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By Christina Matula. 2024
"I can't wait for readers to explore Hong Kong with Holly-Mei. I have no doubt they will love both as…
much as I did." —Erin Entrada Kelly, 2018 Newbery Medalist and 2021 Newbery Honoree on The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-MeiReturn to Hong Kong in the third book of this charming middle grade series starring Holly-Mei, a girl navigating her new city, new school, and new friendships.Holly-Mei is caught in the middle.Holly-Mei Jones has finally settled into her new friend group in Hong Kong—that is until suddenly everyone starts talking about dating. Which Holly-Mei is not ready for.At least she has her school&’s Experience Week to look forward to. Holly-Mei can&’t wait to show off Taiwan, where her beloved Ah-Ma is from, to her friends. The trip is going to be perfect…right?Maybe not. On top of the pressure to date, Holly-Mei starts to wonder if maybe being half-Taiwanese isn&’t enough. In the face of these big questions, will Holly-Mei be able to finally feel like she belongs?Praise for The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-Mei&“Unique and universal all at once.&” —Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp&“A charming, truthful, and heartfelt middle grade debut.&” —Katie Zhao, author of The Dragon Warrior series and Last Gamer Standing&“From the very first line, I felt as if Holly-Mei was taking me by the hand and pulling me into her story.&” Lauren Child, author and illustrator of the Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean seriesRead all the books in the Holly-Mei series!The Not-So-Uniform Life of Holly-MeiThe Not-So-Perfect PlanThe Not-So-Simple QuestionBy Ellen Weinstein. 2024
Five children, from five different cultures and in five different decades, grow up in the same building on the Lower…
East Side of New York City.Jenny Epstein and her family arrive on a steamship from Russia in the 1910s. Jenny writes letters in Yiddish to her grandmother, while practicing her English in her new neighborhood. By the 1930s, when Anna Cozzi and her Italian family move into the building, Jenny has become a teacher in Anna&’s school. Then José Marte moves in during the 1960s, Maria Torres in the 1980s, and Wei Yei in the Lower East Side of today.Perfect for early elementary students, this cross section of American history celebrates themany diverse cultures that make up our nation—from the food we eat, to the ways we worship,and the families we love.A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard SelectionBy Peter Raymundo. 2024
Six competitive cubers face off at the Speed Cubing national championships in this graphic novel that's perfect for fans of…
Roller Girl and the Last Kids on Earth series.Despite qualifying for the Speed Cubing National Championships in Las Vegas, twelve-year-old Tyler Goodman and his mom don&’t have the money to get him there. That is, until the retailer CubeMania offers him one of their coveted all-expenses-paid sponsorships! But getting to Vegas is just the beginning: There are hundreds of speed cubers from around the country, and each has something to prove. Like Dirk, who's certain he's about to nab his third straight National Championship trophy. Lizzy and Izzy Peterson, twins who crush cubing competitions with the exact same moves and times—until one of them decides to break the mold. Renowned eight-year-old prodigy Eli Newton solved his first puzzle cube at five, yet his dad seems much more excited about the sport and there&’s something . . . off about his cubes. And then there&’s Miles Oldman, the first American to solve the cube in under 40 seconds, who&’s back decades later to set some new records. As Lucky Scramble moves with lightning speed between the stories of these six contestants—plus that of CubeMania&’s founder and CEO Victor Chen—puzzle cube devotees and fans of graphic novels alike won&’t be able to resist racing through the pages until the very last cube has been solved.By Veera Hiranandani, Supriya Kelkar, Maulik Pancholy, Simran Jeet Singh, Aisha Saeed, Reem Faruqi, Rajani LaRocca, Naheed Hasnat, Sayantani DasGupta, Mitali Perkins. 2024
Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in this warm-hearted novel of interconnected stories that celebrates the diversity of…
South Asian American experiences in a local community center. Discover stories of fear, triumph, and spectacular celebration in the fictional town of Maple Grove, New Jersey, where the local kids gather at the community center to discover new crushes, fight against ignorance, and even save a life. Cheer for Chaya as she wins chess tournaments (unlike Andrew, she knows stupid sugary soda won't make you better at chess), and follow as Jeevan learns how to cook traditional food (it turns out he can cook sabji-- he just can't eat it). These stories, edited by bestselling and award-winning Pakistani-American author Hena Khan, are filled with humor, warmth, and possibility. They showcase a diverse array of talented authors with heritage from the Indian subcontinent, including beloved favorites and rising stars, who each highlight the beauty and necessity of a community center that everyone calls home.By Thea Lu. 2022
A thoughtful book that will resonate with travelers, homebodies, and anyone who&’s ever longed for an old friend or a…
new journey. Dan is the owner of a café, living in a small town on the coast. Aki is a sailor on the sea, traveling from place to place. Dan loves his familiar views and enjoys welcoming visitors from far away. Aki loves the wonders he sees abroad and enjoys meeting new people in distant lands. Though Dan likes his life, and Aki likes his life, they each feel so alone sometimes. But every once in a while, separate lives can collide and make the world feel large and small all at once. Following the parallel stories of Dan and Aki, Here and There introduces readers to two contrasting yet connected characters. Thea Lu&’s evocative text and art will spark lasting conversations about home, travel, and the similarities between very different people.Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition (2024)By Audrey Barbakoff. 2024
A joyous modern-day twist on a Wise Men of Chelm folktale written by a fresh Jewish voice filled with humor,…
some juicy Yiddish terms, and smart, savvy kids brimming with innovative solutions."An enjoyable, rollicking read. Fun by the light of the moon—or anytime." —Kirkus Reviews Oy, Chelm. Long known as home to the &“wisest&” people in Yiddish folklore. But what is Chelm like today? What if the kids were more clever than the rest of the townsfolk? When the misguided adults of modern-day Chelm believe the moon has plunged into the lake, it&’s up to the Schlemiel siblings to convince the grown-ups that their fears of a fallen moon are unfounded. Join Sarah and Sam in this hilarious twist on a classic Yiddish folktale as they use teamwork, innovation and patience to save the day...and night! Here is a book that will expand young readers&’ knowledge of Jewish culture beyond holidays, history, and the Holocaust.By Stuart Gibbs. 2024
In the fourth installment of the New York Times bestselling Charlie Thorne series—which #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris…
Grabenstein called &“a real page-burner&”—Charlie searches for Isaac Newton's secret treasure across Europe and Australia.Charlie Thorne is a genius. Charlie Thorne is fearless. Charlie Thorne may have finally met her match. Charlie Thorne is used to being on the run. Ever since she was recruited by the CIA to track down Einstein&’s most dangerous equation, Charlie—and former CIA agents Dante Garcia and Milana Moon—have traveled around the world to prevent history&’s greatest discoveries from falling into the wrong hands. But after beating others to the secrets hidden by Einstein, Darwin, and Cleopatra, they find they are not the only ones searching for an immensely powerful discovery of Isaac Newton&’s. From a chase over the rooftops of Cambridge University to scaling the Sydney Harbour Bridge to skirting a volcanic eruption, Charlie will need to think one step ahead of her opponents to follow Newton&’s trail of devious clues and keep herself out of the hands of the many enemies who are hot on her tail.Learn more about Daisy and Hazel&’s detecting process and unravel three brand-new mini-mysteries in this short story companion to the…
Murder Most Unladylike series.Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are famous for the murder cases they have solved—but there are many other mysteries in the pages of Hazel&’s casebook, including the macabre Case of the Deepdean Vampire, the baffling Case of the Blue Violet, and even their very first case of all: the Case of Lavinia&’s Missing Tie. Packed with these brilliant new mini-mysteries and peppered with Daisy and Hazel&’s own detecting tips, tricks, and facts, this is the perfect book for fans and budding members of the Detective Society.By Alicia D. Williams. 2024
A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him…
to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning middle grade novel in verse from the Newbery Honor–winning author of Genesis Begins Again.It&’s the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guiness World Records before high school. But now, more and more, Drew seems to be fading from their friendship, and though he won&’t admit it, Isaiah knows exactly why. Because Darius is…gone. A hit and run killed Darius in the midst of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch, ready to warn: &“CAR!&” Now, Drew can barely look at Isaiah. But Isaiah, already quaking with ache and guilt, can&’t lose two friends. So, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together—they can spend the summer breaking records, for Darius. But Drew&’s not the same Drew since Darius was killed, and Isaiah, being Isaiah, isn&’t enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew&’s right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?By Chanel Miller. 2024
New York Times bestselling author and artist Chanel Miller tells a fun, funny, and poignant story of friendship and community…
starring Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old sock detective bent on returning all the lonely only socks left behind in her parents' NYC laundromat.Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents&’ laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board, in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. What she doesn&’t know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you&’re bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.By Jane Yolen. 2023
Award-winning author Jane Yolen brings us a delightfully humorous tale inspired by Jewish folklore of a well-intentioned but mischievous boy…
who accidentally summons ten golems."A truly original story that charmed me from start to finish. This book put a big smile on my face!"— Lesléa Newman, author of Welcoming Elijah: A Passover Tale with a Tail, winner of the Sydney Taylor Book Award and National Jewish Book Award"A delightful reimagining of Jewish folklore! Magic that will captivate children of all backgrounds."—Ruth Behar, Pura Belpré Author Award winner and author of Tía Fortuna's New Home: A Jewish Cuban Journey, a Sydney Taylor Notable BookThe rabbi’s son, Abi, has a habit of getting in trouble. It’s not on purpose, and usually, they’re harmless accidents. But this time, Abi has stolen a scroll from the synagogue—to practice his Hebrew!—and is not ready for what, or rather, who will show up at his front door as a result.The golems Abi summons may look monstrous, but we soon learn they are only there to help! With beloved author Jane Yolen's signature wit and delightful illustrations by Maya Shleifer, Too Many Golems conveys the unexpected joy of magical accidents and the importance of being a good neighbor to all.A REIMAGINED JEWISH TALE: A fresh spin on a classic Jewish folktale reinvents the original narrative into one that emphasizes kindness, community, and friendship. Readers will laugh along as, instead of battling enemies, these golems tackle an even stronger foe: Hebrew lessons!ENCOURAGING MESSAGE: With a deep understanding that learning any new skill can be a difficult and even anxiety-inducing experience, this story acknowledges every struggle and reassures readers that even without the help of magical creatures, their goals can be achieved through perseverance. IMAGINATIVE & FUNNY: Brought to life by two Jewish creators, author Jane Yolen and illustrator Maya Schleifer, this comical story of a boy who means well but can't seem to stay out of trouble will delight parents and kids with its charming illustrations, witty text, and pure imagination. CELEBRATES KINDNESS: Readers will find a warm message that showcases the importance of showing kindness to everyone, regardless of where they come from or what language they speak.PERFECT FOR COMING-OF-AGE CELEBRATIONS: The outrageous tale of Abi's battle with Hebrew is one that many Jewish children will relate to as they begin Hebrew school or embark on their Bar/Bat Mitzvah journey, making this an essential pick for parents and gift-givers.Perfect for:Parents and grandparentsTeachers and librariansBar/Bat Mitzvah gift-giversAnyone looking for picture books celebrating Jewish cultureFans of Jane YolenFans of such classics as Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Where the Wild Things AreBy Anna Desnitskaya. 2023
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - Grades 3-5 (2024)A uniquely formatted book…
about dreams, loneliness, and the universal longing for connection. Vera and her family live on Russia&’s Kamchatka Peninsula, a place that feels like the edge of the world itself. Lucas and his family also say they live on the edge of the world, but their home is thousands of miles away on the coast of Chile. Vera spends her days devouring fantasy books, throwing balls to her dog, and longing for a friend who would care about the treasures she&’s hidden underneath the alder bush. Lucas spends his days looking for fossils, playing solo games of soccer, and wishing for a friend who would read with him on the best branch of his favorite tree. One evening, both Lucas and Vera head to the beach, blink their flashlights into the dark—and discover that the edge of the world is not such a lonely place after all. In this playful, perceptive book, acclaimed author-illustrator Anna Desnitskaya shares the mirroring lives of two children in two separate but surprisingly similar settings. As readers flip the book between Vera in Russia and Lucas in Chile, they will learn just how big—and how small—a place the world can be. The Children&’s Book Council Teacher FAVORITES List 3rd-5th Grade (2024)Cooperative Children&’s Book Center CCBC Choices List - Picture Books (2024)By Andrew Cope. 2010
SPUD - he's scatty and accident prone - but good with the gadgets . . .STAR - she's super smart…
and ready to pounce Together they're SPY PUPS, following hot in the paw prints of mum LARA (that's Licensed Assault and Rescue Animal to you).Spud and Star are on a daredevil rescue mission to save Lara from the evil Mr Big! He's been in prison plotting his revenge and unless the pups can outwit him, Lara is in deadly danger.Can the Spy Pups jump into action and save the day - and their mum?By Ruth Thomas. 1990
Mum knew she shouldn't have left the children alone. That was why she was hurrying home, running to catch the…
evening train. She was so worried about Nicky and Roy that she didn't hear the thief come up behind her; she didn't look carefully when she dashed across the road . . . Back at home Nicky is findingit harder and harder to reassure her younger brother Roy. Soon the children are running out of money and the neighbours are getting suspicious. But whatever happens, Nicky is certain of one thing - she will NEVER tell.By Aida Salazar. 2022
**Four starred reviews!**A farm-working girl with big dreams meets activist Dolores Huerta and joins the 1965 protest for workers&’ rights…
in this tender-hearted novel in verse, perfect for fans of Rita Williams-Garcia and Pam Muñoz Ryan.Lula Viramontes aches to one day become someone whom no one can ignore: a daring ringleader in a Mexican traveling circus. But between working the grape harvest in Delano, California, with her older siblings under dangerous conditions; taking care of her younger siblings and Mamá, who has mysteriously fallen ill; and doing everything she can to avoid Papá&’s volatile temper, it&’s hard to hold on to those dreams.Then she meets Dolores Huerta, Larry Itliong, and other labor rights activists and realizes she may need to raise her voice sooner rather than later: Farmworkers are striking for better treatment and wages, and whether Lula&’s family joins them or not will determine their future.By Adam Hills. 2023
The brilliant and laugh-out-loud second mystery from comedian Adam Hills featuring a young detective dream team. The perfect read for…
fans of Sharna Jackson, Robin Stevens and David Baddiel!Meet Charley - a totally ordinary 13-year-old, who's also an international singing sensation.Meet George - Charley's best friend, social media whizz, and budding comedian.Charley and George are in Sydney, where Charley is filming her first movie. But when mysterious accidents begin to happen whenever Charley's on set, the duo suspect someone isn't as excited about her big screen debut as they are . . .No one else seems to believe that Charley's in real danger and anyone - from the bad-tempered director to Charley's rude co-star - could be a suspect. Can the detective dream team solve their second mystery, wrap the movie - and keep Charley in one piece?The fabulously funny new novel from award-winning comedian and author of ROCKSTAR DETECTIVES, Adam Hills.Praise for the first book in the ROCKSTAR DETECTIVES series:'A delightfully funny book with a big, big heart' - David O'Doherty'Fast-moving, lively, full of jokes and humour and with a satisfying puzzle to be solved, this makes for perfect escapist reading' - LoveReading4KidsBy Adam Hills. 2022
'A delightfully funny book with a big, big heart' - David O'DohertyThe debut novel from comedian and presenter of The…
Last Leg, Adam Hills, featuring a young detective dream team.When a priceless painting goes missing, Charley - a 12-year-old viral singing sensation - and her best friend George - camera whizz and budding comedian - are shocked to discover they're the prime suspects.Now Charley and George have to prove they're not international criminals - all while nailing a stellar European tour and keeping up with their homework! But as news of high-profile heists hits the headlines wherever they go, Charley and George keep finding themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Can they solve these baffling crimes and save themselves, or will their shot for stardom be over almost as soon as it's begun?The perfect read for fans of Sharna Jackson, Robin Stevens, David Baddiel and David O'Doherty.Featuring brilliant illustrations from Luna Valentine.By E Nesbit. 2012
'"Stand firm'" said Peter, "and wave like mad!"' They were not railway children to begin with. When their Father mysteriously…
leaves home Roberta (everyone calls her Bobbie), Phyllis and Peter must move to a small cottage in the countryside with Mother. It is a bitter blow to leave their London home, but soon they discover the hills and valleys, the canal and of course, the railway. But with the thrilling rush and rattle and roar of the trains comes danger too. Will the brave trio come to the rescue? And most importantly, can they solve the disappearance of their Father?BACKSTORY: Find out all about steam trains and learn what it was really like to be a child in Edwardian times.By Gwen Grant. 1999
A forgotten classic brought back into print for the first time in decades - the missing literary sister to Anne…
of Green Gables and Tracy Beaker, a tough and spirited girl's adventures growing up in a northern post-war mining town.‘I told our Lucy I’m going to be a writer when I grow up and she said, ‘You should be a good one then. You tell enough lies.’Psst! We know you shouldn’t really read something labelled ‘private’ but this book is special. It’s written by young girl growing up in a mining town in 1948 who is practising to become a writer when she grows up…possibly. It’s hard work being a writer. There’s no privacy in a house with six kids and there’s no time, especially if you have to go to school and to dancing class (and wear frilly knickers) and Sunday school (and sing about being a sunbeam). You’re supposed to write about what you know, which means this book is about annoying sisters with no sense of humour and brothers who think they know everything, and bullies and chicken spots and being run over. Sometimes you can write about good things that happen, like going to the seaside or Christmas Eve, but mostly the stories end with being sent to bed early in disgrace. But when the writer is a tough, spiky and funny as this one, her adventures will always be worth reading.By Leon Garfield. 1976
Eastward in Clerkenwell lies the Mulberry Pleasure Garden: six acres of leafy walks, colonnades and pavillions. In this bosky setting…
parade a variety of characters of awesome granduer, innocence and evil - and all are subject to a ring of blackmail terror.