"Breathtaking suspense, unforgettable characters, and a pinch of magic combine in the dual stories of two young people—one in 731 China, and one in 1931 Chinatown—on perilous journeys to save their families. An instant classic from the beloved and bestselling author of the Vanderbeekers series.
“A page turner that is at once epic and intimate. This is a must read!” —Lisa Yee, New York Times bestselling author of The Misfits
In ancient Chang’An, Han Yu sells steamed buns in a bustling market full of whispers about his ability to summon tigers.
In New York’s Depression-era Chinatown, Luli gazes out from the roof of her parents’ restaurant, dreaming of dim sum and Chinese art.
Familiar rhythms rule the contained-but-contented lives of Han Yu and Luli. But when plague strikes Chang’An and financial crisis threatens Luli’s family, Han Yu and Luli must each venture out into the larger world—and into danger-filled adventure—to save what they love most. Filled with wondrous caves and conniving thieves, desert storms and magical lakes, Karina Yan Glaser’s epic and rewarding novel is a testament to the bravery required to face the unknown and the power of art to connect us through the ages.
“The work of a virtuoso, this is quite simply dazzling and the best book I’ve read in a long time.” —James Ponti, New York Times bestselling author of City Spies
Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook."
"Meet the kids in Mrs. Z's wacky and wonderful third-grade class! Poppy Song loves to bake just like her grandmother, but her skills are put to the test when a tricky recipe and a forgetful grandmother lead her into a sticky situation.
Poppy Song loves sharing sweet treats with other people-just like her grandmother Po Po, who used to have her own bakery. When the kids in Mrs. Z's class hear about a fancy dessert called Dragon's Beard candy, they can't wait for Poppy to make some and bring it in.
Poppy is excited to try to make the candy, but she has other worries on her mind. Po Po has been acting differently lately, putting items back in the wrong places, even mixing up ingredients in the recipes she knows by heart! When this new forgetfulness puts Po Po in danger, Poppy must find the courage to help their family figure out a way forward.
Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Poppy's story invites readers into Mrs. Z's class where empathy and fun rule the school, from New York Times bestselling author Karina Yan Glaser.
Perfect for!
★ My Weirdtastic School fans
★ Reluctant readers
★ Classroom read-alouds
★ Andrew Clements fans
★ Bakers
★ Grandparents Day
Read them all! The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class have plenty of stories to share!
Emma McKenna, Full out (#1)
Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2)
The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4)
Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5)
Ayana Ndoum Takes the Stage (#6)
Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7)
Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8)
Theo Chang is Not a Cat (#9) - available for preorder now!
Thunder Nelson Does the Impossumble (#10) - available for preorder now!
Sebastian Metzger Solves a Sticky Situation (#11) - available for preorder now!
Fia Hosein Finds Her Beat (#12) - available for preorder now!
*The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!"
"The Vanderbeekers are celebrating! Two of their favorite people are getting married in Harlem, and Laney, Hyacinth, Oliver, Jessie, and Isa have so much to look forward to—and to organize!
But when one of the siblings becomes seriously ill, wedding plans come to an abrupt halt. Suddenly, instead of preparing for a party, the family is spending their days at the hospital. And soon the Vanderbeekers attempt to help a newly made and critically ill friend,
even as they struggle with how their own lives have turned upside down.
In the poignant conclusion to the bestselling Vanderbeekers series, the beloved family faces their biggest challenge yet, rising together to meet it with the characteristic love, warmth, and hope that has won them a lasting place in the hearts of readers everywhere."
"The Vanderbeekers are off on their first big trip! Recreating a cross-country road
trip Papa never got the chance to take with his own father, the biracial crew pack
up and hit the highway, ready for anything that travel might bring. Nothing, not
wet tents, creepy campgrounds, or overheated vans, can dampen their
enthusiasm for seeing America’s sights and finally reaching California.
But when the younger Vanderbeekers learn of a frightening change headed their
way, they worry their family and their life in the beloved Harlem brownstone will
never be the same. What would home be without the people they love living in it?
For anyone who has ever feared—and faced—change, here is a fresh,
empowering addition to a perennially favorite series the New York Times Book
Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”"
"From the New York Times best-selling creator of the Vanderbeekers series comes a triumphant tale of friendship, healing, and the power of believing in ourselves told from the perspective of biracial sixth-graders June and Tyrell, two children living in a homeless shelter. As their friendship grows over a shared love of classical music, June and Tyrell confront a new housing policy that puts homeless families in danger.
It's June’s first day at Huey House, and as if losing her home weren’t enough, she also can’t bring her cherished viola inside. Before the accident last year, her dad saved tip money for a year to buy her viola, and she’s not about to give it up now. Tyrell has been at Huey House for three years and gives June a glimpse of the good things about living there: friendship, hot meals, and a classical musician next door. Can he and June work together to oppose the government, or will families be forced out of Huey House before they are ready?
"
"It’s summer on 141st Street, and Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney can’t wait for camping trips, bike rides, and all the fun summer has to offer. Most of all,
they’re looking forward to Papa’s surprise fortieth birthday party, which they’ve been planning for months.
But when Papa must leave town suddenly to help his best friend, trouble in theform of their distant grandparents shows up on their doorstep. Not only must the Vanderbeekers face the disappointment of ruined plans, but they have more than
one family secret to solve if they are going to give Papa the special birthday he deserves.
Witness the power of family history and family love in this funny, poignant addition to a series the New York Times Book Review hails as “delightful and heartwarming.”"
"New York Times best-seller Karina Yan Glaser brings everyone’s favorite Harlem family back in this poignant
fourth novel in the “delightful and heartwarming” (New York Times Book Review) Vanderbeekers series.
When autumn arrives on 141st Street, the Vanderbeekers are busy helping
Mr. Beiderman get ready for the New York City Marathon—and making sure the mysterious
person sleeping in the community garden gets enough to eat. But when they discover the
true identity of the person making a home in the garden’s shed, their world turns upside
down. As they attempt to make the world a better place, Isa, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and
Laney learn what it means to care for someone in an impossible situation.
Return to 141st Street with the biracial Vanderbeeker family as they show how friends
can be family and families can be unconventional in this heartfelt novel that will have you
cheering to the end."
"For the Vanderbeekers, a large biracial family living on Harlem’s 141st Street, spring break couldn’t be off to a better start. Isa has a whole week to prepare for a violin audition, Oliver is building an epic treehouse, and Laney, Jessie, and Hyacinth are excited to help their mother get ready
for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to star in a popular lifestyle magazine.
What the Vanderbeekers do not expect to do is single-handedly destroy their mother’s baking business. As the kids secretly race against the clock to fix their epic mistake, mysterious packages arrive at their door and threaten to ruin everything.
In a heartwarming family novel full of humor and wisdom, Karina Yan Glaser shows how even when life falls apart there is always a path forward, always a way to show kindness and love.
A Junior Library Guild Selection"
"Return to Harlem's 'wildly entertaining' family in this funny, heartwarming sequel. When catastrophe strikes their beloved upstairs neighbors, the Vanderbeeker children set out to build the best, most magical healing garden in Harlem--in spite of a locked fence, thistles and trash, and the conflicting plans of a wealthy real estate developer. While Isa is off at sleepaway orchestra camp, Jessie, Oliver, Hyacinth, and Laney are stuck at home in the brownstone with nothing to do but get on one another's nerves. But when catastrophe strikes their beloved upstairs neighbor, their sleepy summer transforms in an instant as the Vanderbeeker children band together to do what they do best: make a plan. They will create the most magical healing garden in all of Harlem. In this companion to The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, experience the warmth of a family and their community as they work together to bring a little more beauty and kindness to the world, one thwarted plan at a time."
"The Vanderbeekers have always lived in the brownstone on 141st Street. It's practically another member of the family. So when their reclusive, curmudgeonly landlord decides not to renew their lease, the five siblings have eleven days to do whatever it takes to stay in their beloved home and convince the dreaded Beiderman just how wonderful they are. And all is fair in love and war when it comes to keeping their home. A modern classic in the making reminiscent of the Penderwicks series, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is about the connections we make and the unexpected turns life can take."
