Children's Services: You Should Read These Books

An instant #1 USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and New York Times bestseller! In The Deep End, book 15 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley and his family hit the road for a cross-country camping trip, ​ready for the adventure of a lifetime. But things take an unexpected turn, and they find themselves stranded at an RV park that's not exactly a summertime paradise. When the skies open up and the water starts to rise, the Heffleys wonder if they can save their vacation--or if they're already in too deep. And don't miss Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure, an all-new fantasy from Greg's best friend--the follow-up to the instant #1 bestseller Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid: Rowley Jefferson's Journal.

Nikki Maxwell's summer is packed with drama in this fourteenth installment of the #1 New York Times bestselling Dork Diaries series! Nikki and her bandmates are looking forward to an AWESOME summer on tour as the opening act for the world famous Bad Boyz! Nikki is a little worried when her frenemy, MacKenzie Hollister, weasels her way into a social media intern position with the tour. But she has a total MELTDOWN when she learns that MacKenzie is her new roommate! Will Nikki survive her dream tour as it quickly goes from AWESOME to AWFUL?!

Now a Netflix Original Series!   The highly-anticipated sixth book in the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling series, with over 7 million copies in print!   "Terrifyingly fun! Delivers big thrills and even bigger laughs."--Jeff Kinney, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Diary of a Wimpy Kid Jack Sullivan, Quint Baker, June Del Toro, and Dirk Savage are about to have their biggest adventure yet. That's right--it's ROAD TRIP TIME! Now wielding the Midnight Blade, Jack Sullivan and the gang are furiously searching for the villainous Thrull and his skeleton army. The clock is ticking: the enemy has begun constructing the Tower--a portal with the power to bring Rezzoch the Ancient, Destructor of Worlds, to our dimension. Equipped with a crucial clue discovered by June on her Wild Flight, the group does the once-unthinkable: they leave Wakefield behind and embark on an . . . EPIC ROAD TRIP! That means music blasting, kitschy roadside attractions, snacks snacks snacks, dangerous detours, and a slew of skeletons and monsters at every turn. But this is no ordinary post-apocalyptic joyride. Because soon, they are pursued by a new threat: the return of a monster they thought long dead, who has taken on a terrifying new form. Jack, June, Quint, and Dirk will be lucky to make it far enough to find the answers they seek. But when the future of the world depends on it, these heroes don't pump the brakes--they go full throttle.   Told in a mixture of text and black-and-white illustration, this is the perfect series for any kid who's ever dreamed of starring in their own comic book or video game. 

Tristan Strong, just back from a victorious but exhausting adventure in Alke, the land of African American folk heroes and African gods, is suffering from PTSD. But there's no rest for the weary when his grandmother is abducted by a mysterious villain out for revenge. Tristan must return to Alke in order to rescue Nana and stop the culprit from creating further devastation. Anansi, now a 'web developer' in Tristan's phone, is close at hand to offer advice, and several new folk heroes will aid Tristan in his quest, but he will only succeed if he can figure out a way to sew broken souls back together.

Percy Jackson and his friends undertake a perilous voyage to save their summer camp in this modern-day adventure with a Greek mythology twist. * "In a feat worthy of his heroic subjects, Riordan crafts a sequel stronger than his compelling debut." --Publishers Weekly (starred review) New York Times best-selling series by an author beloved the world over Makes Greek mythology relevant and fun for modern readers Useful for classroom discussions Features a main character with learning differences An exciting adventure quest full of monsters and gods Ideal for middle schoolers but can be enjoyed by older readers, too Adapted into a feature film Soon to be a series on Disney+ After a summer spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson finds his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson--a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any "normal" friends. But things don't stay quiet for long. Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: the magical borders that protect Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner by the Cyclops Polyphemus on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters, the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millennia--only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name...the Bermuda Triangle. Now Percy and his friends--Grover, Annabeth, and Tyson--must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes by the end of the summer or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family--one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

After winning a national funny-kid competition and starring in his own TV show, kid comic Jamie Grimm is out to conquer the world -- with laughter, of course! Comedian Jamie Grimm can't help feeling like he's reached the top. But now he's taking his fame and fortune to international levels by competing in the upcoming world kid comic contest! Will Jamie prove that he's the funniest kid on earth -- or does he stand (or sit!) to lose his crown? Hilarious, moving, and thoughtful, this richly illustrated #1 bestseller is perfect for kids who love to laugh.

The mayor has had enough of Dog Man's shenanigans in the ninth book from worldwide bestselling author and artist Dav Pilkey. Dog Man's really done it this time! He hands over his badge and clears out his desk, but while he may be out of a job, he's not yet out of hope. With his friends at his side, can Dog Man dig himself out of this hole and paw his way back onto the force? Dav Pilkey's wildly popular Dog Man series appeals to readers of all ages and explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, persistence, and the importance of doing good.

A brand-new Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by newcomer Gabriela Epstein! Claudia has always been the most creative kid in her class... until Ashley Wyeth comes along. Ashley's really different: She wears hippie clothes and has multiple earrings, and she's the most fantastic artist Claudia has ever met. Ashley says Claudia is a great artist, too, but thinks she's wasting her artistic talent with The Baby-sitters Club. When Claudia starts spending more time with Ashley and missing BSC meetings, it becomes clear that Claudia has to make a decision -- one of them has to go!

From the illustrator of the web comic Strong Female Protagonist comes a debut middle-grade graphic novel about family, identity, courage -- and magic.In thirteen-year-old Aster's family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn't shifted . . . and he's still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be.When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help -- as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family . . . and be truly himself.

Another graphic novel in this fresh and fun series spin-off of The Baby-sitters Club, featuring Kristy's little stepsister!It's going to be a great weekend! Karen has new roller skates and is a very good skater. She's looking forward to trying some new tricks. But, oh no! Karen falls down and has to go to the hospital. Her wrist is broken!Karen is determined to get everyone she knows -- plus someone famous -- to sign her cast. It isn't going to be easy, but she won't give up until the job is done.

"An action-packed page turner with heart!"--Dav Pilkey, author of DOG MAN Take off on an action packed adventure with HILO Book 4! Dog Manmeets Big Nate in this hilarious New York Times bestselling graphic novel series that kids love! Chock full of MORE MONSTERS! MORE ACTION! MORE LAUGHS! MORE FUN! DJ and Gina are TOTALLY ordinary kids. But Hilo isn't! ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! Has our favorite space boy finally met his match? Not if D.J. and Gina can help it! Mega Robot Monsters are suddenly waking up all over and they're TOO BIG and TOO STRONG for Hilo to fight on his own! Luckily, he doesn't have to! He has GINA and some brand new SUPER POWERS on his side! Being heroes can be super fun-but it can also be SUPER dangerous! And the closer Hilo and Gina get to saving their world from the monsters--the closer Hilo gets to the dark secret of his past. Does he really want to know? Do WE?! Here's what people (and robots!) are saying about Hilo! "More giant robotic ants and people going 'Aaaah!' than in the complete works of Jane Austen"--Neil Gaiman, bestselling author "Every kid would love a pal like HILO, and every kid will love this book!" --Lincoln Peirce, bestselling author of the Big Nate series "A perfect book for any kid who ever needed a friend and then had one with superpowers fall from space." --Seth Meyers, actor, comedian and writer * "A wholeheartedly weird and wonderful tale of friendship, acceptance, and robots."--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review "A story that can be enjoyed by the entire family."--The New York Times "A Total BLAST." --Miami Herald * "A must-have."--School Library Journal, Starred Review

School's out! That means no more teachers, no more books, and lots of time to compliment Marigold Heavenly Nostrils on her good looks. In this third volume, Phoebe and her obligational best friend, Marigold, learn that summer still has plenty of surprises for the both of them. All of our old friends are back--Phoebe's part-time "frenemy" Dakota, upon whom Marigold has bestowed sentient hair, Phoebe's goofy parents, and even Lord Splendid Humility (but please, ignore his magnificence if you can)! Have fun as Phoebe and Marigold continue the "Phoebegold Detective Agency," spend a week at Wolfgang Music Camp, and find themselves in more misadventures, thanks to Marigold's enchanted sparkles! Along the way, Phoebe makes some new friends, such as Sue--her unique clarinet-playing bunkmate, Florence Unfortunate Nostrils, Marigold's estranged sister, and Camp Wolfgang's lake monster who enjoys tacos and Wi-Fi. When school resumes, read along as Phoebe enjoys (or suffers from) a brief case of popularity, mentally catalogs her grievances against dodge ball, and, with Marigold's help, rescues Dakota and her hair from the queen of the goblins. Through these wacky adventures, Phoebe and Marigold learn that their friendship is the second most magical thing of all, after Marigold's beauty, of course. Includes an introduction by Cory Doctorow and his daughter Poesy!

A heartwarming picture book that teaches empathy and inclusion. Everyone knows Wally is a bully. He steals lunch every day from Bella Jo the bear, calls Oliver the owl mean names, and never shares the crayons. So when the other animals decide to write a story together and the notebook disappears, there is little doubt that Wally has taken it. But what the animals don't know is why Wally acts the way he does. As they unravel the mystery of the missing notebook, they also begin to understand Wally, which leads to a surprising and joyous discovery.  This sweet story teaches children empathy and the amazing power of kindness and inclusion. The first in a new series on restorative justice practices for kids, this book is sure to delight children and grownups alike.  

Observe. Question. Hypothesize. Predict. Test. Record. When the science fair turns out to be more work than expected, would you quit or persevere? In this illustrated choose-your-own-ending picture book, Dahabo must decide whether to keep working on her science fair project or quit. Readers make choices for Dahabo and read what happens next, with each story path leading to different consequences. Includes four different endings and discussion questions. Expressive illustrations and the power to choose your story support social-emotional learning and decision-making for kids, making this an excellent book to spark discussion and encourage perseverance.

"What happens when a diver gets too comfortable with wild animals? Discover a diver's dangerous encounter with a moray eel. You'll think twice before getting too close to creatures after reading this graphic novel"--

Unicorns have healing powers, but your readers will learn that they are also great at writing compound sentences. Presented here is a magical journey featuring unicorns that help students learn about joining sentences together. Engaging fact boxes provide interesting information about this mythical one-horned creature, while vivid illustrations draw young readers into the narrative. Learning about grammar has never been this fun and magical, and readers will be fascinated by all this journey has to offer.

For fans of Hidden Figures and Steve Sheinkin's Undefeated, Andrea Williams's Baseball's Leading Lady is the powerful true story of Effa Manley, the first and only woman inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Before Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947, Black athletes played in the Negro Leagues--on teams coached by Black managers, cheered on by Black fans, and often run by Black owners. Here is the riveting true story of the woman at the center of the Black baseball world: Effa Manley, co-owner and business manager of the Newark Eagles. Elegant yet gutsy, she cultivated a powerhouse team. Yet just as her Eagles reached their pinnacle, so did calls to integrate baseball, a move that would all but extinguish the Negro Leagues. On and off the field, Effa hated to lose. She had devoted her life to Black empowerment--but in the battle for Black baseball, was the game rigged against her?

Discover an inspiring picture book biography about Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese American woman to fly for the US military. Hazel Ying Lee was born fearless--she was not afraid of anything, and the moment she took her first airplane ride, she knew where she belonged. When people scoffed at her dreams of becoming a pilot, Hazel wouldn't take no for an answer. She joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. It was a dangerous job, but Hazel flew with joy and boldness. This moving, true story about a groundbreaking figure will inspire young readers to challenge barriers and reach for the sky.

A mysterious egg needs the care of your favorite dragons and riders in this all-new Level 1 Ready-to-Read based on DreamWorks Dragons: Rescue Riders--now streaming on Netflix! When Dak and Leyla find dragon eggs they can't identify, they vow to take extra special care of them until they hatch. Cutter, Burple, and Aggro are put in charge of guarding the mysterious dragon eggs while Dak and Leyla are away. But a Slinkwing dragon tricks them into giving him the eggs. Will they be able to retrieve the eggs without Dak and Leyla's help? DreamWorks Dragons © 2021 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Super Facts for Super Kids is a fun, fresh take on animal nonfiction for beginning readers. Filled with engaging photographs, comic-style illustrations, and cool infographics, these Level 2 Ready-to-Reads are sure to flip, float, and fly off the shelves! Alligators and crocodiles are strong enough to bite through bone, but did you know that they can't chew their food? Readers will love learning about what makes alligators and crocodiles "super," as well as how to tell the two animals apart. The backmatter discusses the conservation success story of the previously endangered American alligator.

Everybody has good days and bad days. Understanding how to care for our bodies and minds every day helps make the good days better and the bad days a little less bad. Learn simple ways to be kind to yourself in this nonfiction Beginning-to-Read book. An early social and emotional book that includes a note to caregivers, reading activities, and a word list.

Emma is excited about Izzie's birthday party. But she's also nervous. Is her dress too fancy? Will she know anyone else at the party? Did she buy the right gift? Will Emma's worries ruin her chance to have fun? Find out how Emma handles her party problems in this early chapter book from the Emma Every Day series. Emma is Deaf and often uses sign language to communicate, and each book includes an ASL fingerspelling chart, a sign language guide, a glossary, and content-related questions.

Join Ryan and his mom, a former science teacher, in conducting three experiments that you can do at home with this Level 1 Ready-to-Read all about science. Ryan loves learning about science! Readers will love conducting three simple and eye-catching experiments: cooking in a solar oven made of cardboard and aluminum foil, recreating a rain cloud with shaving cream and food coloring, and making ice cream in a plastic bag. Each experiment comes with age-appropriate explanations of the science behind the experiments, as well as step-by-step instructions so readers can recreate the experiment at home using household products! The book includes a special letter from Ryan's mom to parents and caregivers about why learning science is important for young children. TM & © 2021 RTR Production, LLC, RFR Entertainment, Inc. and Remka, Inc., and PocketWatch, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Introducing I Can Read Comics, a brand-new early reader line that familiarizes children with the world of graphic novel storytelling and encourages visual literacy in emerging readers. Meet the robots Blink and Block in this STEM-inspired story by debut author-illustrator Vicky Fang. Blink is scanning the playground for treasure, and Block is pretty sure there's no gold to be found. Will Blink prove that treasure does exist--or will these two new pals find something even better Friendbots: Blink and Block Make a Wish is a Level Two I Can Read Comic, an engaging story for children starting to read on their own. 

Learn how to become one with your blanket in this quirky and hilarious picture book from Loryn Brantz, bestselling author of Feminist Baby. Behold, the powers of your blanket are REAL. From the best-selling author of Feminist Baby, Feminist Baby Finds Her Voice, and Feminist Baby! He's a Feminist Too! comes a witty and charming picture book about discovering the power of your blanket. Readers will learn how to make their own snuggly, cuddly cocoon and all the things you can do when you feel safe and warm. Your blanket might take you to space, under the deep blue sea, or anywhere you can imagine. But what happens when you leave your blanket? Not knowing is scary, but also exciting! This adorable and exuberant story is filled with open-ended questions that encourage readers to be true to themselves, both inside and outside of their blankets.

In the timely yet timeless picture book Home Is in Between, critically acclaimed author Mitali Perkins and illustrator Lavanya Naidu describe the experience of navigating multiple cultures and embracing the complex but beautiful home in between. Shanti misses the warm monsoon rains in India. Now in America, she watches fall leaves fly past her feet. Still, her family's apartment feels like a village: Mama cooking luchi, funny stories in Bangla, and Baba's big laugh. But outside, everything is different - trick-or-treating, ballet class, and English books. Back and forth, Shanti trudges between her two worlds. She remembers her village and learns her new town. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with her friends. She is Indian. She is also American. How should she define home?

"Beautifully written, making a prominent figure readily accessible to children." -School Library Journal   The second picture book from astronaut Scott Kelly follows his adventure-seeking travels through some of the wild places he's slept! Young readers will be delighted by the playful text and encouraging message to dream of the stars. Scott Kelly was born for adventure. But exploring takes a lot of enery--and sleep is the super fuel to turbocharge dreams. Luckily, sleeping can be exciting if you're drifting off in the right place. Scott has fallen asleep at the bottom of the ocean, in the cockpit of an F-14 fighter jet, in a yurt on Mount Everest, and of course in space! Join Scott on his many adventures, and maybe they'll inspire dreams of your own! This sweet and adventurous story is the perfect bedtime tale for future astronauts and adventurers!

The delightful story of an unconventional family of kids who learn the ups and downs of working together. New picture book by a two-time Newbery Honor-winning author! The delightful story of an unconventional family of kids who learn the ups and downs of working together. Merra, Locky, Roozle, Finn, and little Jory love their ramble shamble house. It's a lot of work taking care of the garden, the chickens, and themselves, but they all pitch in to make it easier--even Jory, who looks after the mud puddles. When they come across a picture of a "proper" house in a book, they start wondering if their own home is good enough. So they get to work "propering up" the garden, the chickens, and even the mud puddles. But the results aren't exactly what they expected, and when their now-proper household's youngest member goes missing, they realize that their ramble shamble home might be just right for their family, after all.

From Yamile Saied Méndez, acclaimed author of Where Are You From, comes a stunning lyrical picture book that tells the story of one girl who is always asked a simple question: What will you be when you grow up  "Méndez and Alizadeh create a balance between the abstract and concrete by letting the child imagine the future but with Abuela's guidance and support. A sweet read to share with loved ones." --Kirkus (starred review) "Turning a common question of childhood into a substantive quest, this imaginative set of plans will have other children charting their own course through the stars." --School Library Journal What will you be when you grow up A young girl dreams about all the endless possibilities, sparking a sense of wonder, curiosity, and growth. With her abuela's loving guidance, she learns her potential is limitless. Yamile Saied Méndez's powerful, lyrical text and Kate Alizadeh's colorful, stunning art are a radiant celebration of family, love, and community. A Spanish-language edition, ¿Qué Serás, is also available.

From Children's Literature Legacy Award-winning author Nikki Grimes and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon comes an adventurous bath time story. Night has fallen and Mom and Dad need to get their little one in the tub. To make it more fun, Mom brings a magical adventure out at sea to life, where the faucet is a waterfall, a rubber ducky is a sea creature, and the splashing water is a raging sea! In their ocean journey, Mom and Dad manage to get their little one clean just in time to dock for bedtime. "Children will delight... This ebullient account of a common childhood experience bursts with love and universal appeal."--Booklist, STARRED review

Elmo shares mindfulness tips to help his Sesame Street friends--and preschoolers everywhere--stay calm and focused. Just like kids everywhere, Elmo, Grover, Cookie Monster, and their Sesame Street friends sometimes have trouble controlling their emotions. This board book offers thoughtful suggestions as to what to do when you're scared, angry, frustrated, upset, and overwhelmed. Young children can learn simple techniques to stay calm and focused such as belly breathing, counting to 10, hugging yourself, and using a glitter jar. This oversized board book, filled with color photographs and illustrations of Elmo and the other Sesame Street muppets, is a perfect format for parents and caretakers to read with their children. Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street, aims to help kids grow smarter, stronger, and kinder through its many unique domestic and international initiatives. These projects cover a wide array of topics for families around the world.

A bright board book packed with a menagerie of ocean creatures with fascinating features. Vibrantly illustrated by Creature Features creator Natasha Durley, each page bursts with ocean creatures united by a common characteristic. From fantastic fins to shiny shells, from giant squid to glowing jellyfish, this eclectic collection of species celebrates the diversity of sea creatures. And with something to look for on every page, it's guaranteed to inspire and fascinate budding oceanographers.

Do you want to be a teacher? Open this book to find out what adventures await! This inspirational board book invites curious little ones to spend a day in a teacher's shoes, from getting ready for lessons to teaching art, science, and music classes. The surprise mirror at the end provides a fun, interactive bonus! Don't miss these other I Want to Be... books: I Want to Be... a Firefighter and I Want to Be... an Astronaut!

Dance through the alphabet from Aardvark to Zebra! Hey! Is that your toe tapping? Well, go on! Strut your stuff! Shake your boots with newts, lambada with llamas, and slide with sloths! A lively romp through the alphabet with vibrant art and cheerfully rhyming text, ABC Dance! is a joy for children and grown-ups to read aloud together. Now get your dancing shoes on!    

A catalog of a toddler's world with everyday encounters, unique additions, and four languages! First Words . . . And Lots More! is a super-sized board book depicting all the essential objects that children encounter in daily life. If that weren't enough, each word is shown in four languages--English, Spanish, French, and Arabic--perfect for introducing today's baby to a multilingual world. * Features an ultra-sturdy case cover to withstand daily wear and tear * Includes 11 subject-themed spreads, offering context to the words * Each word comes in four languages--English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. It's not just a banana, but also a rotten banana, a misplaced sock, a spilled glass of milk . . . and so much more. This sturdy book is brimming with the humor and reality that every child will recognize, while eliciting knowing smiles from their parents. * Great for educators, multilingual families, and parents who are eager to begin language education early * Unique gift for baby showers, gender reveal parties, birthdays, and more * A generously inclusive book for new parents, grandparents, librarians, and preschool teachers * Equal parts educational and entertaining, this is perfect for children ages 3 to 5 years old. * Add it to the shelf with books like First 100 Words Bilingual: Primeras 100 Palabras by Roger Priddy, My First Book of Arabic Words by Katy R. Kudela, and Loteria: First Words / Primeras Palabras by Patty Rodriguez.

In this story in the Cat and Friends series of full-color board books, a dinosaur wants to play, but Cat is too scared! Cat runs far away, but the persistent dino doesn't give up that easily. Bold illustrations, colorful characters, and simple rhyming text enable new readers to develop their vocabulary, as well as encouraging the recognition and understanding of word structure through phonics. Printed as a board book, the story is nicely designed for fr toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten readers, introducing young readers to a range of vocabulary terms, rhyme, and rhythm.

An exciting middle-grade debut starring a Muslim boy with a huge imagination. An NPR Best Book of the Year. Welcome to the imaginative brain of Omar! Omar and his family have just moved, and he is NOT excited about starting at a new school. What if the work is too hard or the kids are mean or the teacher is a zombie alien?! But when Omar makes a new best friend, things start looking up. That is, until a Big Mean Bully named Daniel makes every day a nightmare! Daniel even tells Omar that all Muslims are going to be kicked out of the country . . . Could that possibly be true? Luckily, Omar's enormous imagination and goofy family help him get through life's ups and downs. Omar's funny, relatable narrative is the perfect answer to the call for both mirrors and windows to fill bookshelves with diverse stories.   -An NPR Best Book of the Year -USBBY Outstanding International Book Selection -2020 Global Read Aloud Selection -Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year -Middle East Book Award Nominee -New York Public Library Best Book of the Year (top 10)

Lydia and Julie are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia's the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, and human guinea pig. Julie's the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey jock, and faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, the harder Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, the farther they get from their goal--and each other. Amy Ignatow understands friendship and the fifth grade, and she knows just how to wring humor out of ordinary and extraordinary moments.

Irritating his teachers with his lack of focus and creative excuses, Tom Gates spends his unmonitored times drawing pictures and writing down observations about everything from his grumpy sister and annoying classmate to an unsatisfying camping trip

Big Nate meets Timmy Failure in Funny Kid for President, the first book in an uproarious new middle grade series by Matt Stanton, Australia's bestselling children's book author. When Max gets blamed for pooping in the storeroom (which he did NOT do), tensions hit an all-time high between him and his terrifyingly large teacher, Mr. Armstrong. But then, the most unexpected thing happens--the school principal, Mrs. Sniggles, suggests Max run for class president. Max isn't the only kid on the ballot, however. His archenemy, Abby Purcell, is also up for election--and she's out to defeat him at all costs. To win, Max is going to need the 24/7 help of his best friend, Hugo, and he's going to have to run the campaign of a lifetime. Max may not be the smartest or fastest kid, or the handsomest, but he just might be the funniest kid you'll ever meet--and it's this talent that could turn him from underdog to top dog. Max for President! Matt Stanton brings his veteran children's book chops to this hilarious new series, perfect for early middle grade readers looking for side-splitting laughs!

Abbie Wu is in crisis--and not just because she's stuck in a family that doesn't quite get her or because the lunch ladies at school are totally corrupt or because everyone seems to have a "Thing" except her. Abbie Wu is in crisis always. Heavily illustrated and embarrassingly honest, Frazzled dives right into the mind of this hilariously neurotic middle school girl as she tries to figure out who she is, where she belongs, and how to survive the everyday disasters of growing up. With Abbie's flair for the dramatic and natural tendency to freak out, middle school has never seemed so nerve-racking! Packed with hilarious black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout, Frazzled takes readers through Abbie Wu's hysterical middle school adventures.  

"Meeting Cilla felt like making a new best friend." --Grace Lin, bestselling author of Newbery Honor book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Priscilla "Cilla" Lee-Jenkins is on a tight deadline. Her baby sister is about to be born, and Cilla needs to become a bestselling author before her family forgets all about her. So she writes about what she knows best--herself! Stories from her bestselling memoir, Cilla Lee-Jenkins: Future Author Extraordinaire, include: - How she dealt with being bald until she was five - How she overcame her struggles with reading - How family traditions with her Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins and her Chinese grandparents, Nai Nai and Ye Ye, are so different Debut author Susan Tan has written a novel bursting with love and humor, as told through a bright, irresistible biracial protagonist who will win your heart and make you laugh. A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017 2017 Asian Pacific American Library Association Honor Book

It all started with a peanut butter cup . . . which leads Ben Braver to a secret school for kids with super abilities. Ben has never had any special powers--and maybe never will. But could this be his chance to become the superhero he's always dreamed of? Packed with black-and-white art and comic strips throughout,The Super Life of Ben Braveris the first book in a hilarious adventure series about the greatness that lies within any middle schooler who dreams big from Marcus Emerson, the author of the smash hit Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series.

Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked is the first in a series of zany, action-packed middle grade mysteries featuring platypus police detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O'Malley.   When a call comes in about a crime down at the docks involving a missing schoolteacher and a duffle bag full of illegal fish, Zengo and O'Malley are going to have to learn to set their differences aside if they want to get to the bottom of this. Especially when the clues all point to Frank Pandini Jr., Kallamazoo's first son and its most powerful, well-respected businessman.   Fans of Adam Rex, Jon Scieszka, and Jarrett J. Krosoczka's own Lunch Lady graphic novels will flip for Jarrett's series of funny illustrated Platypus Police Squad middle grade novels!

"A slyly sophisticated, appealing read." -- Dav Pilkey, internationally bestselling creator of Dog Man Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters! Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers. Eisner Award-winning cartoonist James Kochalka brings his trademark humor to Banana Fox, an uproariously funny series from Graphix Chapters! Wowie Pow! The great detective Banana Fox is called back to duty to find a missing turtle. But the deeper he digs, the more he discovers, and it's worse than he thought! The Secret Sour Society is back, and they're mixing up a bunch of trouble. Can Banana Fox and his sidekick, Flashlight, put an end to the Secret Sour Society once and for all?

Dive into a hilarious new middle grade graphic novel series as superhero-in-training Dolphin Girl faces off against fearsome(ish) foes to save her Midwest suburban town. Perfect for fans of Zita the Space Girl and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. In small-town Deerburbia, Michigan, young superhero Dolphin Girl and her dad, Captain Dewgong, are planning their tropical-themed restaurant, Pizza Paradise. But danger is never far away. One day, while her dad is training her in signature moves (Blowhole cannon! Extreme breath holding!), they get word that their rivals are up to no good. It's time to swim into action!   But when Captain Dugong flakes on Dolphin Girl, she must summon her inner sea mammal and flip the situation. Recruiting Pizza Paradise's gamemaster Keith to help, it's time to sink the Sea Cow and save the day! With a lot of silliness, spirit, and sea creature sass, Trouble in Pizza Paradise! introduces a new superhero sure to make a super splash!

Super Max has it all. He's a superhero with a flashy uniform and a great head of hair. Sure, sometimes the evil Dr. Malevolent pops up to cause trouble. But Super Max has defeated the villain over and over again. This time is different. This time, Dr. Malevolent's plan works . . . and he turns the handsome hero into a tiny tuber! But there's one thing the doctor didn't count on. The potato still has powers, and justice takes many forms. Super Max may be gone . . . but it's Super Potato's time to fly!

Earth's furriest -- and funniest -- superheroes make their debut in this hilarious, action-packed graphic novel for young readers! Meet the Hound Heroes: fearless Captain Chihuahua, the big-hearted Great, Great Dane, super-speedy Poodle Girl, cyborg pup Power Pug, and the lovable yet irritating Super Sheep Dog. Together they make up a crack team of earth's furriest heroes! In this first adventure, the Hound Heroes' origin story is revealed when a spaceship crashes in their backyard, giving them superpowers! But they aren't the only ones who benefit -- neighborhood alley cat The Claw also gains powers, and she only wants one thing: to destroy the Hound Heroes! A nonstop romp full of hilarious action, Hound Heroes is sure to be a hit with young fans of graphic novels.

Sparks is a hero and man's best friend, but nobody suspects he's two cats! This Super Dog is the Cat's Meow! August is a brilliant inventor who is afraid of the outside. Charlie is a crack pilot who isn't afraid of anything. Together these pals save lives every day. They also happen to be cats who pilot a powerful, mechanical dog suit! Always eager to leap into danger, this feline duo have their work cut out for them as they try to thwart Princess, an evil alien bent on enslaving mankind. Don't let the fact that Princess looks like a cute, diaper-wearing baby fool you. She's clever, determined, and totally ruthless. So when Princess and the browbeaten fools she calls servants enact a brilliant and dastardly plan to conquer Earth, August and Charlie pull out all the stops to save the day.

It's a bird! It's a plane! It's--wait, it really IS a bird! Take another look, because what looks like an ordinary pigeon might just be a hero saving your butt! Meet the crime-fighting pigeons secretly flying around chasing bad guys in this hilarious illustrated series perfect for fans of BAD GUYS and DOG MAN. What do REAL PIGEONS do? They fight crime, of course! Wait, what? You didn't know your town is protected by a secret squad of crime-fighting feathered friends? Well, you are about to get schooled. REAL PIGEONS solve mysteries! REAL PIGEONS fight bad guys! And REAL PIGEONS won't stop until your neighborhood is safe and the questions are all answered: Like, why have all the breadcrumbs disappeared? And which food truck smells the best?

In this heartfelt middle grade novel from debut author Nicole D. Collier, fifth grader Jillian must learn to speak and break free of her shell to enter her school's academic competition and keep her promise to her grandmother.  Fifth grader Jillian will do just about anything to blend in, including staying quiet even when she has the right answer. After she loses a classroom competition because she won't speak up, she sets her mind on winning her school's biggest competition. But breaking out of her shell is easier said than done, and Jillian has only a month to keep her promise to her grandmother and prove to herself that she can speak up and show everyone her true self.  A warm and relatable middle grade debut novel about family, friendship, and finding the confidence to break free from the crowd and be who you truly are. 

Lydia and Julie are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia's the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, and human guinea pig. Julie's the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey jock, and faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, the harder Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, the farther they get from their goal--and each other. Amy Ignatow understands friendship and the fifth grade, and she knows just how to wring humor out of ordinary and extraordinary moments.

Abbie Wu is in crisis--and not just because she's stuck in a family that doesn't quite get her or because the lunch ladies at school are totally corrupt or because everyone seems to have a "Thing" except her. Abbie Wu is in crisis always. Heavily illustrated and embarrassingly honest, Frazzled dives right into the mind of this hilariously neurotic middle school girl as she tries to figure out who she is, where she belongs, and how to survive the everyday disasters of growing up. With Abbie's flair for the dramatic and natural tendency to freak out, middle school has never seemed so nerve-racking! Packed with hilarious black-and-white illustrations and doodles throughout, Frazzled takes readers through Abbie Wu's hysterical middle school adventures.  

A humorous, heartfelt, and fashion-filled contemporary novel about Macy Weaver, a young girl struggling with how to be her true self and make a best friend. Perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and Stand Up, Yumi Chung. Eleven-year-old Macy Weaver knows relationships are complicated. Fresh off her latest friendship breakup, she's spent most of her summer break on her own. So when Macy's mother decides to go back to college three states away, Macy jumps on the chance to move-anything for a fresh start. But Macy's new home isn't exactly what she expected. Her mother's never around and her dad's always working. Lonelier than ever, Macy sets her sights on finding a new best friend. When she meets Brynn, who's smart and kind and already seems to have her whole life figured out-down to her future as a high fashion model-Macy knows she's it. The only problem is that Brynn already has a BFF and, as everyone knows, you can only have one. Resorting to old habits, Macy turns one small lie into a whole new life-full of fantastic fashion and haute couture-but it isn't long before everything really falls apart. Ultimately, Macy must determine how to make things right and be true to herself-rather than chasing after the person she thinks she's supposed to be.

From The New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller comes a graphic novel about friendship and finding where you "click" in middle school, perfect for fans of Smile and Real Friends. Olive wants to get in on the act . . . . . . Any act! Olive "clicks" with everyone in the fifth grade--until one day she doesn't. When a school variety show leaves Olive stranded without an act to join, she begins to panic, wondering why all her friends have already formed their own groups . . . without her. With the performance drawing closer by the minute, will Olive be able to find her own place in the show before the curtain comes up? The New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Kayla Miller has woven together a heartfelt and insightful story about navigating friendships, leaning on family, and learning to take the stage in the most important role of all. Looking for more of Olive's adventures? Check out the companion books Camp and Act.  

Soon to be a feature film! I hadn't even gotten to homeroom yet and I'd already discovered five hard truths about junior high: 1. My best friend had turned pretty. 2. She didn't know it yet. 3. It wouldn't be long before she did. 4. That knowledge would change everything between us. 5. And there wasn't a thing I could do about it. It's the first day of seventh grade. Is Jessica Darling doomed for dorkdom? New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty's hilarious new novel will have you laughing, cringing, and cheering for Jessica Darling as she learns that being herself beats being popular, pretty & perfect any day.

Pippa Morgan's bff has moved away, and Pippa's totally distraught. So when cool girl Catie moves to town, Pippa will do anything to get her attention and friendship--including telling Catie that she's a singing superstar (which couldn't be farther from the truth). One fib leads to another, and before she knows it, Pippa's in way over her head... Pippa's new BFF Catie Brown is perfect. So perfect, that Pippa tells her a teeny tiny lie--that she once auditioned for Voice Factor--to impress her. And it works. It works so well, in fact, that Catie enters Pippa into the school talent show. The only problem? Pippa can't sing. Not at all. In fact, her singing is so bad it scares the neighbors. But if she doesn't participate in the talent show, Catie will know she lied. But if she does participate, the whole school will find out what a horrible singer she is...including Catie! It's up to Pippa to put an end to this pesky problem!

Humor and heart shine in this middle grade fantasy about a girl who attends a boarding school to learn how to use music to create magic, perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil series. Amelia Jones always dreamed of attending the Mystwick School of Musicraft, where the world's most promising musicians learn to create magic. So when Amelia botches her audition, she thinks her dream has met an abrupt and humiliating end--until the school agrees to give her a trial period. Amelia is determined to prove herself, vowing to do whatever it takes to become the perfect musician. Even if it means pretending to be someone she isn't. Meanwhile, a mysterious storm is brewing that no one, not even the maestros at Mystwick, is prepared to contain. Can Amelia find the courage to be true to herself in time to save her beloved school from certain destruction?

Fans of Brandon Mull and James Riley will love this action-packed, accessible fantasy story about one kid's journey to discover magic as he's caught up in an epic battle between two powerful ancient orders. Twelve-year-old daydreamer Joey Kopecky's life has been turned upside down. After acing a series of tests, he's declared a genius and awarded a full scholarship at a special (year-round!) school. He's understandably devastated, until he takes one last test, and the room around him disappears, replaced by the interior of an old theater. There, Joey meets the washed-up magician, Redondo the Magnificent, and makes a shocking discovery...magic is real, but sadly, there isn't much left in the world. It may be too late to save what little remains, but for the first time in his life Joey wants to try--really try--to do something big. Soon he's swept up into a centuries-old conflict between two rival societies of magicians--the Order of the Majestic, who fights to keep magic alive and free for all, and the dark magicians of the Invisible Hand, who hoard magic for their own evil ends. The endless battle for control of magic itself has reached a tipping point. For Redondo and the Order to survive, Joey must inherit the lost legacy of Harry Houdini. Will he prove himself worthy, or will the Invisible Hand strike him down? The answer will depend on Joey's ability to believe, not just in magic, but in himself.

Black Panther meets X-Men in this "fast-paced, action-packed, and empowering" (A. F. Steadman, New York Times bestselling author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief) middle grade adventure about a British Nigerian girl who learns that her Afro hair has psychokinetic powers--perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers, The Marvellers, and Rick Riordan! Onyeka has a lot of hair­--the kind that makes strangers stop in the street and her peers whisper behind her back. At least she has Cheyenne, her best friend, who couldn't care less what other people think. Still, Onyeka has always felt insecure about her vibrant curls...until the day Cheyenne almost drowns and Onyeka's hair takes on a life of its own, inexplicably pulling Cheyenne from the water. At home, Onyeka's mother tells her the shocking truth: Onyeka's psychokinetic powers make her a Solari, one of a secret group of people with superpowers unique to Nigeria. Her mother quickly whisks her off to the Academy of the Sun, a school in Nigeria where Solari are trained. But Onyeka and her new friends at the academy soon have to put their powers to the test as they find themselves embroiled in a momentous battle between truth and lies...

From NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a riveting new series that defies what you think you know about the world of magic.Most kids would do anything to pass the Iron Trial. Not Callum Hunt. He wants to fail. All his life, Call has been warned by his father to stay away from magic. If he succeeds at the Iron Trial and is admitted into the Magisterium, he is sure it can only mean bad things for him. So he tries his best to do his worst - and fails at failing. Now the Magisterium awaits him. It's a place that's both sensational and sinister, with dark ties to his past and a twisty path to his future. The Iron Trial is just the beginning, for the biggest test is still to come . . . From the remarkable imaginations of bestselling authors Holly Black and Cassandra Clare comes a heart-stopping, mind-blowing, pulse-pounding plunge into the magical unknown.

Brimming with Celtic mythology, action, and danger, Erika Lewis's Kelcie Murphy and The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts introduces readers to a new kind of magical school and a warrior who must choose with which side of an epic battle her destiny will lie. The Otherworld is at war. The Academy for the Unbreakable Arts trains warriors. And Kelcie Murphy--a foster child raised in the human world--is dying to attend. A place at AUA means meeting Scáthach, the legendary trainer of Celtic heroes. It means learning to fight with a sword. It means harnessing her hidden powers and--most importantly--finding out who her parents are, and why they abandoned her in Boston Harbor eight years ago. When Kelcie tests into the school, she learns that she's a Saiga, one of the most ancient beings in the Otherworld. Secretive, shunned, and possessed of imposing elemental powers, the Saiga are also kin to the Otherworld's most infamous traitor. But Kelcie is a survivor, and she'll do whatever it takes to find her parents and her place in their world. Even if that means making a few enemies.

From the acclaimed author of The Real Boy and The Lost Girl comes a wondrous and provocative fantasy about a kingdom beset by monsters, a mysterious school, and a girl caught in between them. If no one notices Marya Lupu, is likely because of her brother, Luka. And that's because of what everyone knows: that Luka is destined to become a sorcerer. The Lupus might be from a small village far from the capital city of Illyria, but that doesn't matter. Every young boy born in in the kingdom holds the potential for the rare ability to wield magic, to protect the country from the terrifying force known only as the Dread.  For all the hopes the family has for Luka, no one has any for Marya, who can never seem to do anything right. But even so, no one is prepared for the day that the sorcerers finally arrive to test Luka for magical ability, and Marya makes a terrible mistake. Nor the day after, when the Lupus receive a letter from a place called Dragomir Academy--a mysterious school for wayward young girls. Girls like Marya. Soon she is a hundred miles from home, in a strange and unfamiliar place, surrounded by girls she's never met. Dragomir Academy promises Marya and her classmates a chance to make something of themselves in service to one of the country's powerful sorcerers. But as they learn how to fit into a world with no place for them, they begin to discover things about the magic the men of their country wield, as well as the Dread itself--things that threaten the precarious balance upon which Illyria is built.

A New York Times Bestseller! By the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society, this heart-pounding mystery adventure is laced with magic and humor. When Reuben discovers an extraordinary antique watch with a secret power, his life takes an intriguing turn. As one secret leads to another, Reuben finds himself torn between his honest nature and the lure to be a hero. Now he is on a dangerous adventure--full of curious characters, treacherous traps, and hairsbreadth escapes--as he races to solve the mystery before it is too late. With fearless Penny, mighty Jack, and the wise Mrs. Genevieve on his side, can Reuben outwit a sly villain called The Smoke and save the city from a terrible fate? In this ingeniously crafted novel, acclaimed author Trenton Lee Stewart invites readers to join the adventure, decipher the clues, and ask themselves the question: Is knowing a secret a gift or a curse?

"Many details within the informative, exciting narrative are based in history, and sidebars filling in the facts will bolster the story's believability for young readers...A good beginning for the Escape From . . . historical fiction series." Booklist "With a prologue that spells out the issues on the Titanic, this book foreshadows disaster. Patrick Kelley, an Irish bellboy set to turn 14 on the ship, and Sarah Walsh, a young white passenger headed back to her family in Boston, are thrown together in an unlikely match, with little in common except their Irish backgrounds." School Library Journal Patrick is an Irish bellboy working on the Titanic to help his family back home. Sarah is a passenger excited to return to America. Neither of them knows that they are about to embark on the most dangerous trip of their lives. The unsinkable Titanic is not quite what Sarah expected. Instead of dining with movie stars, she finds herself having more fun in steerage with the family of her new friend, Patrick, a bellboy. He shows her all the secrets that the greatest ship in the world has to offer, like heated swimming pools and first-class cabins. But then . . . disaster! The ship crashes into an iceberg, and water begins rushing into the lower decks. The Titanic is going down fast-into the deep, icy Atlantic. Can Sarah find her new friends in time? Can Patrick do his duty and also save himself? Will either of them manage to escape one of the deadliest shipwrecks in history?

Hatchet meets The Babysitters Club in this epic and thrilling survival story about pushing oneself to the limit in the face of a crisis. We were all alone, in a shaken and shattered house, in the dark. And I was in charge. Hannah Steele loves living on Pelling, a tiny island near Seattle. She's always felt totally safe there. So when she's asked to babysit after school one day, it's no big deal. Zoe and Oscar are her next-door neighbors, and Hannah just took a babysitting class, which she's pretty sure makes her an expert. She isn't even worried that she left her inhaler at home. Then the shaking begins. The terrifying earthquake only lasts four minutes, but it changes everything--damaging the house, knocking out the power, and making cell service nonexistent. Even worse, the ferry and the bridge connecting the kids to help--and their parents--are both blocked, which means they're stranded alone. And Hannah's in charge as things go from bad to worse. Praise for The Disaster Days: "A realistic, engrossing survival story that's perfect for aspiring babysitters and fans of John Macfarlane's Stormstruck!, Sherry Shahan's Ice Island, or Wesley King's A World Below."--School Library Journal "The strength of this steadily paced novel that stretches over four days of a scary disaster scenario is that Hannah doesn't figure everything out; she stumbles, doubts, and struggles throughout it all."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Fans of survival thrillers in the vein of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet will enjoy this tense, honest tale of bravery...an excellent (and refreshingly not didactic) teaching tool on natural-disaster preparedness."--Booklist "The relentless progression of a variety of disaster scenarios will keep readers turning pages...equally suspenseful and informative."--School Library Connection "Behrens uses immersive details and situations effectively viewed from Hannah's perspective to create a suspenseful, vivid story filled with lessons about responsibility and overcoming adversity."--Publishers Weekly The Disaster Days is a perfect... gift for preteen survival story fans earthquake fiction chapter book for tween girls ages 11-14 survivalist fiction book for middle grade girls summer reading book for preteens preteen gift for girls

"This page-turning true-life adventure is filled with rich and riveting details and a timeless understanding of the things that matter most."--Dashka Slater, author of The 57 Bus "Brilliantly told in verse, readers will love Ken Sparks." --Patricia Reilly Giff, two-time Newbery Honor winner "Lyrical, terrifying, and even at times funny. A richly detailed account of a little-known event in World War II." --Kirkus Reviews "Middle grade Titanic fans, here's your next read." --BCCB "An edge-of-your seat survival tale." --School Library Journal (starred review) A Junior Library Guild Selection The 2019 Golden Kite Middle Grade Fiction Award Winner A 2019 ALSC Notable Children's Book The 2019-2020 Lectio Book Award Winner The 2020-2021 Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award List The 2020 Oklahoma Library Association's Children's Sequoyah Book Award Winner The Connecticut Book Award Winner In the tradition of The War That Saved My Life and Stella By Starlight, this poignant novel in verse based on true events tells the story of a boy's harrowing experience on a lifeboat after surviving a torpedo attack during World War II. With Nazis bombing London every night, it's time for thirteen-year-old Ken to escape. He suspects his stepmother is glad to see him go, but his dad says he's one of the lucky ones--one of ninety boys and girls to ship out aboard the SS City of Benares to safety in Canada. Life aboard the luxury ship is grand--nine-course meals, new friends, and a life far from the bombs, rations, and his stepmum's glare. And after five days at sea, the ship's officers announce that they're out of danger. They're wrong. Late that night, an explosion hurls Ken from his bunk. They've been hit. Torpedoed! The Benares is sinking fast. Terrified, Ken scrambles aboard Lifeboat 12 with five other boys. Will they get away? Will they survive? Award-winning author Susan Hood brings this little-known World War II story to life in a riveting novel of courage, hope, and compassion. Based on true events and real people, Lifeboat 12 is about believing in one another, knowing that only by banding together will we have any chance to survive.

Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick sends readers straight into the nightmare of a raging wildfire as 12-year-old Sam is trapped by explosive flames and deadly smoke that threaten to take his life. Can he survive?Flames race toward Sam Castine's summer camp as evacuation buses are loading, but Sam runs back to get his phone. Suddenly, a flash of heat blasts him as pine trees explode. Now a wall of fire separates Sam from his bus, and there's only one thing to do: Run for his life. Run or die.Lungs burning, Sam's only goal is to keep moving. Drought has made the forest a tinderbox, and Sam struggles to remember survival tricks he learned from his late father. Then, when he least expects it, he encounters Delphy, an older girl who is also lost. Their unlikely friendship grows as they join forces to find civilization.The pace never slows, and eventually flames surround Sam and Delphy on all sides. A powerful bond is forged that can only grow out of true hardship -- as two true friends beat all odds and outwit one of the deadliest fires ever.At the end of the novel, information about wildfires and useful safety tips add to the reader's understanding of one of the US's most dangerous natural disasters.

Sarah Robinson is deeply troubled in the wake of her dad's second marriage. She now has to deal with a new stepmom and two stepbrothers, Marco, who is her age, and Nacho, who's younger. Even though they've all moved from Texas to California to start life as a new, blended family, none of the kids seem remotely happy about it. Sarah's dad and stepmom then decide to take the whole family on a special vacation in order to break the ice and have everyone get to know one another. They'll fly to Tahiti, charter a boat, and go sailing for a few days. It'll be an adventure, right? Wrong. Dead wrong. Shipwreck Island is the first installment in a series from S.A. Bodeen.

Although Emmi has lived in Chicago for two years, she finds it hard to love her adopted city. As a German immigrant in the early 1870s, she's often teased by her America-born peers. But when the Great Fire breaks out on October 8, 1871, Emmi and her enemies find themselves braving the smoke and flames together. Can Emmi and the others survive the danger to escape the burning city? Readers can learn the real story of the Great Chicago Fire from the nonfiction back matter in this Girls Survive story. A glossary, discussion questions, and writing prompts are also provided.

A New York Times Bestseller! As seen on The Today Show, Rachael Ray, and Kelly and Michael. From the Emmy-Award winning host of Survivor, Jeff Probst, with Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life co-author, Chris Tebbetts, comes a brand new family adventure series! A family vacation becomes a game of survival! It was supposed to be a vacation--and a chance to get to know each other better. But when a massive storm sets in without warning, four kids are shipwrecked alone on a rocky jungle island in the middle of the South Pacific. No adults. No instructions. Nobody to rely on but themselves. Can they make it home alive? A week ago, the biggest challenge Vanessa, Buzz, Carter, and Jane had was learning to live as a new blended family. Now the four siblings must find a way to work as a team if they're going to make it off the island. They're all in this adventure together--but first they've got to learn to survive one another.   Books in the original Stranded series: Stranded (Book 1) Trial By Fire (Book 2) Survivors (Book 3)  Books in the Stranded, Shadow Island series Forbidden Passage (Book 4) Sabotage (Book 5) Desperate Measures (Book 6)   

Mega bestselling author Angie Sage takes flight with an epic adventure that imagines dragons in the modern world. Includes 9 collectible game cards that unlock an online game! The first in a thrilling multi-author series.Mega bestselling author Angie Sage takes flight with an epic adventure that imagines dragons in the modern world. Includes 9 collectible game cards that unlock an online game! The first in a thrilling multi-author series.Comes with 9 collectible game cards that allow YOU to join the dragon battle!Once our world was full of dragons who lived in harmony with humans. But after a group of rogue dragons, the Raptors, tried to take over Earth, all dragons were banished to another realm.Most humans forgot about the dragons, claiming they never existed. Eleven-year-old Sirin knows the truth -- she grew up with stories passed down through the generations. However, when her mother falls ill, even Sirin has trouble believing in magic . . . until she sees a mysterious streak of silver in the night sky. Sirin becomes the first child to "lock" with a dragon in centuries -- forming a deep friendship unlike anything she's ever imagined. But Sirin learns that not all dragons returned with good intentions, and soon she finds herself at the center of a battle between the dragons who want to protect the humans . . . and those who want to destroy them.

Embark on an epic, dragon-filled adventure where music has the power of enchantment in Book One of the Songs of Magic trilogy. Thirteen-year-old piper, Patch Brightwater, is a boy in disgrace. Thrown in jail for playing a forbidden spell, he is no one's idea of a hero. But then he discovers a deadly truth--the evil Piper responsible for the disappearance of human and dragon children is on the loose! With the help of Wren, a girl cursed to live as a rat, and Barver, a fire-breathing dracogriff, Patch must stop the Piper of Hamelyn from plunging the human and dragon worlds into utter war and chaos. S. A. Patrick's debut children's novel is a brilliant retelling of one of the darkest legends of all time, "The Piper of Hamelyn." Combining folklore with the very best of modern storytelling, A Darkening of Dragons will delight young fans of fantasy who are hungry for sprawling perilous quests, friendships forged on the road, and inventive magic systems to thrill the imagination.

Middle-earth for middle graders! This young reader fantasy series proves you don't have to be brave or powerful to do great things. In a classic fantasy world of anthropomorphic rabbits, three young siblings are on the run from the villainous Gorm tribe who have killed and enslaved their clan. Podkin, once destined to be clan leader, has always been spoiled, but now he must act bravely as he, his older sister, and baby brother flee for their lives. Facing pursuit and treachery, the three collect allies in their search for refuge, until at last they are ready to fight back against the Gorm and attempt to rid the land of an evil scourge. For young fans of Redwall, Warriors, and other classic animal fantasy favorites.

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond the islands in this first novel of a new sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." Identical twins Fifer and Thisbe Stowe have amazing yet uncontrollable magical abilities. They're naturally more gifted than even their brother, Alex, the head mage of Artimé, could hope to be. But when they accidentally use their magic in the jungle of Artimé to strike down a beloved creature, Alex is furious, and threatens to lock them away until they can learn to control their power. The threat is soon forgotten, though, when Hux, the ice blue dragon, comes to Artimé bearing the horrible news that his siblings have been enslaved by the notoriously evil Revinir, ruler of the dragon land. Seeking a chance to right their wrong and escape their brother's wrath, Thisbe, Fifer, and their friend Seth sneak away to rescue the dragons from grave peril. Will their untrained abilities be enough to save the dragons--and themselves--when they come face-to-face with the Revinir?

Cimorene is everything a princess isnotsupposed to be: headstrong, tomboyish, smart. . . . And bored. So bored that she runs away to live with a dragon . . . and finds the family and excitement she's been looking for.

From New York Times bestselling author Amie Kaufman comes the first book in an electrifying series about a brother and sister who must harness their powers and find their place in a sharply divided world. Everyone in Vallen knows that ice wolves and scorch dragons are sworn enemies who live deeply separate lives. So when twelve-year-old orphan Anders takes one elemental form and his twin sister, Rayna, takes another, he wonders whether they are even related. Family or not, Rayna is Anders's only true friend. She's nothing like the brutal, cruel dragons who claimed her as one of their own and stole her away. To rescue her, Anders must enlist at the foreboding Ulfar Academy, a school for young wolves that values loyalty to the pack above all else. But for Anders, loyalty is more complicated than obedience, and friendship is the most powerful shapeshifting force of all. "If you've ever wanted to go on an adventure, read this book." -- Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Young Elites Anders's and Rayna's adventures continue in Elementals: Scorch Dragons, and the dramatic conclusion to the trilogy, Elementals: Battle Born! 

"This middle grade series starter is tailor-made for Harry Potter's fans." --Kirkus Reviews For fans of the Land of Stories and the Wings of Fire Series, this first enchanting adventure from acclaimed novelist Scarlett Thomas is set in a wondrous realm where magic most decidedly exists, a growing evil lurks, and a group of children is destined to save the world. Effie Truelove believes in magic, as does her grandfather Griffin (although he refuses to do any magic, let alone teach Effie how to use it). After a mysterious incident leaves Griffin close to death, Effie is given an unusual silver ring and told she must look after her grandfather's library of rare and powerful books. But then the books fall into the hands of shady scholar Leonard Levar, and Effie is propelled into the most dangerous adventure of her life. Now, Effie and her friends--nerdy Maximilian, rugby-mad Wolf, helpful Lexy, and eccentric Raven--must discover their true powers if they are to get the books back. And Effie alone will have to travel to the Otherworld, where she will uncover the true meaning of the strange old book called Dragon's Green...