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A Kids Book About Periods (A Kids Book)
by Jessica BielAn accessible and empowering introduction to periods.This book was written to start important conversations about our bodies and empower the next generation with positive information about how they work. It aims to show children that periods are normal—and it’s normal to talk about them—and that getting your period is actually pretty cool; it’s one of the things we share as human beings!Meet A Kids Co., a new kind of media company with a collection of beautifully designed books that kick-start challenging, empowering, and important conversations for kids and their grown-ups. Learn more about us at akidsco.com.
Onyeka and the Heroes of the Dawn (Onyeka)
by Tolá OkogwuOnyeka and her superpowered friends set off to England on a rescue mission in this third installment in the Onyeka middle grade series, perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, The Marvellers, and X-Men.Solari—children with superpowers—have always been native to Nigeria, but Onyeka and her friends have been alerted to one hidden in England. Tasked with retrieving the young Solari, they successfully complete their mission, arriving safe and sound back at the Academy of the Sun with Tobi in tow. Tobi&’s identity and superpower remain a mystery, until a breadcrumb trail leads Onyeka to the truth. But someone else has uncovered the secret, and unlike Onyeka, they don&’t have Tobi&’s best interests at heart. Can our superhero save the day once again?
Tidemagic: The Many Faces of Ista Flit (Tidemagic #1)
by Clare HarlowMagic, mystery, and monsters abound in this series opener about a girl with the rare magical ability to look like anyone she's ever seen.In misty Shelwich, magic rises and falls with the tides, everyone is born with a magical gift, and people have started to . . . disappear.Rumor has it they are snatched by monsters, but Ista Flit doesn't want to believe it. Not when her own father is missing. As she scours the city, searching for clues, a notorious thief finds her. Ista has a rare talent: she's a face-changer, able to take on the appearance of anyone she's seen, and Alexo could use a girl with her skill. Ista could use Alexo's help in her search--if only she could trust him.As more people disappear from the city, Ista finds unexpected allies in Nat and Ruby, each searching for their own missing loved ones. These three determined kids will need to use all the Tidemagic they can summon, infiltrate the city's highest elite circles, and dive into its lowest caverns, in order to find how thieves, monsters, and the missing are all connected.
Nick and Tesla and the Super-Cyborg Gadget Glove: A Mystery with Gadgets You Can Build Yourself (Nick and Tesla #4)
by Bob Pflugfelder Steve HockensmithBuild a super-cyborg gadget glove and save the science museum with twin sleuths Nick and Tesla in this zany, action-packed middle grade adventure by &“Science Bob&” Pflugfelder!Just like their eccentric genius Uncle Newt, 11-year-old twins Nick and Tesla love science—and they can't wait for the grand reopening of the science museum in Half Moon Bay. But when someone sabotages the new Hall of Genius exhibit, the animatronic replicas of history's greatest scientists go haywire. The two young sleuths must engineer their very own DIY super-cyborg gadget glove—complete with a false-alarm alarm, a UV-light secret message reader, and more—to catch the culprit and save the museum. Now in paperback, this fourth book in the popular Nick and Tesla series features laugh-out-loud jokes, fun illustrations, and four DIY science projects with step-by-step instructions for readers to try at home.
Nick and Tesla and the Secret Agent Gadget Battle: A Mystery with Gadgets You Can Build Yourself (Nick and Tesla #3)
by Bob Pflugfelder Steve HockensmithUncover a secret agent and build spy gadgets with twin sleuths Nick and Tesla in this zany, action-packed middle grade adventure by &“Science Bob&” Pflugfelder!After rescuing a kidnapped heiress and taking down a robot army, 11-year-old twins Nick and Tesla could really use a break. But before they can kick back and relax, the young sleuths discover there's a spy in their midst! Someone in the town of Half Moon Bay is spying on their Uncle Newt, an eccentric inventor. To uncover the true identity of this secret agent, Nick and Tesla must build their own spy gadgets, from burglar alarms and code wheels to a water balloon trap and more. Now in paperback, this third book in the popular Nick and Tesla series features laugh-out-loud jokes, fun illustrations, and five DIY science projects with step-by-step instructions for readers to try at home.
Death & Sparkles: Book 1 (Death And Sparkles Ser.)
by Rob JustusAdventure Time meets The Good Place in this zany-yet-philosophical graphic novel buddy comedy about the unlikely friendship between Death, a grim reaper who's never had a friend, and Sparkles, The Last Unicorn, a celebrity influencer who is somehow immune to Death's touch.Being Death is no way to live.Sure, you're all-powerful, but collecting souls involves a ton of paperwork, and it's impossible to have friends when everything you touch instantly dies.Being Sparkles the Last Unicorn isn't as fun as you'd imagine, either. Maybe it seems like the whole world wants to be your bestie, but really people just want you to pose with them for selfies, or use you to help them sell stuff.Everything changes when Death and Sparkles meet and realize they might just be one another's first chance at a real friend. But before they can even enjoy the bromance, the whole world starts freaking out about this unlikely pair. Will fame or BFFdom prevail?Laugh-out-loud hilarious, gently philosophical, and full of delightfully zany exuberance, this buddy comedy turns friendship on its head—literally—and will have readers believing in the power of cupcakes for breakfast and cosmic camaraderie.HILARIOUS BUDDY COMEDY: Move over, Wayne and Garth! Move over, Beavis and Butthead! Readers will love this spin on the classic mismatched BFF dynamic featuring two of the most powerful beings around: the guy in charge of taking everyone's life, and the most magical creature still in existence on Earth. Never have two beings been less alike or more adorable.PERFECT FOR RELUCTANT READERS: With bright, vibrant illustrations, big fun fonts, expressive sound effects throughout, an irreverent spirit, and a heart full of cupcakes, this graphic novel will entice even the most skeptical of young readers.BIG THEMES: Self-awareness; empathy; bravery; commercialism; celebrity influencers; and the courage to stand up for what you believe in, even if that's the hard thing to do—all of these important themes weave throughout the book in subtle ways that will resonate with readers without feeling heavy-handed.THE FIRST ADVENTURE OF MANY: This is the first book in a planned series about the adventures of Death and Sparkles. The next book will be out in Fall 2022!LIKE LIVING IN CANDYLAND: Rob Justus's expressive, vivid art makes readers feel like they're living in Candyland. With tons to see on every page, and countless visual gags per spread, this book will delight graphic novel fans and bring new readers to the genre.Perfect for:• Reluctant readers• Parents• Fans of graphic novels• Fans of unicorns• Educators
Oksi
by Mari AhokoivuWhere was the bear born?Where delivered?By the moon, next to the sunAmong the stars of the ploughSent to Earth in a golden cradleWith silvery chains.Poorling is a little bear. She's a bit different from her brothers.Mother keeps their family safe. For the Forest is full of dangers. It is there that Mana lives, with her Shadow children.And above them all, Emuu, the great Grandma in the Sky.From the heart of Finnish folklore comes a breathtaking tale of mothers, daughters, stars and legends, and the old gods and the new.
A Snake Falls to Earth: Newbery Honor Award Winner
by Darcie Little BadgerNina is a Lipan girl in our world. She's always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories.Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he's been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries.And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.Darcie Little Badger introduced herself to the world with Elatsoe. In A Snake Falls to Earth, she draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family. It is not to be missed.
The Last Cuentista: Newbery Medal Winner (Cuentista)
by Donna Barba HigueraWinner of the John Newbery MedalWinner of the Pura Belpré AwardTIME's Best Books of the YearWall Street Journal's Best of the YearMinneapolis Star Tribune's Best of the YearBoston Globe's Best of the YearBookPage's Best of the YearPublishers Weekly's Best of the YearSchool Library Journal's Best of the YearKirkus Reviews' Best of the YearBank Street's Best of the YearChicago Public Library's Best of the BestNew York Public Library Best of the YearA Junior Library Guild SelectionCybils Award FinalistFrom Pura Belpré Award winner and Newbery Medalist, Donna Barba Higuera—a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human."Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes – truly a beautiful cuento."—New York Times"Clever and compelling … wonderfully subversive."—The Wall Street Journal★ "This tale packs a wallop. Exquisite."—Kirkus Reviews (starred)★ "Gripping, euphonious, and full of storytelling magic."—Publishers Weekly (starred)★ "A strong, heroic character, fighting incredible odds to survive and protect others."—School Library Journal (starred)Había una vez . . . There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita.But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children – among them Petra and her family – have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race.Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet – and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard – or purged them altogether.Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?
I'll Keep You Close: A Novel
by Jeska VerstegenJeska doesn't know why her mother keeps the curtains drawn so tightly every day. And what exactly is she trying to drown out when she floods the house with Mozart? What are they hiding from?When Jeska's grandmother accidentally calls her by a stranger's name, she seizes her first clue to uncovering her family's past, and hopefully to all that's gone unsaid. With the help of an old family photo album, her father's encyclopedia collection, and the unquestioning friendship of a stray cat, the silence begins to melt into frightening clarity: Jeska's family survived a terror that they’ve worked hard to keep secret all her life. And somehow, it has both nothing and everything to do with her, all at once.A true story of navigating generational trauma as a child, I'll Keep You Close is about what comes after disaster: how survivors move forward, what they bring with them when they do, and the promise of beginning again while always keeping the past close.
Popcorn Bob: The Popcorn Spy (Popcorn Bob Ser. #2)
by Maranke RinckEllis is now best friends with a grumpy, talking popcorn kernel. Yes, REALLY!Together, they're secretly handing out popcorn to Ellis's classmates (since her school is now officially a "Healthy School"—blech), and everything is great. Bob is even learning how to control his hanger. (Kind of.) But Ellis and Bob are in danger—visitors from the possibly nefarious Popcorn & Co. are following them, and it's clear they're after Bob!Will Ellis be able to keep Bob out of their clutches?
Wilds of the United States: The Animals' Survival Field Guide
by Alexander VidalThe definitive guide to the wildlife of the United States.Do you know which animal evades rattlesnakes by dancing?Or that some squirrels can glide on the air for hundreds of feet?Or that alligators can create their own year-round pools?Put on your best pair of hiking boots, grab a sturdy walking stick, and explore the wild places of the United States with this stunning guidebook! Soak up new and shocking facts about this unexpected world of ours; pore over captivating, detail-rich illustrations; and discover surprising new creatures (some may be closer than you think!) every time you open the book. From glistening, snow-packed mountain ranges to searing deserts, this immersive and accessible guide is a one-stop shop for outdoor adventurers, animal enthusiasts, inquisitive minds—and anyone who listens to the call of the wild.WILD CREATURES OF THE US: Alexander Vidal tells the story of the wild creatures of the United States, offering accessible and fun visual cues like flags and badges to identify particular features in a gamified, graphic, and eye-catching way.ONE NATION: Focusing on the individual characteristics of different regions that collectively make up the rich, diverse, and unique place that is the United States, readers will be excited to both find their own hometowns and explore the places they've haven't been . . . yet! This book is perfect for fans of The 50 States!OUR UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT: A great way to introduce conversations about the unique environment of the United States. Teachers and librarians will find this the perfect addition to their curricula!FAMILY TRAVEL: Perfect for any family embarking on summer or spring break travel into the great outdoors, this engaging guide will inspire young adventurers and serve as the ideal gift for readers passionate about our wild environment.GIFT BOOK: With lush illustration and a hefty, deluxe package, this is a fantastic gift for anyone who is passionate about the environment, animals, and traveling—regardless of age! It's also perfect for fans of oversize nonfiction like Maps and Animalium!Perfect for:• Nature enthusiasts• Science teachers and educators• Families who love road trips or national parks• Children who love animals• Anyone looking for artful gift books
Lowriders to the Rescue
by Cathy CamperThe next books in the acclaimed Lowriders series combines comics, Spanish, mixing cultures, science, superheroes, and first loves for an out-of-this-world graphic novel experience.A changing planet means new problems—and new friends—for nuestros amigos favoritos!Meet Lupe, a whip-smart impala with a flair for mechanicsFlapjack, a sweet young octopus who can shine up anything with his eight gleaming tentaclesand Elirio, a thoughtful mosquito who's fascinated with words and determined to become an artist.What do all three have in common? A love of lowriders—and a passion for solving problems!Nothing is normal in the little town where the Lowriders live. To start, Flappy can't see a thing! He keeps mistaking fire hydrants for sailors and laundry for love interests. Even more worrying, the Upscale Business Association is determined to make more money than ever by tearing down local shops in favor of a brand-new development for wealthy landowners. Most disconcerting of all, the monarchs who usually migrate through town at this time of year are nowhere to be found. But when Sokar, a beautiful young monarch, bikes into town with a broken wing, she has scary news to report: A dangerous wildfire is burning fast and hot and nonstop, leaving the monarchs stranded.Might Sokar and Flappy have more in common than meets the goggles? How can the Lowriders save their town? And exactly how powerful is passion in the face of an overheated planet's furious flames?Humor, Spanish, and lowriders come together in this rollicking journey through the bumpy terrain of new friends, climate change, and standing up for what you believe in. ¡Vámonos!ACCLAIMED SERIES: Books in the Lowriders series have won the Pura Belpré award, and won the hearts of readers and reviewers. Discover why kids—and their adults—love reading about the Lowriders!PERFECT FOR RELUCTANT READERS: Bold illustrated spreads, funny storylines, and lots to look at on every page keep reluctant readers engaged all the way through these delightfully entertaining books.DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Latinx and Arab cultures are beautifully celebrated in this book, with fascinating facts about these unexpectedly intersecting cultures.CONTEMPORARY ISSUES FOR KIDS: These books tackle so many contemporary and relevant issues. Readers will learn about monarch butterfly migrations and sustainable energy: The Lowriders refurbish their car to be solar-powered!VISUALLY DYNAMIC: Raúl's unique art style is visually refreshing and extremely engaging for kid readers, especially those who love comics and graphic novels!Perfect for:• Fans of the previous Lowriders books• Comic and graphic novel lovers• Reluctant readers• Educators and librarians looking for diverse books
Raise Your Voice: 12 Protests That Shaped America
by Jeffrey KlugerTwelve stories of protests and marches--and the people, movements, and moments behind them--that shaped our country's history, told by the bestselling author of Apollo 13! Perfect for today's young activists.Rise up! Speak out! March! Protests and demonstrations have spread throughout the United States in recent years. They have pushed for change on women's rights, racial equality, climate change, gun control, LGBTQI+ rights, and more. And while these marches may seem like a new phenomenon, they are really the continuation of a long line of Americans taking to their feet and raising their voices to cry out for justice.From the Boston Tea Party to the suffragists, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to Stonewall, peaceful (and not-so-peaceful) protest has been a means of speaking up and enacting change from the very founding of America. This new collection recounts twelve of the major protests throughout the country's history, detailing the people behind them, the causes they marched for, and the impact they had.From the award-winning and bestselling author of Apollo 13 comes a book perfect for today's new generation of activists.Praise for Raise Your Voice:"[Kluger] expertly brushes in historical contexts . . . Cogent reminders that armed rebellion isn't the only answer to social injustice." --Kirkus"Show[s] how one person can inspire many . . . a strong resource for students." --Publishers Weekly"Readers will become absorbed in each protest's narrative due to Kluger's adept writing." --SLJ"Recommended for future activists." --SLC"Well-researched . . . An informative introduction to the history of American protests and their ongoing role in our society." --Booklist
What's Eating Jackie Oh?
by Patricia ParkA Korean American teen tries to balance her dream to become a chef with the cultural expectations of her family when she enters the competitive world of a TV cooking show. A hilarious and heartfelt YA novel from the award-winning author of Imposter Syndrome and Other Confessions of Alejandra Kim and Re Jane."Park&’s novel delivers authentic characters who will make you laugh…and cry. Not to be missed!" --Ellen Oh, author of The Colliding Worlds of Mina LeeJackie Oh is done being your model minority.She&’s tired of perfect GPAs, PSATs, SATs, all of it. Jackie longs to become a professional chef. But her Korean American parents are Ivy League corporate workaholics who would never understand her dream. Just ask her brother, Justin, who hasn&’t heard from them since he was sent to Rikers Island.Jackie works at her grandparents&’ Midtown Manhattan deli after school and practices French cooking techniques at night—when she should be studying. But the kitchen&’s the only place Jackie is free from all the stresses eating at her—school, family, and the increasing violence targeting the Asian community.Then the most unexpected thing happens: Jackie becomes a teen contestant on her favorite cooking show, Burn Off! Soon Jackie is thrown headfirst into a cutthroat TV world filled with showboating child actors, snarky judges, and gimmicky &“gotcha!&” challenges.All Jackie wants to do is cook her way. But what is her way? In a novel that will make you laugh and cry, Jackie proves who she is both on and off the plate.Patricia Park's hilarious and stunning What&’s Eating Jackie Oh? explores the delicate balance of identity, ambition, and the cultural expectations to perform.
Elpis the Hopeful (Goddess Girls #29)
by Joan Holub Suzanne WilliamsMeet Elpis as she learns how to be a human girl in this twenty-ninth Goddess Girls adventure!When Elpis, a bubble who spreads hope bubbles to those in need, draws the attention of Principal Zeus, he offers her the position of Spirit of Hope at Mount Olympus Academy—provided she shows she can do the job. He transforms Elpis into a human girl and sends her to live among the students. Elpis quickly discovers that being girl is harder than she expected, especially when her new roommate, Apate, isn&’t exactly welcoming. But thanks to the friendly Goddess Girls and the artistic, sarcastic Moros, Elpis begins to enjoy herself…and dread becoming a bubble again! Can she impress Zeus and stay human or will Apate ruin everything with her trickery?
Effective School Interventions: Evidence-Based Strategies for Improving Student Outcomes
by Matthew K. Burns T. Chris Riley-Tillman Natalie RathvonThis indispensable course text and practitioner resource, now fully revised, has helped tens of thousands of readers implement evidence-based interventions to improve students' academic achievement and behavior in PreK–12. The volume presents best-practice guidelines and step-by-step procedures for 83 interventions that can easily be implemented by teachers and other school-based professionals. It is a go-to book for those working in a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) or response-to-intervention (RTI) framework. User-friendly features include recommended print and online resources and 10 reproducible forms. Purchasers get access to a webpage where they can download and print the reproducible materials in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size. New to This Edition: *Updated throughout to reflect current research-based best practices. *20 new interventions. *Chapter on important skills for intervention success. *The intensity of each intervention (classwide, small-group, and/or individual) is now specified. *Behavior chapter has been reorganized for easier use. *Downloadable reproducible tools.
The Little Vampire (The Little Vampire #1)
by Angela Sommer-BodenburgAn unlikely friendship forms between a young boy and vampire in this sweet and funny first book in the classic middle grade Little Vampire series—newly translated from the original German and perfect for readers who love Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family!Nine-year-old Tony loves ghosts and horror stories, but when he&’s left home alone one night, he gets quite the fright as Rudolph the little vampire flies in the window! After a rough start, Rudolph stops trying to bite Tony and the two become fast friends. Tony even visits the little vampire&’s family vault in the graveyard where he narrowly escapes the clutches of Rudolph&’s fearsome Great-Aunt Dorothy. But what will happen when Tony&’s parents invite his new friend for dinner?
The Drama with Doomsdays (The Celia Cleary Series #2)
by Scott ReintgenCelia must find the classmate at the heart of a Doomsday Prophecy before it&’s too late in this second &“high stakes&” (Kirkus Reviews) book in the contemporary fantasy middle grade series perfect for fans of the Thirteen Witches and Love Sugar Magic series.Ever since the fateful visions about Jeffrey Johnson, Celia Cleary&’s prophecies have focused on smaller things like minor mishaps and everyday inconveniences. It&’s finally starting to feel like she has a handle on her powers…until things take a turn for the weird. One day at school, Celia&’s notebook magically fills in with a single name written over and over: Patrick. She uses the family guidebook to investigate and learns that the mysterious Patrick is connected to a Doomsday Prophecy—a vision that involves a large group of people, a point of no return, and a terrible future. The target for this particular reckoning? The entire eighth grade. Celia soon finds herself in a race against the clock to figure out which Patrick at their school is at the heart of the coming disaster. As the shifting sands of luck turn against her, she&’ll need Grammy&’s voice and the help of friends more than ever. But even with their efforts combined, can they prevent the doomsday?
Forbidden City: City Spies; Golden Gate; Forbidden City (City Spies #3)
by James PontiIn this third &“thrilling&” (Kirkus Reviews) installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies help a fellow agent in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith&’s Spy School for Girls.After taking down a mole within their organization, the City Spies are ready for their next mission—once again using their unique skills and ability to infiltrate places adults can&’t. The sinister Umbra has their sights set on recruiting a North Korean nuclear physicist by any means necessary, and the City Spies plan to keep an eye on his son by sending Paris to the chess prodigy&’s tournaments in Moscow and Beijing. Meanwhile, Sydney&’s embedded as a junior reporter for a teen lifestyle site as she follows the daughter of a British billionaire on tour with the biggest act on her father&’s music label to uncover what links both the band and the billionaire have to a recent threat from an old Soviet missile base. From a daring break-in at one of London&’s most exclusive homes to a dangerous undercover mission to a desperate search and rescue operation on the streets of Beijing, the City Spies have their work cut out for them on their most dangerous mission yet.
The Little Vampire Takes a Trip (The Little Vampire #3)
by Angela Sommer-BodenburgRudolph the little vampire tags along on Tony&’s family vacation in this spooky and funny third book in the classic middle grade Little Vampire series—perfect for readers who love Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family!When his parents plan a vacation to a farm, Tony and his friend Rudolph the little vampire hatch a plan for Rudolph to come along to keep Tony company. Rudolph needs to have his coffin with him so he can sleep during the day, so he takes the train instead of flying. Can he make the trip without drawing too much attention to himself?
The Little Vampire Moves In (The Little Vampire #2)
by Angela Sommer-BodenburgRudolph the little vampire moves into Tony&’s apartment building in this spooky and funny second book in the classic middle grade Little Vampire series—perfect for readers who love Hotel Transylvania and The Addams Family!Rudolph the little vampire has been banished from his family&’s vault over his association with humans. He now lives in the basement of the apartment building where his human best friend Tony lives. The two struggle to keep Rudolph hidden from Tony&’s parents and nosy neighbors. When someone gets suspicious about activity in the basement, can the friends avoid discovery?
The Problem with Prophecies (The Celia Cleary Series #1)
by Scott Reintgen&“A sweet yet deeply moving portrait of the highs and lows involved in finding one&’s place in a wildly unpredictable world.&” —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin A young seer&’s first prophetic vision upends her life and sets her off on a desperate quest to change fate in this contemporary fantasy middle grade novel with &“heart, humor, and a plot that keeps those pages flying&” (Carlos Hernandez, award-winning author of the Sal and Gabi series).Most people inherit eye colors or heirlooms, but for Celia Cleary, the gift of prophecy has been passed down in her family for generations. And on the 4,444th day of her life, Celia will have her first vision. But nothing could have prepared her for what she sees—the quiet boy down the street, Jeffrey Johnson, is about to die. Determined to save him despite her grandmother&’s warnings against it, Celia alters events to stop her vision from playing out. But for each prophecy she avoids, another one takes its place, putting Jeffrey in constant danger. Fate has made its choice, and it&’s not giving up the hunt. Focusing on homework or friends isn&’t easy when you&’re going head-to-head with death—and keeping Jeffrey Johnson alive is throwing Celia&’s seventh grade year into chaos. It doesn&’t help that she&’s getting to know Jeffrey more and more with each new rescue attempt. It really doesn&’t help when she realizes she kind of likes him. Will Celia&’s gifts be enough to thwart fate? Or are some things in life inevitable?
The Lightcasters (Umbra Tales #1)
by Janelle McCurdyKeeper of the Lost Cities meets Pokémon in this riveting first book in a middle grade series about a girl who embarks on a treacherous journey with her mystical animal companions to save her family—and the entire kingdom.Twelve-year-old Mia McKenna has grown up in the darkness. It&’s all she&’s ever known, and she finds comfort in it. Like nearly all the cities in the Kingdom of Lunis, her home of Nubis was plunged into a forever night years ago by the shadowy Reaper King—a figure now only known in nightmares, a cautionary tale warning children to stay safe inside the tall city walls. But all that changes when a mysterious cult storms Nubis, capturing everyone with the ability to protect it—including her parents, the rest of the umbra tamers, and their mystical, powerful creatures made of shadow and starlight. Now, Mia and her brother, Lucas, are the city&’s only hope of survival, and Mia must learn to harness her umbra taming abilities to stand any chance of saving her city and rescuing her parents. If she can&’t, she&’ll lose her soul, and her family, to the Darkness forever.
A Work in Progress
by Jarrett LernerA young boy struggles with body image in this poignant and &“perceptive&” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade journey to self-acceptance told through prose, verse, and illustration.Will is the only round kid in a school full of thin ones. So he hides…in baggy jeans and oversized hoodies, in the back row during class, and anywhere but the cafeteria during lunch. But shame isn&’t the only feeling that dominates Will&’s life. He&’s also got a crush on a girl named Jules who he knows he doesn&’t have a chance with, because of his size—but he can&’t help wondering what if? Will&’s best shot at attracting Jules&’s attention is by slaying the Will Monster inside him by changing his eating habits and getting more exercise. But the results are either frustratingly slow or infuriatingly unsuccessful, and Will&’s shame begins to morph into self-loathing. As he resorts to increasingly drastic measures to transform his appearance, Will meets skateboarder Markus, who helps him see his body and all it contains as an ever-evolving work in progress.