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

Book SynopsisThree little bunnies do NOT want to go to bed, and they use every excuse they can think of to stay up just a little longer. Mama Bunny’s three little ones do not want to go to bed, but after good-night hugs, good-night kisses, good-night tickles, and a lot of jumping around, they finally do!Trade Review"Childish exuberance gleefully alternates with parental restrain until lights out. ...Berger's careful craftsmanship enhances the warmth of her [story]." -- Publishers Weekly "Tons of fun...Berger's distinctive cut-paper collage art makes the book as much for looking as it is for listening. Both the paper work and design have a thoughtful simplicity exactly right for the age group." -- Booklist "Share the bedtime ritual of a mother rabbit and her three young bunnies. After stories, songs, hugs, and kisses (followed by another hug, of course), each youngster adds something special and unexpected. ...Words and illustrations work together seamlessly to present a charming, cumulative, and playful tale." -- School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisNew York Times bestselling author Patrick Carman delivers a modern reimagining of the classic Mary Poppins tale in this story about family, grief, and healing—with a dash of magic! Stanley Darrow isn’t sure what to expect when the mysterious Mr. Gedrick appears on his doorstep. He is certain, however, that his family could use Mr. Gedrick’s help: Their lives—and their house—have been a mess since Stanley’s dad died.The strange new nanny quickly helps them transform their cluttered home into a sparkling and spotless version of its former self, but it’s going to take more than a clean house to help the Darrow family learn to live and love again.Can Mr. Gedrick help Stanley, his brother, Fergus, his sister, Amelia, and his mom find their way back to each other? And what secrets of his own is Mr. Gedrick hiding behind his crooked grin?

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Book SynopsisBut Monday’s mother refuses to give Claudia a straight answer, and Monday’s sister April is even less help.As Claudia digs deeper into her friend’s disappearance, she discovers that no one seems to remember the last time they saw Monday.Trade Review“A mesmerizing, punch-in-the-gut story about the power of friendship and the horrors hiding right in front of us.” — Laurie Halse Anderson, author of Speak and Chains “This thought-provoking thriller examines issues such as abuse, gentrification, and the marginalization of people of color with nuance and sensitivity. The narrative deftly moves back and forth between past and present, building to a devastating conclusion. A spellbinding, profoundly moving choice for YA collections.” — School Library Journal (starred review) “Jackson effortlessly weaves elements of suspense with issues of race, class, and gender, casting a harsh light on a world that often refuses to notice the disappearances of black and brown girls. The twist at the end is both gaspworthy and heartbreaking.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) “Jackson doesn’t hold anything back when it comes to the pain of abuse and the ramifications of turning a blind eye. It’s a frank, devastating read filled with real and flawed characters, and it’s a story that needs to be read.” — Booklist “In addition to a gripping plot line, underlying social issues bubble beneath the surface, such as neighborhood gentrification, race, poverty, community, the healing of connection, and the destruction in disconnection.” — The Horn Book “The gravest, most fundamental challenge in Tiffany D. Jackson’s devastating novel is leveled at a society that purports to value children while allowing untold numbers of them, particularly poor children and children of color, to fall through the cracks.” — Chicago Tribune PRAISE FOR ALLEGEDLY: ★ “With remarkable skill, Jackson offers an unflinching portrayal of the raw social outcomes when youth are entrapped in a vicious cycle of nonparenting and are sent spiraling down the prison-for-profit pipeline. Dark, suspenseful.” — School Library Journal (starred review) ★ “Her novel effectively joins Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th and Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow (2010) to become another indictment of the penal system’s decimating power beyond its bars and, more subtly and refreshingly, a pro-reproductive-justice novel. Searing and true.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ★ “The characters are complex, the situation unsettling, and the line between right and wrong hopelessly blurred. It’s also intensely relevant, addressing race, age, and mental illness within the criminal justice system. Well conceived and executed, this is an absorbing and exceptional first novel.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) ★ “Suspenseful without being emotionally manipulative, compelling without resorting to shock value, this is a tightly spun debut that wrestles with many intense ideas and ends with a knife twist that will send readers racing back to the beginning again.” — Booklist (starred review) “Seen through Jackson’s dark portrait of the legal system and the failures of parents and social workers, Mary’s environments are as grim as the stories that play out in them; readers fascinated by procedural dramas will be thoroughly hooked.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “A well-executed, powerful journey into the claustrophobic life of a young girl trying to navigate what little is left after the world has judged her, and what she will do to escape it.” — Mindy McGinnis, Edgar Award-winning author of A Madness So Discreet “A riveting, gut-wrenching thriller and a stunning debut.” — Daniel José Older, New York Times bestselling author of Shadowshaper “Tiffany Jackson’s timely and chilling debut will haunt you for a long time. An extraordinary new voice.” — Justine Larbalestier, author of Liar and My Sister Rosa

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Book SynopsisFrom the author of The Other Boy comes a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores what it means to be a family. Perfect for fans of Counting by 7s. Nevaeh, Vic, and Mara are veterans of the Los Angeles foster care system. For over a year they’ve been staying with Mrs. K in Echo Park. Vic spends most of his time living in a dream world, Mara barely speaks, and Nevaeh is forced to act as a back-up parent. Though their situation isn’t ideal, it’s still their best home yet. Then Child Protective Services places Quentin in the house, and everything is turned upside down. Nevaeh really can’t handle watching over anyone else, especially a boy on the autism spectrum. Meanwhile, Quentin is having trouble adjusting and attempts to run away. So when Vic realizes Quentin just wants to see his mom again, he plans an “epic quest” to reunite them. It could result in the foster siblings getting sent to dif

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Book SynopsisPerfect for fans of Emily Henry and Sarah Dessen, Janet McNally’s imaginative story of sisterhood shows that the fiercest of loves are often the ones that exist outside of happily-ever-afters.GIRLS IN TROUBLE. That’s what Sylvie Blake’s older sister Julia renamed their favorite fairy tale book, way back when they were just girls themselves. Now Julia has disappeared—and no one knows for sure if she wants to be away, or if she’s the one in trouble.Then a copy of their old storybook arrives with a mysterious list inside, and Sylvie begins to see signs of her sister, and their favorite fairy tales, everywhere she goes. With the help of her best friend’s enigmatic brother and his beat-up car, Sylvie sets out to follow the strange signs right to Julia and return to New York with her in tow. But trouble comes in lots of forms—and Sylvie soon learns that the damsel in distress is often the onl

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Lush. Delicious. Bewildering. And darkly magical. Popovic has created a world that you tumble into from the very first words and wish you could stay in forever.” — Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author of The Crown’s Game “Wicked Like a Wildfire was like devouring a succulent fairy fruit—it will rob your time, settle into your dreams, and leave you starving for more.” — Roshani Chokshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen “This sensory-rich debut and series opener highlights the mysteries of life, death, and love for modern twin witches.” — Kirkus Reviews “Readers will be captivated by [Popovic’s] entrancing writing, evocative setting, and distinctive supernatural worldbuilding, and will eagerly await the second book in this planned duology.” — Publishers Weekly “Atmospheric and often sensual, this first in a duology is a slow-burning fairy tale about the power of love and the bonds between siblings. Patient readers will find much to savor.” — Booklist “...a wild ride of magic and family secrets... For fans of Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone, readers will be greatly pleased with this debut novel.” — School Library Journal “Readers will revel in the evocative language and sensory details that feel a time and place apart...” — Shelf Awareness

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Quietly moving." -- ALA Booklist "Kline's prose is fluid and draws readers into the characters, and each chapter's cliffhanger ending keeps the pages turning. Part coming-of-age novel, part historical fiction, this book will appeal to a wide range of readers." -- BookPage.com "Kline expertly weaves the dual narratives of both [characters] as the two form a healing friendship.With a mix of historical and contemporary settings, this successful adaptation of an adult novel is likely to appeal to both young and old." -- School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“Mosier writes from the older sibling’s perspective which gives this novel a fresh viewpoint. The details and dialogue ring true and will give middle graders an empathetic window into an emotional and deeply personal familial experience. A poignant tale.” — School Library Journal “Books like Echo’s Sister are the reason authors are told to ‘write what you know.’ Paul Mosier breaks your heart a dozen times over, then patches it back up so that it’s somehow larger than when you started.” — Sarah Miller, author of Miss Spitfire “Immediate and heartfelt. Ultimately positive and uplifting, but readers should keep a box of tissues nearby.” — Kirkus Reviews ★“Accessible and compelling. [An] absorbing novel.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)

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Book Synopsis4 starred reviews! Heartbreaking, hilarious, and life-affirming (Ami Polonsky, author of Gracefully Grayson and Threads)Rydr is on a train heading east, leaving California, where her gramma can’t take care of her anymore, and traveling to Chicago, to live with an unknown relative. She brings with her a backpack, memories both happy and sad, and a box containing something very important. As Rydr meets her fellow passengers and learns their stories, her own story begins to emerge. It’s one of sadness and heartache, and one Rydr would sometimes like to forget.But as much as Rydr may want to run away from her past, on the train she finds that hope and forgiveness are all around her, and most importantly, within her, if she’s willing to look for it.From Publishers Weekly Flying Start author Paul Mosier comes a poignant story about a young girl’s travels by train from Los Angeles to Chi

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA witchy, atmospheric lesbian contemporary romance set in Salem?from the acclaimed author of Fans of the Impossible Life.Perfect for fans of Nina LaCour and Becky Albertalli.Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is the last person in Salem to believe in witchcraft?or to think that her life could be transformed by mysterious forces. After losing her best friend and first love, Chloe, Eleanor has spent the past year in a haze, vowing to stay away from anything resembling romance.But when a handwritten guide to tarot arrives in the mail at the witchy souvenir store where Eleanor works, it seems to bring with it the message that magic is about to enter her life. Cynical Eleanor is quick to dismiss this promise, until real-life witch Pix shows up with an unusual invitation. Inspired by the magic and mystery of the tarot, Eleanor decides to open herself up to Pix and her coven of witches, and even to the possibility of a new romance.But Eleanor?s complicated history continues to haunt her. She will have to reckon with the old ghosts that threaten to destroy everything, even her chance at new love.Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches is an atmospheric and romantic coming-of-age about learning to make peace with the past in order to accept the beauty of the present.

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Book SynopsisThe Authentics is a fresh, funny, and insightful novel about culture, love, and family''the kind we are born into and the ones we create.Daria Esfandyar is Iranian-American and proud of her heritage, unlike some of the ''Nose Jobs'' in the clique led by her former best friend, Heidi Javadi. Daria and her friends call themselves the Authentics, because they pride themselves on always keeping it real.But in the course of researching a school project, Daria learns something shocking about her past, which launches her on a journey of self-discovery. It seems everyone is keeping secrets. And it''s getting harder to know who she even is any longer.With infighting among the Authentics, her mother planning an over-the-top sweet sixteen party, and a romance that should be totally off limits, Daria doesn''t have time for this identity crisis. As everything in her life is spinning out of control''can she figure out how to stay true to herself?

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Book SynopsisTrade Review★ “Heart-wrenching, funny, hopeful, and not-to-be-missed.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A memorable, hard-hitting portrait of a teenager trying to shape his own destiny after being dealt a difficult hand.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Aceves has written a remarkable debut novel. Every reader will enjoy Aceves’s deft handling of this coming-of-age journey. The Closest I’ve Come will be a welcome addition to the growing cannon of quality urban young adult literature.” — Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) “An unflinching portrayal of boyhood and the seemingly impossible circumstances so many young people face.” — Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Poet X “A brilliant, subtle debut.” — Sonia Patel, author of Morris Award finalist Rani Patel in Full Effect and Jaya and Rasa: A Love Story “A story that will have readers cheering by the end. An inspirational read.” — Booklist “Recommended for fans of Jason Reynolds and for readers who appreciate gritty and introspective realistic fiction with a sense of humor.” — School Library Journal “It takes about half a page of this debut to become convinced Aceves is an author to watch, but there’s no point at which you’ll want to put down his strongly voiced coming-of-age, perfect for fans of When I Was the Greatest.” — B&N Teen Blog “A debut that’s as stunning as it is powerful, Aceves’ novel is a story is a complex story about family and friendships. Don’t sleep on this one.” — Paste Magazine “Effective, and there’s a refreshing subversion of literary expectation...The accessible writing brings this story to a wide range of readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “[E]xplores the nuances of class and ethnicity through the eyes of a hero that readers will love rooting for.” — Bookish.com

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"The protagonist's emotional transformation will resonate with readers. Generational bonds, notably the growth of the relationship between Laura and her grandmother, are beautifully depicted. With its humor and deep reverence for history, Allen's novel is an engaging treatment of the oft-told tale of looking within for beauty and strength." -- School Library Journal "This is a lively approach to an issue that's come up recently in the news...and the historical aspect could help readers consider their own family lore that may not have made its way into written accounts." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Laura Dyson's sweet, sassy voice draws you into this delightful story of self-discovery and acceptance, unwavering friendship and the deep roots of one amazing family." -- Donna Gephart, author of OLIVIA BEAN, TRIVIA QUEEN "Crystal Allen shows us how our relatives, even the ones we've never met, sometimes have a way of gently weaving a path to exactly who we're meant to be, our truest and best self." -- Kathryn Fitzmaurice-author of THE YEAR THE SWALLOWS CAME EARLY Praise for HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: "Under all the braggadocio is a boy with a big heart, and from the first sentence Lamar will have readers hooked." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) Praise for HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: "This stands out for its unusual setting and smooth integration of friendship and family concerns. " -- Kirkus Reviews Praise for HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: "The powerful mix of sibling rivalry, revenge, and hard-won redemption strengthens the perennial appeal of the naive-underdog-makes-good plot; readers will come for the laughs and stay for the laughs." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Praise for HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY: "The tween book world has a new hero-Lamar Washington-as well as a brilliant new author who's bound to win a Bubba-sized trophy herself!" -- Neal Shusterman, author of THE SCHWA WAS HERE and BRUISER

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Book SynopsisWritten by award-winning author Tony Abbott and perfect for fans of The Ethan I Was Before and The Thing About Jellyfish, this bittersweet middle grade novel follows the ghost of Denis Egan as he teams up with his living twin brother to solve the mystery of his death.Trade Review“Abbott steadily guides readers through a dark quagmire of questions, anger, and fraying family bonds that are nevertheless held together by love. Surprising twists and turns braid the story’s disparate parts into a revelatory whole that brings healing to its characters and won’t be forgotten by its readers anytime soon.” — Booklist (starred review) “Luminous and revelatory. A riveting mystery that I couldn’t put down for the life (or death) of me.” — Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author of the Wishing Day series “A brutally moving and deeply layered story full of heart and hope.” — Leslie Connor, award-winning author of All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook “Witty, suspenseful and full of hope, Denis Ever After fearlessly travels into the dark mysteries of life, the afterlife and the spaces in between.” — Shelf Awareness “A taut and twisted murder mystery with a profound reflection on grief and learning to move on. Denis comes to see the “thousand, thousand threads” that bind people and realizes that the powerful connections forged through love cannot be broken, even in death.” — Publishers Weekly “Abbott keeps the tension high and the mystery dark and unsettling, leavening it with several flashes of humor and intriguing imaginative speculation about the dead. Page-turning.” — Kirkus Reviews Praise for Tony Abbott: “A touching story of friendship that is easy to read yet hard to forget.” — School Library Journal ★ “Beautifully crafted and written.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “Full of mystery and intrigue, this book had me completely transfixed.” — Ridley Pearson, New York Times bestselling author of the Kingdom Keepers series “The book is so enticing that readers will go along even when the going is rough.” — Booklist “With every narrative turn, Tony Abbott brings these never-before-seen perspectives into view... Untold. Unforgettable.” — Rita Williams-Garcia, author of One Crazy Summer “With its portrayal of a family on the verge of falling apart following the death of a child and the young person’s narration from the afterlife, this suggests The Lovely Bones shaped for a younger audience…the story is handled with remarkable grace.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book SynopsisA sparkling debut about love, family, and the mysteries of the universe, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Nicola Yoon.Linny has kept a journal of famous disappearances ever since her sister Grace ran away in the middle of the night. Sebastian is an aspiring astrophysicist with a working theory for everything—but the one thing he can’t figure out is the identity of his birth father. They haven’t met—yet—but Linny and Sebastian have one thing in common: an obsession with famous novelist and filmmaker Àlvaro Herrera, who who went missing three years ago and has just reappeared. As their lives converge around the mystery of Àlvaro, they begin to uncover the answers they’ve been looking for. With humor and heart, debut author Carlie Sorosiak weaves a story of searching for those who leave—and loving those who stay.If Birds Fly Back feels like that last hazy, sun-

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Book SynopsisIt''s the rarest author who can pull off laugh-out-loud hilarious, profound, and breathlessly romantic, all in the most sparkling prose. That shortlist includes Rainbow Rowell, Nicola Yoon, and now, Carlie Sorosiak.—Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye DaysLast June, the summer camp Quinn’s family owns in Winship, Maine, was still a magical place. A place where wild blueberries grew no matter the season, a legendary sea monster lurked in the waters, and Quinn fell in love with her best friend, Dylan. Then the accident happened. Now it’s winter, the magic has drained from Quinn’s life, and she knows it’s her fault. But the new boy in town, Alexander, doesn’t see her as the monster she believes herself to be. As Quinn lets herself open up again, she begins to understand the truth about lov

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Book SynopsisIt''s the rarest author who can pull off laugh-out-loud hilarious, profound, and breathlessly romantic, all in the most sparkling prose. That shortlist includes Rainbow Rowell, Nicola Yoon, and now, Carlie Sorosiak.—Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye DaysLast June, the summer camp Quinn’s family owns in Winship, Maine, was still a magical place. A place where wild blueberries grew no matter the season, a legendary sea monster lurked in the waters, and Quinn fell in love with her best friend, Dylan. Then the accident happened. Now it’s winter, the magic has drained from Quinn’s life, and she knows it’s her fault. But the new boy in town, Alexander, doesn’t see her as the monster she believes herself to be. As Quinn lets herself open up again, she begins to understand the truth about lov

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Book SynopsisTo heartwarming cheer, Alan Cole came out to his school. But now what?In this follow-up novel to Alan Cole Is Not a Coward, Eric Bell deftly explores with nuance and humor how the first step to complete self-acceptance may mean actually putting your feet on the dance floor. This laugh-out-loud and poignant tale is perfect for fans of Gary Schmidt and Jerry Spinelli.Alan Cole has a problem: Ron McCaughlin. Ever since Alan revealed he’s gay, Ron has been bullying Alan with relentless fury. Alan can’t tell his parents why he’s really coming home with bruises—because they still don’t know the truth about him.Yet buoyed by the support of his classmates and with his friends Zack and Madison by his side, Alan thinks he can withstand the bullying and—just maybe—break through to Ron. But all things come to a head when Alan’s father asks that he take June Harrison to

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Book SynopsisRobyn Schneider, author of The Beginning of Everything, delivers a witty and heartbreaking tale of first love, second beginnings, and last chances in this timely and authentic bisexual coming-of-age story, perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera and now available in paperback.In Southern California, no one lives more than thirty miles from the nearest fault line. Sasha Bloom is standing right on top of one when her world literally crumbles around her. With her mother now dead and father out of the picture, Sasha moves in with her estranged grandparents.Living in her mom’s old bedroom, Sasha has no idea who she is anymore. Luckily, her grandparents are certain they know who she should be: A lawyer in the making. Ten pounds skinnier. In a socially advantageous relationship with a boy from a good family—a boy like Cole Edwards.And Cole has ideas for who Sasha should be, too. His plus one at lunch. His girlfriend.

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Book SynopsisThe beloved author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day and Posted returns with a humorous and heartwarming story of family, friendship, and miniature golf. For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose competitive drive and love for sports Malcolm has never shared. That is, until Malcolm discovers miniature golf, the one sport he actually enjoys. Maybe it’s the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved. Or the whimsy of the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course. Or maybe it’s the slushies at the snack bar. But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it’s a sport his dad can’t possibly obsess over. Or so Malcolm thinks. Soon he is signed up for lessons and entere

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Book SynopsisThe beloved author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day and Posted returns with a humorous and heartwarming story of family, friendship, and miniature golf. For as long as he can remember, Malcolm has never felt like he was good enough. Not for his parents, who have always seemed at odds with each other, with Malcolm caught in between. And especially not for his dad, whose competitive drive and love for sports Malcolm has never shared. That is, until Malcolm discovers miniature golf, the one sport he actually enjoys. Maybe it’s the way in which every hole is a puzzle to be solved. Or the whimsy of the windmills and waterfalls that decorate the course. Or maybe it’s the slushies at the snack bar. But whatever the reason, something about mini golf just clicks for Malcolm. And best of all, it’s a sport his dad can’t possibly obsess over. Or so Malcolm thinks. Soon he is signed up for lessons and entere

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Book SynopsisA beautiful, lyrical picture book about a father, his daughter, and her imaginary friend raking leaves on a crisp fall day.With gorgeous pictures by E.Trade Review“Readers will feel exhilarated, enclosed in Lula’s private secret…Spacious double-page spreads evoke the luxuriant pull of the imagination, where the charm of an imaginary friend can sweep you away, across borders.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “[A] tender, intimate family story, suitable for bedtime, when children both real and imaginary are tucked in and kissed good night.” — Booklist

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