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Dead Wednesday
By Jerry Spinelli. 2021
Can playing dead bring you back to life? Maybe only on Dead Wednesday… On this day the worlds of a…
shy boy and a gone girl collide, and the connection they make will change them both forever. A brilliant new novel from the Newbery Medal winner and author of the New York Times bestseller Stargirl. "Jerry Spinelli has created another middle grade masterpiece." —BookPage, starred review On Dead Wednesday, every eighth grader in Amber Springs is assigned the name and identity of a teenager who died a preventable death in the past year. The kids don black shirts and for the whole day everyone in town pretends they're invisible—as if they weren't even there. The adults think it will make them contemplate their mortality. The kids know it's a free pass to get away with anything. Worm Tarnauer feels invisible every day. He's perfectly happy being the unnoticed sidekick of his friend Eddie. So he's not expecting Dead Wednesday to feel that different. But he didn't count on being assigned Becca Finch (17, car crash). And he certainly didn't count on Becca showing up to boss him around! Letting this girl into his head is about to change everything. This is the story of the unexpected, heartbreaking, hilarious, truly epic day when Worm Tarnauer discovers his own life.
Dragon Storm #1: Tom and Ironskin (Dragon Storm #1)
By Alastair Chisholm. 2022
Summon the power of a dragon with a young boy who discovers that dragons are real --in this new action-packed…
chapter book fantasy series, perfect for readers of Dragon Masters and Unicorn Academy!Tom never knew dragons were real. Then he was taken to the Guild—a training ground for young dragonseers. Now he and his dragon, Ironskin, must bond, discover Ironskin&’s power, and train to be heroes. When Iron-skin disappears, Tom worries that he isn&’t a dragonseer after all. Can Tom bring Ironskin back? And can he do it in time to help his kingdom? Soar into more Dragon Storm adventures! • #1 Tom and Ironskin • #2 Cara and Silverthief
The Daredevils
By Rob Buyea. 2022
Readers on the cusp of adolescence will find much to love in this middle grade novel from the author of…
the beloved MR. TERUPT series that follows three kids who come to realize that letting go of childhood means boldly taking risks to face the future while learning from the past.Loretta and her twin brother, Waylon, are headed to middle school. Loretta has always been quick with her fists and her wits. Since Waylon is on the small side, Loretta doesn&’t let anyone mess with him. But now she worries he won&’t survive without her by his side. Her secret plan: bulk him up with muscle over the summer. Little does she know that Waylon has a plan of his own. He&’ll show his sister he can take care of himself. As each puts their strategy in motion, Loretta and Waylon spend the summer going into the woods behind their house, even sneaking there in the dead of night. That&’s where they first encounter Louie, who is about their age but noticeably bigger. Louie is homeschooled, he explains when Loretta gives him the third degree. Loretta, Waylon, and Louie soon fall into a comfortable friendship and continue their nightly forest adventures. When they unearth a mysterious box, the past collides with the present, propelling the trio on a quest that will forever change their lives. Rob Buyea&’s spirited dual narrative drives this funny, touching brother-sister story, where even the best-laid plans sometimes backfire and feelings may get bruised, but family and friends always count. Letting go of childhood means boldly taking risks to face the future while learning from the past.
Mistletoe and Murder: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery (A Wells & Wong Mystery #5)
By Robin Stevens. 2016
Hazel and Daisy trade mistletoe for a murder investigation and set out to save the day (Christmas Day that is!)…
in this fabulously festive fifth novel of the Wells & Wong Mystery series.Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are spending the Christmas holidays in snowy Cambridge. Hazel is looking forward to a calm vacation among the beautiful spires, cozy libraries, and inviting tea-rooms. But there is danger lurking in the dark stairwells of ancient Maudlin College and two days before Christmas, there is a terrible accident. At least, it appears to be an accident—until the Detective Society looks a little closer, and realizes a murder has taken place. Faced with several irritating grown-ups and fierce competition from a rival agency, they must use all their cunning and courage if they’re going to find the killer before Christmas dinner.
Escape: The Escape (Island #3)
By Gordon Korman. 2001
Having survived for so long on the deserted island, Luke, Charla, Will, Lysa, J.J. and Ian realize that their enemies…
are closer than they had thought, and soon discover that they will have only one chance at escape.
Great Girls in Michigan History (Great Lakes Books Series)
By Patricia Majher. 2015
A deep-sea diver, a dancer, an activist, an aviator, a singer, and a soldier--Great Girls in Michigan History highlights some…
of the girls from Michigan's past who did amazing things before they turned twenty years old. Author Patricia Majher presents easy-to-read mini-biographies of twenty girls with ties to Michigan, representing a variety of personal backgrounds and interests, locations across the state, and historical time periods. Majher introduces little-known stories, like those of female aviator Nancy Harkness (Love), pioneer Anna Howard Shaw, escaped slave Dorothy Butler, professional baseball player Marilyn Jenkins, union leader Myra Komaroff (Wolfgang), and Native American writer Jane Johnston (Schoolcraft). She also includes figures that many readers will recognize--including First Lady Betty Bloomer (Ford), jockey Julie Krone, Motown star Diana Ross, and tennis champion Serena Williams. Majher shows that while life wasn't always easy for these girls, they were able to overcome any number of obstacles to achieve their goals. Great Girls in Michigan History includes a brief section on each girl's life after the age of twenty and a glossary of selected vocabulary words at the end of the book. With its depictions of young women who have not typically been represented in history texts, this book will be inspirational reading for upper elementary school students (ages 8 to 12) and welcomed by Michigan schools, bookstores, and public libraries.
Under Michigan: The Story of Michigan's Rocks and Fossils (Great Lakes Books Series)
By Charles Ferguson Barker. 2005
Most people recognize Michigan by its mitten-shaped Lower Peninsula and the Great Lakes embracing the state. Underneath the earth's surface,…
however, is equally distinctive evidence of an exciting history. Michigan rests on sedimentary rocks that reach down into the earth's crust more than fourteen thousand feet--a depth three-and-a-half times deeper than the Grand Canyon. Within these layers of rock rest all sorts of ancient fossils and minerals that date back to the eras when tropical seas spread across Michigan and hot volcanoes flung molten rock into its skies--long before mile-thick glaciers bulldozed over Michigan and plowed through ancient river valleys to form the Great Lakes.Under Michigan is the first book for young readers about the geologic history of the state and the structure scientists call the Michigan Basin. A fun and educational journey, Under Michigan explores Earth's geological past, taking readers far below the familiar sights of Michigan and nearby places to explain the creation of minerals and fossils and show where they can be found in the varying layers of rock. Readers will learn about the hard rock formations surrounding Michigan and also discover the tall mountain ridges hidden at the bottom of the Great Lakes. With beautiful illustrations by author Charles Ferguson Barker, a glossary of scientific terms, and charming page to keep field notes, Under Michigan is a wonderful resource for young explorers to use at home, in school, or on a trip across Michigan.
A Beaver Tale: The Castors of Conners Creek (Great Lakes Books Series)
By Gerald Wykes. 2016
When Detroit was settled over three hundred years ago, beavers (then known by the French name "castors") were one of…
the most numerous and important animals in North America. Yet the aggressive beaver pelt trade in Detroit and elsewhere decimated the animal's population, and the region's remaining beavers were unable to reestablish their homes in the city's industrial landscape once the trapping ended. In A Beaver Tale: The Castors of Conners Creek, author and illustrator Gerald Wykes tells the incredible story of one beaver family's return to the Detroit River in 2008, more than one hundred years after beavers were last seen in the area. Wykes shows readers how the beavers were discovered at the Conners Creek Power Plant on the city's east side, after people noticed trees were being mysteriously cut down. He combines real observations of this pioneering beaver colony with background about the important history of the beaver in Michigan, from its relationship to the Native occupants of the Great Lakes to its "discovery" by Europeans as a source of valuable furs. He explores some of the beaver's unique physical features, including its impressively webbed hind feet, delicate fingered "hands," waterproof fur, and famous flat tail, and also explains how today's strict pollution laws and shoreline improvements have turned the Detroit River into a hospitable place for beavers once again. Wykes's full-color illustrations and kid-friendly text tell a serious tale of environmental recovery in a fun and accessible way. Young readers aged 8 to 12 will enjoy the unique natural and cultural history in A Beaver Tale.
Feathers, Paws, Fins, and Claws: Fairy-Tale Beasts (Series in Fairy-Tale Studies)
By Christine A. Jones, Lina Kusaite, Jennifer Schacker. 2015
A wide variety of creatures walk, fly, leap, slither, and swim through fairy-tale history. Some marvelous animal characters are deeply…
inscribed in current popular culture--the beast redeemed by beauty, the wolf in pursuit of little girls and little pigs, the frog prince released from enchantment by a young princess. But like the adventures of many fairy-tale heroes, a curious reader's exploration in the genre can yield surprises, challenges, and unexpected rewards. Feathers, Paws, Fins, and Claws: Fairy-Tale Beasts presents lesser-known tales featuring animals both wild and gentle who appear in imaginative landscapes and enjoy a host of surprising talents. With striking original illustrations by artist Lina Kusaite and helpful introductions by fairy-tale scholars Jennifer Schacker and Christine A. Jones, the offbeat, haunting stories in this collection are rich and surprisingly relevant, demanding creative reading by audiences aged young adult and up. Schacker and Jones choose stories that represent several centuries and cultural perspectives on how animals think and move. In these ten stories, rats are just as seductive as Little Red Riding Hood's wolf; snakes find human mates; and dancing sheep and well-mannered bears blur the line between human and beast. Stories range in form from literary ballads to tales long enough to be considered short stories, and all are presented as closely as possible to their original print versions, reflecting the use of historical spelling and punctuation. Beasts move between typical animal behavior (a bird seeking to spread its wings and fly or a clever cat artfully catching its prey) and acts that seem much more human than beastly (three fastidious bears keeping a tidy home together or a snake inviting itself to the dinner table). Kusaite's full-color artwork rounds out this collection, drawing imaginatively on a wide range of visual traditions--from Inuit design to the work of the British Arts and Crafts movement. Together with the short introductions to the tales themselves, the illustrations invite readers to rediscover the fascinating world of animal fairy tales. All readers interested in storytelling, fairy-tale history, and translation will treasure this beautiful collection.
The Reuther Brothers: Walter, Roy, and Victor
By Mike Smith, Pam Smith. 2001
The tale of the Reuther brothers-Walter, Roy, and Victor-is more than a story of how one of America's great unions…
was created. It is also a powerful example of how teamwork, dedication, and concern for others can improve the lives of many people. This book portrays the brothers' lifelong commitment to each other and to workers' rights, while charting the career paths that ultimately led each one to his involvement with the United Automobile Workers (UAW). In a clear, lively narration that explains many important concepts to young readers, this book describes a string of fascinating events, including Walter and Victor's trip to Nazi Germany, their days spent teaching in a Soviet factory, and the strikes they organized in the United States. Against the background of the Depression and the Civil Rights movement, The Reuther Brothers helps readers to understand the ongoing struggles for economic and social justice.
To Keep the South Manitou Light
By Anna Egan Smucker. 2005
Set on South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan during the fall of 1871, To Keep the South Manitou Light tells…
the fictional tale of a twelve-year-old girl named Jessie, whose family has been taking care of the lighthouse on the island for generations. Jessie's mother has kept the light by herself since Jessie's grandfather died of a heart attack ten days before the story begins. Afraid her family will lose the lighthouse, Jessie decides not to mail her mother's letter informing the Lighthouse Service of her grandfather's death and instead puts it in one of her mother's canning jars and tosses it into the lake. Later, as a fierce November ice storm hits the island, the repercussions of this action will not only teach Jessie about honor and responsibility but will also give her hard-earned insight into what it means to be brave. Written for children between the ages of 8 and 12, To Keep the South Manitou Light provides regional history along with everyday lessons, all while engrossing young readers in an exciting story.
Dolly Parton's Billy the Kid Makes It Big
By Erica S. Perl, Dolly Parton. 2023
From the legendary Dolly Parton comes a story about her god-dog and Instagram personality, Billy the Kid, who is hoping…
to make it big as a country music star in Nashville, Tennessee. <p><p>French bulldog Billy the Kid was born with an ear for music. And not just any music. He loves barking to the beat of country music! So Billy sets out to Nashville to sing his heart out.But when he meets some big bullies at the Battle of the Bow-wows, Billy worries he's barking up the wrong tree. He'll need his favorite songs ("Jowlene" and "I Will Pawlways Love You," of course), a group of scrappy new friends, and his favorite country music star to regain self-confidence and be the star he always knew he could be. <p><p>Written by Dolly Parton with Erica S. Perl and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley, this is a delightful picture book about standing up to people (and dogs) who put you down and finding the drive to achieve your dreams.
Lock-In: Willie Plummett (The Misadventures of Willie Plummett #19)
By Paul Buchanan, Rod Randall. 2001
In honor of the eighth-graders' graduation, Willie's church is holding a Lock-In, including an exciting contest that might also introduce…
some of the participants to Jesus. Willie, Felix, and Sam find themselves on the same team during a lock-in scavenger hunt at church. Crusher, the neighborhood bully, is on the team too. Can smart thinking and Willie's wacky ideas help them win without getting tagged out by the "secret police" or pulverized by Crusher? The team discovers that winning isn't everything; they learn to share their faith and help each other through inventive creations and important conversations. There are more funny stories about Willie and his friends and their often ridiculous solutions to the problems of life in middle school and those sometimes awkward years between 11 and 14.
Choosing Courage: Inspiring True Stories of What It Means to Be a Hero
By Peter Collier. 2015
How does an ordinary person become a hero? It happens in a split second, a moment of focus and clarity,…
when a choice is made. Here are the gripping accounts of Medal of Honor recipients who demonstrated guts and selflessness on the battlefield and confronted life-threatening danger to make a difference. <P><P>There are the stories of George Sakato and Vernon Baker—both of whom overcame racial discrimination to enlist in the army during World War II (Sakato was a second-generation Japanese American, Baker an African American) and went on to prove that heroes come in all colors—and Clint Romesha, who led his outnumbered fellow soldiers against a determined enemy to prevent the Taliban from taking over a remote U.S. Army outpost in Afghanistan. <P>Also included are civilians who have been honored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation for outstanding acts of bravery in crisis situations, from a school shooting to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Adding depth and context are illuminating essays on the combat experience and its aftermath, covering topics such as overcoming fear; a mother mourning the loss of her son; and “surviving hell” as a prisoner of war.
Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom (Unlikely Friendships #3)
By Jennifer S. Holland. 2011
It is exactly like Isaiah 11:6: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down…
with the kid . . . ” Written by National Geographic magazine writer Jennifer Holland, Unlikely Friendships documents one heartwarming tale after another of animals who, with nothing else in common, bond in the most unexpected ways. A cat and a bird. A mare and a fawn. An elephant and a sheep. A snake and a hamster. The well-documented stories of Koko the gorilla and All Ball the kitten; and the hippo Owen and the tortoise Mzee. And almost inexplicable stories of predators befriending prey—an Indian leopard slips into a village every night to sleep with a calf. A lionness mothers a baby oryx. Ms. Holland narrates the details and arc of each story, and also offers insights into why—how the young leopard, probably motherless, sought maternal comfort with the calf, and how a baby oryx inspired the same mothering instinct in the lionness. Or, in the story of Kizzy, a nervous retired Greyhound, and Murphy, a red tabby, how cats and dogs actually understand each other’s body language. With Murphy’s friendship and support, Kizzy recovered from life as a racing dog and became a confident, loyal family pet.These are the most amazing friendships between species, collected from around the world and documented in a selection of full-color candid photographs.
B My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe
By Dawn Masi. 2023
A joyful, diverse, alphabetic picture book celebrating boys around the world.A, my name is ARCHIE, and my brother&’s name is ARLO.…
We come from AUSTRALIA, and we can ADVOCATE.Boys from 26 different countries—Australia to Zimbabwe—are celebrated in this alphabetical tribute to global boyhood. Children will enjoy reading about each boy's name, country, and favorite activity, while learning how we are all connected. This inspiring, multicultural, kindhearted, and empowering book will let every boy feel seen and loved.Globally-minded kids can also find the countries on a map at the back of the book and dream of places they'd like to visit.Don't miss the companion story: G My Name Is Girl.
Dad and the Recycling-Bin Roller Coaster
By Taylor Calmus. 2023
A loving dad goes a little over-the-top as he tries to DIY the best day ever for his kids in…
this funny, tender, vibrantly illustrated picture book from the viral video star behind Dude Dad and A Dude's Guide to Baby Size.When Mom heads out for a day of shopping and self-care, Dad knows it's "the perfect opportunity for a spectacular, build-tastic, super-Dad plan." Eager for his three kids to have the best day ever, Dad throws himself into build after build—from a leaf-blower-powered rocket ship to an ice cream truck with sherbet shooters—each more elaborate than the last. But one after another, the kids (including the unusually well-spoken baby) decline to play with Dad's creations. Feeling dejected, Dad starts to put away his tools, but then his kids are finally able to tell him what they really want . . . to play with him!
The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow
By Elaine Dimopoulos. 2023
This timeless early middle-grade adventure about friendship and community will charm animal-loving fans of The Tale of Despereaux and Clarice…
the Brave. Illustrated by Caldecott winner Doug Salati.Butternut lives in the burrows of Milkweed Meadow with her nine rabbit brothers and sisters. Together they practice strategies for survival and tell stories. With disastrous scenarios blooming in her mind, Butternut embraces the lesson of her families&’ stories: stick to your own rabbit-kind. But after befriending an incorrigible robin and a wounded deer, Butternut begins to question what she has been taught. When the three friends discover other animals in crisis, Butternut must decide whether she can help, rally her friends and family, and be as brave as the heroes in the stories she tells.Beautiful and arresting black-and-white illustrations bring the animals to life in this heartwarming story about friendship, community, and doing what is right.&“With the confidence of a maestro, Elaine Dimopoulos breathes vigor and beauty into a tale of a brave and thoughtful young rabbit . . . A chorus of woodland cheer for such a remarkable rescue."—Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Cress Watercress
I Know Who I Am: A Joyful Affirmation of Your God-Given Identity
By Dorena Williamson. 2023
An uplifting picture book that reminds children all over the world of God&’s love for them—affirming their standing in His…
kingdom and reinforcing their God-given identity.I am beautifully made and crowned with glory and strength!I am filled with God&’s power!I am building my life on Jesus, the solid rock!I am not afraid, for the Lord is always with me!Join children from Haiti, India, Korea, Rwanda, Spain, New Zealand, and many more countries as they each declare God's truth about their identities. Each page is a joyful exploration of how God has uniquely made every child to reveal His glory, but also serves as a beautiful reminder for kids about who they are—and, most important, whom they belong to.Featuring simple, biblically based affirmative statements and bold and vibrant illustrations, this inspirational celebration of a young believer&’s identity in Christ is a must-have for every church and Christian family.
Move Over, Deer!: A Story about Sharing, Tolerance, and Friendship
By Stephanie Schneider. 2023
There's room for everyone here! A picture book about tolerance and sharing.The deer have discovered a secret place while on a…
road trip in their chic convertible. And of course they want it all to themselves! But soon, more and more animals gather at the lake. They go swimming, sunbathe, play cards, take naps, and have picnics. There's a lot going on! And the deer are not happy about that—at all. When it suddenly starts to rain and the seats in the great (topless—because deer have very tall antlers!) convertible get wet, the other animals come to the rescue with the same blankets, umbrellas, and towels that had previously irritated the deer. The deer soon realize, with regret, that it's nicer when all the animals are together and getting along.