Zach should've outgrown his imaginary friend by now. He knows that ... Zach's eleven, long past the days when kids are supposed to go on epic, makebelieve adventures with their invisible friends. But after the death of his father five years ago, all Zach has wanted is an escape from the real world. So his imaginary friend, Shovel, hasn't faded away like the other kids' have. Shovel tries his best to lift his spirits, but now that Zach's in middle school, things are getting a little awkward. His best friend ditched him for a cooler crowd. His classmates tease him in the hallways. He still misses his dad. Reality is the worst. Which is why Zach still makes regular visits to a fantasy world with Shovel. But is Zach's overactive imagination helping him deal with loss or just pushing people away? Moving and heartfelt, Imaginary is the story of a boy and his imaginary friend-told as only an imaginary friend could.
When the proprietor of Leighton's Mercantile is found dead the morning his annual Christmas display is to be unveiled, it's clear that a killer had revenge in mind. But who would want to harm the local shopkeeper? Perhaps someone who still remembers the mysterious scandal that destroyed his career as a professor and archaeologist ... The killer strikes again a few days later, manipulating the figures in the holiday display to foretell the crime. Myrtle Hardcastle, twelve-year-old Young Lady of Quality and Victorian amateur detective, finds herself racing to uncover the long buried facts of a baffling cold case-and the motivations of a modern murderer.
Otto and Sheed are back! With their last otherworldly adventure behind them, cousins Otto and Sheed are definitely ready for things to get back to normal-or as normal as it can ever be in Logan County. But when Sheed develops a weird talent that makes it storm frogs, Otto's mom and Sheed's dad are drawn back home, and things may never be the same. Especially with a suspicious company known as GOO sniffing around, seeking to acquire a bunch of property around the county for nefarious purposes. It's up to the Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County, the Ellison twins, Grandma, and the rest to save their town and keep their newly reunited family together before GOO destroys it all.
Welcome to the town of Barksdale, where the canine residents strive for perfection. Every shopkeeper claims to be the "best
groomer" or sell the "best biscuits." And at Barksdale Academy, the pressure is on every year for one pup to be named Best in
Show.
Nova, Duke, Harley, and Peanut have never won Best in Show... which is okay with them! But they have to work together to pass
their Agility Exam, because either the whole pack passes or the whole pack fails.
Nova has convinced her pals to train, but on her practice course, Duke is afraid to climb the high ramp, Harley keeps chasing
squirrels, and Peanut can't make it through the hoops. Nova's not doing much better-she's so excited she keeps knocking the
whole course over!
Will the pups make the grade, or are they doomed to be Underdogs forever?
There once was a time when the sun alone ruled the day, the moon graced the night, and little children were sent to bed before
sunset. Then early one dawn, the moon heard sounds of children laughing, and she yearned to see them by daylight.
"Certainly not!" snapped the sun. "The day is mine. The night is yours!"
But the moon had a clever plan....
Carmen Agra Deedy and Jim LaMarche have brilliantly crafted an original pourquoi tale about finding one's place in the universe.
Twelve-year-old Nimra Sharif has spent her whole life in Islamic school, but now it's time to go to "real school."
Nimra's nervous, but as long as she has Jenna, her best friend who already goes to the public school, she figures she can take on
just about anything.
Unfortunately, middle school is hard. The teachers are mean, the schedule is confusing, and Jenna starts giving hijab-wearing
Nimra the cold shoulder around the other kids.
Desperate to fit in and get back in Jenna's good graces, Nimra accepts an unlikely invitation to join the school's popular 8th grade
boy band, Barakah Beats. The only problem is, Nimra was taught that music isn't allowed in Islam, and she knows her parents would be disappointed if they found out. So she devises a simple plan: join the band, win Jenna back, then quietly drop out before
her parents find out.
But dropping out of the band proves harder than expected. Not only is her plan to get Jenna back working, but Nimra really likes
hanging out with the band-they value her contributions and respect how important her faith is to her. Then Barakah Beats signs
up for a talent show to benefit refugees, and Nimra's lies start to unravel. With the show only a few weeks away and Jenna's
friendship hanging in the balance, Nimra has to decide whether to betray her bandmates-or herself.
Her last name may mean kings, but Ana María Reyes REALLY does not live in a castle. Rather, she's stuck in a tiny apartment with two parents (way too lovey-dovey), three sisters (way too dramatic), everyone's friends (way too often), and a piano (which she never gets to practice). And when her parents announce a new baby is coming, that means they'll have even less time for Ana María.
Then she hears about the Eleanor School, New York City's best private academy. If Ana María can win a scholarship, she'll be able to get out of her Washington Heights neighborhood school and achieve the education she's longed for. To stand out, she'll need to nail her piano piece at the upcoming city showcase, which means she has to practice through her sisters' hijinks, the neighbors' visits, a family trip to the Dominican Republic . . . right up until the baby's birth! But some new friends and honest conversations help her figure out what truly matters, and know that she can succeed no matter what. Ana María Reyes may not be royal, but she's certain to come out on top.
Say Cheese!
Karen has to get glasses - two pairs! One pair for reading and one for all the time. Karen does not want glasses. Her school
pictures are going to be taken soon! But Karen has to...so she picks out some pretty pink and blue ones. Karen thinks she looks
very grown-up.
Then Yicky Ricky at school calls her Four-eyes. If Karen wears her glasses for the school picture, Ricky will make fun of her. But
Karen is not a wimp! Glasses or no glasses - that Ricky is going to get it!
Fabio flies through the streets of Bogotá on his bicycle, the children of his neighborhood trailing behind him. It is there that life feels right-where the world of adults, and their lies, fades away. But then one day, he simply forgets. Forgets how to ride his bicycle. And Fabio will never be the same again. From Colombia comes a special debut talent, Alejandra Algorta, and a first novel of discovery and heartbreak, translated by award-winning author Aida Salazar. Presented in English and Spanish Fabio vuela por las calles de Bogotá en su bicicleta, seguido por los niños de su barrio. Es allí donde la vida es genial, donde el mundo de los adultos, y sus mentiras, se desvanecen. Pero un día, Fabio olvida. Olvida cómo montar su bicicleta. Y jamás será el mismo. Es el debut de la talentosa colombiana Alejandra Algorta con su primera novela de descubrimientos y desamores. Especial y poética, la prosa de Algorta ha sido traducida por la premiada autora Aida Salazar. Presentado en español e inglés
Princess Aster and Princess Ursula are the only children of the Bear Major, high king and head of the royal House of the Hemoth Bear. Rivals, both girls dream of becoming queen someday, although neither really deserve to-brilliant, spoiled, and difficult, they have little to recommend them. But everything changes when fire and murder come to their castle, and the crown is stolen from their family. Overnight, the girls are forced onto the run, along with the half-grown grizzly Alcor, the symbol of their house, and the lowly bearkeeper Dev. As a bitter struggle for the throne consumes the kingdom in civil war, dragging every family from the House of Hounds to the House of the Ox into chaos, the sisters must rely on Dev, Alcor, and each other to survive-and find wells of courage, cunning, and skill they never knew they had. From celebrated fantasist Meaghan McIsaac comes The Bear House, the first entry in a new middle-grade fantasy series set in a gritty medieval world where the ruling houses are based on the constellations-and the stakes are sky-high.
An epic tale of two remarkable girls and the powers they wield Ellie McFadden has intuitive gifts. She can sense what other living things are feeling. She can even talk to animals! Too bad she can't connect with her twin sister, Parker. Parker McFadden has kinetic gifts. She can cause shocks to the earth and produce heat energy that explodes from her body like fire, especially when she is angry. The sisters aren't aware of the legacy they inherited from their mother until, on their twelfth birthday, two mysterious relatives on the Power side whisk them off to an isolated sanctuary called Haven. Ellie immediately adapts to their new routine, but Parker has one impulse: to get back to her normal life of friends and sports, fast. Unlocking Haven's secrets is just the beginning of what Ellie and Parker can do if they choose to work together to harness their abilities. But the sinister force that took their mother has other plans, and if the sisters' fragile relationship succumbs to the Danger, a terrible fate may befall the people they love.
Marigold Johnson is looking forward to a future full of family, friends, and fashion—but what will she do when it all explodes in her face? When she discovers that her entire life is a lie?
Paula Chase, the author of So Done, Dough Boys, and Turning Point, explores betrayal, conformity, and forgiveness—and what it means to be family—in this stand-alone novel perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Rebecca Stead, and Renée Watson.
Marigold Johnson can’t wait to attend a special program at her family’s business, Flexx Unlimited, for teens who love fashion. But Mari quickly realizes that she’s out of place compared to the three other trainees—and one girl, Kara, seems to hate her on sight.
As tension builds and the stakes at the program get higher, Mari uncovers exactly why Kara’s been so spiteful. She also discovers some hard truths about herself and her family.
Paula Chase explores complex themes centering on friendships, family, and what it means to conform to fit in. Keeping It Real is also a powerful exploration of what happens when parents pick and choose what they shield their children from. Timely and memorable, Paula Chase’s character-driven story touches on creativity, art, fashion, and music. A great choice for the upper middle grade audience.
