This is a story that explores the harbor of safety family can be, regardless of wealth or documentation. But when this family is suddenly ripped apart, the strength of familial roots translates into maturity as a son assumes the role of sibling caretaker, family comforter, and eventually, determined class leader. A well-written, relevant story that instructs with heart and intelligence.

Take the challenge! Stella Diaz takes the challenge on multiple levels. As a new fourth grader she must take on the challenge of more homework and social relationships – boy-girl dynamics and teamwork assignments. She also challenges herself in her two favorite areas – oceanography and art. But, oh my! Can she take the challenge of a new family dynamic? Can she fulfill her dreams?

Brown's methodic, informative, and entertaining style through this graphic novel design is completely engaging. This book, particulary relevant as it explores the history of vaccines while acknowledging the pandemic at the time of writing, shows readers that while we do learn from experience, history tends to repeat itself when we do not. Provocative and full of well-researched scientific facts he ...

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 ...

"A “chip off the old block” Ali Cross is the perfect image of his D.C. detective dad, Alex Cross. However, he is still a kid with typical growing-up issues like obedience to parents, impulsivity, and appropriate cell phone use. His loving family and his best buds are there to help. At a local concert in the park, one of his pals is shot in the hand leading Ali and the gang to doggedly pursue t ...

The classic heartwarming tale from Kate DiCamillo--now with an afterword from the beloved author, reflecting on twenty years in print One summer's day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket for some groceries--and comes home with a dog. But Winn-Dixie is no ordinary dog. It's because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it's because of Winn-Dixie that she ...

What is Marvel to do? She fears literally everything: school, classmates, being out alone, teachers, global warming, earthquakes, and even that pile of refuse plastic floating in the Pacific Ocean! And now her overwhelming anxieties and accompanying absences are causing her to fail 7th grade. Enter a precious, little fainting goat being abused by a group of jr. high boys. Without hesitation Marvel ...

Call Across the Sea tells of Henny Sinding, a Danish girl who grew up piloting her father’s delivery boat across the inlet to the Baltic Sea. During the increasing NAZI occupation of 1943, she evades soldiers and distributes forbidden news while fearing for her Jewish neighbors. All of her skills and her courage will be needed to spirit Jewish families safely across the sea to Sweden. Her ingenu ...

Two young girls, Lulu and Serena, find themselves alone parked in Dad’s SUV at a campground in Montana. Their mother has recently died of cancer, and their dad is now missing. Lulu is twelve with a strong sense of “stepping up” to problems, but the problem to care for herself and her sister is enormous. Money is limited to $67 and winter is coming. Being new to the area, they don’t have an ...

Chickadee, Atim, Otter, and Sam are tweens on a mission! The national gathering of the Cree Peoples is meeting on their Windy Lake land, but the sudden disappearance of the sacred relics from their location threatens Windy Lake’s reputation among the other Cree tribes. Blending traditional native tracking methods and 21st Century technology they search diligently to restore Windy Lake’s honor, ...

A great "next adventure" for a beloved character, perfect for beginning readers.

Corduroy was first introduced to readers in 1968 and soon became a classic character. Everybody's favorite department store bear is having further adventures, now in Step into Reading, the premier reader line! When Lisa goes on a hiking trip, Corduroy sneaks into her backpack. Lisa is surprised to find him there, but she thinks he'll be safe as long as he stays tucked inside. Corduroy just has to ...

"Doggo loves his simple life. It's relaxing. It's predictable. It's calm. Enter Pupper, a rambunctious young'un with anything but calm on his mind. Can compromise be found before the challenges of age difference cause canine chaos? Young readers will love the fun and humor of these two lovable characters."

Ever the underdog, Mo is the youngest player on his football team. That why he thinks the coach keeps telling the team not to pass the ball to him. But is it that? Or does the coach have a secret he's keeping until the last minute of a big game? Another delightful story with an underdog every reader will be cheering for.

Though his intentions are well-meaning, fox's warning is unfounded. When his mistake is revealed, fox and friends frolic in the bloomy blunder. Delightful.

Courage can be easier to find when a friend is nearby. Another delightful story about Fox and his adventures!

This autobiographical retelling leads readers through a dubtle maze of emotions and gradual understandings as parents endeavor to help Kalia understand the bigness of the world is not contained within fenced walls. Courage, hope, and optimism underlie a heavy theme of captivity and diminishment.

He plays in the quietest spot on the baseball field. He bats last. Can Mo really help his team? A story of triumph that will have young readers cheering for a lovable character.

Who knew there were so many different types of tractors? Young readers will enjoy discovering the variety with the brother-sister team featured in the text.

Grasping Mysteries imagines snapshots throughout the lives of seven high-achieving women of science using free verse poetry. From childhood, each woman had an inborn passion for mathematics. Each faced discouragement from family members, two from their own mothers. Each used grace and firmness to overcome barriers placed on their ambitions, their sex, and their race and went on to make groundbreak ...