A chance to meet her favorite basketball player by winning a free throw contest prompts Becca to practice. But the practice sessions start badly and get worse. Will she even have a chance at the contest, and if not, will she ever meet her hero of the hardwood? Another winner in this early chapter series.

Science fair first, concert second. With the rules set, Maggie gets to work on her project. Try after try end up in disaster—some of them rather sticky! As tie grows short, Maggie begins to wonder if she and her partner will have a science fair project or not, and if not, will she be able to play with the band in the upcoming concert? Another winner in this enjoyable series!

A broken arm days before an upcoming concert has the band scrambling for a substitute keyboard player. They find a winner in Leslie, but is she too good? Jasmine fears she's lost her place in the band as rehearsals seem to go better and better. Is the band changed forever? A gentle story of feelings young readers will find familiar.

Who is a pilgrim? The question at the center of this story culminates in a breakthrough for Molly as she seeks to fit into her new country and new school, and a deeper appreciation of Thanksgiving for her classmates and new friends. A beautiful and memorable story!

"What do you do when a new ""rule"" means your friend is suddenly not welcome or even allowed in a place you've grown together as friendly rivals? This is the challenge Brian and Hannah face when a new bully is thrust into a place of power. Can a bully's mind be changed? A good story of friendship and overcoming—and compassion at a surprising moment—that will appeal to even reluctant readers." ...

DiCamillo masterfully illustrates the meaning of metaphor as two classmates tackle their animosity toward one another when forced to face challenge together. While each character's unique point of view shapes his/her outlook, both eventually recognize the value of each other's thinking. Sprinkled with humor, metaphorical phrases, and drama-infused illustrations, this Deckawoo series addition absol ...

"The Lucy books, such as this one, are much more than they seem at first glance. A dog story? Sure, but so much more. Bobby, the main character in these stories, grows in some way in each book. Here, Bobby must find the confidence to help get Lucy to the vet, to share his love for Lucy via poetry in front of an audience, and to become the big brother he will need to be. A gentle and delightful sto ...

A refreshing story that presents teamwork, friendship, kindness, and generosity in an extremely positive light. An engaging ""light"" mystery underlies the importance of looking beyond the surface and to choose empathy when everything seems to give cause for blame.

The ball he caught himself. The ball he got signed by the player who had hit it. The ball he took proudly to school to show his classmates. That ball goes missing, and Zach needs the help of his sister Zoe to find the prized moment and the culprit.

Cleverly blending reality with fantasy and the scientific method, the author leads readers on a humorous, though daunting, problem-solving quest to provide just what newborn hippogriffs need to survive. With her mom's help, Zoey sets up experiments to predict outcomes and compare results that, with persistence, lead to a breakthrough just in time. A delightful read.

Beautiful family dynamics create opportunities for humor throughout Julia's stories. Lighthearted and delightful, the characters, scenarios, and laughs will be relatable for young readers and leave them wanting even more of Julian's tales.

A mail order kit promising to make its owner into a world-class detective launches Milo into the world of crime fighting. Well, maybe not crimes exactly just yet, but at least a missing pair of socks! An unlikely partnership and friendship with Jasmine ("Jazz") adds skills to those Milo learns from his detective kit. Together, can they find the missing "lucky" socks and catch the thief before the ...

Marisol is a sweet, shy girl who loves her friends and her time playing with them. Marisol, however, has many fears and a great fear. It is the marvelously climbable tree in her own back yard. Her bestie, Jada, can do it and often does, but she completely accepts Marisol’s fears. Her brother can climb the tree quite quickly and fearlessly, and this leaves Marisol to feel unworthy somehow. No one ...

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger comes a chapter book series about women who stood up, spoke up and rose up against the odds! In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome, readers learn about the amazing life of Claudette Colvin--and how she persisted. Before Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her se ...

Jack Russel terrier Fenway thinks life without a leash is way more fun. He doesn't need to wait on his humans, he can play chase with the other dogs, and he can brag about all of it to the canines next door. Being free also means he can ignore Hattie's calls for him to come. And in doing so, he can find himself alone and lost. Will such an experience change Fenway's thoughts about the dreaded leas ...