"DiCamillo makes every word count, lyrically weaving a tale of woe-turned-wonder that leaves readers feeling as if Louisiana's plight had been their own. The emotional highs and lows that demand difficult choices lead Louisiana toward would-be helpers; some are humble and kind while others are self-serving and hard-hearted. When a crushing revelation and an unforgivable act threatens to derail her ...

"Who can Merci trust when all the relationships wobble? Succeeding as a sixth-grader is challenging for any preteen but especially hard for Merci Suarez. Her tight-knit Hispanic family is being torn by a secret no one will share. Her upscale, private school is rife with adolescent angst, flimsy friendships and “girl drama”. How can she excel in school when she does not fill academic expectatio ...

Chattana is a fantasy city entirely sustained by the Governor who brought peace long ago. But the price was crippling loss of personal freedoms. Three unlikely preteens begin to question his “law and order” message. Pong is an observant boy who escapes from Namwon prison where he was born and hides in a Buddhist monastery where he learns patience and compassion. Perfectionist Nok is the warden ...

Running, computer hackers, illegal immigrants

Left winger Nolan Andrews thinks it's great that he can play hockey in Calgary, where his older brother, Nathan, is a star center for the Hitmen. When Nolan finds out that a lot of things about Nate's new life in Calgary don't make sense--or might not even be legal--Nolan has to make some difficult choices that will affect him and his brother for the rest of their lives.

A boy and his dog navigate dangerous rubble, prejudices, and survival in this riveting fictional account of the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. It's before daybreak in San Francisco on April 18, 1906. Mourning the loss of his mother, thirteen-year-old Jacob Kaufman slips out of the cramped boarding house where he lives with his immigrant father and little sister Rosie. Why couldn't Papa just let ...

Tyler hopes for an unbeatable season for his soccer team, but is that even possible when his friends--and the team's best players--leave for an elite travel team? With their best players gone, Tyler is excited when Coach Murray gives him the midfielder position. It's tough, and even though Tyler is trying his hardest, his team can't seem to win a game. Then an elderly English soccer fan tells Tyle ...

Based on the thrilling, but miscalled final quarter events of an actual 1940 game, this realistic fiction will enthrall diehard football fans and induce some soul searching--which way would they vote knowing it could cost them the championship?

Ryan, Zeke, Eli, and Miles have always shared a love of sports, especially basketball. When it's time for basketball team tryouts, these best friends practice together, compete in a local 3-on-3 tournament, and carefully compute their chances of making the team. However, when tryouts arrive, will all their athletic skills pass the test? Can their friendship survive if one of them doesn't make the ...

For Jake, there is only one thing he loves more than playing shortstop for his team, and that's winning. So when newcomer Adam joins the team, Jake is excited to see that this guy can do it all--pitch, hit, field! But as their team racks up win after win, Adam's talents dominate every game and Jake can't help but wonder: Do he or the other players even matter? Or will he learn that even the best p ...

Brett Carter, the Wildcats' star forward, is a hotshot on his basketball team--or at least he was. After missing an easy layup shot at the buzzer in one of the most important games of the season, he feels like a total loser. And things only get worse from there... At his best friend's birthday party at a rock-climbing center, Brett freezes on the wall. Then he blows an easy question in the America ...

A beautiful message conveyed here: true freedom allows for the right to be a servant to others.

Young athlete realizes that having the best players accomplishes little without authentic teamwork. Great for soccer fans and reluctant readers!

Lovers of the underdog and champions of change will enjoy this fast-paced football story. It is a tale full of change and how courage, friendship, and determination can help a team not only survive but thrive during the unexpected. From the humble star to his faithful friends, readers will be cheering for the whole team to reclaim their season and along the way they learn a few things about flexib ...

A sensitive, heartwarming story!

Readers sense a young girl's struggle between loyalty to her homeland and love for her parents. Hitler's Germany challenges her loyalties, her beliefs, and her trust.

Treasure is what's on Nick's mind when he gets to Silver Pines Inn, but all he finds is trouble. He makes a bad beginning with his grandfather, he earns a scolding from an important guest, and he spoils his brother's fishing, all on the first day. Grades 4-7.

Charles and Oliver settle down to enjoy a peaceful life, now that the pirate sea dogs are in prison. But one night they hear startling news about the sea dogs. The Admiral has a plan, too, and Oliver doesn't like it at all. 25 black and white illustrations. Ages 6-9.