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Hurricane Heist

James Ponti

A New York Times bestseller!

When a hurricane uncovers new information in a cold case, the Sherlock Society investigates a decades-old heist in this second book in the action-packed and funny Sherlock Society middle grade series from Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

When a category three hurricane hits Miami Beach, it uncovers a body buried at the renowned Moroccan Hotel. The body is identified as the man who served as the hotel’s bell captain sixty years ago…and the presumed culprit of the million-dollar jewel heist that took place just before his disappearance.

Since the bell captain clearly didn’t take off with the goods as had been long believed, the Sherlock Society sets their sights on uncovering the real culprit of the theft. But when the thief may also be implicated in the bell captain’s murder, even sixty years later, there are people who want the truth to stay buried.

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Coach

Jason Reynolds

Three starred reviews!

In this “beautifully executed victory lap” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) to Jason Reynolds’s award-winning and New York Times bestselling Track series, meet Coach as a boy striving to come into his own as a track star while facing upheaval at home.

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto. 

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

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I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 (I Survived #25)

Lauren Tarshis

The conditions of the Dust Bowl created over 2.5 million refugees who fled massive dust storms and barren landscapes. Lauren Tarshis's story of one boy's journey to escape this disaster will leave you breathless.The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was the worst environmental disaster in American history, a time when "black blizzards" of dust, some hundreds of miles wide, swept across the southern plains. Hundreds of people were killed. Thousands of farms were buried. Millions of refugees fled starvation and sickness in the plains only to face hatred and prejudice in California.In her 25th I Survived book, Lauren Tarshis brings this desperate time of poverty and fear to life through the thrilling story of an eleven-year-old boy who risks his life to save his family and friends during the worst dust storm of all, an event that would become known as "Black Sunday." Includes a section of nonfiction back matter with more facts and photos about the real-life event.

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Firefox Moon

Eoin Colfer

From Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl series and New York Times bestseller Juniper's Christmas!

Acclaimed, mega-bestselling Eoin Colfer, named "a master storyteller" by School Library Journal, returns to the world of Juniper Lane for a lively new adventure! This time, Juniper takes off on a summertime quest in a story sure to delight young readers all year round.

Juniper and her loyal flying reindeer Skära are the first ever Guardians of Cedar Wood. With Juniper’s mentor Niko back in the North Pole, they’re entrusted with protecting the magical forest hidden in the middle of London because there’s a teeny-tiny chance that he left behind a few sparks of magic... but definitely not enough to attract any dangerous magical creatures. Probably.

It turns out Niko actually left behind a lot of magic, transforming the entire forest into a haven for powerful creatures just as he's stranded far from London. A witch wielding a flaming dagger, a cursed queen desperate for a cure, and a pack of wolves out for revenge are all in pursuit of a legendary fox with the power to grant a wish under the midsummer Blood Moon—and the very fate of the Cedar Wood, and possibly all of Britain, hangs in the balance. Protecting the forest from these calamitous newcomers is a lot of work for a thirteen-year-old and her trusty reindeer, but Juniper is determined to save the world.

And one more thing—this adventure features a giant ground sloth, which is about the size of a Toyota Prius, but with more claws.

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The Bionic Boy

Lynn Plourde

The moving story of a superhero-loving boy born without hands who finds the hero inside himself

Benji feels like he's had more than his fair share of good luck—so it's frustrating that his disability tends to make people think the opposite. Adopted from an overseas orphanage when he was four, he’s grown up surrounded by the love of his dads and little sister. But it seems like the only thing people notice about him is that he was born without hands. He wishes that it didn't bother him so much when people stare at him and that he could be as confident as the superheroes he’s obsessed with. Then Benji meets a real-life hero and begins to dream about new possibilities. Staff Sergeant Snyder is a quadruple war amputee whose comfort in his own skin inspires Benji. Plus, Staff Sergeant has fun with his prosthetic limbs, making Benji wonder if it’s time he becomes bionic. It takes a near disaster in the neighborhood with their pet cat to show Benji that bionic or not, he already has all the courage it takes to be a hero. After all, heroes walk among us every day, and if he just remembers to believe in himself, he can easily be one of them.

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The Digger and the Christmas Tree

Joseph Kuefler

"This holiday winner about friendship and cooperation is...a cheery charmer for truck aficionados and anyone who loves Christmas."--Kirkus

A festive holiday readaloud from the bestselling Digger series by Joseph Kuefler. For fans of big trucks, this is the ideal next book for readers of Construction Site on Christmas Night.

It's Christmas Eve and Digger and the other big trucks are hanging tinsel, stringing lights, and decking the halls. But when there are no decorations left for the tree, Digger and his friends seek out the help of a few curious critters. Together, they forage and craft in the hopes they'll be ready before Santa arrives . . . and discover the best gift of all along the way.

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The Blue Jays That Grew a Forest

Lynn Street

Take a lyrical journey on the wings of blue jays as they bury thousands of acorns for next season's food and help Mother Nature extend the oak forests.

Most of us know about the mighty oak tree, and how important oaks are as a keystone species. But we may be less aware of the role that blue jays play in assisting the expansion of oak tree forests.

Covering one full year from season to season, we learn about the habits of the blue jays. All summer long they feed on bugs, berries, and seeds. But as autumn approaches, they perch in the canopy waiting for the acorns to ripen. With cold weather coming soon, this blue crew hauls away acorns, each bird taking as many as five per load. They fly over a farm or two and hide the acorns in a sunny open area where they can find them later when other food is scarce. But not all acorns will be eaten. Little do the jays know that the treasures they bury may one day become the beginnings of a new oak forest.

This debut picture book from poet Lynn Street lyrically celebrates the connection between blue jays and oak trees. It will appeal to readers fascinated by the behavior of birds and by the reciprocal relationships found in nature. While jays depend on acorns for food, the oak depends on jays to scatter its fruit far and wide. Blue jays have specially developed pouches in their throats that allow them to carry several acorns at a time, and they can travel as far as 1,500 miles in a season burying their acorns. A keystone species in oak forest ecosystems, these familiar birds are thought to have contributed to reestablishing oak forests after the last ice age. The detailed back matter provides further information about oaks and jays.

Geisel Honoree artist Anne Hunter, who lives in the jay-filled woods of Vermont, illustrated this book with great affection for these beautiful, clever, and sometimes noisy birds. After reading this book, you will see blue jays in an entirely new light.

Eureka! Nonfiction Children's Book Silver Award

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Wally Mammoth: the Sled Race

Corey R. Tabor

Wolf wants to win the sled race. He loves winning. Otto wants to win, too. Wally Mammoth is . . . not so sure. A giggle-inducing, unjacketed, lower-priced hardcover picture book about friendship and cupcakes that is perfect for emerging readers by multiple Geisel Award winner Corey R. Tabor and illustrator Dalton Webb. For fans of Elephant and Piggie and Narwhal and Jelly.

Wally Mammoth lives in the Ice Age, where his huge heart warms even the coldest of days. And it has to be cold to have a sled race! Wally and his friends Otto the great auk and Wolf the (you guessed it!) gray wolf are all hot cocoa'd up and ready to compete. Otto and Wolf both really want to win, but sweet Wally is happy as long as everyone has fun.

Naturally, the competition goes downhill quickly. If the three friends careen toward the finish line in a giant snowball, how will they determine first, second, and third place It doesn't matter--there will be cupcakes for everyone regardless.

Wally Mammoth and the Sled Race is the first installment in a vibrant, laugh-out-loud, comic-inspired series about a group of unforgettable friends--created by friends themselves, illustrator Dalton Webb and Geisel Award-winning author Corey R. Tabor. These unjacketed, lower-priced picture books make reading fun and are a perfect choice for emerging readers, for developing visual literacy, and for sharing together.

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A Lost Cause

Felicita Sala

From award-winning creator Felicita Sala comes a whimsical adventure about a child who's determined to recover all his misplaced belongings, wherever they may be

A baseball cap. A special sweater covered in dogs. A marble collection. The baseball cap, again.

Pablo just can't stop losing his things: at the bus stop, in the park, on a plane, everywhere! When his exasperated parents give him the responsibility of keeping track of everything, Pablo tries--he really does. But his room has become a frightful mess, and with show-and-tell just around the corner, Pablo needs to find his things now more than ever. Where have they gone to? And who can help him now?

Relatably told from a child's point of view, this playful tale from internationally beloved author-illustrator Felicita Sala explores the secret lives of the countless little things that go missing every day.

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The Winding Willow

Will Hillenbrand

Join brave young mouse Hubert Cumberbun on a fantastical wintertime adventure in this epic companion to Will Hillenbrand's acclaimed picture book The Voice in the Hollow that also includes a double gatefold surprise.

Hubert Cumberbun is on his way home. . . well, a way home! Wind obscures his path. Shadows flicker. And Hubert finds a mysterious tree, filled with enticing lost and found treasures. There's his brother's runaway shoe! His father's umbrella! The key to their house! 

Now, Hubert will have to brave the surreal snowy landscape and the hungry owl who lives there to bring his found trinkets home. Holding on tight to his umbrella, he daringly soars above the wintery world below... and makes it back in time to share a delicious loaf of cinnamon bread with his family.

A companion to Will Hillenbrand's The Voice in the Hollow, The Winding Willow is a fantastical journey for fans and newcomers alike. Sparse text and epic artwork meld to create a timeless tale sure to warm families' hearts on even the coldest winter nights.

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Dungeons and Dragons: Dungeon Club: Final Face-Off

Molly Knox Ostertag

In the third and final installment of the heartfelt Dungeons & Dragons graphic novel series by Molly Knox Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma, the club battles new monsters--both real and imaginary--as their first campaign comes to an epic conclusion.

Tyler has a secret--Sunny, the imaginary friend he had when he was younger, hasn't gone away. Not only that, she now acts as his butt-kicking character in his after-school D&D club, too. Whether it's helping him deal with his rowdy cousin, Luis, or avoiding his archnemesis, Kelly, at school, Sunny always has his back, often encouraging soft-spoken Tyler to be a little more...bold.

Until one day Sunny pushes Tyler a little too far and he unexpectedly confesses his feelings to Sam, his outspoken and dreamy crush. Instead of a happily ever after, Tyler's confession turns into gossip fodder for the entire school. Hurt and angry, Tyler banishes Sunny from his mind.

But the silence afterward is louder than Sunny's presence ever was, and Tyler must look to the people in his real life to discover who he truly is--and who he wants to be.

Praise for Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Club

A Harvey Award-Nominated series

"An absolutely wonderful story that exemplifies the joys, challenges, and lifelong memories forged between friends in the creative furnace of role-playing games. The vibrant, energetic art further elevates the beautiful dichotomy between epic, fantasy adventures and finding one's place in those awkward teenage years. I couldn't help but see much of myself and my own youth in parts of each character as they find their companions in real life through their imaginary adventures, and the sense of unparalleled bonding one finds within a good game group resonates deeply throughout this story. I absolutely loved it." --Matthew Mercer, creator of Critical Role

"The power D&D has to help you explore and express yourself is on full display in this lovely story of friendship and growing up." --Kat Leyh, author of Snapdragon

"Perfectly captures the magic when the world you create with your friends becomes as real as the world around you." --Tim Probert, author of the Lightfall series

"A thrilling and gorgeous adventure that goes straight for your heart." --ND Stevenson, New York Times bestselling author of Nimona

"What Molly Ostertag and Xanthe Bouma pull off in Dungeon Club is nothing short of astounding. Contained within these magical pages are not one but two amazing stories: fantasy and reality woven masterfully together by Ostertag's spellbinding storytelling. An adventure filled with fun, magic, and deep insight into the trials and tribulations of high school, Dungeon Club is what we in the D&D world would call a 'Critical Hit'! To everyone who knows that there's always adventure and a little bit of magic just around the corner, this book will be a treasured artifact for years and years to come!" --Brennan Lee Mulligan, creator of Dimension 20

"Middle grade readers intrigued by the cult classic RPG and fans fond of popular campaigns like Adventure Zone and Critical Role will enjoy the message of this series opener: 'Monsters are easier to fight when you've got people by your side.'" --ALA Booklist (starred review)

"Scoring high on charisma, this tale of personal growth is bound to win many a curious young fan over to D&D's allure." --Kirkus Reviews

"For readers who are fans of or are curious about role-playing games, or those seeking heartwarming stories about friendship and imagination." --School Library Journal

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Secrets of the Purple Pearl

Kate McKinnon

The greatest adventures start with secrets.

The Porch Sisters are in trouble.

It's summertime in Antiquarium, and everyone has flocked to the majestic lakeside Purple Pearl Hotel, including the Krenetics Research Association, a nefarious group of mad scientists. They haven't given up on resurrecting their fearsome leader, Talon Sharktūth, and now they're hot on the trail of the legendary Purple Pearl, a source of power that is rumored to be lost at the bottom of Lake Kagloopy.

But Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee are on to them, plus their mentor, Millicent Quibb, has a plan! Is it a good plan? Hard to say! But it does involve finding a mysterious creature called a Shrimpmaid, boiling the lake (and everything inside it), and retrieving the pearl before the KRA gets its evil hands on it!

While Millicent and the gang work together to prevent the second coming of Talon Sharktūth, the sisters discover more secrets than they bargained for--including where they came from and who they truly are...

This is one mad-science summer vacation they'll never forget!

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Big Nate: No Harm Done!

Lincoln Peirce

Sixth grade renaissance man Nate Wright is bombastic, enthusiastic, and larger than life--it's why his friends call him "Big Nate." But behind the bravado, Nate is a faithful friend whose antics crack up his classmates, impart life lessons to readers, and bring a smile to comics fans everywhere.

It's back-to-school time for sixth-grader Nate Wright, and this just might be the best year ever! Rumors are flying that the villainous Mrs. Godfrey is now teaching EIGHTH grade. Chad is on the verge of destroying Gina in the race for class president. And could Nate finally realize his dream of changing the school mascot to . . . a sea cucumber? Hey, why not? He's a can-do kind of guy. So when the Weekly Bugle needs a story, Nate's happy to make headlines--by (allegedly) starting an epic food fight in the cafetorium! In this latest collection of gut-busting Big Nate comics, Nate's always stirring things up, but at the end of every day, P.S. 38 is still standing. In other words: NO HARM DONE!

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Island Storm

Brian Floca

In Caldecott Medalist Brian Floca and acclaimed illustrator Sydney Smith’s thrilling picture book, young readers will experience the sheer power of a violent thunderstorm and the calm of its aftermath.

Can you tell when a storm is coming? Can you feel the wind coming and growing? Do you hear the branches bouncing together, hear the whispers of the wind through the leaves? 

Join in the journey as two siblings bear witness to the steady start, thrilling apex, and gentle end of this island storm. They’ll shelter soon, but first they want to feel it all. 

Sydney Smith is the winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international distinction given to authors and illustrators of children's books, and his illustrations are fantastically textured and visually spectacular. Paired with Brian Floca’s eloquent, rhythmic text, Island Storm is a multi-sensory experience that will amaze and delight readers. Children who fear thunder can take comfort in seeing it captured in the pages, while those who relish watching the sky crack open can enjoy battling this storm from the comfort of their homes.

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Tuck Me In

Nathan W. Pyle

One starry night, the moon kindly pulls the sea up to the sand, to tuck the beach in.

But all of a sudden, she hears another beach in the in the distance cry out, "HEY, WHERE DID MY BLANKET GO?"

Uh oh! As the moon pushes the tide back and forth trying to tuck in both beaches, one is always left uncovered and unhappy, and the bickering begins . . .

Can the moon get them to agree to take turns?

Nathan W. Pyle combines his signature humour with a pinch of science, inviting readers to tuck in to this hilarious story about the ever-present bedtime struggle and the fun that can be found in compromise. 

FROM THE CREATOR OF THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, STRANGE PLANET - NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES ON APPLE TV+

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Hansel and Gretel

Stephen King

An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller!

An Instant #1 Indie Bestseller!

The haunting tale of two brave children lost in a dark and dangerous forest is reimagined by literary legends Stephen King and Maurice Sendak in an all-new picture book.

Let Stephen King, global bestselling and award-winning author of The Long Walk, and Maurice Sendak, beloved creator of the Caldecott Medal-winning Where the Wild Things Are," guide you into the most deliciously daring rendition of the classic Grimm fairy tale yet. But will you find your way back out?

With a personal introduction from Stephen King, the beautiful book has been created in close collaboration with The Maurice Sendak Foundation. This stunning storybook makes the perfect gift for fans of King, Sendak, and the Brothers Grimm.

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The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle

Sy Montgomery

"A remarkable story." -- Washington Post

The bestselling and Sibert Honor-winning creators of The Book of Turtles bring us the true story of a snapping turtle's extraordinary journey--and the amazing conservationists who helped give him a second chance. This feel-good, gorgeously illustrated story about beating the odds is complete with inspiring back matter and photos.

Here is the true story of a very lucky turtle. His story began long ago when he was hatched from a very small egg on an autumn day. After decades of traveling between his summer pond behind the firehouse and his winter pond across the street, he never could have guessed that on one October day he would become unlucky . . .

The amazing friends and challenges he met along the way are all chronicled by the Sibert Honor-winning duo behind The Book of Turtles in this tribute to the resilience and good luck of their dear friend, a very lucky turtle indeed.

Detailed back matter includes an author's note, information about snapping turtles, and reader resources for how to save injured turtles.

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Together, United (an All Because You Matter Book)

Tami Charles

With an inspirational message of unity comes the profound final installment of the All Because You Matter trilogy from powerhouse author Tami Charles and award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier!

A lyrical and astounding proclamation of unity and love, this stunning picture book serves as a reminder and a clear declaration that together, we are all part of something much greater. Courageous and bold, this final follow-up to the New York Times bestselling All Because You Matter and acclaimed We Are Here is a message of optimism: that alone we are strong, but together we are unstoppable!

Tami Charles' powerful and rhythmic text reminds young readers of their brilliance as individuals and the immense power they hold when their voices come together as one. Breathtaking illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, evoke the beauty and wonder of how we are all connected together in the world and our ability to change it for the better. Together, United is a community touchstone and a reminder that the best way to a better future is to create it together... united.

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The Camel Library: A True Story from Pakistan

Marzieh Abbas

Alongside warm and soft illustrations by Anain Shaikh, Marzieh Abbas lovingly weaves the heartfelt true story of Pakistan's first camel library, which reconnected Pakistani children to the light of books in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Meet Roshan the camel! He spends his days carrying firewood with his human, Murad, to feed their family. One day, a pandemic sweeps through their home country of Pakistan, closing the schools and public libraries. Many children, especially in rural areas, were left without access to learning materials.

Then Roshan and Murad get a call from an organization that wants to help, and they accept a new mission: instead of carrying firewood, they'll carry books. Day after day, they set out to different villages, Roshan's back loaded with books to lend out to the children they meet. But they don't just bring stories—they also carry joy, hope, and connection.

The back of the book includes photos and more information about the camel library program, as well as fun facts about camels.

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If We Were Dogs

Sophie Blackall

NATIONAL BESTSELLER!

Two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall's follow-up to her bestselling If I Was a Horse explores the challenges of first friendships through imaginative play. 

If we were dogs, what kind would we be? 
I'd be a big dog! And you'd be little dog. 
Woof!

Join two friends as they bark and growl, woof and howl - and maybe even quack - in a romp that makes room for everybody's ideas.

Sophie Blackall unleashes a marvelous game of pretend that explores navigating friendship and celebrates boundless imagination in this wonderful companion for her national bestseller If I Was a Horse.

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Monster Blood (Goosebumps Graphic Novel #2)

R. L. Stine

Goosebumps now on Disney+!

While staying with his great-aunt Kathryn, Evan Ross visits an eerie old toy store. Among the dusty shelves, he finds a can of something called "Monster Blood." The odd, sticky substance really does look like the blood of a creature. It has a greenish glow and sometimes feels warm to the touch. But the most alarming thing about the toy ooze is the way it keeps growing -- overflowing its container, then a bathtub, then filling up a whole trash can. Evan worries that all that growing has given the Monster Blood a monstrous appetite...

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The Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy (the Unlikely Aventuras of Ramón and El Cucuy Book #1)

Donna Barba Higuera

A young monster befriends the human child he's been assigned to scare in this spooky-funny chapter book debut from Newbery Medal-winning author Donna Barba Higuera, with illustrations throughout by Juliana Perdomo

It's a monster's ancient duty to inflict unimaginable horrors on misbehaving kids.

But when a young cucuy who's anxious to prove himself is sent to the human world to terrorize his first child, the naughty niño isn't scared by glowing eyes, sharp talons, or even disgusting breath. Instead, he's preoccupied with worries about his first day at a new school. Can the little cucuy prove himself as a fierce boogeyman? As he soon learns from his human, maybe some things are scarier than creatures under the bed . . . and maybe even a monster could use a friend.

Featuring two-color illustrations throughout, this first chapter book from Newbery Medal-winning author Donna Barba Higuera and acclaimed artist Juliana Perdomo delightfully blends sly humor, light spookiness, and lots of heart, and is perfect for fans of Jon Klassen's The Skull.

More Aventuras with Ramón and El Cucuy (Picture Books):
El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!
It's Navidad, El Cucuy!

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War Games

Alan Gratz

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Heroes comes this heart-pounding, high-stakes take on the 1936 Berlin Olympics, also known as the "Nazi Olympics."

In 1936 Berlin, nothing is what it seems...

Evie Harris can't believe her luck: She's competing in the Olympics, along with fellow American athletes like Jesse Owens. True, there's something creepy about Germany's leader, Adolf Hitler, who watches over the games with his Nazi henchmen. But Evie's just here to win a gold medal in gymnastics.

Until she discovers a horrible secret.

Behind all the Olympic fanfare, the Nazis have Berlin in an iron grip of terror and violence--and war is brewing. When Evie becomes embroiled in a mysterious plot to help steal Nazi gold, she must navigate the city's darkest corners and hidden passageways, never knowing who she can trust.

With lives on the line and her family's future at stake, Evie has to choose between following her Olympic dreams and standing up to evil... before it's too late.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz is back and better than ever with this heart-racing, plot-twisting story about the roots of World War II and the sacrifices we make for what matters most.

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Stella and Marigold: Mermaids and Mix-Ups

Annie Barrows

From the creators of the New York Times-bestselling Ivy + Bean comes a fun and funny new chapter book series about two small sisters with very big imaginations.

This charming and critically acclaimed early chapter book series follows the everyday adventures of siblings Stella and Marigold. In this second book, Stella and Marigold receive a purple present--a book for them to list all their friends. That's when they discover they need to make more friends!

But how? With magical recipes to make snow fall? With lots of nice Band-Aids? How about a mermaid candleholder? The two sisters are full of ideas and plans. Maybe they turn out, or maybe they don't, but one thing is for sure: By the end of this book, readers will be the best of friends with Stella and Marigold.

CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED: Book 1 in the series, a USA Today and National Indie bestseller, shined with critics, receiving four starred reviews!

BELOVED CHILDREN'S BOOK CREATORS: Annie Barrows is the author of The Magic Half and bestselling The Best of Iggy series. Sophie Blackall is the award-winning illustrator of over 50 books for children, including the 2016 Caldecott Medal winner Finding Winnie and the 2019 Caldecott Medal winner Hello Lighthouse. Together, they are the dynamic duo behind the Ivy + Bean series.

GREAT FOR NEWLY INDEPENDENT READERS: With lots of adventure, a dynamic relationship that captures an enormous range of emotions, and colorful pictures, this series is perfect for emerging readers. Humor is also one of the best enticements to get and keep kids reading. This unlikely duo will have readers LOL-ing!

STRONG RELATIONSHIP: Parents looking for a positive depiction of the ups and downs of sisterhood will love this series, but it will also resonate with fans of more general friendship duos. The series has the same familiar settings and family relationships as Ivy + Bean, with just a sprinkle of magic.

WONDERFUL GIFT: Sophie Blackall's illustrations are both gorgeous and hilarious, making this book a gift joyfully given and very happily received.

Perfect for:

  • Independent readers age 6-9
  • Parents, teachers, and librarians seeking entertaining elementary school chapter books
  • Gift-givers looking for an early readers series for kids who enjoy stories full of humor and heart
  • Readers who love such bestselling book series as Ivy + Bean, Junie B. Jones, Beezus and Ramona, Dory Fantasmagory, and Princess in Black
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Spy School Blackout

Stuart Gibbs

In the thirteenth book in Stuart Gibbs’s New York Times bestselling Spy School series, superspy middle schooler Ben Ripley goes off the grid to eliminate a cybersecurity threat.

After a devious computer hacker pulls off the CIA’s worst-case scenario, shutting down power networks all over the world, Ben and his fellow spies-in-training are forced to make a harrowing emergency landing of their plane in Indonesia. While chaos begins to erupt around the planet, Ben deduces that his team is closer to the mysterious hacker’s base than anyone else. But with all computers and phones down, there’s no way to communicate with anyone at the CIA. On their latest mission to save the world, Ben and his friends face a conniving villain, assassins, pirates, sharks, and very big lizards in the most remote—and deadly—location of any spy school yet!

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The House on Mango Street

Sandra Cisneros

A TODAY SHOW #ReadWithJenna BOOK CLUB PICK 

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A coming-of-age classic about a young girl growing up in Chicago • Acclaimed by critics, beloved by readers of all ages, taught in schools and universities alike, and translated around the world—from the winner of the 2025 Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Book Critics Circle.

“Cisneros draws on her rich [Latino] heritage...and seduces with precise, spare prose, creat[ing] unforgettable characters we want to lift off the page. She is not only a gifted writer, but an absolutely essential one.” —The New York Times Book Review

The House on Mango Street is one of the most cherished novels of the last fifty years. Readers from all walks of life have fallen for the voice of Esperanza Cordero, growing up in Chicago and inventing for herself who and what she will become. “In English my name means hope,” she says. “In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting."

Told in a series of vignettes—sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes joyous—Cisneros’s masterpiece is a classic story of childhood and self-discovery and one of the greatest neighborhood novels of all time. Like Sinclair Lewis’s Main Street or Toni Morrison’s Sula, it makes a world through people and their voices, and it does so in language that is poetic and direct. This gorgeous coming-of-age novel is a celebration of the power of telling one’s story and of being proud of where you're from. 




 

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I Am Not Jessica Chen

Ann Liang

Jenna Chen has spent her life in the shadow of her flawless cousin. Jessica Chen is so smart she gets the top score on every test. Jessica Chen is so beautiful people stop in the hallway to stare at her. Jessica Chen is so perfect she got into Harvard.

And Jenna Chen will only ever be a disappointment.

So when Jenna makes a desperate wish to become her cousin, the last thing she expects is for it to come true — literally. All of a sudden she gets to live the life she’s always dreamed of...but being the model student at cutthroat Havenwood Private Academy isn’t quite what she’d imagined. Worse, people seem to be forgetting that someone named Jenna Chen ever existed. But isn’t it worth trading it all away — her artistic talent, her childhood home, even the hope of golden boy Aaron Cai loving her back — to be Jessica Chen?

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Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots: A Graphix Chapters Book (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids #1)

Marcia Thornton Jones

Mrs. Jeepers may -- or may not -- be a vampire in this funny and spooky series from Graphix Chapters.

Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters!

Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts, easy-to-follow paneling, and artwork that supports text comprehension, these engaging stories with unforgettable characters help children become lifelong readers.

The third graders at Bailey Elementary are so hard to handle that all of their teachers have quit. But their new teacher, Mrs. Jeepers, is different -- to say the least. She's just moved from Transylvania into a spooky old house in Bailey City. She wears a mysterious brooch that glows as green as her eyes. Could Mrs. Jeepers be a vampire?

Featuring a beloved story by Marcia Thornton Jones and Debbie Dadey and fresh artwork by Academy Award winner Pearl Low, Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots is the first-ever graphic novel adaptation of Scholastic's classic chapter book series.

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Junie B. Jones #1: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

Barbara Park

“Hilarious. Barbara Park makes reading fun.” —Dav Pilkey, author of Dog Man
 
Barbara Park’s #1 New York Times bestselling chapter book series, Junie B. Jones, has been keeping kids laughing—and reading—for more than twenty-five years. Over 65 million copies sold!
 
Meet the World’s Funniest Kindergartner—Junie B. Jones! Remember when it was scary to go to school? In the first Junie B. Jones book, it’s Junie B.’s first day and she doesn’t know anything. She’s so scared of the school bus and the meanies on it that when it’s time to go home, she doesn’t. 
 
USA Today:
“Junie B. is the darling of the young-reader set.”
 
Publishers Weekly:
“Park convinces beginning readers that Junie B.—and reading—are lots of fun.” 
 
Kirkus Reviews:
“Junie’s swarms of young fans will continue to delight in her unique take on the world. . . . A hilarious, first-rate read-aloud.” 
 
Time:
“Junie B. Jones is a feisty six-year-old with an endearing penchant for honesty.”

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Matilda

Roald Dahl

The classic story from Roald Dahl, about an exceptional young girl with extraordinary powers. Adapted into a Tony Award-winning Broadway musical and a Netflix film!

Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a menacing, kid-hating headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!

Here is Roald Dahl's original novel of a little girl with extraordinary powers. This much-loved story has recently been made into a wonderful new musical, adapted by Dennis Kelly with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin.

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Look I'm a Scientist

DK

An activity book that will help little ones discover everyday science as they play their way through 14 exciting home science experiments!

Full of hands-on activities that will tap straight into your child's natural scientific curiosity. The experiments are easy to follow and use items that most people already have tucked away at home. 


Look I'm A Scientist is the most incredible introduction to science for kids. From an iceberg animal rescue to stretchy slime and a science wizard potion. Kids can pour it, mix it, feel it, and more, as each sensory-friendly activity becomes an ever-so-exciting science experiment.

The 14 activities in this educational book are easy to prepare, set up, and create. A step-by-step visual guide and a charming design make it the perfect STEM activity book for parents and their little ones to explore together. Each activity is designed to let your child play and learn with all their senses. Together you can grow their love of science and their understanding of the world. 

Little scientists will discover fun facts like why water goes stiff in the freezer, what makes slime super stretchy, how to make the best soap bubbles, and lots more. With Look I'm A Scientist children can touch, smell, see, hear, and taste their way to scientific amazement.

And remember, making a mess is part of the fun and learning!

Find Out Why, What, And How!

You were born with everything you need to be an extraordinary scientist - a fantastic brain and super senses. Get ready to touch, smell, see, hear, and taste your way to scientific discovery. Being a little scientist has never been so much fun!

Full of amazing science experiments for kids like: 

- Homemade playdough
- Ooey gooey slime
- A bubble volcano
- And much, much more!

DK's Look! I'm Learning series of exciting and educational STEM books, focus on the sensory experience of practical learning and play, and find the science in everyday activities. Hands-on learning experiences tap straight into kids' insatiable curiosity and sense of wonder. 

These books for children are perfect for ages 3–6, formatted with a padded cover and toddler-tough pages. The series encourages children to develop independence and improves their critical thinking, investigation skills, and motor skills. Try the other titles in the series next, including Look I'm A CookLook I'm A Mathematician, and Look I'm An Engineer.

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One Boy Watching

Grant Snider

Everyone knows what it feels like to be a passenger--and this book finally puts this universal feeling into words.

Climb aboard Bus Number Four as it travels along country roads and city streets, past train tracks and farm fields. Through the window, countless details rush by, just waiting to be noticed. What will you see today?

In this lyrical tribute to long rides and curious minds, author Grant Snider celebrates the extraordinary found within the ordinary, the fascinating hiding within the familiar, and the world of discovery awaiting all those who watch and wonder.

THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING A PASSENGER: An ode to staring out the window, to the daydream, and to observation. This thoughtful new picture book is a wonderful way for kids to think about their own commute to school.

COUNTING: Every morning, one boy watches . . . for two bright headlights, three big steps up, four rusty cars, and infinite wonders that can be seen along the way! Kids will enjoy counting the colorful worlds that slip by the windows on this journey.

READ ALOUD: With its contemplative and poetic lyricism, and bright, textured illustrations, this classic-feeling book is a beautiful read aloud.

Perfect for:

- Parents and grandparents of introspective, introverted, or thoughtful daydreamers
- Families who commute, take road trips, or enjoy long car rides
- Fans of Grant Snider's previous titles, including What Color is Night?, What Sound is Morning? and There Is A Rainbow.

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Frank and Lucky Get Schooled

Lynne Rae Perkins

Newbery Medalist and bestselling author Lynne Rae Perkins introduces a boy (Frank) and a dog (Lucky) in this celebratory, wry, and happily unconventional introduction to the subjects children encounter in school. This beautifully illustrated, humorous, and insightful picture book offers a new twist on the classic boy-and-his-dog story!

On a rainy day, Frank’s parents take him to the shelter to get a new dog. That’s how Frank finds Lucky, and from that moment on, they’re inseparable. As Frank and Lucky venture out into the world around them, they discover they both have a lot to learn. Exploring their neighborhood teaches them about biology: Lucky learns all about squirrels, deer, and—unfortunately for Frank—skunks. Sharing a bed teaches them about fractions—what happens when one dog takes up three-quarters of the bed, or even the whole thing? They even learn different languages: Frank makes a friend who speaks Spanish and Lucky tries to learn Duck! Who knew you could learn so much without ever setting foot inside a classroom?

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Cranes

Marv Alinas

Clank! A crane drops a steel beam on top of a skyscraper! Find out more about wrecking balls, heavy loads, and other things a crane might lift. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, informative sidebars and captions, an activity, critical-thinking questions, sources for further research, a phonetic glossary, an index, and an introduction to the author.

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The Crayon Man

Natascha Biebow

Celebrating the inventor of the Crayola crayon This gloriously illustrated picture book biography tells the inspiring story of Edwin Binney, the inventor of one of the world's most beloved toys. A perfect fit among favorites like The Day the Crayons Quit and Balloons Over Broadway.

purple mountains' majesty, mauvelous, jungle green, razzmatazz...

What child doesn't love to hold a crayon in their hands? But children didn't always have such magical boxes of crayons. Before Edwin Binney set out to change things, children couldn't really even draw in color.

Here's the true story of an inventor who so loved nature's vibrant colors that he found a way to bring the outside world to children - in a bright green box for only a nickel With experimentation, and a special knack for listening, Edwin Binney and his dynamic team at Crayola created one of the world's most enduring, best-loved childhood toys - empowering children to dream in COLOR 
 

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Lena's Shoes Are Nervous

Keith Calabrese

In the tradition of School’s First Day of School, debut author Keith Calabrese and Pura Belpré Award winner Juana Medina share a sweet, universal story about a clever little girl whose shoes are nervous about the first day of school.

Today is a big day! Today, Lena starts kindergarten. She is very excited. But there’s just one problem…

Lena’s shoes are nervous.

Lena doesn’t want to miss out on her first day of school, but she can’t go without her favorite shoes! How can she convince them to be brave?

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National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of African Animals

Catherine D. Hughes

From the toothy lions and towering giraffes you already know to the burrowing aardvarks and adorable gorillas you can’t help but love, this engaging reference book introduces young readers to the diverse wildlife found in Africa.

Venture through Africa’s rainforests, grasslands, and deserts to meet more than 50 different animals native to this large continent. Featured creatures include mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, insects, and spiders. Through informative profiles and stunning photographs, readers will learn what these amazing African animals eat, where they live, and so much more! 

Features include:

  • Maps that show where these animals are found in the wild
  • Questions in each chapter that encourage interactive learning
  • Simple text perfect for reading aloud with an adult, or for beginner readers
  • Fun facts on every spread
  • Engaging photography of real animals in their habitats
  • Parent tips that extend the experience beyond the book


Expand your ollection with these popular titles from the best-selling National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book series:

  • Little Kids First Big Book of Animals
  • Little Kids First Big Book of Baby Animals
  • Little Kids First Big Book of the Ocean
  • Little Kids First Big Book of Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Little Kids First Big Book of Birds
  • Little Kids First Big Book of Bugs
  • Little Kids First Big Book of the Rain Forest
  • Little Kids First Big Book of Pets
    ... and more!
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My Weird School Graphic Novel: Mr. Corbett Is in Orbit!

Dan Gutman

Graphic novel fans, prepare for liftoff! New York Times bestselling author Dan Gutman and illustrator Jim Paillot have brought you an all-new series of My Weird School graphic novels!

In this first book, A.J. and his friends at Ella Mentry School are headed on a field trip to NASA headquarters. But their tour guide, Mr. Corbett, is a total space cadet! And what happens when A.J. accidentally launches the whole class into outer space!

Full of visual gags, space aliens, and hilarious full-color illustrations, this is the weirdest graphic novel in the history of the world!

With more than 27 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading!

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All the Hulk Feels (a Mighty Marvel Comics Picture Book)

Dan. Santat

In All the Hulk Feels, a graphic novel picture book from Marvel and Caldecott Medal-winning author Dan Santat, Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk work together to wrangle their super-sized emotions

Me, Hulk, only feel mad
Hulk wish can feel other feel.

Bruce feel all feel.
Bruce lucky.

When scientist Bruce Banner starts to feel his emotions getting out of hand, he transforms into his alter ego, the Incredible Hulk! Usually, Hulk is ready to use his anger to smash supervillains, but when everyday moments like pickles on a burger (yuck!) begin triggering Bruce's transformations, Hulk grows frustrated. Will their differences get the better of them? In a silly and heartfelt series of letters exchanged through a pocket in their purple pants, Bruce and Hulk learn to befriend even their most ferocious emotions.

This all-new comic picture book from multi-award winning and New York Times bestselling author Dan Santat combines sequential illustration panels with traditional picture book elements to create a dazzling new reading experience for budding Marvel fans-and a perfect introduction to comics for the youngest readers.

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Fantastic Flora: the World's Biggest, Baddest, and Smelliest Plants

Ann McCallum Staats

From deadly nightshade to the flying duck orchid, discover how some of the biggest, baddest, smelliest, and strangest plants around the globe earn their reputation as masters of survival.

Ready to meet some far-out flora? Leaf through this book and you'll unearth some of the amazing adaptations that help plants thrive: Seeds that explode. Leaves that look like stones. Berries so deadly that swallowing just a few will stop your heart. A plant that eats meat, and another that pretends to be meat--rotten meat, with a smell so rank you'll want to plug your nose. Dig in to the science of plant survival in a botanical book blooming with lush illustrations and filled with engagingly narrated, fascinating facts about how plants flourish, even in the most extreme environments on earth. A glossary, source notes, index, and select bibliography round out the back matter for readers eager to know more.

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Into the Rapids

Ann Braden

Sometimes even a girl who likes to rely only on herself needs to be brave enough to ask for help.

When a super-storm hits Addy's remote mountain town, knocking out the bridge and cutting her home off from the main road, she worries that she won’t be able to get to the survival camp she’s been looking forward to attending. The camp’s the place where her parents met, and where Addy plans to hone her skills and honor their legacy. But now there’s no power and it’s also like a light has been switched off in her mom, who’s been triggered by the raging river and memories of Addy’s dad dying in a similar storm. The two of them are feeling particularly stranded as they’ve never bothered to befriend any neighbors. But now Addy keeps running into her classmate Caleb on the hill above her house where they both go to get cell service. Caleb’s frantic about a missing neighbor, and Addy’s amazed to see how he’s able to connect with folks to get help. Then Caleb offers to help her get to camp--but can she trust him? She always thought of him as an enemy--but maybe she was partially to blame for his frostiness? The storm has brought so many questions swirling to the surface and has made Addy feel it’s time to take some leaps of faith. When she agrees to travel with Caleb by canoe, this sets off a remarkable string of events and the biggest test of her survival skills. More importantly, it sets Addy on a road to understanding that she's not in this adventure of life alone--and that a good thing.

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Giant Parsnip Soup

Daniela Sosa

Count from one to ten with the help of colorful vegetables and joyful friends in this cheerful picture book.

A feisty group of friends find a giant parsnip and set off on an adventure to gather the rest of the ingredients, from one to ten, to make delicious soup together. Come and count along! Includes a recipe for vegetable soup.

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DC's Misfits of Magic

Matthew Dow Smith

When these tweens team up, nothing can stop them!

Ricki Jones is your average middle-grader. Her fellow-orphan-turned-adopted-brother Ross is, too. The seven mystical monks training them to protect the Earth from dark supernatural forces are pretty standard adults-they want nothing more than a little peace over summer vacation and all their prior attempts to get the kids out of town led to the camps going out of business. So this year? Rikki and Ross are heading to the town library, where Zatanna Zatara took a camp counselor job she expects to regret.

And Rikki's very normal. Everyone wants to investigate mysterious and strange events that could also mean the end of the world. Right? Everyone gathers a band of rogues and weirdoes to help. That's just how friendship works!

It's fate (not like, Dr. Fate, just regular fate) that brings her together with Danny Cassidy, the Blue Devil. He's got ADHD and kinda fused with his Halloween costume, giving him demon powers. And Boston Brand, who died in a horrifying microfiche accident and roams the halls as Deadkid. And don't forget June Moon, who changes into an incredibly powerful sorceress named The Enchantress. But don't hold that against her, she's really very sweet when she's not causing trouble.

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The Burning Season

Caroline Starr Rose

In this riveting coming-of-age survival story in verse perfect for fans of Alan Gratz, a fire lookout-in-training must find her courage when a wildfire breaks out on her watch.

Twelve-year-old Opal has a secret: she’s deathly afraid of fire. Still Opal is preparing to become a fourth-generation lookout on Wolf Mountain, deep in the New Mexico wilderness. She, Mom, and Gran live at ten thousand feet in a single room at the top of a fire tower. They are responsible for spotting any hint of smoke before it becomes an uncontrollable blaze. 

Instead of training for the lonely life of a lookout, Opal wishes she could be starting seventh grade in Silver City, attending real classes with kids her own age and even going to afterschool clubs like FFA. But Wolf Mountain has other ideas. When Mom makes the long trek to town for supplies and Gran goes missing, Opal is the only one to spot a tell-tale spiral of smoke moving up the mountainside. She’ll have to be braver than she’s ever been as she heads into the woods, beyond Wolf Ridge’s old blackened burn scar, to face down a fire on her own. But when a fire is what took her father away, and Opal herself knows the sting of smoke and lick of flames, how can she be brave enough when it really counts?

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Elena Camps

Juana Medina

Elena is eager to put up her tent--but is there something she's missing in her hurry? Juana Medina brings back the plucky elephant and her little sidekick with a comedic flair sure to delight beginning readers.

The big box has arrived, and Elena is so excited! Tent parts fly everywhere as she empties the contents and dives right in. This job will be done in no time! GA-BUNK! Oops! Elena forgot the poles! Now it's under control . . . GA-BAM! A little tug here might help . . . GA-BOING! Now Elena is stomping mad! What's that her bird buddy's saying? Something about that folded paper that came with the tent? In a charmingly comic follow-up to Elena Rides, also available in a dual English-Spanish edition, the determined elephant shows young fans that some things are hard--and some tents cow the best of campers--but with patience you can conquer them, if you slow down and try, try again.

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Blue

Suzanne Kaufman

This sweet story about a child's magical night with a blue heron is the perfect dreamy bedtime story for little ones.

One summer morning, Boy wakes up to discover Blue. Curious, he follows this mysterious bird on a day's worth of adventure, play, and exploring the nooks and crannies of their coastal home. And at night, they soar, with hands and wings reaching for the stars. But as the sunrise peeks out, Boy is forced to say goodbye to Blue. For now.

In this gentle and touching story, New York Times bestselling illustrator Suzanne Kaufman proves that love can transcend all boundaries.

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Becoming Boba

Joanna Ho

From New York Times bestselling creators, Joanna Ho and Amber Ren, comes a sweet, bubbly tale about a young boba tea who learns that being you is being enough!

Milk Tea Town was steeped in tradition. That is, until... Mindy came along.

Mindy isn't like the other classic milk tea flavors, with their sensible straws and varying shades of brown. Instead, Mindy shines with her green, white and red colors. Worried about not being milk tea enough, Mindy decides to dive into their history so she can be less different. As she and her friends embark on this journey, they make a surprising discovery about the truth behind milk tea that could change the town forever...

A charming and delightful story about self love and being true to who you are, with a subtle, underlying message about the Asian-American identity and immigrant experience -- what does it mean to be Asian enough?

 

 

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So Many Years

Anne Wynter

The celebrated author of Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Nell Plants a Tree and a Caldecott Honor artist come together for a poetic picture book introduction to Juneteenth and its origin.

Oh, how you would dance! How you would sing! How you would celebrate!

With lyrical text from Anne Wynter and radiant artwork from Jerome Pumphrey, this poetic picture book explains the history behind Juneteenth celebrations. So Many Years simultaneously acknowledges the history of slavery in the US as well as the astonishing Black resilience that has led to an enduring legacy of Black joy.

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Beasts from the Deep

Matt Ralphs

Dive down if you dare and discover the world's strangest, scariest, and most magnificent sea creatures in this breathtaking gift book from the University of Cambridge and Nosy Crow!

Did you know that there is a place on Earth that has hardly been explored at all? A place with near-freezing temperatures, crushing water pressure, and total darkness? Discover a magnificent menagerie of monsters that lurk deep down in our oceans - from sharks that can live for 500 years, to fish with teeth so long they can't close their mouths. Learn all about anglerfish, giant squid, goblin sharks, coffinfish, barreleyes and many, many more amazing creatures in this stunningly illustrated gift book that will delight, surprise, and inspire on every page. With awe-inspiring artwork from Kaley McKean and atmospheric, engaging text by Matt Ralphs, created in consultation with marine biologist Dr. Helen Scales alongside Dr. Roz Wade from the Museum of Zoology, University of Cambridge.

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Band Nerd

Sarah Clawson Willis

Perfect for fans of Roller Girl and New Kid comes a heartfelt coming-of-age story about music, family, and friendship, wherein twelve-year-old Lucy Carver must navigate life as a band nerd in a new school, all while competing for a top flute soloist spot. But for Lucy, facing the music means dealing with the problems at home. Middle school is tough--thank goodness there's band. For twelve-year-old Lucy Carver, music isn't just a way of life, it's an escape from homework and an off-key homelife with her alcoholic father. When Lucy starts seventh grade at Windley School of the Arts, with its high academic standards and even higher artistic expectations, it becomes much harder to keep life in tune. Determined to be the conductor of her own life, Lucy focuses all her energy on beating snobby Tolli Claybourne for first chair flute. As things spiral out of control with her parents and her schoolwork, Lucy grows desperate for a win. Just when she thinks she's hitting all the right notes, an accident leaves her unable to play, and her mother threatens to withdraw her for poor grades. Now, Lucy must choose: sabotage Tolli or give up on her dream. Packed with heart, Band Nerd is a poignant coming-of-age story about resilience, family, and using your voice to find harmony even during life's most discordant moments.

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The Color Monster

Anna Llenas

Unpack feelings using color with this bestselling character who helps young readers identify emotions and feel more in control.

One day, Color Monster wakes up feeling very confused. His emotions are all over the place; he feels angry, happy, calm, sad, and scared all at once! To help him, a little girl shows him what each feeling means through color. As this adorable monster learns to sort and define his mixed-up emotions, he gains self-awareness and peace as a result. Everyone will enjoy sharing this concept book that taps into both socio-emotional growth and color concepts in a simple, friendly way.

Perfect for:

  • Reading to children who have strong emotions
  • Starting conversations about feelings
  • Introducing color concepts
  • Inspiring art activities using colors with emotions themes
  • Counselors, therapists, social workers, and caregivers of all kinds


Read all three books about The Color Monster!

The Color Monster

The Color Monster Goes to School

Dr. Color Monster and the Emotions Toolkit

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Towed by Toad

Jashar Awan

An American Library Association Geisel Honor book • An American Library Association Notable Children's Book

Hop on a tow-truck ride with Toad as he learns that everyone needs help sometimes, even the helpers! The first in a new series for fans of Frog and Toad and Little Blue Truck!

"No time, Pop! Can't stop!"

Toad and his tow truck are always on the move to lend a hand to anyone who needs help. Whether it's a flat tire or engine trouble, it's Toad to the rescue!

Pop does his best to try to get Toad to slow down and take care of himself, but there always seems to be someone else who needs to be towed by Toad. How can he say no?

Toad is so used to being the problem solver that when his tow truck breaks down, he does everything he can to fix it himself — and can't! What happens when the helper needs help? 

Playful, funny and refreshingly sweet, Towed by Toad is a peppy read-aloud full of fascinating vehicles and endearing characters.

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Be Thankful for Plants

Harriet Ziefert

The third book in the Be Thankful . . . series for kids; this time, providing a gorgeous exploration of plant life and showing how essential they are to sustaining life on Earth

Would animals be satisfied without plants? They would not!

Leaves for gorillas, Food for antelopes,

Grasses for zebras on African slopes.

Plankton for small krill, Greens for manatees

Plants provide food in big oceans and seas.

The third book in the successful Be Thankful . . . series, Plants uses lilting, rhyming couplets to explore the many ways that plants are essential to our lives and the existence of life on earth. But it doesn't stop there! Kids will also learn about the many uses of plants--and the environmental danger to plants posed by pollution and lack of respect for this precious resource. In this series, kids are encouraged to be kind, not only to one another but to the environment as well. Kids will view the many types of plants in our lives and will see them in a whole new light after going on a botanical eco-tour in this gorgeous poem about plants. This book is printed on responsibly sourced, 100% recycled FSC paper.

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Outsider Kids: a Parachute Kids Graphic Novel (Parachute Kids #2)

Betty C. Tang

Can one spoiled cousin upend three kids' hard-won happiness? Find out in this hilarious, big-hearted, high stakes companion to the award-winning bestseller Parachute Kids! Perfect for fans of School Trip, A First Time for Everything, The Tryout, and The Squad.

★ "Humorous and relatable...tugs at the heartstrings." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "Powerful and triumphant." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Another truly superb graphic novel from Betty C. Tang! Fascinating, funny, and, at times, heart-wrenching. I adored this story!" --Christina Soontornvat, New York Times bestselling author of The Squad and The Tryout

"An incredible, refreshing, heartfelt companion to Parachute Kids that is not afraid to illustrate the hardships of many immigrant families. I could not put this book down!" --Joanna Cacao, New York Times bestselling illustrator of The Squad and The Tryout

WITH FAMILY LIKE THIS, WHO NEEDS ENEMIES?

After seven months on their own as undocumented immigrants, the Lin siblings have settled into their new lives in California. Sis has a new job, Bro has a new crush, and Feng-Li (Ann) is excited to celebrate her eleventh birthday with her new friends. Their parents still await visa approval in Taiwan, so the trio is trying to take better care of one another and stay under the radar of immigration authorities.

But when their cousin Josephine--a violin prodigy--arrives with her privilege and demands, suddenly their world is turned upside down. Will they have to give up the life and the stability they worked so hard to achieve?

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The Peddler of Puddles

Beth Ferry

A beautiful new book by Beth Ferry and Tom Lichtenheld, the bestselling creators of Stick and Stone!

Here's a heart-expanding story about an on-the-go inventor who makes homes for others before realizing the rewards of putting down his own roots. The Peddler of Puddles is a friendship-forward tale, perfect for fans of Bear Came Along and Strictly No Elephants.

The Peddler travels the countryside making perfect puddles for all his forest friends. Puddles that delight ducks, refresh frogs, and satisfy even the thirstiest hummingbird. But being constantly on the go can be lonely, and it's not until his friends step in that the Peddler discovers the joys of a home sweet home of his own.

Filled with whimsy and adorable detail, this tale is a tribute to finding a place to hang your hat.

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The Jade Bracelet

Hà Dinh

When the girls at school show off their shiny new bracelets, newly arrived immigrant Tien is embarrassed by the plain jade bracelet she wears as a symbol of her Vietnamese heritage.

Although Tien loves the Vietnamese traditions her family celebrates, more than anything she wants to fit in at school and be just like her classmates. So, when all the girls start wearing brand-new sparkly bracelets, Tien tries to hide the simple jade bangle her mother gave her in memory of her grandmother. Now her bracelet looks like an old green thing and an embarrassed Tien runs home crying, flinging it on the floor. Her sympathetic mama understands and takes Tien to the shop to buy the popular bracelet. But at the last minute, Tien remembers her grandmother’s love and decides to wear her jade bracelet proudly.

The Jade Bracelet is based on the author’s own experience of being the new kid at school and wanting to blend in. Now an elementary teacher, Hà Dinh encourages her immigrant students to share and honor their family’s traditions.

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Stem in the Forest

Megan Borgert-Spaniol

This title introduces readers to the amazing paths a career in STEM has to offer where the forest is their office! The careers of forester, forest ranger, logger, firefighter, and urban forester are examined, as are the STEM techniques and technologies that are used in them. A fun STEM-related activity is included. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

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Lawrence & Sophia: Big & Bold

Doreen Cronin

When Lawrence makes a new friend, Sophia feels left out . . . and then acts out. It's a scenario that so many kids can relate to, told here with loads of laughs and charm.

Lawrence and Sophia do everything as a pair. Together, they are big and bold and fast (sort of). But then one day, another kid appears—and Lawrence is excited about new adventures with this new friend. Sophia . . . is not. And she misses Lawrence while he’s bike-riding and shipbuilding with the other boy. Well, Sophia can build something too! She doesn’t need Lawrence to be big and bold, does she?

As they did in their first book about this lovable duo, acclaimed creators Doreen Cronin and Brian Cronin share universal truths of childhood with a perfect mix of humor and warmth. Friendship triangles have never been so endearing.

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Warm and Fuzzy

Scott Rothman

A funny and adorable picture book about two friends going on an adventure and about meeting anxiety with resilience, an open mind and extra toilet paper.

Warm and Fuzzy are best friends.

Warm wants to go on an adventure, but Fuzzy isn't sure.
What if it's scary? What if it's really cold or super hot? What if there are no bathrooms, or worse: no toilet paper!

Warm says they have everything they need, but Fuzzy is worried.
Should they bring snacks? A sensible change of clothes? Toilet paper?

Warm knows where to go, but Fuzzy has questions.
Have they been there before? Will there be people there? Should they bring gifts? Or toilet paper??

This reassuring story explores themes of resilience, patience, bravery and anxiety in a gently humorous and familiar way. It will remind worriers of all ages that no matter how big or small the adventure, they have it in themselves to meet it. Even if it means bringing their own toilet paper.

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Vanya and the Wild Hunt

Sangu Mandanna

From the bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes an action-packed, enchanting middle grade fantasy about a neurodivergent heroine, a mysterious school, and a world of magical creatures. Perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and Roshani Chokshi. 

"Thrilling, funny, and suspenseful." - Craig Kofi Farmer, Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award-winning author of Kwame Crashes the Underworld

★ "Fast-paced and engaging... This is a beautiful, inclusive work that’s also a terrific story." - School Library Journal

Eleven-year-old Vanya Vallen has always felt like she doesn’t fit in. She’s British-Indian in a mostly white town in England, her parents won’t talk about their pasts, and she has ADHD.

Oh, and she talks to books. More importantly, the books talk back.

When her family is attacked by a monster she believed only existed in fairytales, Vanya discovers that her parents have secrets, and that there are a lot more monsters out there. Overnight, she’s whisked off to the enchanted library and school of Auramere, where she joins the ranks of archwitches and archivists.

Life at Auramere is unexpected, exciting and wonderful. But even here, there’s no escaping monsters. The mysterious, powerful Wild Hunt is on the prowl, and Vanya will need all her creativity and courage to unmask its leader and stop them before they destroy the only place she’s ever truly belonged.

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Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novel: Dinosaurs

Mary Pope Osborne

When Jack and Annie got back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #1: Dinosaurs Before Dark, they had lots of questions about dinosaurs. Learn more along with them as they track the facts about these amazing prehistoric creatures--available for the first time ever in a nonfiction graphic novel format!

Filled with up-to-date information and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker Graphic Novels are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discovered in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures!

Find out the answers to things like: What did dinosaurs looked like? Where did they live? How did they survive? What’s the difference between flesh-eaters and plant-eaters? And, of course, how did the dinosaurs die? There’s so much to learn, so come along on this prehistoric adventure with Jack and Annie as they investigate and discover the world of dinosaurs—it’s one readers ages 7-10 won’t want to miss!

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?
Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader
Super Edition: A longer and more dangerous adventure
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures
Graphic Novels: All the fun of the original Magic Tree House books, now available in an easy-to-read graphic format with all-new art!

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I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919 (I Survived Graphic Novel #11)

Lauren Tarshis

One of the strangest disasters in U.S. history is brought to vivid life in this graphic novel adaptation of Lauren Tarshis's bestselling I Survived the Great Molasses Flood, 1919, with text adapted by Georgia Ball and art by Karen De La Vega.

It's been four years since Carmen and Papa moved from Italy to Boston. Life here is exciting, but not always easy. And then there's the massive metal tank that rises up over their crowded North End neighborhood. The ugly tank, filled with sticky brown molasses, has always leaked. But nobody imagined that it could one day explode apart, sending a tsunami of molasses into the streets.

Caught in the flood, Carmen must fight for her life -- the life that she and Papa built together in America. But where will she find the strength?

Lauren Tarshis's New York Times bestselling I Survived series comes to vivid life in graphic novel editions. Perfect for readers who prefer the graphic novel format, or for existing fans of the I Survived chapter book series, these graphic novels combine historical facts with high-action storytelling that's sure to keep any reader turning the pages. Includes a nonfiction section at the back with facts and photos about the real-life event.

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Growing Green: a First Book of Gardening

Candlewick Press

Dig in to a fun and stylish collection of sixteen step-by-step edible gardening projects for young children.

From strawberries in galoshes to herbs in recycled tin cans, this easy-to-follow gardening book contains fifteen simple (and delicious!) projects for budding young gardeners. Kids can learn all they need to know to grow their own fruit, herbs, and vegetables in whatever space they have at home, whether it be a windowsill or yard. Bright, engaging illustrations and clear instructions make this a great gift for any young child curious about where their food comes from and eager to grow some delectables themselves.

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Electric Seal

Heather Macht

While Professor Adams is out doing errands, Chloe is asked to give the professor's pet, Buddy, a bath. But Buddy is no ordinary pet. He's an electric seal, a unique creature the professor spliced together. Chloe has to figure out a way to bathe a playful but electrifying animal so she doesn't get zapped! Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Calico is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.

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Concrete Mixers

Jean Eick

Whirr! A concrete mixer's drum spins round and round! Learn more about why these big machines never stop moving. Additional features to aid comprehension include a table of contents, informative sidebars and captions, an activity, critical-thinking questions, sources for further research, a phonetic glossary, an index, and an introduction to the author.

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The Cartoonists Club: a Graphic Novel

Raina Telgemeier

#1 New York Times bestselling cartoonists Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud team up for a one-of-a-kind friendship story about creativity and self-expression that blends how-to and comics magic. Welcome to the club!

Makayla is bursting with ideas but doesn't know how to make them into a story. Howard loves to draw, but he struggles to come up with ideas and his dad thinks comics are a waste of time. Lynda constantly draws in her sketchbook but keeps focusing on what she feels are mistakes, and Art simply loves being creative and is excited to try something new. They come together to form The Cartoonists Club, where kids can learn about making comics and use their creativity and imagination for their own storytelling adventures!

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Big Nate: Attack of the Cheez Funk Breath

Lincoln Peirce

Sixth grade renaissance man Nate Wright is bombastic, enthusiastic, and larger than life -- it's why his friends call him "Big Nate." But behind the bravado, Nate is a faithful friend whose antics crack up his classmates, impart life lessons to readers, and bring a smile to comics lovers everywhere.

Snack-loving sixth-grader Nate Wright always has his hands full--of Cheez Doodles! But those delicious orange curls make his breath stink, and when he tries to quit them cold turkey, poor Nate's a hot mess. And that's not the end of his problems. Out of nowhere, Nate gets dumped by his best buddy Francis. He strikes out at the school dance. And a close encounter at the beach with a spiky-haired look-alike has everyone seeing double. Can our favorite troublemaker turn the funk back into fun? Find out in this uproarious new collection of Big Nate comics, Attack of the Cheez Funk Breath!

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Earl & Worm #1: The Bad Idea and Other Stories

Greg Pizzoli

This sweet, giggle-inducing early reader kicks off a brand-new series featuring two unlikely friends in the tradition of Frog and Toad, from the beloved Geisel Award-winning author of The Watermelon Seed.

Earl and Worm have been friends for a very, very long time, but their friendship had a rocky start. Earl is a happy go-lucky bird who plays saxophone to his plants because they love music in the morning. His neighbor Worm, on the other hand...well, Worm is the exact opposite. She would rather read in silence.

How will these very different neighbors become the very best of friends? With some sweet lemonade, the right shade of paint, and an unfinished poem, and most of all, sharing a little bit about themselves.

Award-winning creator Greg Pizzoli delivers three funny and heartwarming stories that will delight fans of other iconic duos like Elephant and Piggie or Pizza and Taco.

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Mallory and the Trouble with Twins: a Graphic Novel (the Baby-Sitters Club #17)

Ann M. Martin

A Baby-sitters Club graphic novel adapted by New York Times bestselling cartoonist Arley Nopra!

Mallory knows she's a good baby-sitter. She's been looking after her seven younger brothers and sisters for years. So when Kristy offers her a steady job baby-sitting for the Arnold twins, Mal thinks it'll be easy money.

The twins sure are cute in their matching outfits. But once Mrs. Arnold leaves, Marilyn and Carolyn turn into twin terrors! They trick Mallory so that she can't tell them apart and they act like spoiled brats.

Taking care of Marilyn and Carolyn is a baby-sitting nightmare. But Mallory is a responsible member of the Baby-sitters Club and she's not giving up!

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The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever

Sandra Salsbury

Every family who ever spent a sleepless night with a newborn baby will feel seen in this hilarious new book about the uncanny ability of babies to stay awake FOREVER—from a mom who's been there.

They tried lullabies, they tried cuddles, they tried soothing words. But now it's 3 a.m. and the baby has achieved a new level of consciousness. Throwing binkies, climbing the crib . . . Is this baby going to stay awake forever?!? (Even the neighbor would like to know.)

Parents and siblings of new babies will share some BIG laughs together as they follow a VERY tired family trying to get just a few minutes of rest while their precious one jumps, pounds, yells, and even throws a 1 a.m. dance party. 

It's the perfect baby shower gift for parents and soon-to-be-big-siblings to say "Congratulations!" and also "I feel your pain."

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Mama Hug

Emma Straub

A scrumptious, love-filled book for preschoolers by bestselling novelist Emma Straub, just in time for Valentine's Day

Mama cuddle, Mama swing. 
Mama dance, Mama sing.

Join this lovable Mama and baby for a joyful day of fun and snuggles. Bestselling author Emma Straub has created an irresistible rhyming text, and Stevie Lewis’s bright and adorable illustrations are the perfect match. This is a book that mothers will delight in reading to their little ones again and again. A wonderful baby shower gift and just right as a bedtime read, this sweet treat is a hug in book form.

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The House on the Canal: The Story of the House That Hid Anne Frank

Thomas Harding

A house reveals the story of its inhabitants, including Anne Frank--and honors four centuries of history--in a moving and exquisitely illustrated picture book from the creators of The House by the Lake.

In the middle of Amsterdam is a house on a canal with a green door. Over four hundred years, it has quietly witnessed love, desperation, and historic change. Sometimes the narrow house was splendidly decorated, humming with life and love; other times, it stood empty, in near ruins. Sometimes the green door was open and inviting; other times, it was closed against cold and plague or to conceal the victims of wartime persecution. The house's last occupant, a young girl with a sweet smile, would famously document her time there. In her diary, Anne Frank wrote of "the old house on the canal," and today people come from far and wide to visit what stands as a universal symbol of hope and resilience. Thomas Harding's lyrical text and concise back matter reveal history through the changing face and fortunes of a remarkable structure. Impeccably researched, Britta Teckentrup's dreamy mixed-media collages, including a map and archival imagery, perfectly echo the layered narrative and capture the ethereal nature of time and circumstance.

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Bears Are Best!

Joan Holub

It's panda-monium in this rollicking nonfiction picture book about bears habits, habitats, and more. Perfect for the curious cub in your house!

Hello! I am Brown Bear, and in this book, you'll get to learn about ME--the only bear in the forest!

Hold on a minute. Polar Bear here, and I am the only bear in this book. Though I live in the Arctic, not a forest.

Hey now, Spectacled Bear here, and we are bearly-scratching the surface. There are tons of great bears to learn and laugh with in this fact-filled picture book!

New York Times bestselling author Joan Holub teams up with award-winning illustrator Laurie Keller for a paw-sitively hilarious nonfiction picture book about bear classification!

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Not Pop-Pop

Angela De Groot

In this sweet and tender picture book, a trip to the library turns into an adventure in kindness and a reminder that people experiencing homelessness deserve compassion and respect—just like every human.

During a visit to the library, Brian is sure he sees his Pop-Pop around the corner—same eyes, same beard, same bushy eyebrows.

Nope, that's not Pop-Pop!

This man brushes his teeth in the restroom and his sneakers are patched with duct tape. Some people make frowny faces and even call him mean words, but Not Pop-Pop loves books, puzzles, and turtles, just like Brian.

He may not be Brian’s pop-pop, but could he be someone’s?

Not Pop-Pop also includes a kid-friendly resource for adults to begin conversations about homelessness, empathy, and ways that anyone can make a big difference in the life of a person in need.

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A Forest Song

Kirsten Hall

Beautifully illustrated by an award-winning artist, this cento poem about experiencing a forest with all of your senses will make the perfect read-aloud for nature lovers and curious explorers of all ages.

Into the forest, dark and deep,
With miles to go before I sleep . . . 
Beneath the holy oaks I wander.
Here, O my heart, just listen!

This vivid and evocative poem reimagines classic lines of poetry from Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allen Poe and others. Readers will journey into a forest, listen carefully to its sounds, and observe the creatures that call it home.

With swirling colors, the stunning illustrations create scenes of the forest awakening through the eyes of a child – a wolf finds its lair, a deer steps with care, even the trees appear to flutter awake! Through each verse, the forest bursts with life and the trees slowly stretch up toward a starry night sky, whispering a gentle goodnight. And when the child awakens, the forest will be there to greet the morning anew.

A tribute to writers of the past, this stunning picture book by poet Kirsten Hall and award-winning illustrator Evan Turk celebrates the beauty of our forests, and encourages readers to respect, honor, and be in awe of their natural wonders.

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Maya's Holi

Thrity Umrigar

Celebrate Holi, the festival of colors, sharing, and love with Maya as she visits her grandparents in India for the spring jubilee.

Maya loves visiting her grandparents in India, and this year is extra special because she is celebrating Holi with them. Maya and her family start the magical day by eating a special breakfast, including rasgulla dumplings and glasses of mango lassi. They put on colorful clothing and join the celebration out in the streets. The air fills with joyful songs and clouds of blue, red, and purple powder. On this special vacation, Maya can feel the magic of Holi.

When Maya returns to America, she carries the exhilarating energy of Holi with her. The spirit of the holiday -- hope and forgiveness and love -- keeps her warm.

Marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring, Holi takes place on March 14, 2025. It offers people the opportunity to begin anew -- to have a fresh start. Thrity Umrigar's heartfelt text and Kamala Nair's richly colorful, exuberant illustrations fill the pages with happiness and joy. Informative back matter will teach readers about the history and traditions of Holi.

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Sun Bird

Lindsay Moore

This narrative nonfiction picture book by the creator of the acclaimed Sea Bear and Yoshi and the Ocean celebrates the awe-inspiring 18,000-mile migration of one of Earth's most amazing animals--the Arctic tern. Features a map and extensive back matter.

With bodies home to hollow bones and weighing about the same as a handful of sand, Arctic terns are designed for flight. And fly they do. These remarkable animals migrate an astonishing 18,000 miles--from pole to pole and back again--each year. Along the way they encounter danger, weather, other migratory animals, and a wide range of ecosystems and habitats. Because they chase the sun, ornithologists speculate that the Arctic tern enjoys more hours of daylight than any other animal on Earth.

As she did in her acclaimed picture books Sea Bear and Yoshi and the Ocean, Lindsay Moore combines a poetic, highly readable, science-rich text with gorgeously rendered watercolor paintings. Readers will be swept away by the beautiful and graceful terns, the spectacular landscapes and seascapes they traverse, the sheer magnitude of their journey, and the awesome mysteries of nature. A terrific choice for schools, for science and language arts curriculums, and for family sharing. Includes extensive back matter.

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Lefty

Mo Willems

#1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author Mo Willems and Caldecott Medal winner and National Book Award winner Dan Santat join hands in this innovative picture book about lefties (and righties)!

Did you know, there was a time when people could get in trouble--really, really BIG trouble--for being LEFT-HANDED!?

It's true!

Lefty and Righty hand out the facts in a theatrical performance that spans the ages. Once upon a time, left was considered wrong . . . but now, left or right, it's all alright. (And there are scissors for everyone!)

Created by the award-winning (right and left) hands of New York Times bestselling authors Mo Willems and Dan Santat, this book ensures that no one gets left behind!

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Eid for Nylah

Nizrana Farook

A heartwarming tale of a community preparing for and celebrating Eid al-Fitr, seen through the eyes of a curious neighborhood cat!

Nylah the cat is making her usual visits to the homes on her street, but something is very different today . . .

Families are creating decorations or making food, trying on new clothes, and decorating their hands with henna. Everyone is very busy, and they won't let Nylah help! But why does nobody have any time to play? All is finally revealed as the community comes together for a big Eid celebration, where everyone is welcome -- especially Nylah!

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Polar Babies (National Geographic Kids Explore! Readers, Pre-Reader)

Maya Myers

Penguins, foxes, and polar bears, oh my! Discover early concepts with the cutest baby animals at the North and South Poles!

Brr! Life on the ice might be chilly, but these animal babies are ready to explore! In this new pre-reader from National Geographic Kids, young readers will learn all about life in the Arctic and Antarctic-and what keeps the babies living there safe and warm. Featuring simple leveled text, vibrant photos, and a wrap-up activity about the cutest baby animals, it's the perfect first book for early readers to snuggle up to!

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Cranky

Phuc Tran

From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and debut picture book author Phuc Tran, this is a hilarious picture book about big trucks, big feelings, and even bigger friendships!

It's the last day at the construction site and Cranky the crane truck is feeling, well, cranky. And he doesn't want to talk about it. His friends Zippy, Wheezy, and Dump Chuck try to cheer him up. But you know what doesn't help when you're feeling cranky? A lot of talking.

But what will help?

With Phuc Tran's hilarious text and Pete Oswald's bold, expressive illustrations, this tale shows young readers how kind friends and honesty are the perfect tools for navigating strong emotions. Perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.

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Groundhug Day

Anne Marie Pace

Moose is having a Valentine's Day party, and all his friends are so excited! Everyone except Groundhog, that is. If Groundhog sees his shadow outside, he'll hide in his hole for six more weeks and miss the party! Determined to help their friend join them, Moose, Squirrel, Bunny, and Porcupine put their heads together and come up with a plan. But will it be enough to get Groundhog out to play? This heartwarming picturebook by the author of Vampirina Ballerina, with adorable illustrations by Christopher Denise, is sure to be a hit, whether readers are bursting for spring or snuggling up for six more weeks of winter.

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Secret Valentine

Catherine Stock

A child makes valentines for her family and then adds a special name to her list. On Valentine's Day she receives a secret valentine in return.

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Heartfelt

Elaine Vickers

From the creators of the “wonderfully evocative” (BookPage) Thankful comes a cozy picture book about a child who finds that small acts of kindness can change the world.

A child makes paper hearts to give to her teacher, to a friend, at the library, and more. As she spreads kindness around her neighborhood, she soon finds that sharing love is the best gift of all. With Samantha Cotterill’s stunning diorama illustrations, this loving story is sure to capture hearts and inspire acts of kindness.

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What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo?

Steve Jenkins

From Caldecott Honor-winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page comes an early introduction to one of young readers' favorite places: the zoo 

Going to the zoo is so exciting You might see penguins swimming underwater, snakes sunning in the reptile house, or giraffes eating leaves out of high trees. You might even see people at the zoo, ones just like you But what do those people do?

Caldecott Honor-winning team Steve Jenkins and Robin Page introduce young readers to the people who keep zoo animals safe, healthy, and happy, even though they aren't in the wild habitats they've evolved for. From cuddling a baby kangaroo to trimming elephant toenails to playing soccer with a rhino, zookeepers work hard and do some pretty wacky things to take care of the incredible animals we see.

So, what would you do if you were in the zookeeper's shoes? Turn the page and find out

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Bigfoot's Big Heart

Sarah Glenn Marsh

A Kids' Indie Next List pick!

When Bigfoot loses the valentines he meant to send to his fellow monsters in hiding, scouts from all over the world come together to deliver the letters.

It's lonely being a monster. But having other mythical pen pals helps. When Bigfoot loses the Valentine's Day cards he so tenderly made for his friends around the world, a troop of scouts offers to help. But they will have to get creative to find every mythical creature in time! Sarah Glenn Marsh and Ishaa Lobo team up again for a sweet Valentine's Day tale about the value of friends, both new and old.

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Super Simple Baking for Kids

Charity Mathews

55+ super simple recipes to build kids' confidence in the kitchen—a kids' baking book for ages 6-12

Learning to bake should be as easy and fun as enjoying the final product. Super Simple Baking for Kids gives kids a taste for kitchen independence (and delicious food!). With more than 55 simple recipes designed specifically for beginners, this baking book for kids sticks to the basics, so they can make these recipes with affordable tools and ingredients that are easy to find, and probably already in your kitchen!

They'll start by learning how to follow a recipe, how to be safe in the kitchen, and which steps a grown-up should handle. Then, pint-size chefs can try simple, delicious recipes for every meal, like Rainbow Sprinkle Whoopie Pies, Apple-Cider Doughnut Cake, and Soft Pretzels!

Make cooking with kids enjoyable for everyone:

Simple enough for kids —Dig into a variety of tasty recipes that only use 5 to 10 ingredients, so they're basic enough for kids to really get their hands dirty—and easy enough to minimize time and mess.

Keep it fun—Colorful photos, handy tips, and a clean, organized layout make this cookbook for kids easy to follow and engaging for kids and adults alike.

Kid-friendly recipes—The familiar foods in this kid cookbook will appeal to even the pickiest of palates!

Discover a baking cookbook for kids that teaches kitchen basics with delicious results! And explore even more with the companion book, Super Simple Cooking for Kids.

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Good Morning, Snowplow!

Deborah Bruss

For fans of Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site!

As the rest of the town settles in to bed, one man, his dog, and a trusty snowplow get ready for a night's work. Follow them through slick roads and swirling drifts in this sweet, rhyming book by Deborah Bruss and New York Times bestselling illustrators Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson.

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Winter Dance

Marion Dane Bauer

Snow is coming, and it's time to get ready The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise--yet it's not until he meets a golden-eyed friend that he finds the perfect way to celebrate the snowfall.

Stunning illustrations by the new talent Richard Jones are the perfect complement to the Newbery Honor winner Marion Dane Bauer's lyrical and playful homage to the natural world.

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Afro Unicorn: the Land of Afronia, Vol. 1

April Showers

Afronia is known for being bright and colorful, but what happens when a disgraced unicorn wants to take the color away? Join unicorn best friends Divine and Unique as they journey to save Afronia in this all-new, action-packed graphic novel that celebrates joy, beauty, and of course, unicorns! 

Welcome to the mystical land of Afronia, where life is good and full of color. The Afro Unicorns can't wait to celebrate the annual Festival of Crowns. But on the way to the festival, Divine and Unique come across Castle Monotonic, which is home to the mysterious Madame Imperious who wants to drain all the color from Afronia. Madame Imperious has already started draining the color from a young Afrosaurus. It's up to Unique and Divine to save Afronia and the Afrosaurus. Otherwise, their magical land might be doomed . . . FOREVER!

This full-color graphic novel is great for young readers beginning their graphic novel journey and graphic novel enthusiasts alike. It also features a Dyslexia-friendly font.

When Afro Unicorn creator April Showers realized that her favorite emoji--the unicorn!--was only available in white, she was inspired to create a more inclusive brand for children of color to celebrate how magical, unique, and divine they truly are.

"The brand, created by author Showers, has a cultural resonance that cannot be understated, and young readers will see important aspects of Black beauty and empowerment reflected in the characterization and storytelling of the Afro Unicorns. . . this appealing unicorn book has a significant underpinning of inclusivity." - School Library Journal
 

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Haunting of the Ghost Dragon: a Branches Book (Dragon Masters #27)

Tracey West

In the latest action-packed installment of this New York Times bestselling series, Drake and Worm encounter a mysterious Ghost Dragon!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Zoltan, an evil wizard, has stolen a Dream Orb! With the orb, Zoltan has access to the Dream World -- a place that is forbidden to all wizards. Drake and Bo travel to Zoltan's castle in Gothica to stop him. There, they meet Dragon Master Sandor and his Ghost Dragon Phantom. Is Phantom a ghost or a dragon? Can Drake and Bo find the orb and stop Zoltan before he opens the Dream Gate?

With engaging black-and-white artwork on every page, kids won't be able to put down this page-turning adventure!

 

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Like a Boss (Best Wishes #4)

Sarah Mlynowski

Pass the wishes on! This New York Times bestselling multi-author series is like American Girl with magic.

In this installment, written by acclaimed authors Sarah Mlynowski and Hena Khan, the magic, wish-granting bracelet lands with a girl in Washington, D.C., who ends up being put in charge of... well, everything!

Maya Amir of Washington, DC, can't catch a break. Not only has she lost her bedroom to visiting relatives, she's also lost out on being president of the environmental club to her best friend. Ugh.

When Maya receives a magic, wish-granting bracelent in the mail, she wishes to be in charge. And it works--she's head of the club! Maya is thrilled... until her teacher asks her to take charge of the whole class. Seriously?

Next, Maya finds herself in charge of her entire school. Suddenly, she's chasing class gerbils, comforting crying kids, and unclogging toilets in the teachers' lounge.

And then Maya is put in charge of something even bigger: the country!

With some help from her family, friends, and the three girls who had the magic bracelet before her, will Maya discover what it takes to be a real leader?

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Never After: The End of the Story

Melissa de la Cruz

Return to the land of Never After for the last time in the riveting conclusion to New York Times–bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz's hit middle-grade series perfect for fans of The Land of Stories books.

The Never After crew is back for a final epic adventure . . . With Queen Olga drawing ever nearer, Filomena and her friends race to find the last surviving fairy, Sabine, and protect her at all costs. For if Sabine dies, so does
all of Never After. Without a moment to lose, Filomena, Jack, Alistair, Gretel, and the rest of the gang—along with some new pals like Captain Hook—set off for Pan’s Neverland to find Sabine.

But even in Neverland, there’s mischief afoot. Pan is no ordinary boy, and the group discovers Sabine goes by another name in this mysterious realm: Tinker Bell! But trickster gods and undercover fairies are just the beginning for Filomena and her adventurous friends.

As Olga’s evil forces close in, will Filomena find a way to protect the magic of Never After once and for all, and ensure a happily-ever-after for the End of the Story?

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Dog Man: Big Jim Begins: a Graphic Novel (Dog Man #13): from the Creator of Captain Underpants

Dav Pilkey

In DOG MAN: BIG JIM BEGINS, discover the origin of our beloved characters from the Dog Man series as they join forces to stop the Space Cuties from destroying the city. Will the past predict the future for Dog Man and his friends? Will goodness and bravery prevail? Can anything happen if you truly believe?

Get ready for another unforgettable book in the #1 worldwide bestselling series from acclaimed graphic novelist and award-winning illustrator Dav Pilkey. AND coming soon, the Dog Man movie from DreamWorks Animation and Universal Pictures!

For more heartfelt and humorous adventures, join Flippy and Li'l Petey in the Cat Kid Comic Club series. Have fun with creativity with the official coloring book, Dog Man with Love. And don't forget about the series that started it all: Captain Underpants!

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Crafting Encyclopedia

Zoey Schrader

This title includes step-by-step instructions for projects in drawing, jewelry making, leather and metalworking, painting, woodworking, and more. Features include sections on preparation and safety, the elements of design, composition, and color theory. Informative sidebars provide additional information. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Encyclopedias is an imprint of Abdo Reference, a division of ABDO.

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The Bad Guys in One Last Thing (the Bad Guys #20)

Aaron Blabey

Now a major motion picture!

"I wish I'd had these books as a kid. Hilarious!" -- Dav Pilkey, creator of Captain Underpants and Dog Man

They may look like Bad Guys, but these wannabe heroes are doing good deeds... whether you like it or not in this New York Times bestselling illustrated series.

The LAST installment in the hilarious Bad Guys series!

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Sleep Tight Farm

Eugenie Doyle

A captivating exploration of how a family gets a farm ready for the snow of winter, Sleep Tight Farm lyrically connects each growing season to the preparations at the very end of the farm year. This beautiful and informative book paints a fascinating picture of what winter means to the farm year and to the family that shares its seasons, from spring's new growth, summer's heat, and fall's bounty to winter's well-earned rest. All year long the farm has worked to shelter us, feed us, keep us warm, and now it's time to sleep.

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Winter on the Farm

Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Little House books tell the story of a little pioneer girl and her family as they traveled by covered wagon across the Midwest. Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic books, illustrated with Garth Williams' timeless artwork, have been cherished by millions of readers ever since they were first published over sixty years ago.

This My First Little House Book introduces Almanzo Wilder, the young boy from Farmer Boy who would one day marry Laura Ingalls. In Winter on the Farm, Almanzo goes through his afternoon barn chores, and then sits down to eat a hearty farm supper with his family. In this first book about Almanzo, young readers are able to share in the warmth and joy of another Little House family and celebrate new Little House adventures. Winter on the Farm is the first in an ongoing series about Laura’s beloved farmer boy.

 

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