Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members

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Book SynopsisA masterclass on how to create the ideal board book. It really is. -Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ Blog)A soothing and humorous bedtime story with a baby who is still up! This is the ideal board book for baby to read before lying down to sleep.The sun is DOWN but the moon is UP, and so is the baby! They are not sleepy...not at all. Perfect for babies and their loved ones, I''m Still Up! is a joyful story about the age-old struggle of bed time, and a soothing reminder that when Mommy and Daddy, the cat and the dog and even the sun are sleepy, baby might be, too. By repeating shapes, words, and language, I''m Still Up! will help your baby learn new words and routines while you read a bedtime story. Sweet, humorous, and adorable, Antoinette Portis''s illustrations and simple text are perfect for fans of the Sheep in a Jeep and Llama Llama series, and Leslie Patricelli''s board books.Trade Review"Written with simplicity and clarity, the childlike narrative is accessible to the very young, while adult readers will feel the parents’ relief at the story’s end, when they deliver the last words in a whisper, 'Baby’s sleeping.'" — Booklist "A masterclass on how to create the ideal board book. It really is." — Betsy Bird, A Fuse #8 Production (SLJ blog)

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Book SynopsisA celebration of all types of families and the bond that holds each one together: Love! With a mirror surprise and fill-in family tree, this special book makes a wonderful gift for children and the people who love them on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day—every day!

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Book SynopsisBest-selling author David Elliott explores how Joan of Arc changed the course of history and remains a figure of fascination centuries after her extraordinary life and death. Joan of Arc gets the Hamilton treatment in this evocative novel.Trade ReviewPraise for Voices: "With stunning lyricism, these poems fashion an enlivened, gripping narrative that addresses themes of gender identity, class and vocation, and innocence and culpability, bringing fresh nuance to an oft-told story." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Ethereal, wondering, and poignant. An innovative, entrancing account of a popular figure that will appeal to fans of verse, history, and biography.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Elliot delivers another hit. [Voices] showcases a gorgeous storytelling style that flows in an effortless fashion. . . . A glorious tribute to a woman who dared, defied, and defended her truth. A must-have." — School Library Journal (starred review) "Joan’s thoughts are almost conversational, in simple left-justified verse with rhyme skillfully embedded within lines. . . . [A] creative historical account of a young woman who answered a norm-shattering higher call." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) "An elegant, spirited introduction to classical poetry and to a woman fighting not just for a cause but for a place in a world that undervalued her voice." — Booklist "Stunning . . . . elegant . . . . arresting . . . . supple and harrowing.” — Wall Street Journal

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Book SynopsisHope in the Valley, from National Book Award Nominee Mitali Perkins, is a middle-grade novel exploring grief, friendship, family, and growing up in a community facing a housing crisis.Twelve-year-old Indian-American Pandita Paul doesn''t like change. She''s not ready to start middle school and leave the comforts of childhood behind. Most of all, Pandita doesn''t want to feel like she''s leaving her mother, who died a few years ago, behind. After a falling out with her best friend, Pandita is planning to spend most of her summer break reading and writing in her favorite secret space: the abandoned but majestic mansion across the street.But then the unthinkable happens. The town announces that the old home will be bulldozed in favor of newmaybe affordablehousing. With her family on opposing sides of the issue, Pandita must find her voiceand the strength to move onin order to give her community hope.

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Book SynopsisA new middle grade fantasy full of humor and heart from Adrianna Cuevasauthor of the Pura Belpré Honor Book The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopezperfect for fans of Claribel Ortega''s The Ghost Squad and Louis Sachar''s Holes.''Rafa would rather live in the world of The Forgotten Age, his favorite fantasy role-playing game, than face his father's increasing restrictions and his mother's fading presence. But when Rafa and his friends decide to take the game out into the real world and steal their school cafeteria''s slushie machine, his dad concocts a punishment Rafa never could've imagineda month working on a ranch in New Mexico, far away from his friends, their game, and his mom's quesitos in Miami. Life at Rancho Espanto isn't as bad as Rafa initially expected, mostly due to Jennie, a new friend with similarly strong opinions about Cuban and Korean snacks, and Marcus, the veteran barn manager who''s not as gruff as he appears. But whe

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Book SynopsisJoin the Berenstain Bears as they celebrate Valentine's Day! Makes a perfect gift for your little Valentine with over 50 bonus stickers and a two Valentine's Day cards to share!Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic storybook from Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s Valentine’s Day and Sister has a special card for a cub named Billy. But when Billy ends up having a special card for Sister, the tables are turned. Includes two Valentine’s Day cards and over 50 bonus stickers!Continue to celebrate the true meaning of the seasons with more heartwarming holiday books from the Berenstain Bears—perfectly giftable with bonus stickers and more!-The Berenstain Bears’ and the Real Easter Eggs-The Berenstain Bears and the Mama’s Day Surprise-The Berenstain Bears and the Papa’s Day Surprise-The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat -The Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear

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Book SynopsisFrom Newbery Medalist Jerry Spinelli comes the story of a girl searching for happiness inside the walls of a prison. And don't miss the author's highly anticipated new novel, Dead Wednesday! Cammie O'Reilly lives at the Hancock County Prison--not as a prisoner, she's the warden's daughter. She spends the mornings hanging out with shoplifters and reformed arsonists in the women's excercise yard, which gives Cammie a certain cache with her school friends. But even though Cammie's free to leave the prison, she's still stuck. And sad, and really mad. Her mother died saving her from harm when she was just a baby. You wouldn't think you could miss something you never had, but on the eve of her thirteenth birthday, the thing Cammie most wants is a mom. A prison might not be the best place to search for a mother, but Cammie is determined and she's willing to work with what she's got.A tapestry of grief and redemption, woven by a master storyteller ...

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Book SynopsisDuring one of the most important times in the civil rights movement, one unforgettable family goes on a road trip in this Newbery and Coretta Scott King Honoree, from author Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.When the Watson family—ten-year-old Kenny, Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron—sets out on a trip south to visit Grandma in Birmingham, Alabama, they don’t realize that they’re heading toward one of the darkest moments in America’s history. The Watsons’ journey reminds us that even in the hardest times, laughter and family can help us get through anything. A modern classic. —NPR“Marvelous . . . both comic and deeply moving.” —The New York TimesOne of the best novels EVER. —Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award–winning

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Book SynopsisNewbery Award-winning author Matt de la Peña's We Were Here is a fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking novel [Booklist].   When it happened, Miguel was sent to Juvi. The judge gave him a year in a group home—said he had to write in a journal so some counselor could try to figure out how he thinks. The judge had no idea that he actually did Miguel a favor. Ever since it happened, his mom can’t even look at him in the face. Any home besides his would be a better place to live.    But Miguel didn’t bet on meeting Rondell or Mong or on any of what happened after they broke out. He only thought about Mexico and getting to the border to where he could start over. Forget his mom. Forget his brother. Forget himself.    Life usually doesn’ t work out how you think it will, though. And most of the time, running away is the quickest path right back to what you’re running from.   From the streets of Stockton to the beaches of Venice, all the way to the Mexican border, We Were Here follows a journey of self-discovery by a boy who is trying to forgive himself in an unforgiving world.Fast, funny, smart, and heartbreaking...The contemporary survival adventure will keep readers hooked.-BooklistThis gripping story about underprivileged teens is a rewarding read.-VOYAA furiously paced and gripping novel.-Publishers WeeklyA story of friendship that will appeal to teens and will engage the most reluctant readers.-Kirkus ReviewsAn ALA-YALSA Best Book for Young ReadersAn ALA-YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant ReadersA Junior Library Guild Selection

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Book SynopsisNow adapted for young adults—the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir, which Toni Morrison called “quite extraordinary,” offers an intimate look at Barack Obama’s early days. This is a compelling journey tracing the future 44th president''s odyssey through family, race, and identity.  A revealing portrait of a young Black man asking questions about self-discovery and belonging—long before he became one of the most important voices in America. This unique edition includes a new introduction from the author, full-color photo insert, and family tree.  The son of a white American mother and a Black Kenyan father, Obama was born in Hawaii, where he lived until he was six years old, when he moved with his mother and stepfather to Indonesia. At twelve, he returned to Hawaii to live with his grandparents. Obama brings readers along as he faces the challenges of high school and college, living in New York, becoming a community organizer in Chicago, and traveling to Kenya. Through these experiences, he forms an enduring commitment to leadership and justice. Told through the lens of his relationships with his family—the mother and grandparents who raised him, the father he knows more as a myth than as a man, and the extended family in Kenya he meets for the first time—Obama confronts the complicated truth of his father’s life and legacy and comes to embrace his divided heritage. On his journey to adulthood from a humble background, he forges his own path through trial and error while staying connected to his roots. Barack Obama is determined to lead a life of purpose, service, and authenticity. This powerful memoir will inspire readers to examine both where they come from and where they are capable of going.

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Book SynopsisTogether with his grandpa, a young boy finds a way to save his favorite tree in this heartwarming Christmas tale Alec loves to climb trees—the little apple trees, the wide willow trees, even the tall locust trees. But his favorite is the great spruce, with its sturdy trunk and branches that stretch up to the sky. Alec’s grandpa planted it as a sapling years and years before Alec was born, and every Christmas, Alec and his grandpa decorate the tree together, weaving tinsel and lights through its branches, making it shine bright. But one day, a few curious men from the nearby city take notice of Alec’s glistening great spruce, and ask to take it away for their Christmas celebration. Though it’s a huge honor, Alec’s heartbroken at the idea of losing his friend. With great courage and creativity, Alec comes up with a plan to save his favorite tree in this joyful holiday tale.Trade ReviewPraise for The Great Spruce:“Why do we chop down Christmas trees, anyway? Duvall is out to persuade readers to try a live tree. . . . Gibbon’s loose art is just right, making the winter world look teeming, twinkling and homey.”—The New York Times Book Review “Appealing illustrations in acrylic ink and colored pencil… A pleasant holiday story with a subtle hint to protect living trees instead of cutting them down.”—Kirkus Reviews “Gibbon’s (The Bee Who Spoke) images of a countryside speckled with cottages and snowy cityscapes recall the work of Ludwig Bemelmans, amplifying the sweetly nostalgic mood of newcomer Duvall’s story.”—Publishers Weekly“An attractive holiday offering with an environmental focus.”—School Library Journal“Gibbon’s cozy acrylic-ink and colored-pencil art accentuates the tree’s grandeur in both its idyllic country home and its big-city home-away.”—The Horn Book

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Book SynopsisBeloved author-illustrator Patricia Polacco’s holiday story is a wonderful ode to the magic of family, Christmas, and giving the right kind of gifts—gifts filled with love. Richie and Trisha want to buy Christmas gifts for their family, but they don''t have enough money. Enter Kay Lamity, a new housekeeper . . . but is that all she is? She comes into their lives like a whirlwind, brimming with positive energy and a can-do attitude. Kay not only straightens them out when it comes to whether or not Santa Claus is real, she teaches them something about gifts: the just-good-enough kind that come from the pocketbook and the unforgettable kind that come from the heart. Because of Kay, Trisha and Richie—and the family—have a Christmas morning they will never forget.Celebrating the joy of homemade gifts, Patricia Polacco introduces readers to a new character who is truly a force of nature in this story reminiscent of Christmas Tapes

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Book SynopsisMama’s getting married, and Jackson has an important job to do! A story about love, weddings, and the special joy that is a blended family.Jackson’s mama is getting married, and he gets to be the ring bearer. But Jackson is worried . . . What if he trips? Or walks too slowly? Or drops the rings? And what about his new stepsister, Sophie? She’s supposed to be the flower girl, but Jackson’s not sure she’s taking her job as seriously as she should. In a celebration of blended families, this heartwarming story, stunningly illustrated by the award-winning Floyd Cooper, is a perfect gift for any child who's nervous to walk down the aisle at a wedding, and shows kids that they can handle life’s big changes.Praise for The Ring Bearer:Throughout, Cooper's softly textured mixed-media illustrations offer a warm, affirming depiction of this black family's life and love together . . . RTrade ReviewPraise for The Ring Bearer:"Throughout, Cooper's softly textured mixed-media illustrations offer a warm, affirming depiction of this black family's life and love together . . . Readers will be joining the congregation in cheering for Jackson."--Kirkus"Written with simplicity, immediacy, and warmth....Cooper creates beautiful effects with subtle colors, textures, and suffused light in the soft-focus paintings. A heartening, reassuring picture book."--Booklist "Children will identify readily with Jackson’s fears and enjoy the way he overcomes them. A solid purchase for any picture book collection."--School Library Journal "Many children experience parental weddings, and these times are filledwith joy and nervousness. Cooper captures each moment."--Horn Book

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Book Synopsis“I haven't read anything that has moved me this much since Wonder.” —Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright PlacesA space-obsessed boy and his dog, Carl Sagan, take a journey toward family, love, hope, and awe in this funny and moving novel for fans of Counting by 7s, Walk Two Moons, and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.   11-year-old Alex Petroski loves space and rockets, his mom, his brother, and his dog Carl Sagan—named for his hero, the real-life astronomer. All he wants is to launch his golden iPod into space the way Carl Sagan (the man, not the dog) launched his Golden Record on the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. From Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas to L.A., Alex records a journey on his iPod to show other lifeforms what life on earth, his earth, is like. But his destination keeps changing. And the funny, lost, remarkable pe

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Book SynopsisTrade Review* "Woodson and Lewis tell a moving historical story of longing and separation. [The] period and place are wonderfully specific; the yearning is timeless."—Booklist, starred review* "Perfectly matched words and illustrations masterfully bring to life all the emotions that the girl is experiencing as she, her grandmother, and a stray kitten that has come to stay all try to comfort and console one another."—School Library Journal, starred review

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Book SynopsisWinner of a Newbery Honor!Soonie's great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, and with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She pieced together bright patches with names like North Star and Crossroads, patches with secret meanings made into quilts called Show Ways -- maps for slaves to follow to freedom. When she grew up and had a little girl, she passed on this knowledge. And generations later, Soonie -- who was born free -- taught her own daughter how to sew beautiful quilts to be sold at market and how to read.From slavery to freedom, through segregation, freedom marches and the fight for literacy, the tradition they called Show Way has been passed down by the women in Jacqueline Woodson's family as a way to remember the past and celebrate the possibilities of the future. Beautifully rendered in Hudson Talbott's luminous art, this moving, lyrical account pays tribute to women whose strength and Trade Review* "One of the most remarkable books of the year."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Show Way is a sophisticated book that introduces readers to the passage of time, family traditions, and the significance of quilts and their patterns in African-American history. The gorgeous, multimedia art includes chalk, watercolors, and muslin. An outstanding tribute, perfectly executed in terms of text, design, and illustration."—School Library Journal, starred review* “Will move many readers to explore their own family roots.”—Booklist, starred review

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Book SynopsisA heartwarming father-son story about bravery and facing fears. Nicholas was afraid of the dark outside his door, the bushes where the giant bugs live, and the underside of manhole covers.   His dad was not afraid of anything.   Nicholas wants to be as brave as his dad, but he needs help. That’s why he needs a dinosaur. After all, dinosaurs like the dark, bugs are nothing to them, and they eat manhole covers for lunch (and everything under them for dinner).   With his toy dinosaur, Nicholas can scale tall walls, swim in deep water, even score a goal against the huge goalie everyone calls Gorilla. But when the dinosaur goes missing, everything is scary again.   Luckily, his dad knows that even the bravest people can get scared, and it’s okay to ask for help facing your fears. It’s just guy stuff.A family classic in the making from the dream team of Newbery Honor-winner Genn

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