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

Book SynopsisTrade Review* “Woodson's text may be spare, but it has the emotional wallop of an offensive tackle.”—Shelf Awareness, starred review* “Woodson’s latest novel in verse conveys that not all success stories have a fairy-tale ending. Readers will feel an immediate connection to ZJ and his group of authentic, complex friends and family. The idea of showing the dark side of fame through the experiences of a young family member is a unique perspective that will resonate with readers of all ages. ZJ’s story will stay with the audience long after the last page is read. A first choice for all collections. A unique take on sports and fame told from an unexpected perspective, and another incredible read ­delivered by Woodson.”—School Library Journal, starred review* “Using spare and lyrical language for ZJ’s present-tense narration, which moves back and forth through time, Woodson skillfully portrays the confusion, fear, and sadness when a family member suffers from brain injury and the personality changes it brings. . . . The well-rounded secondary characters complete a mosaic of a loving African American family and their community of friends. . . . A poignant and achingly beautiful narrative shedding light on the price of a violent sport.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review* “Woodson delivers a poignant new novel in verse that highlights an important topic within the sports world, especially football. . . . ZJ’s life quickly turns from charmed to tragic as he has to face that his father and family are forever changed. . . . Woodson again shows herself to be a masterful writer, and her meaningful exploration of concussions and head injuries in football, a subject rarely broached in middle-grade fiction, provides young athletes with necessary insights into sport's less glamorous side. In addition to this, it is a novel that explores family, mental illness, and the healing that a tight-knit, loving community can provide.”—Booklist, starred review* “Woodson explores the impact of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) on football players and their families from the perspective of ZJ, son of tight end Zachariah ‘44’ Johnson. . . . In lyrical verse, Woodson conveys the confusion and loss that many families feel as they try to figure out what is wrong with their loved one. Each of the poems ably captures the voice of the story’s preteen boy protagonist; readers can feel the sense of love and loss that ZJ is experiencing as his dad slips away. Even though that loss is difficult, Woodson reminds readers that life’s challenges are more easily faced with the support of friends and family.”—Horn Book, starred review* “A beautiful and heart-wrenching story. . . . Eloquent prose poetry creates a moving narrative that reveals the grief of a child trying to understand why his father has changed and why nothing can be done. An ardent account of the multitudes of losses experienced by those who suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy and its effects on their families, ZJ's doleful tale unveils the intense nostalgia and hope one can feel despite realizing that sometimes what is lost can never be regained."—Publishers Weekly, starred review “This is a heartbreaking tale brimming with sympathy, and it draws much of its impact from the characterization of Zachariah’s father; while the portrait is obviously burnished by ZJ’s hero worship, it’s also clear that Zachariah Senior is a man of deep kindness and generosity who loves his son greatly, and whose decline leaves a huge hole in his fiercely close African-American family. ZJ’s move toward music and his increasing reliance on his friends are age-appropriate shifts that have particular poignance given the situation. While the football and CTE elements give this resonance for young athletes, many readers will be sadly familiar with the painful waning of a family member, and they’ll be heartened by ZJ’s love and resilience.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Book Synopsis“If it wasn’t for the fused-with-Zyx thing, I suppose I would just be normal—whatever that means.”   When Felix Yz was three years old, a hyperintelligent fourth-dimensional being became fused inside him after one of his father’s science experiments went terribly wrong. The creature is friendly, but Felix—now thirteen—won’t be able to grow to adulthood while they’re still melded together. So a risky Procedure is planned to separate them . . . but it may end up killing them both instead.   This book is Felix’s secret blog, a chronicle of the days leading up to the Procedure. Some days it’s business as usual—time with his close-knit family, run-ins with a bully at school, anxiety about his crush. But life becomes more out of the ordinary with the arrival of an Estonian chess Grandmaster, the revelation of family secrets, and a train-hopping journey. When it all might be over in a few

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Book SynopsisThis stunning New York Times Bestseller introduces the kind, nature-loving Miss Maple, who celebrates the miracle in each seed—perfect for fans of Miss Rumphius!What happens to seeds that don't sprout? Fortunately, they have Miss Maple to look after them. Every year, she rescues orphan seeds, taking them to her cozy maple tree house. All winter long, she nurtures them and teaches them the ways of seeds and the paths by which they might find their new homes. And come spring, she sends them off to take root out in the wide world and to sprout into the wonderful plants she knows they'll become. Celebrate every season with Miss Maple, from Earth Day to graduations to harvest festivals.  Downloadable Activity Sheets available at: wheelerstudio.com/2013/04/03/miss-maples-seeds-activity-sheets/Completely enchanting . . . Filled with broad vistas, warm breezes, woodland creatures, and other whimsicalTrade Review“Confident artistry and an intuitive knowledge of what the world looks like to a very small person make a winning combination in Wheeler’s debut . . . Careful observation of seeds (including a labeled seed chart), leaves, and plants gives the artwork substance, and Japanese woodblock–style skies that fade to sunset hues provide a wistful emotional overlay. Wheeler has clearly had a good time inventing fairy-house fixtures for Miss Maple: flower lantern boats and hollow-log houses make one yearn to escape our big, unwieldy world and inhabit hers.”—Publishers Weekly“Completely enchanting . . . Miss Maple is the perfect embodiment of a caregiver . . . Each page is filled with broad vistas, warm breezes, woodland creatures, and other whimsical imagery that cannot help but welcome readers into Miss Maple’s world. With its positive message about the value of nurturing even the tiniest bit of the natural world, this book is simply wonderful.”—School Library Journal"The clean, fluid lines and lovely shading of the ink-and-watercolor artwork gives the book a beguiling look that will go a long way toward charming parents as well as children . . . For classroom units, this picture book could add a fanciful counterpoint to more down-to-earth books on seeds."—Booklist

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Book SynopsisCoretta Scott King Honor winner Brenda Woods introduces introverted, daydream-prone Zoe, who’s afraid her real life will never be as exciting as her imaginary one.   Zoe Reindeer considers herself “just Zoe”—never measuring up to her too-perfect older sister or her smarty-pants little brother. Truthfully, though, she’d rather just blend in with the plants at the family business, Doc Reindeer’s Exotic Plant Wonderland. She does have one friend, Q, and he’s the best one ever—but he’s moving away, leaving Zoe to fend for herself, and she doesn’t know what she’ll do without him. That is until a tall astronomer from Madagascar comes to the nursery looking for a Baobab tree. His visit starts a ball rolling that makes Zoe long for real adventures, not just imaginary ones—and shows her that perhaps her first real adventure is finally beginning.Trade ReviewPraise for Zoe in Wonderland:“Spunky and inquisitive narrative voice. . . . Woods balances serious issues with humor. Zoe’s character is consistently relatable and encouraging to those who might not feel very special and who are trying, like Zoe, to understand themselves and the world around them.”—The Horn Book“Woods develops a realistic adolescent struggle with self-acceptance. . . . Young readers will easily identify with Zoe’s unbridled curiosity and wishes for the future, and the ending satisfies. . . . This touching tale about finding strength in uniqueness is a well-crafted read from start to finish.”—Kirkus Reviews“Woods handles big challenges . . . with sensitivity and a light touch. Readers will find it easy to sink into Zoe’s warm family life, realistic in its squabbles, worries, and powerfully evident love.”—Publishers Weekly“Many readers will see themselves in Woods’s authentic portrayal of an African American girl finding her place in her family and in the world around her.”—School Library Journal

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Book SynopsisAbsolutely nothing exciting happens in Maine . . . nothing, that is, except for the birth of one giant baby. 'That's one wicked big toddlah you got there!' exclaims Uncle Bert . . . and so Toddie is named.Toddie's a baby just like any other . . . sort of. The thing is, he's big—really big. That means really big diapers, really big teeth, really big everything. From new booties that wear out the knitter to a bath in the ocean (it's fun to play with boats!), Toddie goes through all the stages of baby's first year . . . it's just a little different for Toddie.Kids will laugh out loud as they see Toddie get into more and more trouble. . . it's time for giant laughs all around!

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Book SynopsisNory Ryan's family has lived on Maidin Bay on the west coast of Ireland for generations, raising a pig and a few chickens, planting potatoes, getting by. Every year Nory's father goes away on a fishing boat and returns with the rent money for the English lord who owns their cottage and fields, the English lord bent upon forcing the Irish from their land so he can tumble the cottages and clear the fields for grazing. Times are never easy on Maidin Bay, but this year, a terrible blight attacks the potatoes. No crop means starvation. Twelve-year-old Nory must summon the courage and ingenuity to find food, to find hope, to find a way to help her family survive.

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Book SynopsisCrack, crack, crack! The cookies snap open and the family’s fortunes are revealed. Mei Mei wants to know how hers will come true. Jie Jie scoffs—they never come true. But Pacy isn’t so sure. As she waits and watches, she notices magical things happening in her family. Could the fortunes really be right? And what about Pacy’s fortune: “You will see the world in a new way”? Well, yes, it’s true! Pacy has been seeing the world through fortune cookies!This exhuberantly illustrated story about every kid’s favorite part of a Chinese meal also includes a brief history of the fortune cookie.What will your fortune be? Crack! Open up a cookie and find out.

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Book SynopsisAfter her mom gives her a disastrous home haircut, a little girl is convinced she'll have to wear a hat forever. But a trip to the beauty parlor reassures her that she's not the first person to feel this way, and with a few snips from a professional, she's hat-free and proudly showing off her brand-new do!

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Book SynopsisBabies sure have a lot of growing up to do! They can’t eat with a fork, sleep in a real bed, poop on a potty, ride a trike, or read a book. On every sweet lift-the-flap spread, Karen Katz’s illustrations celebrate the varied accomplishments of older siblings who may be in need of a little ego-stroking after a new baby’s arrival! Each book ends on a warm, loving note with the older child reassuring the baby that one day you’ll be big like me.

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Book SynopsisWhen Hank first heard that his mom was having a baby boy, he wasn't so thrilled. And when he finds out that the baby will be sharing his room, Hank is positively outraged! To make things easier, Dad suggests he take Hank and Emily away for some bonding. But on the first day of their trip, a freak snowstorm arrives. And then they get a call that the baby is coming early! Hank, Dad, and Emily know they have to get home - and fast! They hop on a train, hitch a ride on a dump truck, jump on a snowmobile, and climb into a dogsled, all in a desperate attempt to get home in time for Baby Zipzer's birth.

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Book SynopsisOur brand-new sticker book is perfect for fans of Anna Dewdney’s bestselling Llama Llama series! The book, about Llama having a birthday bash with all his friends, features simple text and four pages of colorful stickers to add to each of the scenes, and of course stars Llama and his Mama!

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Book SynopsisImagine James Marshall's The Stupids celebrating Hanukkah, and you'd get the Latke family!Lucy Latke's family is just like yours or mine. Except that they're potato pancakes. And also, they are completely clueless. After lighting the menorah and gobbling the gelt, Grandpa Latke tells everyone the Hanukkah story, complete with mighty Mega Bees who use a giant dreidel to fight against the evil alien potatoes from Planet Chhh. It's up to the Latke family dog to set the record straight. (To start with, they were Maccabees, not Mega Bees...) But he'll have to get the rest of the Latkes to listen to him first!

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Book SynopsisIn the night skies above Paris, an adorable young owl teaches her older brother about the power of imagination—and the unconditional love between siblings Hoot the owl is very excited for his little sister, Peep, to join him on the cathedral rooftops. She's finally old enough to learn all his big brother owly wisdom: First, owls say hooo. Second, they always say hooo. Lastly, they ONLY say hooo! But why would Peep say hooo when she could say schweeepty peep or dingity dong? Why would she speak when she could sing? As she explores the breathtaking Parisian cityscape, Peep discovers so many inspiring sights and sounds—the ring of cathedral bells, the slap of waves on stone—that she can’t help but be swept up in the magic of it all. Hoot doesn’t understand Peep’s awe, until he takes a pause to listen . . . and realizes that you're never too old to learn a little something new.From theTrade Review* "A wise and wonderful choice to share one-on-one and as a family read-aloud."—School Library Journal, starred review"It’s a lovely nighttime fantasy whose starry, blue-tinged scenes among tiled rooftops, chimney pipes, and gothic spires bring to mind Peter Pan and Mary Poppins."—Publishers Weekly"The rocking rhythm of Peep’s innovative cooing and chirping begs to be heard, and this sweet story of sibling support will make for a great read-aloud."—Booklist

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA New York Times bestsellerA Washington Post Best Book of the YearA Boston Globe Best Book of the YearA Kirkus Best Book of the YearA Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of the YearA Southern Living Best Book of the YearA BookPage Best Book of the YearAn Indie Next List selectionA CCBC Choices book"Stunning . . . By turns tough and tender, this novel leavens complex themes with moments of wonder and joy." —The Washington Post"Rarely is a children’s book so honest [and] daring. But there is comfort too, in Ada’s desire to love and grow. . . . The power of this book is that it describes, slowly and sometimes painfully, that it is possible not just to live through pain, but to live with it.” —The New York Times★ "Thoughtful, brave, true, and wise beyond her years, Ada is for the ages—as is this book. Wonderful." —Kirkus, starred review"It’s rare when a sequel is just as beautifully written and just as touching (maybe even more so) than the first book. . . . Bradley writes the story in such a way that the reader is by turns both touched and then, pages later, heartbroken. Over and over.” —HuffPost★ "Fans of the first book will love the sequel even more; truly a first purchase. While it stands alone, encourage readers to read both books to fully appreciate Ada’s remarkable and wholly believable triumph." —School Library Journal, starred review"Harrowing and heartening." —San Francisco Chronicle★ "Bradley sweeps us up in the story she’s telling and at the same time raises hard questions and makes us think—even as she moves us to tears." —The Horn Book, starred review★ "A perceptive look into othering . . . Bradley sensitively portrays Ada’s journey to accept selfless kindness and love after years of neglect in a poignant and satisfying story of found family that will stay with readers." —Publishers Weekly, starred review"Ada . . . is one of the most unforgettable characters in modern children’s literature." —The Washington Post"In a hard times, complicated people do the best they can. That’s what we see in this bittersweet moving story . . . (Be prepared for both tears and smiles with this one!)" —ImaginationSoup"Ada’s story is a winning combination of history and healing, and fans may hope that Bradley isn’t quite finished with her just yet." —Booklist

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Book SynopsisAny fan of Fudge knows that he never does anything halfway. And so it should come as no surprise that when he discovers the value of money, he goes whole hog-making his own Fudge Bucks, dressing as a miser for Halloween, and thumbing through catalogs to choose his birthday presents years in advance. His older brother, Peter, who's just starting seventh grade, finds it all highly embarrassing, as usual. But things change when the Hatchers meet their long-lost relatives, the Howie Hatchers of Honolulu, Hawaii. With new cousins Flora, Fauna, and four-year-old Farley Drexel (yes, that's right, another Farley Drexel!), the stage is set for a wild and wacky beginning to a new school year.Trade ReviewPraise for Judy Blume and the Fudge books: “Each [Fudge book] is packed with wacky earthy disasters that are her trademark and that children love to read about . . . Judy Blume has a knack for knowing what children think about and an honest, highly amusing way of writing about it.” —The New York Times “It’s a pleasure to watch a talented author like Judy Blume consistently create books that reflect a remarkable ability for combining humor with perceptive insight into a child’s world.” —Publishers Weekly “Blume has her eye on the fine details of life, whether funny or frustrating.” —Booklist “For anyone who has ever been ‘burdened’ by a pesky younger brother, there’s fast and funny reading in this story.” —Children’s Digest on Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing “As usual, Blume’s humor and pitch-perfect ear for sibling rivalry and family dynamics will have readers giggling with recognition. Newcomers and Fudge fans alike will savor this installment in the well-loved series.” —Booklist on Double Fudge “Fudge-a-Mania infects kids with giggles.” —BookPage on Fudge-a-Mania

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Book SynopsisWith kid-friendly honesty and humor, Babies Don’t Eat Pizza informs and reassures children experiencing babies joining their families. Debbie Tilley’s fun, whimsical illustrations highlight the book’s lighthearted, yet sensitive, tone. To encourage family discussions, Babies Don’t Eat Pizza is best read over time.

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Book SynopsisIn prose poetry and alternating voices, Marlene Carvell weaves a heartbreakingly beautiful story based on the real-life experiences of Native American children. Mattie and Sarah are two Mohawk sisters who are sent to an off-reservation school after the death of their mother. Subject to intimidation and corporal punishment, with little hope of contact with their father, the girls are taught menial tasks to prepare them for life as domestics. How Mattie and Sarah protect their culture, memories of their family life, and their love for each other makes for a powerful, unforgettable historical novel.Trade Review"[R]eaders will be deeply moved by the sisters’ loving connection in a world of cruel authority….[A] gripping drama of displacement and forced assimilation…." -Booklist, starred review

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Edgar AwardThe #1 New York Times BestsellerPublishers Weekly and USA Today BestsellerMillions of Copies SoldQuentin Jacobsen has spent a lifetime loving the magnificent Margo Roth Spiegelman from afar. So when she cracks open a window and climbs back into his life—summoning him for an ingenious campaign of revenge—he follows. When their all-nighter ends and a new day breaks, Margo has disappeared. But Q soon learns that there are clues—and they’re for him. Embarking on an exhilarating adventure to find her, the closer Q gets, the less he sees the girl he thought he knew.#1 Bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars John Green crafts a brilliantly funny and moving coming-of-age journey about true friendship and true love.  

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Book SynopsisIn this sequel to A River of Royal Blood, Eva and Isa must find a way to work together if they want to save their queendom in the thrilling conclusion to this royal fantasy duology.Now on the run, Eva is desperate for answers about her transformation and her true heritage. Along with Aketo, a small contingent of guards, and the sister she could not kill, Eva flees Ternain in hopes of finding friends and allies to the north--not to mention Baccha--to help her decide what to do next. Princess Isa is a difficult, unremorseful captive, and Eva knows better than to trust her sister, but she wants to. Despite their history, Eva is convinced that to survive the growing unrest in the queendom, she and her sister must make peace. Since the Entwining ceremony, Eva's and Isa's lives have been bonded, and each can only die by the other's hand. This perhaps provides an opening for a truce and a more hopeful future for both the sisters and the queendom, if only Isa would see re

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Book SynopsisUn homenaje al amor entre un padre y su hija, y a un dinámico barrio de inmigrantes, del galardonado dúo de Isabel Quintero y Zeke Peña.Cuando Daisy Ramona recorre su barrio en motocicleta con su papi, ve a la gente y los lugares que siempre ha conocido. También ve a una comunidad que está cambiando rápidamente a su alrededor. Pero mientras el sol azul púrpura y dorado se va poniendo a sus espaldas, Daisy Ramona comprende que el amor que siente por su ciudad nunca cambiará. Con brillantes ilustraciones y un texto lleno de sentimiento, Mi papi tiene una motocicleta es un mensaje lleno de amor de una niña a su padre, esforzado trabajador, y a los recuerdos que todos guardamos de nuestro hogar a pesar de los cambios o la distancia.

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Book SynopsisNew historical fiction from a Newbery Honor–winning author about how middle schooler Ariel Goldberg's life changes when her big sister elopes following the 1967 Loving v. Virginia decision, and she's forced to grapple with both her family's prejudice and the antisemitism she experiences, as she defines her own beliefs.Cover may vary.Twelve-year-old Ariel Goldberg's life feels like the moment after the final guest leaves the party. Her family's Jewish bakery runs into financial trouble, and her older sister has eloped with a young man from India following the Supreme Court decision that strikes down laws banning interracial marriage. As change becomes Ariel's only constant, she's left to hone something that will be with her always--her own voice.

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Book SynopsisA #1 New York Times bestseller and Christmas must-read from the creators of the laugh-out-loud bestsellers How to Babysit a Grandpa and How to Babysit a Grandma!   After waiting for days and days and days, it’s finally Christmas Eve. And that’s when you can try to catch Santa....   Two sibling narrators give clever tips for “catching” Santa (be crafty! be clever! be gentle!) on Christmas Eve in this delightful and hilarious holiday offering, written in a fun instructional style. Filled with humor and warmth, this is a jolly read-aloud for the whole family to enjoy! And don't miss Jean Reagan and Lee Wildish's How to Raise a Mom and How to Surprise a Dad! “A new hit this year is How to Catch Santa. . . . The picture book offers lighthearted tips on how kids can steal a glimpse of Mr. Elusive, aka Santa. . . .” —USA Today

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Book SynopsisThe adventure that began in Siobhan Dowd's popular novel The London Eye Mystery at long last continues as three kids investigate a theft at the Guggenheim Museum.When Ted and his big sister, Kat, take a trip to New York to visit their cousin Salim and their aunt Gloria, they think they're prepared for big-city adventures. But when a famous painting is stolen from the Guggenheim Museum, where Aunt Gloria works, the surprises begin to mount faster than they could have anticipated. With the police looking at Aunt Gloria as the prime suspect, Ted, Kat, and Salim become sleuthing partners, following a trail of clues across NYC to prove her innocence--and to pinpoint the real thief. Ultimately, it comes down to Ted, whose brain works in its own very unique way, to find the key to the mystery.

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