"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 ...

Mama wishes for a milking cow, so Papa finds his pocket knife and heads toward town with his son Samuel. When the pocket knife becomes two lanterns, then a gilded book of stories, a sheep, and more, Samuel begins to understand his father's resourcefulness and respect for the needs and cares of others. A charming story where a young boy grows in wisdom, patience, and maturity and is joyfully reward ...

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 ...

Winner of 2021 Orbis Pictus Award! The story of Elgin Baylor, basketball icon and civil rights advocate, from an all-star team Hall-of-famer Elgin Baylor was one of basketball's all-time-greatest players--an innovative athlete, team player, and quiet force for change. One of the first professional African-American players, he inspired others on and off the court. But when traveling for away games ...

While his early schooling suggested a lack of potential, Einstein kept learning, and his thinking changed the world. A remarkable biography scaled for newly independent readers.

Fox siblings Fritz and Franny, and their patient dog Fred, are at the amusement park squabbling about which ride is fastest and loudest—but when they are confronted by the biggest, tallest, and loudest roller coaster they decide that maybe Fred would prefer something not quite so scary.

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.

In a wonderful collection of verbs, the book presents a variety of activities carried out by a diversity of birds. The well-chosen verbs make for an enjoyable read.

A migrating swallow and a migrant girl cross paths while looking for a place to call home. A bird so small that it fits in your hand flies halfway around the world looking for a place to nest, while a young girl from northern Africa flees halfway around the world looking for safety. This is the story of Bird. This is the story of Leila. This is the story of a chance encounter and a long journey ho ...

The incredible verb choices make this simple text an enjoyable read!

The humorous tale leads to a surprise ending that young readers will love! Great fun, even though its in a bog.

What can fear keep us from discovering? Friendship? Adventure? S'mores? Ernestine learns that overcoming fears can definitely open up new worlds of fun. A beautiful book that will have young readers and listeners cheering for Ernestine and wanting to conquer their own apprehensions.

The Caldecott Honor-winning true story of Mohammad Alaa Aljaleel, who in the midst of the Syrian Civil War courageously offered safe haven to Aleppo's abandoned cats. Aleppo's city center no longer echoes with the rich, exciting sounds of copper-pot pounding and traditional sword sharpening. His neighborhood is empty--except for the many cats left behind. Alaa loves Aleppo, but when war comes his ...

A dog, a few treats, and the forces evident in stand -created machines make a science classroom abuzz with excitement. Can a few common materials really create a fun way to give a deserving doggy a treat?

Independent readers can learn about Columbus's fateful voyage in this dramatic, easy-to-read account of a pivotal moment in history, revised from the original 1991 edition. Christopher Columbus's landfall in what he thought were the "Indies" was full of surprises. This revised edition includes an author's note that provides context for readers about colonization, and shines a light on the fate of ...

Clarence Brazier kept a big secret for nearly one hundred years: he didn't know how to read. This picture book tells the true story of his journey to learn--and then love--to read. As a young boy, Clarence cut class and took over the farm work when his father was blinded in an accident. Clarence worked as a logger, maintained his own successful farm, and became a father and a grandfather. All the ...

A pet comes with responsibility, and Clark the Shark isn't quite up to the task at first. As a result, his new pet dogfish gets into all kinds of humorous trouble. Can a young shark become a successful pet owner? Beginning readers will hope this isn't Clark's last appearance in a book!

At fourteen Langston is uprooted from his home in rural Alabama to post-war inner-city Chicago. He is utterly lost with no friends or family for comfort and only his overworked father to help him through the difficulties of city living. But one day running from ever-present bullies, he accidentally finds his first oasis, a public library, where he begins to find himself.

If you can't bear it, fight it. At least that what Fox thinks about winter until a friend shows him the beautiful silence of the season. The fun main character and great writing make this a enjoyable read!

Discover Frog and Dog, a laugh-out-loud series for beginning readers!A Best Book of 2020 by the Chicago Public LibraryPick a book. Grow a Reader!This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fl ...