- Table View
- List View
When Franny Stands Up: A Novel
by Eden RobinsNamed a Best Book of the Month by Bustle and Buzzfeed!Named one of the best books of 2022 by Chicago Reader and All About Romance!As praised by Book Riot, Autostraddle, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and more!The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel meets A League of Their Own in this inspiring story Buzzfeed calls "a warm hug of a novel." Franny Steinberg knows there's powerful magic in laughter. She's witnessed it. With the men of Chicago off fighting WWII on distant shores, Franny has watched the women of the city taking charge of the war effort. But amidst the war bond sales and factory shifts, something surprising has emerged, something Franny could never have expected. A new marvel that has women flocking to comedy clubs across the nation: the Showstopper.When Franny steps into Chicago's Blue Moon comedy club, she realizes the power of a Showstopper—that specific magic sparked when an audience laughs so hard, they are momentarily transformed. And while each comedian's Showstopper is different, they all have one thing in common: they only work on women.After a traumatic flashback propels her onstage in a torn bridesmaid dress, Franny discovers her own Showstopper is something new. And suddenly she has the power to change everything…for herself, for her audience, and for the people who may need it most.
The Gulf
by Adam de SouzaStaring down the final days of high school, a group of friends run away from home in order to join a commune in this YA graphic novel for ages 14 and up. Stand by Me meets Catcher in the Rye by way of Skim.Ever since Oli found a pamphlet for a remote island commune as a kid, it's all she can think about. Now that she's nearing the end of high school, feeling frustrated with the mounting pressure to choose a career and follow a path she has no interest in, the desire to escape it all has been steadily increasing.Everything comes to a head when Oli's relationship with her best friend goes south and she claps back at a school bully with more than just words. Oli flees to find the commune on a Gulf Island off the coast of Vancouver, taking with her Milo, who can't help but hide his feelings behind the safety of a video camera, and Alvin, a shy teen who sees more than he lets on. Behind them trails Liam, Oli's ex-best-friend and sometimes love interest, who wants to apologize for the way things went down. All four are grappling with a world that cannot be changed . . . and simply trying to find their place in it.This YA anti-coming-of-age road trip adventure, by talented up-and-coming comic artist Adam de Souza, captures at once the angst and humor of being a teen during a time of great transition.
What She Doesn't Know (If Only She Knew Mystery Series #4)
by Pamela CraneYOUR FAVORITE SAVVY SLEUTHS ARE BACK, AND NOTHING CAN PREPARE THEM FOR THE TWIST THAT'S COMING! When her estranged husband shows up on her doorstep, Ginger Mallowan thinks she’s finally getting her happily ever after…until he disappears again and new a threat surfaces. Rick Mallowan had never been the type of father to play catch with his sons. Or the kind of husband to stick around. But when he shows up begging for another chance to win Ginger’s long-retired heart, she can’t deny her first love. He's proven he’s a changed man, and it feels like a dream come true. But a nightmare begins when he vanishes and someone takes revenge out on Ginger and her friends. Unlike Rick's previous disappearing acts, this time he leaves behind a trail of terrifying clues: Cryptic notes exposing secrets that put a target on her back. Bullets aimed at her in a deadly warning. Someone close to her abducted without a trace. Despite the missing years and unanswered questions, nothing can scare Ginger--or her sleuthing sidekick Tara and Deaf daughter-in-law Sloane--away from digging into the past to catch a killer…even if it costs Ginger's heart breaking all over again. As the search dredges up traumatic memories along with shocking clues from the 1970s, will flower power be enough to uncover The Who behind the deaths? While the truth might be dangerous, what she doesn’t know might kill her. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING... "Five gripping stars for the mind-blowing twist and unforgettable cast!" (Redhead Reviews) “This murder-solving trio will grip you! Meet Sloane, a Deaf Insta-famous party planner with a knack for finding evidence. Ginger, an eccentric grandma unafraid to speak her mind. And Tara, a horse rescuer who attracts trouble and fights for the truth. You'll laugh until you pee your pants, stay up past your bedtime, and be hooked until the twist has you reeling!” (reader review) "A witty cozy murder mystery perfect for fans of Nita Prose's The Maid, Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series, and The Thursday Murder Club. Unlike anything you've read, it's guaranteed to keep you on your toes until the twisty end!" (Literary Lover Reviews)
Television Sitcom and Cultural Crisis (Routledge Advances in Television Studies)
by Holly Willson Holladay Chandler L. ClassenThis volume demonstrates that television comedies are conduits through which we might resist normative ways of thinking about cultural crises.By drawing on Gramscian notion of crisis and the understanding that crises are overlapping, interconnected, and mutually constitutive, the essays in this collection demonstrate that situation comedies do more than make us laugh; they also help us understand the complexities of our social world’s moments of crisis. Each chapter takes up the televisual representation of a modern cultural crisis in a contemporary sitcom and is grounded in the extensive body of literature that suggests that levity is a powerful mechanism to make sense of and cope with these difficult cultural experiences.Divided into thematic sections that highlight crises of institutions and systems, identity and representation, and speculation and futurism, this book will interest scholars of media and cultural studies, political economy, communication studies, and humor studies.
The Sofa Troll
by Paul JacobsonHave you ever been sat of your sofa and realised that your TV remote has gone missing? Have your sweets vanished into thin air? Maybe your grown-up can’t find their keys? Well, this book may hold the answer to all these and many more mysteries: The Sofa Troll. Sitting alone on your sofa will never be the same again, after going on an adventure with the crafty little critter, who is happily inhabiting your sofa. He hoards all sorts – from important receipts to your pocket money pound coins. However, after being sucked up in a harrowing hoover incident, the sofa troll’s future is in jeopardy – will he be dumped with the rubbish or can this cute collector relocate and get back to stashing his stuff?
Josh Won’t Wash
by Karen ShandleyWe all remember that childhood phase of eschewing bath time. But what happens when our own kids decide dirt is a badge of honour? This playful book meets little ones in the muck and mire of their no-wash zone, taking parents along on the messy ride. Infused with humour about a universal childhood ritual, Washing Woes breaks the cleanliness standoff gently. It highlights, through chuckles not chiding, the very grown-up importance of washing up. No heavy-handed lecturing here! Instead, this book meets children where they are while bringing parents laughter and wisdom. Whether your offspring is currently waging war with water or would just enjoy giggling through the tribulations of a dirt-loving tyke not unlike themselves, Washing Woes delivers fun for all. It reminds us that while the path to cleanliness brings some funny detours, the destination is a very good place to be. So settle in alongside some sudsy showdown stories, and appreciate anew the critical life lesson masked in bubbly delight: dirty kid today makes for healthy adult tomorrow. Happy washing!
The Gobblewop
by Frances HewittWhat if imagination wasn’t just in our heads? Meet Ally and Fran. They have been best friends for a very long time. Forever, in fact. They do everything together! They sing, dance, laugh and play. They are true BFFs! They especially like writing poetry: One day at school they wrote a poem, about the Gobblewop. He was the strangest creature ever, that came from Planet Plop. But just imagine the girls’ surprise when their magical creation comes to life! Join them on the back of the Gobblewop as they whizz through the most thrilling adventure of a lifetime!
What a Hippopota-Mess! (Orca Echoes)
by Pat Lamondin SkeneThe poems in this book tell stories of animals and nature. From two sweaty hippos, a smiling lizard and some creepy crawlers to a few tricky dandelions. At the end of each poem, find out more in an interview with a key character or a list of fascinating facts. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Beatrice More Moves In (Orca Echoes)
by Alison HughesBeatrice More is no average third-grader. Beatrice is a list-making, hyperorganized perfectionist whose laid-back parents and messy little sister consistently frustrate her high standards. And when a new house, a new neighborhood and new friends are thrown into the mix, Beatrice sends the family into a comic tailspin, all in the name of “professionalism.” Despite her most feverish organizational efforts, Beatrice ultimately discovers that some of the best experiences are the ones you can’t control. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Black Gold (Orca Echoes)
by Sara CassidyBlack Gold is the third book featuring Cyrus and Rudy’s adventures on the farm, following Not for Sale and Blackberry Juice. Cyrus and Rudy spend the last days of summer selling dahlias, blackberries and tomatoes at their roadside stand. When a neighbor drops off a bin full of red wigglers, California earthworms that break down compost into fertilizer, Rudy and Cyrus become worm moguls as they discover just how in demand the Eisenia fetida are. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Crime Club (Orca Soundings)
by Melodie CampbellKey Selling Points Melodie Campbell is the author of the popular Gina Gallo Mystery series and the Arthur Ellis Best Crime novella finalist The B-Team: The Case of the Angry First Wife. The author is a former comedy writer and got her start writing stand-up. Enhanced features (dyslexia-friendly font, cream paper, larger trim size) to increase reading accessibility for dyslexic and other striving readers
Adequate Yearly Progress: A Novel
by Roxanna EldenA debut novel told with humor, intelligence, and heart, a &“funny but insightful look at teachers in the workplace…reminiscent of the TV show The Office but set in an urban high school&” (The Washington Post), perfect for fans of Tom Perrotta and Laurie Gelman.Roxanna Elden&’s &“laugh-out-loud funny satire&” (Forbes) is a brilliantly entertaining and moving look at our education system. Each new school year brings familiar challenges to Brae Hill Valley, a struggling high school in one the biggest cities in Texas. But the teachers also face plenty of personal challenges and this year, they may finally spill over into the classroom. English teacher Lena Wright, a spoken-word poet, can never seem to truly connect with her students. Hernan D. Hernandez is confident in front of his biology classes, but tongue-tied around the woman he most wants to impress. Down the hall, math teacher Maybelline Galang focuses on the numbers as she struggles to parent her daughter, while Coach Ray hustles his troubled football team toward another winning season. Recording it all is idealistic second-year history teacher Kaytee Mahoney, whose anonymous blog gains new readers by the day as it drifts ever further from her in-class reality. And this year, a new superintendent is determined to leave his own mark on the school—even if that means shutting the whole place down.
The Spellman Files: Document #1 (The Spellman Series #1)
by Lisa LutzFrom the award-winning author of The Accomplice and The Passenger comes the first novel in the hilarious Spellman Files mystery series featuring Isabel &“Izzy&” Spellman (part Nancy Drew, part Dirty Harry) and her highly functioning yet supremely dysfunctional family of private investigators.Meet Isabel &“Izzy&” Spellman, private investigator. This twenty-eight-year-old may have a checkered past littered with romantic mistakes, excessive drinking, and creative vandalism; she may be addicted to Get Smart reruns and prefer entering homes through windows rather than doors—but the upshot is she&’s good at her job as a licensed private investigator with her family&’s firm, Spellman Investigations. Invading people&’s privacy comes naturally to Izzy. In fact, it comes naturally to all the Spellmans. If only they could leave their work at the office. To be a Spellman is to snoop on a Spellman; tail a Spellman; dig up dirt on, blackmail, and wiretap a Spellman. Izzy walks an indistinguishable line between Spellman family member and Spellman employee. Duties include: completing assignments from the bosses, aka Mom and Dad (preferably without scrutiny); appeasing her chronically perfect lawyer brother (often under duress); setting an example for her fourteen-year-old sister, Rae (who&’s become addicted to &“recreational surveillance&”); and tracking down her uncle (who randomly disappears on benders dubbed &“Lost Weekends&”). But when Izzy&’s parents hire Rae to follow her (for the purpose of ascertaining the identity of Izzy&’s new boyfriend), Izzy snaps and decides that the only way she will ever be normal is if she gets out of the family business. But there&’s a hitch: she must take one last job before they&’ll let her go—a fifteen-year-old, ice-cold missing person case. She accepts, only to experience a disappearance far closer to home, which becomes the most important case of her life.
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide
by Rupert HolmesA New York Times bestseller! From Edgar Award–winning novelist, playwright, and story-songwriter Rupert Holmes comes a diabolical thriller with a killer concept: The McMasters Conservatory for the Applied Arts, &“a fantasy academy laid out like a combination of Hogwarts, Downton Abbey, and a White Lotus–style resort&” (Los Angeles Times) dedicated to the art of murder where students study how best to &“delete&” their most deserving victim.Who hasn&’t wondered for a split second what the world would be like if a person who is the object of your affliction ceased to exist? But then you&’ve probably never heard of The McMasters Conservatory, dedicated to the consummate execution of the homicidal arts. To gain admission, a student must have an ethical reason for erasing someone who deeply deserves a fate no worse (nor better) than death. The campus of this &“Poison Ivy League&” college—its location unknown to even those who study there—is where you might find yourself the practice target of a classmate…and where one&’s mandatory graduation thesis is getting away with the perfect murder of someone whose death will make the world a much better place to live. Prepare for an education you&’ll never forget. A &“fiendishly funny&” (Booklist) mix of witty wordplay, breathtaking twists and genuine intrigue, Murder Your Employer will gain you admission into a wholly original world, cocooned within the most entertaining book about well-intentioned would-be murderers you&’ll ever read.
Damned
by Chuck Palahniuk&“As gleefully, vividly, hilariously obscene as you'd expect. . . . Irreverent and hugely entertaining." —NPR From the bestselling author of Fight Club comes a dark and brilliant satire about adolescence, Hell, and the Devil. Madison is the thirteen-year-old daughter of a narcissistic film star and a billionaire. Abandoned at her Swiss boarding school over Christmas, she dies over the holiday, presumably of a marijuana overdose. The last thing she remembers is getting into a town car and falling asleep. Then she's waking up in Hell. Literally. Madison soon finds that she shares a cell with a motley crew of young sinners: a cheerleader, a jock, a nerd, and a punk rocker, united by their doomed fate, like an afterschool detention for the damned. Together they form an odd coalition and march across the unspeakable landscape of Hell--full of used diapers, dandruff, WiFi blackout spots, evil historical figures, and one horrific call center--to confront the Devil himself.
No Place Like Rome: A Cozy Mystery Novel (A Lexi Carmichael Mystery #3)
by Julie MoffettTwo secret agents must find the missing puzzle piece in an international investigation while keeping their hands off each other in this cozy mystery rom-com by Juliet Moffet!Italy might seem like a long way to go to hide after a disastrous date. But when sexy Ÿberhacker Slash (no, that&’s not his real name) asks me to go with him to Rome on an investigation, the timing is sort of perfect. My messed-up love life becomes the least of my worries, though, after the dead body, the near-kidnapping and the discovery of a top secret encrypted file that even I can&’t hack.With time running out, there&’s only one thing to do: call in the legendary Zimmerman twins and my best fluent-in-Italian friend, Basia, to crack the code. Now if only someone could help me solve the mystery of whether Slash is flirting, or if all the kissing is just one of those &“when in Rome&” things…But when we finally uncover the secret someone would kill to keep, it&’s up to me to solve the case and save the lives of my best friends.Previously PublishedDon't miss the rest of the adventures in the Lexi Carmichael series: Book 1: No One Lives Twice Book 2: No One to Trust Book 3: No Place Life Rome Book 4: No Biz like Showbiz Book 5: No Test for the Wicked And more!
No One Lives Twice: A Cozy Mystery Novel (A Lexi Carmichael Mystery #1)
by Julie MoffettAn ex-NSA agent and a weathly lawyer must find a missing person in this cozy mystery rom-com by Juliet Moffet! I&’m Lexi Carmichael, geek extraordinaire. I spend my days stopping computer hackers at the National Security Agency. My nights? Those I spend avoiding my mother and eating cereal for dinner. Even though I work for a top-secret agency, I&’ve never been in an exciting car chase, sipped a stirred (not shaken) martini, or shot a poison dart from an umbrella.Until today, that is, when my best friend disappeared. So, I&’ve enlisted the help of the Zimmerman twins—the reclusive architects of America&’s most sensitive electronic networks—to help me navigate a bewildering maze of leads to find her.Along the way, my path collides with a sexy government agent and a rich, handsome lawyer, both of whom seem to have the hots for me. Hacking, espionage, sexy spy-men—it&’s a geek girl&’s dream come true…Previously PublishedDon't miss the rest of the adventures in the Lexi Carmichael series: Book 1: No One Lives Twice Book 2: No One to Trust Book 3: No Place Life Rome Book 4: No Biz like Showbiz Book 5: No Test for the Wicked And more!
No One to Trust: A Cozy Mystery Novel (A Lexi Carmichael Mystery #2)
by Julie MoffettA reformed NSA agent must solve the next case before she becomes the next victim in this beloved cozy mystery rom-com by Juliet Moffet!SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek.That&’s me, Lexi Carmichael. But a series of extraordinary events led me to leave government life behind for a fresh start with a brand-new. It may not be cool to have the hots for your new boss, but Finn Shaughnessy seems to have the hots for me, too. If only things didn&’t get so complicated...Darren Greening, a genius researcher from Flow Technologies (our first client!) is missing, and his bosses think I&’m involved. And they aren&’t the only ones—the man who nearly snapped my neck in the parking garage thinks so, too.Now I&’m caught in the middle of a complex and dangerous case. I&’ll have to use all my geek skills and a little help from my friends to solve the mystery of Darren&’s disappearance before Neck-Snapping-Man makes a return visit...Previously PublishedDon't miss the rest of the adventures in the Lexi Carmichael series: Book 1: No One Lives Twice Book 2: No One to Trust Book 3: No Place Life Rome Book 4: No Biz like Showbiz Book 5: No Test for the Wicked And more!
I Made These Ants Some Underpants!
by Derick WilderThe creative team behind Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt? returns with a raucous tale of radical generosity—and custom undies!What's a kid to do when given a day-of-the-week underwear set—wear Monday's undies on Monday, Tuesday's undies on Tuesday like a rule-following robot? No sirree bob! He'll cut and craft, snip and sew until every single one of his friends—from an octopus to a piggy bank to, yes, a line of ants—has their own pair of underwear, whether they want them or not. . . . One boy's valiant attempts to create a pair of underpants for each of his buddies, no matter how imaginary, is a laugh-out-loud testament to the devotion of friendship, the creative muse, and the power of underwear to unite even the least likely of allies—especially on the days you don't want to wear them.UNIVERSAL, TIMELESS HUMOR: Underpants and underpants-related humor are evergreen themes, and the witty, satisfying rhymes plus the unabashed appeal to the hilarity of underwear make this book irresistible to kids and adults alike. GREAT READ ALOUD: The rhyme and rhythm of the text make for a great read-aloud book, and with funny illustrations featuring extra jokes, kids will want to revisit this book forever and ever. It's the type of book that never gets old, for parent or child. CLEVER WORDPLAY AND WARM MESSAGE: This story isn't simply a repetition of the same joke or word. Instead, it's a clever way of using one funny subject in several ways. Its focus on friendship, generosity, and imagination makes it as endearing as it is hilariousJOKES FOR EVERYONE: This text speaks to a juvenile sense of humor without giving any opportunity for kids to add crass potty jokes of their own.EXPERT AUTHOR, POPULAR ILLUSTRATOR: The author is the creator of FitLit Kids, Reading Giraffe, and Playball, literacy initiatives that seek to make new readers. The illustrator is the artist of many popular books for kids, including Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?Perfect for:Fans of funny books for kids and rhyming picture booksParents, grandparents, and caregiversEducators and librarians seeking children's books to engage reluctant readersFans of Longest Letsgoboy, Does a Bulldozer Have a Butt?, Pete the Cat books, and the wonderfully silly stories of Mo Willems and Laura NumeroffGiving as a birthday, holiday, back-to-school or end-of-year classroom gift
Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants: 45 Unfussy Plants That Are Easy to Grow and Hard to Kill
by Holly Theisen-JonesFor those who want to take care of houseplants but can hardly take care of themselves, The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants is the perfect handbook for even the most greenery-inept individual.We all love the idea of houseplants, and maybe you've stood by helplessly as a cactus went all slimy or you've endured the perpetual indoor autumn of an unhappy Ficus. Good news—all of the plants in this book have two things in common: They're easy to find and hard to kill.The benefits of plant ownership are legion. Studies indicate just being around plants creates a relaxing effect on people. And plants make great roommates—no Peace Lily will ever criticize you for quitting your workout video to go finish a box of Triscuits. Does your bedroom have a mattress on the floor and Christmas lights taped to the wall? Put a Money Tree in the corner. Instant upgrade! Are you a corporate lackey trapped under fluorescent lights and a drop-tile ceiling? A colorful Calathea or a chunky little Aloe could help restore your will to live. The Green Dumb Guide to Houseplants is full of useful advice, crucial dos and don'ts, and realistic inspiration for all budgets and attention spans—ensuring success to even the most risk-averse, commitment-phobic indoor gardeners.THE EASIEST POSSIBLE GUIDE TO LEARNING THE BASICS OF PLANT CARE: No skills needed, except knowing how to read this book.FORTY-FIVE HOUSEPLANT PROFILES: EACH ONE EASY TO FIND AND HARD TO KILL: Divided into difficulty sections ranging from "Practically Plastic," "Chill," "Fussy," or "Master Gardener" (only one of those!), this handy houseplant book ensures you choose the right plant for your level of commitment.IF ALL ELSE FAILS, A BONUS SECTION ON HOW TO CHOOSE PLASTIC PLANTS: Shade doesn't only come from plants! Take your absolutely true advice with a healthy dose of humor.Perfect for:Everyone who has ever tried and failed to grow houseplantsDIY decoratorsAnyone starting out in a new home or apartmentA great gift for grads, newlyweds, and hosts or hostesses (along with a plant, of course)
Oh No, the Aunts Are Here
by Adam RexEvery family has its special aunt: the cool aunt, the wacky aunt, the scary aunt. But this family has ALL THE AUNTS. Shhh, listen. Do you hear that?Oh no. Oh dear. Oh . . . my . . . godmother. They've traveled on planes, in taxis, and across state lines. And now they're here at the doorstep, a cheesy gift in one hand, the other poised for a pinch on the cheek.IT'S THE AUNTS! THE AUNTS ARE HERE. One girl's all-too-recognizable experience—a visit from a troupe of overwhelming and overly enthusiastic relations—escalates to new heights of chaos, absurdity, and delight in a laugh-out-loud take on family reunions. Written with signature humor by Adam Rex and illustrated by Lian Cho, this picture book is a celebration of the universal and endearing strangeness of family.MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY SHENANIGANS: The antics of our silliest family members are never not funny. This uniquely hilarious and authentic observation of aunts and uncles sets this book apart from other sweet family-based stories, which tend to take a more sentimental approach.LAUGH-OUT-LOUD FAMILY FUN: This book provides a truly different kind of lightheartedness and is perfect for those who love Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA and Goodnight Already. Any family can enjoy and bond over the common experience this book speaks to so humorously.GREAT READ-ALOUD: This book's irrepressible rhythm and its witty observations make it perfect for family read-alouds or library reading circles.BELOVED AUTHOR: Adam Rex books are beloved by librarians, booksellers, and readers of all ages. He is the creator of many modern classics, including School's First Day of School, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, and The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors.FUN FOR KIDS: Even for families with normal aunts or no aunts at all, the quirky situations this character faces, and the ways her aunts save the day, will delight any child reader.Perfect for:Parents, grandparents, aunts, and unclesLibrarians and teachers seeking funny picture books to shareAnyone looking for humorous illustrated children's books or read-aloud family booksBirthday, holiday, or Mother's Day gift for aunts, nieces, nephews, or for the familyFans of Adam Rex, Mo Willems, Drew Daywalt, Mac Barnett, Jory John, and Kevin Henkes
The Apartment House on Poppy Hill
by Nina LaCourWinner of the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ+ Children's Literature A charming new chapter book by bestselling author Nina LaCour. Welcome to 1106 Wildflower Place: It is no ordinary apartment house, but you, reader, are no ordinary visitor. So, please, come in!Two new tenants have just arrived, and nine-year-old Ella is determined to help them settle in. Who better to teach them about the glitchy lights and the nighttime noises? After all, Ella knows all the neighbors. Well, almost all. No one has met the mysterious Robinsons who live on the top floor. Will a special neighborly celebration change all that? This bighearted chapter book by bestselling author Nina LaCour, highlighted by lively illustrations throughout, celebrates community, friendship, family, and home. It is a place of walking dogs that aren't yours, keeping surprises secret, and making everyone feel welcome.Here, the eccentric joy of Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City merges seamlessly with the antic fun of Ivy + Bean, the family tenderness of The Penderwicks, and the madcap adventure of Eloise in an irresistible story that will leave you eager for the next one!BESTSELLING, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Nina LaCour is a highly acclaimed author of both YA and adult novels. This is her first novel for younger readers and a terrific introduction of a talented writer to the next generation.HILARIOUSLY UNIVERSAL: Ella is a strong protagonist that readers of all ages and genders will love. She is bighearted, curious, and just a tad mischievous.DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Featuring many different family structures, this story is wonderfully diverse and inclusive. Any reader can imagine themselves living at 1106 Wildflower Place.DRAWN FROM AUTHOR'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The charming characters and their stories were conjured by LaCour and her young daughter during the long walks they took through San Francisco during the early days of Covid-19 and inspired by the people they encountered along the way.Perfect for:Parents, teachers, and librariansGift-givers looking for entertaining chapter books for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heartReaders who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Clementine, Judy Moody, and Junie B. Jones
Roctogenarians: Late in Life Debuts, Comebacks, and Triumphs
by Mo Rocca Jonathan GreenbergFrom beloved CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Mo Rocca, author of New York Times bestseller Mobituaries, comes an inspiring collection of stories that celebrates the triumphs of people who made their biggest marks late in life. Eighty has been the new sixty for about twenty years now. In fact, there have always been late-in-life achievers, those who declined to go into decline just because they were eligible for social security. Journalist, humorist, and history buff Mo Rocca and coauthor Jonathan Greenberg introduce us to the people past and present who peaked when they could have been puttering—breaking out as writers, selling out concert halls, attempting to set land-speed records—and in the case of one ninety-year tortoise, becoming a first-time father. (Take that, Al Pacino!) In the vein of Mobituaries, Roctogenarians is a collection of entertaining and unexpected profiles of these unretired titans—some long gone (a cancer-stricken Henri Matisse, who began work on his celebrated cut-outs when he could no longer paint), some very much still living (Mel Brooks, yukking it up at close to one hundred). The amazing cast of characters also includes Mary Church Terrell, who at eighty-six helped lead sit-ins at segregated Washington, DC, lunch counters in the 1950s, and Carol Channing, who married the love of her life at eighty-two. Then there&’s Peter Mark Roget, who began working on his thesaurus in his twenties and completed it at seventy-three (because sometimes finding the right word takes time.) With passion and wonder Rocca and Greenberg recount the stories of yesterday&’s and today&’s strongest finishers. Because with all due respect to the Golden Girls, some people will never be content sitting out on the lanai. (PS Actress Estelle Getty was sixty-two when she got her big break. And yes, she&’s in the book.)
Much Ado about Barbecue (An Ellery Novel #6)
by Sally KilpatrickReturn to Ellery, Tennessee for Sally Kilpatrick’s saucy new novel about two warring barbecue houses.Emma Sutton promised herself three things: she would never move back to Ellery, never work in the family barbecue restaurant, and never have anything to do with Ben Cates ever again. Losing her job and her home might’ve forced her to break the first two, but she’s determined to keep the third.Unlike Emma, Ben Cates has made peace with his hometown. He wants nothing more than to make his restaurant something his father couldn’t: a success. But between his hellraising little sister and Emma Sutton’s return to Ellery, his dream could easily be snatched away.Emma and Ben might’ve made each other’s childhood a living hell with their endless pranks, but the only way to finally get rid of the other is to win the coveted contract for Ellery’s annual barbecue festival. Seems easy enough—until attraction ignites like a charcoal flame, and happiness seeps in like a surprising new flavor.Can they find the courage to forgive bitter past mistakes and let trust into the mix, or will devastating secrets burn everything down again?