silly title draw on the humor and children’s perspective. Kids will love hearing this story read aloud, so they can begin their own friendly feud with their peers. Verdict: A creative and fun debut picture book."—School Library Journal"True to the spirit of children’s imaginations, this playful story is a quick and fun read. The author is a self-taught artist whose painted illustrations are large and bright, reflecting the larger-than-life feats Olivia and Joel create. Each new skill the dinosaurs acquire appears on a new page, against a white background, making them stand out and capture attention. The cartoonish font and silly title draw on the humor and children’s perspective. Kids will love hearing this story read aloud, so they can begin their own friendly feud with their peers. Verdict: A creative and fun debut picture book."—School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisFamilies come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will learn all about adoptive families through everyday and relatable situations. They may just find out that an adoptive family isn’t so different from their own! Title is complete with sweet, colorful photos and easy-to-read text with bolded glossary terms. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Translated by native Spanish speakers and immersion school educators.

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Book SynopsisFamilies come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will learn all about military families through relatable situations. They may just find out that a military family isn’t so different from their own! Title is complete with sweet, colorful photos and easy-to-read text with bolded glossary terms. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Translated by native Spanish speakers and immersion school educators.

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Book SynopsisFamilies come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will learn all about single-parent families through everyday and relatable situations. They may just find out that a single-parent family isn’t so different from their own! Title is complete with sweet, colorful photos and easy-to-read text with bolded glossary terms. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Translated by native Spanish speakers and immersion school educators.

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Book SynopsisFamilies come in all shapes and sizes. Readers will learn all about families with two dads through everyday and relatable situations. They may just find out that a two-dad family isn’t so different from their own! Title is complete with sweet, colorful photos and easy-to-read text with bolded glossary terms. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Translated by native Spanish speakers and immersion school educators.

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Book SynopsisThis title explains the many ways families can change over time, the mixed feelings that these changes can cause, and the ways children can successfully process and adapt to change. The book includes easy-to-read text and vibrant photos, making it a great choice for beginning readers. It also includes a table of contents, picture glossary, and index. This Little Blue Readers book is at Level 2, aligned to reading levels of grades K-1 and interest levels of grades PreK-2.

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Book SynopsisSent to stay with her estranged grandmother while her parents try to save their crumbling marriage, 11-year-old Bailey feels helpless and cast away. When a self-proclaimed prophet predicts “a stranger from the sea will change everything,” Bailey hopes this stranger can solve her problems—little suspecting her own ability to influence the world. Eleven-year-old Bailey believes in miracles. She has to; it will take a miracle to keep her warring parents together. This summer they are at a Marriage Counselling camp, leaving Bailey and her little brother Kevin with their estranged grandmother in the island town of Felicity Bay. There, an eccentric deposed minister makes a prophecy that a stranger from the sea will change everything. When Bailey discovers a mermaid-shaped piece of driftwood, she begins to believe that the mermaid is this stranger from the sea. Then, when a dolphin becomes stranded on the beach, Bailey forgets her own troubles and rouses the reluctant locals into action. Written in light and lyrical free verse, Shari Green’s warm and wistful novel brings Bailey face to face with both hard and beautiful truths about growing up and growing into her own ability to shape the world.Trade ReviewPraise for Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles 2017 White Ravens selection 2017 SCBWI Crystal Kite Award shortlist 2018 Chocolate Lily Book Awards: Novels nominee 2018 Rocky Mountain Book Award nominee 2018 MYRCA Award nominee 2017 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection 2016 Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection "Dialogue written in italics, along with spacing between speakers, renders the narrative accessible and immediate to readers...Recommend this lovely and poignant novel to middle grade readers who enjoy coming-of-age stories."—School Library Journal "The author's lyrical free verse smoothly alternating between thoughts, descriptions, and dialogue, paints an atmospheric picture of a little beach community and its idiosyncratic people from eleven-year-old Bailey's point of view....Both funny and heart-breaking, this verse novel with its imaginative metaphors follows a spunky heroine as she slowly comes to peace with the fact that the world follows its own course."—White Ravens 2017 Catalogue "Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles tackles some serious problems common among kids today....Not everything can be fixed, but sharing a problem with someone who loves us makes it easier to bear....[A]n excellent choice for thoughtful middle-grade readers and would make a valuable addition to a school or classroom library. It's also a fine complement to the verse novels of K.A. Holt, and a stepping stone to the work of authors like Sonya Sones, Virginia Euwer Wolff, and Martine Leavitt."—Resource Links "This title is written in free verse, with dialogue written in italics and spacing used to indicate new voices. All of these techniques enhance the rich descriptions of the ocean setting and present a realistic story to the reader. Recommended."—School Library Connection "Told in verse-novel form, Green's writing is captivatingly visual, with seamless inclusions of figurative language. As with many other verse-novels, a first-person narrative, told from the present tense, makes the story immediate and compelling."—CM Magazine "Writing in verse, Green aptly captures the journey of a girl faced with her first real heartbreak—the likely dissolution of her family. Bailey's openness to confronting her reality while still believing in the extraordinary adds to her charm, as does her growing realization that heartache affects many others in her life as well."—Canadian Children's Book News "Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles is Shari Green's debut novel but it is an accomplished story in form and content worthy of a seasoned writer....Balancing structure with plot is complicated. Yet Shari Green dives right in, creating characters and circumstances that effortlessly carry the reader from beginning to end on waves of sentiments, some fearful, most benevolent, all heartfelt. Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles is in itself a miracle..."—CanLit for LittleCanadians "This novel in verse is beautifully written. It is sure to find many fans in the middle grades, and would make a terrific read-aloud for the first few weeks of school while teachers are trying to inspire community spirit within their own classrooms."—Sal's Fiction Addiction "This book is a delight from start to finish."—The Crimson Review of Children's and YA Literature "I was impressed at how easily the author developed such unforgettable characters using free verse, all while building a great plot with excellent pacing. I know I would have loved this book as a tween, and I highly recommend it. It’s delightful and poignant and one of my favorite books so far of 2017."—Library of Clean Reads "Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles by Shari Green is just delightful....Green's writing has whimsy and heart...Whimsical, hopeful and at times bittersweet, I highly recommend Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles."—Bookish Notions "Heart-wrenching, powerful, memorable! This book is sure to win its way into the hearts of so many young readers."—Literary Locker "What I Loved: Well, lots of things! In no particular order, I loved the language....I loved how all the conflicts were not favorably resolved....I loved how island life was a natural part of the story. Highly recommended for the middle grader in your life."—Barrie Summy "[I]t is a way to gently explore some of the changes many children face today."—Moon Shine Art Spot "This lovely book deserves a far wider readership than the middle-grade audience to which it is being marketed. Don't miss this one."—The Write Stuff "[A] wonderful, poignant book...I strongly recommend this to all who love the sea, and families, and miracles....Five stars out of five!"—My Comfy Chair

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Book SynopsisWhen Malaika finds out she is going to have a new baby brother or sister, she worries that her mother will forget about her. But a surprise arrives on Malaika’s birthday that gives her more reason to celebrate her family’s love. It’s summertime, and Malaika and Adèle are enjoying playing carnival in their bright costumes, dancing and laughing in the sunshine. But when Mummy announces that they will soon have a new baby brother or sister, Malaika is unsure how to feel about another change in her family. Will Mummy forget about me? Back at school, Malaika is excited to see her teacher and classmates, and makes friends with a new girl who has recently arrived from a faraway country, just like Malaika. Then on her birthday, a surprise arrives to remind Malaika of the importance of family, and the story ends with a celebration of her family’s love. Malaika’s Surprise is filled with the same warmth and charm as the first two books in the series, with Nadia L. Hohn’s enchanting prose, written in a blend of standard English and Caribbean patois, and Irene Luxbacher’s colorful collage illustrations. Key Text Features glossary key text features Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges. Trade Review[A]n intimate and culturally rich picture book. * Kirkus Reviews *A warm portrayal of a loving, close-knit community. * Horn Book *[T]his picture book celebrates the expansion of a family we’ve grown to love. * Quill & Quire *An enjoyable, feel-good read for young children. * School Library Journal *Malaika’s beautiful interracial family and new friendships make this story a powerful one. * Toronto Star *Malaika’s Surprise offers a refreshing new sibling narrative … [the] joyful, textured illustrations are busy and inviting, like the other titles in this series, and the blend of English and Caribbean patois makes Malaika’s voice sing. * Canadian Children's Book News *Much of our lives, like Malaika's, involves change and a newness of circumstances. But what Malaika's Surprise demonstrates is that, though newness and change can be stressful because of the anticipation of the unknown, the reality is often not as bad as expected, especially with the knowledge that others care. * CanLit for LittleCanadians *Mailaka’s Surprise celebrates culture, friendship and family in a captivating, warm way. * CM Review of Materials *Written in a combination of standard English and Caribbean patois, Hohn’s work celebrates family values and acceptance of cultural diversity. Bright and lively illustrations by Irene Luxbacher add to the book’s attraction. * Winnipeg Free Press *Hohn’s mastery of the craft command[s] a standing ovation. * Cloud Lake Literary *

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL and the CLIPPA ‘Hoop kings SOAR in kicks with wings. Game so sweet it’s like bee stings.’ It's 1988. Charlie Bell is still mourning his father, and struggling to figure out how he feels for his best (girl) friend, CJ. When he gets into trouble one too many times, he's packed off to stay with his grandparents for the summer. There his cousin Roxie introduces him to a whole new world: basketball. A legend on the courts is born. But can Charlie resist when trouble comes knocking once again? From the New York Times-bestselling author Kwame Alexander, Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. A prequel to The Crossover, winner of the Newbery Medal, and follow-up to Booked, highly commended for the CLiPPA prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. With comic-book illustrations from award-winning graphic novel artist Dawud Anyabwile.Trade Review"Alexander effortlessly marries rap rhythms with plaintive, passionate and deceptively simple verse" -- Imogen Russell Williams * Guardian *"Designed to appeal to reluctant readers, little prevents the rest of us being caught up by the comic-mad Charlie Bell" -- Kitty Empire * Observer *"Alexander manages to distill huge emotions into punchy poems that leap off the page. Interspersed throughout with vibrant comic strips drawn by Dawud Anyabwile, this is an energetic and dynamic story that is full of heart." * Scotsman *"The poetry grabs you and just won't let you go, everyone must read this book." -- Emily Drabble * Books For Keeps - Books of the Year 2018 *"Interspersed with amazing 'comic-strip' illustrations... The rhythm and pace of this verse novel pulls readers aged 11+ into Charlie's world." * Best New Children's Books Guide, produced by the Publishers' Association and published in the Guardian 2018 *"Rebound is funny, moving and full of great ideas on how to live your life – and almost impossible not to read in one sitting." -- Emily Drabble * BookTrust *"Once again, Alexander has given readers an African-American protagonist to cheer. He is surrounded by a strong supporting cast, especially two brilliant female characters. The novel in verse is enhanced by Anyabwile's art, which reinforces Charlie's love for comics. An eminently satisfying story of family, recovery, and growing into manhood." -- starred review * Kirkus *"The sad, funny poems, dialogues and beautiful snatches of comic-strip illustrations will make readers laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time." * Inis Reading Guide *"The plot, as rich and satisfying as it is, is outdazzled by the brilliance of wordplay and syntax. Librarians who delighted at The Crossover’s popularity will be thrilled with this pitch-perfect follow-up. Alexander is unstoppable, and his fans will be too. Have extra copies at the ready." -- starred review * Booklist *"Alexander’s verse maintains energy and momentum. A strong and satisfying book about grief, love and the power of family" * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisA Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2020 Nominated for the Carnegie Medal Sonia and I have a lot in common. Our parents are divorced. Our dads are gay. We both love barbecue potato chips. But she is different from me in at least one way: you can't tell how she's feeling just by looking at her. At all. When Bea's dad and his wonderful partner, Jesse, decide to marry, it looks as if Bea's biggest wish is coming true: she's finally (finally!) going to have a sister. They're both ten. They're both in fifth grade. Though they've never met, Bea knows that she and Sonia will be perfect sisters. Just like sisters anywhere, Bea thinks. But as the wedding day approaches, Bea makes discoveries that lead her to a possibly disastrous choice. Making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy in this brilliant modern classic by Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead.Trade Review"A wise view of divorce ... I would strongly recommend" * The Times *"Excellent … Stead’s characters are recognisable kids of flesh and blood … and her resolutions manage to be both unsaccharine and heartening" * Observer *"[A] beautifully constructed, deceptively simple story" * Guardian *"Funny, bold and poignant" * Daily Mail *"Bea’s interactions with her loving community convey particularly well-drawn dynamics that support themes of building resilience and savoring joy; together, these insightful moments layer into an affecting story of significant middle grade change (starred review)" * Publishers Weekly *"I have been a huge fan of Rebecca’s writing since When You Reach Me, so it’s no surprise that her newest book is an absolute original; marvelous, lovely, a story that kids will love." * R. J. Palacio, bestselling author of Wonder *"No author writing today observes young lives with more clarity, tenderness, and grace than the one and only Rebecca Stead." * Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author *"This is a story of love that enlarges, even though it is not always easy. We cheer for and are cheered by Bea’s quiet triumphs because they are triumphs of the heart." * Gary D. Schmidt *

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Book SynopsisA Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2020 Nominated for the Carnegie Medal Sonia and I have a lot in common. Our parents are divorced. Our dads are gay. We both love barbecue potato chips. But she is different from me in at least one way: you can't tell how she's feeling just by looking at her. At all. When Bea's dad and his wonderful partner, Jesse, decide to marry, it looks as if Bea's biggest wish is coming true: she's finally (finally!) going to have a sister. They're both ten. They're both in fifth grade. Though they've never met, Bea knows that she and Sonia will be perfect sisters. Just like sisters anywhere, Bea thinks. But as the wedding day approaches, Bea makes discoveries that lead her to a possibly disastrous choice. Making a new family brings questions, surprises, and joy in this brilliant modern classic by Newbery Medalist Rebecca Stead.Trade Review"A wise view of divorce ... I would strongly recommend" * The Times *"Excellent … Stead’s characters are recognisable kids of flesh and blood … and her resolutions manage to be both unsaccharine and heartening" * Observer *"[A] beautifully constructed, deceptively simple story" * Guardian *"Funny, bold and poignant" * Daily Mail *"Bea’s interactions with her loving community convey particularly well-drawn dynamics that support themes of building resilience and savoring joy; together, these insightful moments layer into an affecting story of significant middle grade change (starred review)" * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisLolly is Lolly Luck by name, lucky by nature. She always wins magazine competitions, scratch cards and any game you can think of. But when Lolly's dad loses his job and then the family home, Lolly's luck starts to change. And when she overhears her parents arguing, she learns a secret that will change her life forever.Trade Review"You'll be rooting for Lolly" -- Karen McCombie"Great stuff. Readers will be cheering Lolly every step of the way" -- Ally Kennen

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