Special Collections
Accelerated Reader Middle Grade Collection
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Last December
by Matt BeamWritten in the form of a suicide note from a teenaged boy to his unborn sister, this tells the story of how a ninth-grader comes to accept his less than ideal life after witnessing the struggles of a friend with serious depression.
The Thing About Jellyfish
by Ali BenjaminA stunning debut about how grief can open the world in magical ways.
After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy was a rare jellyfish sting. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door.
Sequins, Secrets, and Silver Linings
by Sophia BennettThree trendy British BFFs help a brilliant Ugandan girl in this heartfelt fashion fairy tale!Once upon a time in London town, there were three fab "birds": Nonie's a freak for fashion. Eco-conscious Edie blogs to save the world--and to get into Harvard. And starter-starlet Jenny just finished filming a small part in a BIG Hollywood blockbuster opposite a drool-worthy boy. But when these trendy Brit besties meet Crow, a refugee girl who happens to be an amazing designer, their worldview gets an extreme makeover. As they learn about the serious situation in Crow's homeland, the three friends decide to mix-and-match their talents to call attention to the crisis of Uganda's Night Walking children.Fashion and compassion: C'est tres chic! Now Nonie's just got to lace up her (always a classic) Converse kicks, put on her (vintage Dior pillbox) thinking cap, and somehow "make it work"!A fierce, sweet, boldface fashion fairy tale!
My Pants are Haunted!
by Jim BentonSneak a peak inside the diary of Jamie Kelly who promises that everything she writes is true... or at least as true as it needs to be.
The Berenstain Bears Go To School
by Stan Berenstain and Jan BerenstainIllus. in full color. A sympathetic story about Sister Bear, who conquers her fear of starting kindergarten.
The Berenstain Bears Go To School
by Stan Berenstain and Jan BerenstainSister Bear is worried about going to school until she meets her teachers and finds out how many fun things she will do in her classroom. When Brother Bear decides that school isn't so good, she encourages him, too.
Includes picture descriptions.
This file should make an excellent embossed braille copy.
The Berenstain Bears Ready, Get Set, Go!
by Jan Berenstain and Stan BerenstainWhen Brother, Sister, and Papa compete in the Bear Olympics, who will be the best?
"Hooray, hooray!" the bears all say. "The Bears' Olympics start today!"
At the Bears' Olympics, the greatest athletes in Bear Country gather to see who can dive the deepest, climb the highest, and swing the swingiest of them all. Sister Bear runs the fastest, and Brother Bear jumps the farthest, but Papa isn't the best at anything. Though he huffs and he puffs, he always comes last.
As the events go on and the prizes are awarded, he tries harder and harder to run, jump, dive, and drive. Before the sun sets, will Papa find a sport in which he can be the best?
Adventure According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyHumphrey is in for his biggest adventure yet!
When his friends begin studying the ocean and sailing, he not only discovers the new and exciting world of the library, but also stows away aboard a model boat and takes a very perilous sail on Potter's Pond.
Even with all this excitement, he finds time to smooth rough waters between Gail and her free-spirited mom, help competitive Kirk see that winning isn't everything, and investigate whether his pal Aldo is really planning to become a pirate and sail the high seas.
Friendship According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyAfter the holidays, Humphrey is shocked by a big surprise in Room 26-a new class pet!
Humphrey tries to be welcoming, but Og the frog doesn't respond to any of his friendly squeaks or visits (remember, he has a lock-that-doesn't-lock).
Plus, the students are so interested in Og, they almost stop paying attention to Humphrey altogether.
Humphrey doesn't like the mad-bad-sad feelings he's had since Og came, but luckily he still gets to have adventures with different kids on the weekends.
Friendship can be tricky, but Humphrey is an intrepid problem-solver. If any hamster can become buddies with a frog, he can.
Imagination According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyHumphrey's eleventh adventure celebrates stories, writing, and the power of the imagination!
Imaginations are running wild in Mrs. Brisbane's class, but Humphrey is stumped.
His friends are writing about where they would go if they could fly, but Humphrey is HAPPY-HAPPY-HAPPY right where he is in Room 26.
It's pawsitively easy for Humphrey to picture exciting adventures with dragons and knights in the story Mrs. Brisbane is reading aloud.
He has no trouble coming up with Plans to help his friends and tricks to entertain them.
His imagination even goes a little too far when he wonders if Carlos's imaginary friend might be a ghost.
If only his imagination wouldn't disappear when he tries to write. Luckily, Humphrey likes a challenge, and Mrs. Brisbane has lots of writing tips that do the trick.
Mysteries According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyMrs. Brisbane is missing! She just didn't show up in Room 26 one morning and no one told Humphrey why.
The class has a substitute teacher, called Mr. E., but he's no Mrs. Brisbane.
Humphrey has just learned about Sherlock Holmes, so he vows to be just as SMART-SMART-SMART about collecting clues and following leads to solve the mystery of Mrs. Brisbane (and a few others along the way).
Nominated for twenty-four state awards and the winner of seven, the Humphrey series is a hit across the country.
School Days According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyHumphrey is excited to get back to Room 26 and see all his old classmates.
But on the first day of school, a bunch of strange kids arrive and no matter how loudly he squeaks up, they don't realize they're in the wrong room!
Once Humphrey gets over the shock of being with a whole new group of students, he gets busy learning all about them and their problems.
There's Rolling-Rosie, who can pop wheelies with her wheelchair, Tall-Paul and Small- Paul, who don't like to hear about their height, Hurry-Up-Harry, who loses track of time, and more.
He hasn't forgotten about his friends from last year, and of course they miss him a ton.
But when they start talking about taking him from Mrs. Brisbane's room, Humphrey gets unsqueakably nervous. How could he say good-bye to Mrs. Brisbane and Og for good?
Secrets According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyThe next in the bestselling According to Humphrey series, Humphrey and his friends in Room 26 learn about ancient Egypt.
Mummies, pharaohs, pyramids and plenty of SHH-SHH-SHH secrets abound! Will Humphrey be able to solve the mysteries of the pharaohs. . . ?
Spring According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneySpring is in the air, and lots of things are growing--including the Room 26 family!
Signs of spring are very exciting to everyone at Longfellow School. Mrs. Brisbane's class has seen flowers poking out of snow and baby birds hatching, and Just-Joey even brought in tadpoles that are growing into frogs.
It also means Family Fun Night is coming up, and all of the students' families are involved in making amazing activities. Humphrey helps in many ways, of course, but he can't stop wondering about his own family. He doesn't know anything about his mom or dad.
Luckily, all of his wonderful friends help him see that families come in many shapes and sizes, and Humphrey's might be the biggest (and best!) one of all.
Summer According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyIn his sixth adventure, Humphrey heads off for the great outdoors.
When Humphrey hears that school is ending, he panics. School ends? What's a classroom hamster to do if he's not in school?
But as it turns out, there's something thrilling in store for Humphrey and Og the frog: going to Camp Happy Hollow with Ms. Mac and lots of the kids from Room 26!
Camper Humphrey meets a friendly wild mouse, tracks down Og when he gets lost by the lake, and uses his wily charm to help kids adjust to cabin life and make new friends.
There are many fun things to do at the end of the story. Everyone's favorite classroom pet keeps entertaining kids across the nation, and his books have won eight state awards and were nominated for fourteen others.
Surprises According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyA classroom hamster has to be ready for anything, but suddenly there are LOTS-LOTS-LOTS of big surprises in Humphrey's world.
Some are exciting, like a new hamster ball.
But some are scary, like a run-in with a cat and a new janitor who might be from another planet.
But even with all that's going on, Humphrey finds time to help his classmates with their problems.
But will Mrs. Brisbane's unsqueakable surprise be too much for Humphrey to handle?
Trouble According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyHumphrey loves to solve problems for his classmates in Room 26, but he never meant to create one!
Golden-Miranda, one of his favorite students, gets blamed when Humphrey is caught outside of his cage while she's in charge.
Since no one knows about his lock-that-doesn't-lock, he can't exactly squeak up to defend her.
Humphrey really has his paws full when Don't-Complain- Mandy-Payne and her family stir up more big trouble.
Humphrey manages to help Pay-Attention-Art and Sit-Still-Seth and even survives a trip to the vet, but can he clear Miranda's name without giving up his freedom forever?
Winter According to Humphrey
by Betty G. BirneyIt's the HAPPY-HAPPY-HAPPY holidays!
The holidays are coming and Humphrey is unsqueakably excited.
He loves to hear about all the different ways his friends in Room 26 celebrate and to watch them make costumes and learn songs for the Winter Wonderland pageant. (He even squeaks along!)
But with so much to do, will the holidays go according to plan?
Do-It-Now-Daniel is having trouble practicing, Helpful-Holly can't stop worrying about making presents for her friends, and Humphrey still has to find a gift for Og!
Good thing Humphrey is one smart hamster who can help them all fill the season with JOY-JOY-JOY!
The World
by Betty G. BirneyThe first book in the series about everyone's favorite classroom pet!
You can learn a lot about life by observing another species.
That’s what Humphrey was told when he was first brought to Room 26. And boy, is it true!
In addition to having FUN-FUN-FUN in class, each weekend this amazing hamster gets to sleep over with a different student, like Lower-Your-Voice-A.J. and Speak-Up-Sayeh.
Soon Humphrey learns to read, write, and even shoot rubber bands (only in self-defense, of course).
With lots of friends to help, adventures to enjoy, and a cage with a lock-that-doesn’t- lock, Humphrey's life is almost perfect.
If only the teacher, Mrs. Brisbane, wasn’t out to get him!
Boys and girls can't help falling in love with Humphrey!
Doll Bones
by Holly BlackMy name is Eleanor Kerchner.You can call me the Queen.I died in 1895.Now it’s time to play.A chilling ghost story by the bestselling author of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Holly Black.Recipient of a Newbery Honor Award. An ALA Notable Book. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A School Library Journal Best Book. A Booklist Editor’s Choice Books for Youth. A Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book. A 2013 Goodreads Choice award nominee. A People Magazine 'Best New Kids Book'.
The Magic Finger
by Quentin Blake and Roald DahlWhat happens when the hunter becomes the hunted?To the Gregg family, hunting is just plain fun. To the girl who lives next door, it's just plain horrible. She tries to be polite. She tries to talk them out of it, but the Greggs only laugh at her. Then one day the Greggs go too far, and the little girl turns her Magic Finger on them. When she's very, very angry, the little girl's Magic Finger takes over. She really can't control it, and now it's turned the Greggs into birds! Before they know it, the Greggs are living in a nest, and that's just the beginning of their problems....
The Boy Who Cried Shark
by Aaron Blecha and Davy OceanWhen Harry Hammer accidentally sounds the great white shark alarm a few times too many, he ends up in dangerous waters in this fourth Shark School (mis)adventure.
Harry Hammer's all-time hero is the great white shark Gregor the Gnasher. Gregor is a famous action movie-star and the Underwater Wrestling Champion of the World. But not all great whites are like Gregor--most are fierce creatures of the deep. So when Harry sees one near Shark Point, he sounds the alarm and everyone panics!
Turns out it's just an old basking shark, and now everyone is furious. After a couple more minnow-sized mistakes, Harry sees a REAL great white...and it's very hungry. Will anyone believe him this time?
Deep-Sea Disaster
by Davy Ocean and Aaron BlechaDive into the world of Harry Hammer, a hammerhead shark with a penchant for (mis)adventure in this fin-tastic start to a chapter book series.
Harry Hammer is a hammerhead shark, although he'd rather be a great white shark, or a tiger shark--anything but himself. But when a class trip to a famous shipwreck almost ends in disaster for Harry and his pals, he realizes the importance of being exactly who he is!
A Fin-tastic Finish
by Aaron Blecha and Davy OceanHarry Hammer wants to befriend a tiger shark and become a sports legend at Shark Point Scout Camp in this fifth Shark School (mis)adventure.
Harry Hammer has a new hero: Turbo Tex, a gold-medal-winning tiger shark. Maybe Harry can be just like him at Shark Point Scout Camp! Tony, another tiger shark, joins the group right in time for their annual sports camp, and Harry is over the moon.
But Tony doesn't seem to want to be friends. How can Harry change Tony's mind and make his sporting dreams come true?
Fishin'
by Aaron Blecha and Davy OceanHarry does some deep sea detective work while investigating the fishy disappearance of his worst enemy in this eighth Shark School (mis)adventure.
Harry Hammer’s all-time favorite TV show is Mike Hammerhead, Shark Detective. The fin-tastic detective never fails to solve under-the-sea ‘who-dunnits’ and now Harry has found himself in similar water when he investigates the disappearance of his worst enemy Rick Reef. Has his nemesis gone missing or gone fishing?!