The hard-hitting plot creates suspense and action that will appeal to reluctant readers. NOTE: Sensitive readers may have difficulty with brief descriptions of organized dog-fighting. However, the book provides great opportunities to discuss problem-solving and decision-making.

When Leela is pronounced a widow at 12 years old, a life of certain heartache was dramatically diverted by those who envisioned a better future for her and who chose to exert their influence. A thoughtful story of tradition, change, and growth.

"Take care of the little riders", says Johanna's father to the 11-year-old when he leaves her with his parents in their Dutch village. Johanna loves the 12 metal figures on horseback who ride forth when the clock in the church tower strikes each hour. And one night she risks her life to protect them. Set during WWII when the German army occupied Holland. "Heartily recommended".--School Library Jou ...

Recounting her ancestors' struggle to make a way in a new land, the author offers a rich telling of Texas history.

Nate the Great, super sleuth, has his work cut out for him when Rosamond loses his birthday present. He and his faithful dog Sludge must face snow, ice, and ferocious-looking Fang, Annie's dog, to solve the case. But how can Nate find his missing present when Rosamond won't tell him what it is?

An absolutely unique reading experience where the number of pictures equals the number of text pages—each revealing significant details of this riveting mystery.

An imaginative and fun, often hilarious, fantasy adventure! Explores concepts of identity, family, and character while engaging the reader with witty narrator commentary and great storytelling.

An imaginative and fun, often hilarious, fantasy adventure! Explores concepts of identity, family, and character while engaging the reader with witty narrator commentary and great storytelling.

Stanley Yelnats tries to dig up the truth in this inventive and darkly humorous tale of crime and punishment-and redemption.

Magic is always the special of the day at the Van Gogh Cafe in this series of vignettes from Newbery medalist Cynthia Ryland.

Friendship proves it knows no bounds in this humorous and delightful story. The text is beautifully gentle, fitting the memorable characters and heartwarming plot.

Princess Solimar’s favorite day of year is when thousands and thousands of monarch butterflies return to the nearby forest. This year she braves a trip into the forest where the butterflies land on her, too, covering her with their beautiful wings and soft humming. She promises to always protect the monarchs, and they leave behind a special magical power for Solimar. While trying to figure it ou ...

Readers first met the Herdman kids, the notorious troublemakers of Woodrow Wilson Elementary School, in Barbara Robinson's hilarious novel "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever." Now the Herdmans return in an even funnier sequel in which they start a riot at the laundromat, kidnap someone's baby brother for fun and profit, and create a diversion at the school talent show.

Like other ex-slaves, Paschal and his brother, Gideon, have been promised 40 acres and maybe a mule. But the notorious night riders have plans to take it away, threatening to tear the beautiful freedom that the two boys are enjoying for the first time in their young lives.

By the winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for historical fiction, this middle-grade novel is the perfect curriculum tie-in for classroom discussions about disasters and 19th century America. Eleven-year-old Hallelujah is intrigued by the fires that are starting up all over Chicago in 1877--but what she doesn't realize is that it is the Great Fire and her life will be irrevocably changed.

A ten-year-old boy returns to his parents' apple farm for the holidays after his first term at a school for the deaf in Philadelphia.

Based on Tempe Wick's life and the tale of hiding her horse in her house during the coldest winter of the American Revolution, Rinaldi's story poignantly addresses the question of compromising one's loyalty for "victory."

Rachel Marsh is a servant in the Boston household of John Adams. But her loyalty to the Adams family is tested by her friendship with a British private who leads his soldiers in firing upon a mob of Boston citizens.