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Skandar and the Unicorn Thief: The international, award-winning hit, and the biggest fantasy adventure series since Harry Potter (Skandar #1)
by A.F. SteadmanHEROES AND UNICORNS AS YOU&’VE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. The first book in the award-winning, international hit fantasy adventure series for children age 9+, and fans of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Eragon and Fireborn. WATERSTONES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022WINNER OF THE INDIE BOOK AWARDS 2023!'Steadman has a vast imagination, her world-building is a joy, the battle scenes are thrilling and her characters charm.' – The Times Children's Book of the Week&‘Pacy, enthralling and epic, a gripping read.&’ – Louie Stowell, author of Loki and Otherland &‘A dazzling feat of imagination. I loved every breathless moment of it!&’ – Cat Doyle, author of The Storm Keeper&’s Island and co-author of Twin Crowns&‘The best book I&’ve ever read.&’ – Patrick, age 10 Thirteen-year-old Skandar Smith has only ever wanted to be a unicorn rider. To be one of the lucky few selected to hatch a unicorn. To bond with it for life; to train together and race for glory; to be a hero. But just as Skandar&’s dream is about to come true, things start to take a more dangerous turn than he could ever have imagined. A dark and twisted enemy has stolen the Island&’s most powerful unicorn – and as the threat grows ever closer, Skandar discovers a secret that could blow apart his world forever . . . Get ready for unlikely HEROES, elemental MAGIC, sky battles, ancient secrets, nail-biting races and FEROCIOUS UNICORNS, in this EPIC ADVENTURE series that will have your heart soaring.THE EPIC ADVENTURE CONTINUES . . . Skandar and the Phantom Rider is out now! And be one of the first to read the highly-anticipated third story, coming in April 2024. Pre-order now!Praise for Skandar and the Unicorn Thief: &‘My book of the year. Not since Harry Potter have I felt this excited about a series. Readers are sure to be clamouring for the next book. You&’ll never look at unicorns the same way again, nor will you want to!&’ – Dominique Valente, author of the Starfell series &‘Never have unicorns been so ferocious, fearsome and thrilling! A fantastically gripping read!&’ – Laura Ellen Anderson, author of Amelia Fang and Rainbow Grey &‘A magnificent book. I raced through it – at turns enthralled, delighted, amazed. It&’s everything I could have wanted and more. No doubt this book is going to fly.&’ – Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear &‘Skandar and the Unicorn Thief brims with wild adventure, fierce sky battles, elemental magic, ferocious unicorns and a terrifying enemy. Steadman's cinematic writing draws you in from the very first page, creating a hugely compelling, unforgettable read. Endlessly thrilling, unputdownable and utterly unmissable.&’ – Aisling Fowler, author of Fireborn &‘A. F. Steadman has created a stunning new world that feels both familiar and fresh, with a cast of characters that will stay with you long after you&’ve finished reading.&’ –Tọlá Okogwu, author of Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun'Perfect for those who have consumed the Harry Potter books and Philip Pullman&’s His Dark Materials trilogy and are looking for their next fictional feast.' – The Sunday Times
Skandar and the Unicorn Thief (Skandar #1)
by A.F. SteadmanSoar into a breathtaking world of heroes and unicorns as you&’ve never seen them before in this fantastical middle grade debut perfect for fans of the Percy Jackson and Eragon series!Skandar Smith has always yearned to leave the Mainland and escape to the secretive Island, where wild unicorns roam free. He&’s spent years studying for his Hatchery exam, the annual test that selects a handful of Mainlander thirteen-year-olds to train to become unicorn riders. But on the day of Skandar&’s exam, things go horribly wrong, and his hopes are shattered…until a mysterious figure knocks on his door at midnight, bearing a message: the Island is in peril and Skandar must answer its call. Skandar is thrust into a world of epic sky battles, dangerous clashes with wild unicorns, and rumors of a shadowy villain amassing a unicorn army. And the closer Skandar grows to his newfound friends and community of riders, the harder it becomes to keep his secrets—especially when he discovers their lives may all be in graver danger than he ever imagined.
The Sky King (Skyriders #2)
by Polly HolyokeIn this soaring adventure for fans of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief and Wings of Fire, a new kind of monster launches an attack on the empire of Prekalt. Who can Kiesandra and her skysteed turn to for help in this life-and-death battle? Fresh from their victory over the frightening chimerae monsters, Kie and N'Rah are looking forward to a quiet life on her uncle's orchard, far from the turmoil of the capital city. They miss the friends they made there, but as sky couriers, their job keeps them busy. Then Kie unexpectedly receives a message from the emperor himself! He has an urgent mission for Kie and N'Rah—they need to find the Sky King, the elusive ruler of the wild skysteeds that soar across the land. After losing so many fighters in the Battle of a Thousand Chimerae, the empire is in desperate need of a hundreds of winged horses for their soldiers to ride. The wild herds are the only source, but bitter betrayals in the past have made the Sky King distrustful of humans. Kie's unique gift of communicating with all skysteeds makes her the best person for the job, but it would take a miracle for the Sky King to trust a young girl. Then a new threat emerges in the form of huge birds of prey called vultiren. With the fearsome creatures heading straight for the wild skysteeds&’ hidden refuge, Kie must convince the Sky King to ally with her—before their world is destroyed forever.
Slugfest
by Gordon KormanFrom Gordon Korman, the New York Times bestselling author of Restart, comes a hilarious new story about a group of underdogs who come together when they are forced to attend summer school—for failing PE.Yash is the best athlete at Robinette Middle School—so good, in fact, that he’s already playing on the high school’s JV sports teams. Imagine his shock when he learns that his JV practices have kept him from earning a state-mandated credit for eighth-grade PE. To graduate, he has to take Physical Education Equivalency—PEE, also known as “Slugfest”—in summer school.Yash gets to know his fellow “slugs”: Kaden, an academic superstar who’s physically hopeless; twins Sarah and Stewart, who are too busy trying to kill each other to do any real PE; Jesse, a notorious prankster; Arabella, who protests everything; and Cleo, a natural athlete who has sworn off sports.But when one of them tries to blow the lid off a scandal that could make all their time in summer school a waste, Yash is forced to take drastic action.Teaming up with the most hapless crew in school can really surprise a person. And their teacher might be hiding the biggest surprise yet. . . .
The Smoke That Thunders
by Erhu KomeFrom a debut Nigerian author: a spectacular young adult fantasy rooted in West African mythology and brimming with adventure. In this mesmerizing fantasy rooted in Urhobo and West African folklore, sixteen-year-old Naborhi longs for a life away from her small, traditional clan in Kokori. But as her rite of passage approaches and she is betrothed to an arrogant young man, Naborhi feels her dreams slipping away from her. Then Naborhi becomes bonded to a mysterious animal and begins having harrowing visions of a kidnapped boy. She soon meets Atai, the son of an Oracle from a rival queendom, and learns that she is being guided by the gods. She and Atai, along with Naborhi’s eager-for-adventure cousin, Tamunor, set off across the continent to rescue the mysterious boy. But when they find him—and find out his true identity—Naborhi realizes there is more than just her freedom at stake: she must stop a war that has already been set in motion. With lush, unique worldbuilding and a dynamic cast of characters, The Smoke That Thunders is a gripping story of political intrigue, fierce love, and what it means to be free.
So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors #1)
by Kamilah ColeWhip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who&’s forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and The Priory of the Orange Tree. Faron Vincent can channel the power of the gods. Five years ago, she used her divine magic to liberate her island from its enemies, the dragon-riding Langley Empire. But now, at seventeen, Faron is all powered up with no wars to fight. She&’s a legend to her people and a nuisance to her neighbors. When she&’s forced to attend an international peace summit, Faron expects that she will perform tricks like a trained pet and then go home. She doesn&’t expect her older sister, Elara, forming an unprecedented bond with an enemy dragon—or the gods claiming the only way to break that bond is to kill her sister. As Faron&’s desperation to find another solution takes her down a dark path, and Elara discovers the shocking secrets at the heart of the Langley Empire, both must make difficult choices that will shape each other&’s lives, as well as the fate of their world. "By turns hopeful and devastating, So Let Them Burn is a masterful debut with a blazing heart. I was captivated from beginning to end by Cole&’s sharp, clever prose and by her protagonists—two remarkable sisters with an unforgettable bond." — Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief
The Solvers Book #1: A Math Graphic Novel: Learn Multiplication and Division! (The Solvers #1)
by Jon ChadThey multiply. POW! They divide. ZAP! They battle evil. HOORAY! Thanks to The Solvers, learning math has never been this fun! In this graphic novel series, a crew of crime-fighting kid superheroes teach readers ages 8 and up foundational math skills, such as multiplication and division, as they battle their evil nemesis, Null Void. All math concepts are presented with fully illustrated step-by-step instructions and tons of superhero themed visual examples. When the evil Null Void steals the DivMulti Ray (a laser gun that can multiply or divide anything it touches!) the Solvers must learn all about multiplication and division to stop the supervillain in her tracks! Throughout the action-packed narrative, clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrated, superhero-themed examples present essential multiplication and division concepts in an easy-to-understand way. Full of helpful math instruction—and epic superhero action—the first installment of this graphic learning series is perfect for the reader who loves math, the reader who hates math, the reader who needs a refresher, and the superhero enthusiast. Written by a seasoned comics artist and vetted by a math teacher, this is a brand-new way to get your child excited about math!
The Solvers Book #2: A Math Graphic Novel: Learn Fractions and Decimals! (The Solvers #2)
by Jon ChadFractions? Simple. Decimals? No problem! Evil villains? Bring &‘em on! Thanks to the Solvers, learning math has never been this fun! In this graphic novel series, a crew of crime-fighting kid superheroes teach readers ages 8 and up foundational math skills, such as fractions and decimals, as they battle their evil nemesis, Null Void. All math concepts are presented with fully illustrated step-by-step instructions and tons of superhero themed visual examples. When The Solvers accidentally drink a shrinking potion, the pint-sized superheroes must learn all about fractions and decimals to mix an antidote and stop supervillain Null Void from taking over the city! Throughout the action-packed narrative, clear, step-by-step instructions and illustrated, superhero-themed examples introduce readers to fractions and decimals and then teach how to add, subtract, multiply and divide them, in a super easy-to-understand way. Full of helpful math instruction that aligns with national math standards—and epic superhero action—the second installment of this graphic learning series is perfect for the reader who loves math, the reader who hates math, the reader who needs a refresher, and the superhero enthusiast. Written by a seasoned comics artist and vetted by a math teacher, this is a brand-new way to get your child excited about math!
Something Maybe Magnificent
by R.L. ToalsonThere&’s a new man in her mom&’s life, and Victoria is determined to get rid of him—no matter what. Both a standalone novel and a follow up to The First Magnificent Summer, this pitch-perfect middle grade story is destined to become a classic. Thirteen-year-old aspiring writer Victoria Reeves remains dedicated to writing in her diary as her reading tastes evolve from Virginia Woolf to Sylvia Plath. She&’s growing up—getting the hang of her monthly &“visitor,&” coming to terms with her relationship with her estranged father, and grappling with her ever-evolving views of womanhood. But the summer brings unexpected bumps along the way when Victoria develops complicated feelings about the cute boy next door and decidedly uncomplicated ones about her mom&’s new boyfriend. To protect her mom—and the family dynamic she&’s used to—from this unwanted interloper, Victoria will do what it takes to send him packing. But when she goes too far, Victoria realizes all she&’s done is ruin a good thing for her mom. Is it too late to set things right?
Sona and the Golden Beasts
by Rajani LaRoccaFrom Newbery Honor and Walter Award–winning author Rajani LaRocca comes a gripping middle grade fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent’s Secret and The Last Mapmaker. Though music is outlawed in the land of Devia, Sona hears it everywhere. Sona is a Malech, a member of the ruling class that conquered Devia centuries ago. Malechs forbade music to prevent the native Devans from using their magic, and Sona hides her abilities lest they put her in danger.Then Sona discovers an orphaned wolf pup. She believes the pup, with its golden ears, might be related to one of the five sacred beasts of Devia, and she vows to keep it safe. That means bringing the pup in tow when Sona embarks on a perilous quest, along with a Devan boy, to secure the nectar of life for a loved one who has fallen gravely ill. On the journey, as Sona uncovers secrets about the Malechian empire and her own identity, she realizes that the fate of the sacred beasts, and the future of Devia, just might come down to her.This captivating fantasy novel by award-winning author Rajani LaRocca will sweep readers into Sona’s quest across the land of Devia as she grapples with the lasting impact of colonial rule and learns to fight for what she knows is right.
Spellbinders: Break the Game (Spellbinders #2)
by Andrew AuseonIt takes more than magic to make a hero, in the next installment of this hilarious and epic illustrated series. One not-so-chosen champion and his mystical friends must cross the multiverse and harness a dangerous power to defeat a mysterious new enemy."My favorite new fantasy series.&”—Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Last Kids on Earth seriesAfter leveling up from basement roleplaying games to saving an entire magical realm, 12-year-old Ben isn&’t happy returning to his ordinary life of homework and chores. So when his very un-magical LARP session is crashed by monstrous frog-men from another dimension, he can't wait to get back into hero mode.Someone is after all the Spellbinder&’s books, which grant the users — including Ben — epic reality-shifting powers. Ben, Niara, Merv, Drake, and their new friend Agnes must embark on an epic quest to save the books and their owners. But while hopping across different realms may be Ben&’s idea of a totally awesome spring break, it&’s tough to be an ordinary kid among extraordinary heroes. Especially when fighting for the fate of the universe seems to consist mostly of finding fun new ways to get them all killed, from zombie rats to pool noodle squids, to a mysterious Big Bad controlling everything from behind the scenes. How do you win the game when someone else is rolling the dice?
Spin of Fate (The Fifth Realm #1)
by A. A. VoraIn a world inspired by karma, three teens encounter magnificent beasts, unforgiving magic, and epic battles in this propulsive and wholly original young adult fantasy.&“Evocative of Sanderson, Pullman, and Fullmetal Alchemist, yet at the same time shockingly original.&” —Rosaria Munda, author of FireborneAina&’s world is governed by Toranic Law, a force that segregates people into upper and lower realms. It&’s said that if the sinful lowers commit themselves to kindness and charity, their souls will lighten, allowing them into the peaceful upper realms.But Aina, one of the few lowers to ever ascend, just wants to go back home.Aina is desperate to reunite with her mother, hoping she&’s survived the beasts and wars of her homeland alone. After failing to weigh down her soul with petty crimes, Aina joins a rebel group defying the authorities and bringing aid to those condemned to a life of suffering in the lower realms. Alongside Aina are two new recruits: Meizan, a ruthless fighter trying to save his clan from extinction, and Aranel, a spoiled noble spying for the powers that be.Before long, the rebels find themselves in the middle of a brewing war. On one side, a violent king of a lower realm is bent on destroying Toranic Law; on the other, the authorities of the upper realms will do anything to stay on top. Now the young rebels must face both sides head-on if they want to stop a conflict that could break not only Toranic Law—but the universe itself.Fans of epic, propulsive fantasies like Six of Crows and innovative world-building like Avatar: The Last Airbender will delight in A. A. Vora's ambitious, unmissable debut.
Spotting Dottie (Orca Currents)
by Gail Anderson-DargatzCharlotte is going to prove her grandma is right—the lake monster is real! When Charlotte gets a drone for her fourteenth birthday, she’s determined to get footage of Dottie, the elusive lake monster of Dorothy Lake. Her grandma, who has dedicated her life to searching for the monster, is the joke of the town. But when Charlotte manages to capture a video of the monster and posts it online, she’s the sudden target of a media storm. Now everyone is making fun of her too. Worse, droves of monster hunters arrive in her town, crowding the lake. When their boat propellers threaten to hurt Dottie, Charlotte is faced with a difficult choice.
Spy Ring
by Sarah Beth DurstTwo modern-day kids discover the truth about an American Revolutionary War–era female spy through a treasure-hunt adventure in their hometown of Setauket, New York.With codewords and secret signals perfected, best friends Rachel and Joon are ready to spend their summer practicing spycraft—especially if they can uncover secrets like the one Joon’s parents have been keeping, that his family is about to move out of town.When eavesdropping leads them to a ring rumored to have belonged to Anna “Nancy” Smith Strong—according to local Long Island legend, the only female member of George Washington’s famed Culper Spy Ring—they think they’ve hit the jackpot. Then they discover Nancy left a coded message in the ring!Decoding her message leads to another cryptic clue, and then another, and soon Rachel and Joon are racing to decipher a series of puzzles that must surely lead to hidden treasure! But can they solve the final mystery before Joon’s moving day? And just what did the centuries-old spy hide away—and why? Sarah Beth Durst’s skillful blend of Revolutionary War history and suspenseful contemporary storytelling will keep readers guessing to the last satisfying page.
Stay Dead
by April Henry"Milan is in a race against time and terror to get to her parents&’ one trusted friend before she ends up dead, too… readers will be intrigued and thrilled to see how it all turns out." —Booklist "A page-turning cat-and-mouse survival story." —Kirkus ReviewsNew York Times bestselling author April Henry delivers a thrilling murder mystery featuring a teen with an assassin on her trail fighting to uncover the truth behind a government cover up, perfect for fans of Karen McManus.Sometimes, the only way to live is to make sure the world thinks you&’re dead . . . In the aftermath of a car accident that claimed the life of her senator father, sixteen-year-old Milan finds herself adrift, expelled from her third boarding school. Milan&’s mother, who has assumed the senate seat, diverts her private plane to pick up her daughter. But on their way home, a bomb rips off a wing and the plane crashes in the mountains. In her final moments, Milan&’s mother entrusts her with a key. She reveals it will unlock the evidence that so many people have already died for—including Milan&’s father. The only way Milan can survive, her mom tells her, is to let everyone believe she died with the other passengers. Milan is forced to navigate a perilous descent in freezing conditions while outwitting everything from a drone to wild animals. With relentless assassins on her trail, she must untangle the web of deceit and save herself and countless others. Will she piece together the truth in time?"The cat-and-mouse between Milan and Lenny adds a thick layer of tension, especially as Lenny closes in on her target… things come together nicely as the climax looms. Perfect for fans of Mindy McGinnis." —School Library Journal
Stepping Off
by Jordan SonnenblickJesse Dienstag's favorite sweatshirt says, "The real world isn't real." That's the slogan of the vacation-home community in Pennsylvania where his family has always spent every vacation and weekend for as long as he can remember. In the summer of 2019, as Jesse is about to enter his junior year of high school in New York City, he desperately wants to believe the slogan is true. For one thing, the two girls he loves -- equally and desperately -- are in Pennsylvania, and all the stresses and pressures of his daily life and school are in New York.But when his parents stop talking to each other, it gets harder and harder for Jesse to maintain his dream life in Pennsylvania. And when Covid shuts New York City down in March 2020 just days after Jesse’s mother leaves his father, Jesse's worlds collide.
Storm: Marvel
by Tiffany D. JacksonBefore she was the super hero Storm of Marvel's X-Men, she was Ororo of Cairo—a teenaged thief on the streets of Egypt, until her growing powers catch the eye of a villain who steals people's souls. An epic origin story that will blow you away, from the New York Times bestselling author of Monday's Not Coming. Few can weather the storm. As a thief on the streets of Cairo, Ororo Munroe is an expert at blending in—keeping her blue eyes low and her white hair beneath a scarf. Stealth is her specialty . . . especially since strange things happen when she loses control. Lately, Ororo has been losing control more often, setting off sudden rainstorms and mysterious winds . . . and attracting dangerous attention. When she is forced to run from the Shadow King, a villain who steals people's souls, she has nowhere to turn to but herself. There is something inside her, calling her across Africa, and the hidden truth of her heritage is close enough to taste. But as Ororo nears the secrets of her past, her powers grow stronger and the Shadow King veers closer and closer. Can she outrun the shadows that chase her? Or can she step into the spotlight and embrace the coming storm? In her first speculative novel, New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson casts a breathtaking spell with one of Marvel's most beloved characters, and brings the superhero Storm to life as you've never seen her before.
The Strange Wonders of Roots
by Evan GriffithFrom the acclaimed author of Manatee Summer comes a poignant story about a girl who learns to lay down roots as she’s drawn into a fight over a local grove of trees that’s in danger of being torn down. Perfect for fans of Hoot and Operation Redwood.Holly Foster knows that nothing lasts—not hometowns or schools, or even family. It’s just safer to keep herself uninvolved. So when she’s sent to spend part of the summer with her uncle, she knows better than to get attached to him…or any part of his small Vermont town of Arden.But when she arrives, she’s drawn into the drama that’s split the town: The local plastic factory is trying to tear down the trees in the center of Arden to build a visitor’s center and museum. Holly shocks herself by stepping into the fray and taking on one of the most powerful families in the area. But as she learns more about the town—and makes a new friend or two—Holly is determined to protect the one place she thinks she could finally belong. But will she be able to convince the other townspeople that the trees deserve to stay?
The Structured Literacy Planner: Designing Interventions for Common Reading Difficulties, Grades 1-9
by Louise Spear-SwerlingStructured Literacy (SL) approaches are increasingly recognized as the gold standard for teaching struggling readers. This highly practical book walks educators through designing SL interventions for students with common types of reading difficulties--word reading, comprehension, or a combination of both. Louise Spear-Swerling offers tools for assessing students' reading profiles and tailoring SL to their needs. In a convenient large-size format, the volume is packed with case studies, sample lesson plans addressing both early and advanced stages of reading, instructional activities, and application exercises for teachers. A chapter on English language structure presents essential foundations for implementing SL effectively. The companion website features a knowledge survey about language structure (with answer key), as well as downloadable copies of the book's 14 reproducible forms. See also Louise Spear-Swerling's edited volume, Structured Literacy Interventions: Teaching Students with Reading Difficulties, Grades K–6, which surveys SL interventions across all components of literacy.
The Stupendous Switcheroo #2: Born to Be Bad (The Stupendous Switcheroo #2)
by Mary Winn Heider Chad SellSwitch and his heroic crew of rag-tag, superpowered kids are back! And this highly illustrated sequel has one mission: Operation Jailbreak (to Rescue the Parents who were Wrongfully Jailed by a Hero who Might Actually Turn Out to be the Real Villain?!)The Stupendous Switcheroo—Switch for short—used to idolize legendary superhero Vik Valor. He wanted to be just like him: a hero. But now that he has finally gotten used to waking up with new powers every day, Switch isn&’t so sure that Mr. Valor is one of the good guys. How could he be, if he put all of Switch's new friends&’ parents (who happen to be famous supervillains) in jail?Switch is left with only one course of action: Operation Jailbreak. Switch will have to get their families back, if he ever wants to find out the truth about Vik Valor—and himself. What else can you do if the good guys aren't really good? And if your parents are villains, were you born to be bad?
A Suffragist's Guide to the Antarctic
by Yi Shun LaiA teen&’s fight for suffrage turns into one of survival when her crew&’s Antarctic expedition ship gets stuck in the ice in this historical novel told in journal entries perfect for fans of Gary Paulsen and The Downstairs Girl.November 1914. Clara Ketterling-Dunbar is one of twenty-eight crew members of The Resolute—a ship meant for an Antarctic expedition now marooned on ice one hundred miles from the shore of the continent. An eighteen-year-old American, Clara has told the crew she&’s a twenty-one-year-old Canadian. Since the war broke out, sentiment toward Americans has not been the most favorable, and Clara will be underestimated enough simply for being a woman without also giving away just how young she is. Two members of the crew know her nationality, but no one knows the truth of her activities in England before The Resolute set sail. She and her suffragist sisters in the Women&’s Social & Political Union were waging war of a different kind in London. They taught Clara to fight. And now, even marooned on the ice, she won&’t stop fighting for women&’s rights…or for survival. In the wilderness of Antarctica, Clara is determined to demonstrate what a woman is truly capable of—if the crew will let her.
Summer at Squee
by Andrea WangFrom Newbery Honor–winning author Andrea Wang, a new middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp—and the many ways it transforms her.Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She&’s returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and &“Squee&” to campers in the know), and this year she&’s a senior camper. That means she; her best friend, Lyrica Chu; and her whole Squad will have the most influence. It almost doesn&’t matter that her brother is a CIT (counselor-in-training) and that her mom and auntie are the camp directors. Time spent at Squee is sacred, glorious, and free.On the day Phoenny arrives, though, she learns that the Squad has been split up, and there&’s an influx of new campers this year. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp—who doesn&’t love spending hours talking about and engaging in cultural activities? But she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others&’ experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded.Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could&’ve imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.
Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Hannah ReynoldsFrom the two-time Sydney Taylor Honor author comes another sweet Nantucket-set summer romance, perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon and K.L. Walther.Jordan Edelman&’s messy dating days are over. After a few too many broken hearts, and a father who worries a bit too much, she&’s sworn off boys—at least for the summer. And since she&’ll be tagging along on her father&’s research trip to Nantucket, she doesn&’t think it&’ll be too hard to stick to her resolution.But hooking up with the cute boy on the ferry doesn&’t count, right? At least, not until that cute boy turns out to be Ethan Barbanel. As in, her father&’s longtime research assistant Ethan Barbanel, the boy Jordan has hated from afar for years. And to make matters worse, Jordan might actually be falling for him. As if that didn&’t complicate her life enough, Jordan&’s new summer job with a local astronomer turns up a centuries-old mystery surrounding Gibson&’s Comet—and as she dives into her research, what she learns just might put her growing relationship with Ethan in jeopardy.
Summer Vamp: (A Graphic Novel)
by Violet Chan KarimWhat happens when a very human kid ends up at the wrong summer camp—FOR VAMPIRES?! This quirky and heart warming graphic novel about making friends and getting in trouble is perfect for fans of Witches of Brooklyn.After a lackluster school year, Maya anticipates an even more disappointing summer. The only thing she&’s looking forward to is cooking and mixing ingredients in the kitchen, which these days brings her more joy than mingling with her peers . . . that is until her dad's girlfriend registers her for culinary summer camp! Maya's summer is saved! . . . or not. What was meant to be a summer filled with baking pastries and cooking pasta is suddenly looking a lot . . . paler?! Why do all of the kids have pointy fangs? And hate garlic? Turns out that Maya isn't at culinary camp—she's at a camp for VAMPIRES! Maya has a lot to learn if she's going to survive this summer . . . and if she's lucky, she might even make some friends along the way.
Sunny (Track #3)
by Jason ReynoldsFantasma. Patina. Sunny. Lu. Esta es la historia de cuatro jóvenes de familias completamente diferentes, con personalidades que se vuelven explosivas al chocar. Pero son también cuatro jóvenes de secundaria que fueron escogidos para un equipo de élite de atletismo… un equipo que los podría ayudar a clasificarse para las Olimpiadas Juveniles. Todos tienen mucho que perder, pero también tienen mucho que demostrar, no solo a sus compañeros, sino a sí mismos. Sunny es el protagonista de esta novela, el tercero de cuatro libros en la emocionante serie de literatura juvenil de Jason Reynolds.Sunny es exactamente lo que significa su nombre en inglés: soleado. Siempre con la sonrisa bobalicona y algo agradable que decir, Sunny es el tipo más chévere en el equipo de los Defensores. Pero la vida de Sunny no siempre ha sido un rayo de sol resplandeciente. Verás: Sunny es un asesino. O al menos eso es lo que piensa de sí mismo. Su madre murió al darle a luz, y si nos basamos en el modo en que su padre lo trata —al ignorarlo y hacerle que siempre le diga &“Darryl&”, en lugar de &“papá&”—, no en balde Sunny piensa que la culpa de la muerte de su madre sea suya. Tal parece que lo único que Sunny puede hacer bien según su padre es ganar cintas de primer lugar en las competencias de una milla de distancia, igual que hacía su mamá. Pero a Sunny no le gusta correr; de hecho, nunca le ha gustado. Así que deja de hacerlo. En medio de una competencia. En el momento en que la relación con su padre no podría ir peor, lo último que querría Sunny es dejar a los otros novatos —sus únicos amigos— atrás. Pero no puedes estar en un equipo de atletismo y no correr. Así que el entrenador le pregunta a Sunny qué quiere hacer. ¿Y la respuesta de Sunny? Bailar. Sí, bailar. Pero es que tampoco puedes estar en un equipo de atletismo y bailar. Entonces, en un movida genial que solo podría haber concebido Jason Reynolds, Sunny descubre una modalidad en el atletismo que contiene los ritmos duros del hip hop, la precisión del ballet y las dotes teatrales del baile en general: el lanzamiento del disco. Mientras Sunny practica el lanzamiento del disco, que es aprender a soltarlo a tiempo, también soltará todo lo que lo ha carcomido por dentro.