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Sam and Chester: How a Mischievous Pig Transformed the Life of My Autistic Son
by Jo Bailey-MerrittWhen Sam Bailey-Merritt was just two years old, almost overnight he lost the ability to communicate or function. His mother, Jo, was at a loss as to what to do as she saw her son grow increasingly isolated and begin to suffer from uncontrollable meltdowns. Eventually, Sam was diagnosed with autism.Sam's condition continued to worsen and, just when Jo had all but given up hope of being able to help him, the family went on a day trip to a nearby miniature pig farm. Sam immediately bonded with a tiny ginger piglet called Chester, who stood sad and alone, apart from the rest of the litter. The connection between the boy and the animal was immediate and their unusual friendship blossomed from the moment the family brought Chester home. The tiny pig refused to leave Sam's side - it was as if he knew that Sam needed a friend. And, for the first time in five years, Jo saw her son really laugh.While Sam's confidence grew, Chester grew in a different way: the micro pig that was supposed to become the size of a Cocker Spaniel in fact ballooned to three times that size - with hilarious consequences for the family! Chester has turned Sam's life around. He now has the ability to communicate his feelings, make friends and is caring and kind towards others.Sam and Chester is the heart-warming story of how a teacup-sized ginger pig helped to transform the life of a boy with autism. It is the emotional story of a mother's fight to win back her son.
Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight
by Shannon GibneySix-year-old Sam, with his Liberian dad and African American mom, finds a way to bring everyone in his cross-cultural family together at the dinner tableRice and okra soup: Sam&’s auntie from Liberia made it, and it&’s Dad&’s favorite. Mom, homegrown in Minnesota, made spaghetti and meatballs. And Sam? He&’s just hungry, but no matter what he chooses to eat, someone will be disappointed. Caught in the middle of his family&’s African and American food fight, Sam gets a little help from his grumbling stomach—and readers of this seriously funny book by Shannon Gibney get a peek at cultures colliding in a family kitchen that work out in a very delicious way. Charly Palmer&’s vibrant and captivating illustrations make this gentle lesson in getting along a bright and colorful visual feast as well.Cassava leaf torbogee or homemade sausage pizza? Sam&’s family recipes bring Sam and the Incredible African and American Food Fight to an apt and happy ending—and readers can decide which dinner is best. But, really, why not both?
Sam & Ilsa's Last Hurrah
by David Levithan Rachel Cohn<P>Siblings Sam and Ilsa Kehlmann have spent most of their high school years throwing parties for their friends--and now they've prepared their final blowout, just before graduation. <P>The rules are simple: each twin gets to invite three guests, and the other twin doesn't know who's coming until the partiers show up at the door. With Sam and Ilsa, the sibling revelry is always tempered with a large dose of sibling rivalry, and tonight is no exception. <P>One night. One apartment. Eight people. What could possibly go wrong? Oh, we all know the answer is plenty. But plenty also goes right, as well...in rather surprising ways.
Sam Makes Trouble (The Adventures of Benny and Watch #9)
by Gertrude Chandler Warner Kay LifeBenny is excited when his friend Tyler and his little brother Sam come to play. Tyler warns Benny that two-year-old Sam can be a handful, but Benny doesn't think he looks too bad. When Sam ruins their puzzle and then disappears, Benny realizes Tyler is right. Sam is bad news! Will Benny and Watch be able to find Sam before he makes even more trouble? This is a fixed-format ebook, which preserves the design and layout of the original print book.
Samantha Learns a Lesson: A School Story (The American Girls Collection)
by Susan S. AdlerSamantha is determined to help 9-year-old Nellie, attending school for the first time, with her school work and learns what it's like to be a poor child and work in a factory.
Samantha Sanderson At the Movies (FaithGirlz / Samantha Sanderson)
by Robin CarollSam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, and so she’s always looking for articles she can publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become editor). And with a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply for writing material. It seemed like the perfect opportunity. When an explosive device is found in the local theater, Sam gets the lead on this developing and controversial story—controversial because the movie theater has recently come under attack by a renowned, outspoken atheist for allowing a local church to show Christian movies. Sam’s police-officer father happens to be heading the investigation, and Sam can’t resist doing some sleuthing of her own with the help of her best friend Makayla’s techno-genius. But when Sam’s theories end up being printed in the school paper, she lands in big trouble—and danger!
Samantha Sanderson Off the Record
by Robin CarollSam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, so she’s always looking for articles to publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become chief editor). With a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply of writing material. In the third book of the Samantha Sanderson series, when the school’s grades were tampered with, Sam must enlist Makayla’s help in hacking the system to discover the virus that was used and who committed the crime. But when the lead suspect is her newfound friend, Felicia, Sam must choose whether to stick by her friends at all costs or report the story as she sees it. The Samantha Sanderson series is about an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams. Each book touches on a crime straight from headlines, from bomb threats to bullying, while following Samantha and her friends as they navigate middle-school and questions of faith.
Samantha Sanderson On the Scene (FaithGirlz / Samantha Sanderson)
by Robin CarollWhat if getting to the bottom of a mystery means learning how to love your enemy? As Samantha and the rest of the middle schoolers prepare for the upcoming Spring Fest, “mean girl” Nikki faces the reality that her parents are getting divorced. Samantha has a hard time sympathizing—Nikki has never been very nice to anyone, let alone Samantha. But when Nikki becomes victim of a string of attacks, Sam takes it upon herself and uses her super sleuth abilities to get to the bottom of the bullying. After all, articles on bullying are just what the school paper needs instead of all that silly fluff like popularity tips. Samantha enlists the help of her tech-savvy BFF, Makayla, but while the two track down clues, they leave a trail of trouble behind—and may even be directly responsible for the break-in of their very own school’s computer lab! Samantha Sanderson is a resourceful seventh grader with the extraordinary dream to become an aspiring award-winning journalist. Sam and her best friend, Makayla, are always sniffing out the next big mystery to report in the school paper—that is, when they aren’t busy navigating the crazy world of middle school, faith, and friends.
Samantha Sanderson Without a Trace (FaithGirlz / Samantha Sanderson)
by Robin CarollSam Sanderson is an independent, resourceful, high-tech cheerleader. She dreams of becoming an award-winning journalist like her mother, so she’s always looking for articles to publish in her middle-school paper (where she secretly hopes to become chief editor). With a police officer for a father, Sam is in no short supply of writing material.In the fourth book of the Faithgirlz Samantha Sanderson series, Sam’s friend Tam Lee is missing. As the days pass, all clues seem to point to something sinister in Sam’s opinion. Sam must decide whether to do what everyone wants her to and let law enforcement continue to work as though Tam is a run-away. Or should Sam follow her heart and keep poking around looking for more clues?The Samantha Sanderson series is about an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams. Each book touches on a crime straight from headlines, from bomb threats to bullying, while following Samantha and her friends as they navigate middle-school and questions of faith.
Samantha Saves the Wedding (American Girls Short Stories #11)
by Valerie Tripp<P>Uncle Gard and Cornelia are getting married. Samantha vows she'll let nothing spoil Cornelia's day. When a disaster threatens to ruin the ceremony, Samantha has a plan that saves the wedding. <P><P>After you read Samantha's story, learn how to make a tussie-mussie just like the one Samantha carried in Cornelia's wedding.
Samantha Spinner and the Boy in the Ball (Samantha Spinner #3)
by Russell GinnsGet ready for more round-the-world adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the third book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.At last! Samantha Spinner tracked down her uncle! Now it's her big chance to learn everything. And now that he's safe and sound, it's time to get some answers.There are so many questions to ask--it's almost impossible to know where to start. Where did the RAIN come from? And what about the SUN? Who made the umbrella and all the incredible ways to travel? What did Uncle Paul mean when he told her to watch out for the...Wait a minute. Nipper's missing. Where did he go? What's that strange trail of yarn? Can't a girl take her eyes off her super-annoying little brother for ten minutes?(If you've been paying attention, then you know that the answer to that last question is "No! Of course not!")Praise for the Samantha Spinner series:"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles . . . [that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews"Wild, wacky, and occasionally gross." --The Bulletin
Samantha Spinner and the Perplexing Pants (Samantha Spinner #4)
by Russell GinnsTake another super-big globe-trotting, plaid pants spotting adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the fourth book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series! Perfect for fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and the Secret series, and classics like Holes and The Westing Game.Samantha Spinner's Uncle Paul has gone missing again. But this time, he left behind a yellow mitten and a note: Watch out for the SNOW!That's weird, especially because they're in Seattle . . . and it's the middle of summer!Samantha has defeated ninjas, battled clowns, and faced down daredevils. But with the sinister SNOW, she may have met her math!*A puzzling uncle, a mission to Michigan, and a mysterious mitten. Let's hope Samantha's super-annoying brother can lend her a hand with . . . the PERPLEXING PANTS!*That's a super-secret clue.
Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs (Samantha Spinner #2)
by Russell GinnsGet ready for more round-the-world adventure with Samantha Spinner and her brother, Nipper, in the second book in this hilarious, puzzle-packed series filled with super-secret messages! Perfect for fans of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and classics like Holes.When Samantha Spinner's uncle Paul disappeared, he left presents for his nieces and nephew. Samantha's sister, Buffy, got $2,400,000,000. Her brother, Nipper, got the New York Yankees. Samantha got . . . a rusty old umbrella.Wow! So unfair, Uncle Paul.Well, it seemed unfair--until Samantha discovered that the old umbrella holds the plans for a super-secret network of transit systems that covers the globe. It's the ticket to danger and adventure beyond anyone's wildest dreams.But Uncle Paul is still missing. And Samantha just received a new gift from him: a pair of strange purple sunglasses. Are they another powerful present? A clue to his whereabouts? Or just a bad fashion choice? Samantha and Nipper need to figure it out fast, because . . . here comes the SUN!Praise for Samantha Spinner and the Super Secret Plans, Book 1 in the Samantha Spinner series:"A winning mix of fast-paced action, fascinating facts, bathroom humor, and hidden puzzles . . . [that is] sure to please action-loving middle-grade readers." --Kirkus Reviews"Full of adventure and survival . . . [and with] characters [who] are likable, realistic, and well rounded . . . [Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans is] great for [readers of] series like The 39 Clues." --School Library Journal
Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans (Samantha Spinner #1)
by Barbara Fisinger Russell GinnsFor fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and the Secret series, and classics like Holes and The Westing Game, the first book in a hilarious new series about a girl, her brother, and some super-big globe-trotting adventures.Samantha Spinner's Uncle Paul disappeared, and here's what he left: * Samantha's sister got a check for $2,400,000,000. * Samantha's brother got the New York Yankees. * And Samantha got a rusty red umbrella with a tag hanging off its worn handle. The tag says "Watch out for the RAIN." Thanks a lot, Uncle Paul. After all the strawberry waffles, stories, and puzzles they've shared, how could he just leave without saying goodbye? And what is the meaning of that mysterious message? The answer is simple. Sam knows in her heart that Uncle Paul is in danger. And if he taught her anything, it's that not everything is exactly what it seems. Which is why we should pay close attention to that rusty red umbrella. The RAIN is coming and Samantha Spinner is about to find herself mixed up in some super-important, super-dangerous, super-secret plans.And don't miss what happens next to Samantha, Nipper, and Dennis in Samantha Spinner and the Spectacular Specs!
Samantha's Blue Bicycle
by Valerie TrippSamantha is delighted with her new bicycle. Every time she rides it, her petticoats get tangled and she falls. Just when she plans to give up biking forever, Grandmary has an astonishing idea! In addition to a good story, this book contains historical notes on bicycles. Do you know why a bike was once called a boneshaker? An excellent book for a book report. If you'd like to taste some of the foods which Samantha might have eaten, snag "Samantha's Cookbook," also at Bookshare. You'll find other books about Samantha, too.
Samantha's Surprise: A Christmas Story (The American Girls Collection)
by Maxine Rose SchurUncle Gard's friend Cornelia is ruining Samantha's Christmas. But Christmas morning brings surprises!
Samantha's Winter Party (American Girls Short Stories #5)
by Valerie TrippWhen Samantha planned a party, she never planned on leaving her best friend, Nellie, out. Samantha and her friends plan a party with a gift exchange, but Nellie, a servant girl, doesn't have any money for presents. Find out how she still manages to surprise them all anyway. Includes a peek into the past and a craft activity.
Same As It Ever Was: The immersive and joyful new novel from the author of Reese’s Bookclub pick THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD
by Claire Lombardo'Witty and insightful. A powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self'BONNIE GARMUS, author of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY'It was such a pleasure to bury myself in this book, a literary novel of family life which moved and surprised me' CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURES'Such a wonderful book . . . It absolutely floored me. What a joy to let a writer of such talent suffuse us with a life's worth of humour and pain, affection and mess' JESSIE BURTON, author of THE MINIATURIST'A family saga to save as a treat and devour when you should be doing something else'INDEPENDENT At fifty-seven, Julia Ames has found herself with an improbably lovely life. Despite her inclination towards self-sabotage, she has a husband she loves, two happy children and a quiet, contented existence in the suburbs.But, out of the blue, things begin to change.Her always well-behaved son, Ben, is acting strangely, and will soon make a shocking announcement. Her beloved but belligerent teenage daughter is about to depart for college. And, in the local grocery store, Julia encounters a woman she hasn't seen for 20 years - a woman whose friendship was once both her lifeline and, very nearly, her downfall.All of a sudden, Julia's peaceful family setup and her long, affection-filled marriage face imminent derailment from events both past and present.The author of The Most Fun We Ever Had returns with another brilliantly observed family drama, which examines the complete and complicated trajectory of one woman's life and asks what it takes to make - and to not break - a family.
Same As It Ever Was: The immersive and joyful new novel from the author of Reese’s Bookclub pick THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD
by Claire Lombardo'Witty and insightful. A powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self'BONNIE GARMUS, author of LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY''It was such a pleasure to bury myself in this book, a literary novel of family life which moved and surprised me. You read on ravenously'CLARE CHAMBERS, author of SMALL PLEASURESThe author of THE MOST FUN WE EVER HAD returns with a brilliantly observed family drama, in which a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present At fifty-seven, Julia Ames has found herself with an improbably lovely life. Despite her inclination towards self-sabotage, she has a husband she loves, two happy children and a quiet, contented existence in the suburbs.But, out of the blue, things begin to change.Her always well-behaved son, Ben, is acting strangely, and will soon make a shocking announcement.Her beloved but belligerent teenage daughter is about to depart for college, leaving Julia unexpectedly terrified of an empty nest.And, in the local grocery store, Julia encounters a woman she hasn't seen for 20 years - a woman whose friendship was once both her lifeline and, very nearly, her downfall.Consumed with her checkered past and the chaos of her present, Julia starts to spin out of control, at risk of destroying all she most loves.Following Julia over the course of a few tumultuous months, bookended by a birthday party and a wedding, and examining the fifty-plus years before, Same as It Ever Was examines the complete and complicated trajectory of one woman's life and asks what it takes to make - and to not break - a family.PRAISE FOR CLAIRE LOMBARDO: 'A literary love child of Jonathan Franzen and Anne Tyler' GUARDIAN'Lombardo juggles a huge cast of characters with seeming effortlessness, bringing each to life with humour, vividness and acute psychological insight' MADELINE MILLER, author of SONG OF ACHILLES'Lombardo has a wry, often spiky humour and tightly written style that should appeal to fans of Maria Semple, Emma Straub and Jennifer Egan' SUNDAY TIMES
Same As It Ever Was: A Novel
by Claire LombardoNATIONAL BESTSELLER • NAMED A BEST BOOK BY PEOPLE AND PARADE • The New York Times bestselling author of The Most Fun We Ever Had (&“wonderfully immersive…deliciously absorbing&”—NPR) returns with another brilliantly observed family drama in which the enduring, hard-won affection of a long marriage faces imminent derailment from events both past and present.&“Infidelity, dysfunction, secrets – this family novel delivers."—The New York Times • "Lombardo has such a fine eye for the weft and warp of a family&’s fabric." —The Washington Post • &“Witty and insightful...a powerful exploration of marriage, motherhood, and self.&”–Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of Lessons in ChemistrySame As It Ever Was showcases the consummate style, signature wit, and profound emotional intelligence that made The Most Fun We Ever Had one of the most beloved novels of the past decade. Featuring a memorably messy family and the multifaceted marriage at its heart, Lombardo&’s debut was dubbed &“the literary love child of Jonathan Franzen and Anne Tyler&” (The Guardian) and hailed as &“ambitious and brilliantly written&” (Washington Post). In this remarkable follow-up—another elegant and tumultuous story in the tradition of Elizabeth Strout, Ann Patchett, and Celeste Ng—Lombardo introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters, this time by way of her singularly complicated protagonist.Julia Ames, after a youth marked by upheaval and emotional turbulence, has found herself on the placid plateau of mid-life. But Julia has never navigated the world with the equanimity of her current privileged class. Having nearly derailed herself several times, making desperate bids for the kind of connection that always felt inaccessible to her, she finally feels, at age fifty seven, that she has a firm handle on things.She&’s unprepared, though, for what comes next: a surprise announcement from her straight-arrow son, an impending separation from her spikey teenaged daughter, and a seductive resurgence of the past, all of which threaten to draw her back into the patterns that had previously kept her on a razor&’s edge.Same As It Ever Was traverses the rocky terrain of real life, —exploring new avenues of maternal ambivalence, intergenerational friendship, and the happenstantial cause-and-effect that governs us all. Delving even deeper into the nature of relationships—how they grow, change, and sometimes end—Lombardo proves herself a true and definitive cartographer of the human heart and asserts herself among the finest novelists of her generation.
Same Beach, Next Year: A Novel
by Dorothea Benton Frank<P>New York Times bestselling author Dorothea Benton Frank returns to her magical Lowcountry of South Carolina in this bewitching story of marriage, love, family, and friendship that is infused with her warm and engaging earthy humor and generous heart. <P>One enchanted summer, two couples begin a friendship that will last more than twenty years and transform their lives. A chance meeting on the Isle of Palms, one of Charleston’s most stunning barrier islands, brings former sweethearts, Adam Stanley and Eve Landers together again. Their respective spouses, Eliza and Carl, fight sparks of jealousy flaring from their imagined rekindling of old flames. As Adam and Eve get caught up on their lives, their partners strike up a deep friendship—and flirt with an unexpected attraction—of their own. <P>Year after year, Adam, Eliza, Eve, and Carl eagerly await their reunion at Wild Dunes, a condominium complex at the island’s tip end, where they grow closer with each passing day, building a friendship that will withstand financial catastrophe, family tragedy, and devastating heartbreak. The devotion and love they share will help them weather the vagaries of time and enrich their lives as circumstances change, their children grow up and leave home, and their twilight years approach. <P>Bursting with the intoxicating richness of Dorothea Benton Frank’s beloved Lowcountry—the sultry sunshine, cool ocean breezes, icy cocktails, and starry velvet skies—Same Beach, Next Year is a dazzling celebration of the infrangible power of friendship, the enduring promise of summer, and the indelible bonds of love. <P><b>A New York Times Bestseller</b>
The Same Bright Stars: A Novel
by Ethan JoellaFrom the author of the Read with Jenna Bonus Pick A Little Hope, an uplifting and emotionally resonant novel set in a Delaware beach town about a local restaurant owner at a turning point.Three generations of Schmidts have run their family&’s beachfront restaurant and Jack has been at the helm since the death of his father. Jack puts the demands of the restaurant above all else, with a string of failed relationships, no hobbies, and no days off as proof of his commitment to the place. He can&’t remember the last time he sat on the beach, or even enjoyed a moment to himself. Meanwhile, the DelDine group has been gradually snapping up beloved eateries along this stretch of coast and are pursuing Jack with a very generous offer to take Schmidt&’s off his hands. Jack craves companionship and maybe even a family. He wonders if closing the door on the restaurant might open a new window for him. But who would he be without Schmidt&’s, and can he trust DelDine&’s claims that they will continue to employ his staff and honor his family&’s legacy? When he receives startling news from the past, Jack begins to reshape his life and forge unexpected new friendships. But will he really let go of the very things that have defined him?
The Same but Different: How Twins Can Live, Love and Learn to Be Individuals
by Joan A. FriedmanDo you sometimes resent your twin and then feel guilty about it? Are you frustrated that no one understands what it's like to be a twin? People think being a twin is mysterious, fun, and magical, but in reality, twin relationships can be difficult to navigate. The Same but Different offers insights on and solutions to the challenges that arise when young adult twins are expected to be independent, self-assured "singletons" after having been raised as twins. Written to help twins, their families, and significant others interested in understanding more about the intricacies of adult twin relationships, this book * Instructs twins how to have an honest and authentic relationship * Explains why twins may feel disappointed about friendships that do not match the twin connection * Reveals how influential twin connections are in the choice of a spouse, profession, and place to live * Offers tips and strategies to navigate the issues of separation, individuality, and codependence * Provides insight and understanding to families and significant others coping with twin struggles "Presents a stunning, in-depth look at the lives of adult twins as they face the twin challenges of closeness and independence, love and resentment in their evolving relations with each other." --Nancy L. Segal, PhD, Professor of Psychology, CSU Fullerton, and author of Born Together--Reared Apart and Someone Else's Twin "Shows adult twins how to 'out their feelings' about their twinship . . . explore them in a healthy manner, and deal with their twin issues so they can pursue more independent and fulfilling lives." --Susan M. Heim, blogger and author of It's Twins! and Twice the Love, and coauthor of Boosting Your Baby's Brain Power "Joan Friedman does it again! Her new book bursts open the doors on the emotional struggles and triumphs of twinship . . . This book is a must-read for any twin, as well as any parent of twins." --Natalie Diaz, founder of Twiniversity and author of What to Do When You're Having Two
Same But Different: Teen Life on the Autism Express
by Holly Robinson Peete RJ Peete Ryan Elizabeth PeeteTalk show host Holly Robinson Peete pairs with her twins in this narrative about the challenges and triumphs of being a teen who has autism and the effects on family, school, friends, and life.Being a teen is hard enough. But when you have autism--or when your brother or sister is struggling with the disorder--life can be challenging. It's one thing when you're a kid in grade school, and a playdate goes south due to autism in a family. Or when you're a little kid, and a vacation or holiday turns less-than-happy because of an autistic family member. But being a teen with autism can get pretty hairy--especially when you're up against dating, parties, sports, body changes, school, and other kids who just don't 'get' you. In this powerful book, teenagers Ryan Elizabeth Peete and her twin brother, Rodney, who has autism, share their up-close-and-personal experiences on what it means to be a teen living with autism. SAME BUT DIFFERENT, explores the funny, painful, and unexpected aspects of teen autism, while daring to address issues nobody talks about. SAME BUT DIFFERENT underscores tolerance, love, and the understanding that everybody's unique drumbeat is worth dancing to.