"Some people lead and some people get out of the way. It’s a universal rule. A cosmic inevitability. Kevin Spencer is one lucky guy. Tina Zabinski, the World’s Most Beautiful, Most Perfect, Best-Smelling Girl, is finally his girlfriend. But now that he’s got the girl, will he be able to keep her? Enter his mortal enemy, Cash Devine. Handsome, smooth-talking Cash is running for class president, and he seems to have his eye on Tina. Kev’s got to dazzle her, so he decides to exercise his great political mind and run against Cash. There’s just one little problem: Kevin has to win. Gary Paulsen continues his exploration of the quirky, inventive mind of fourteen-year-old Kevin in this hilarious companion to Liar, Liar; Flat Broke; and Crush."
"From Jenny Lee, writer on the Disney Channel show Shake It Up!, the number-one-rated kids' show in the country, this feel-good middle-grade novel is about a sickly boy whose life is turned upside down when he gets a therapy dog . . . who can talk!
Benji Wendell Barnsworth is a small ten-year-old boy with a big personality. Born premature, Benji is sickly, accident-prone, and at the hospital so often he even has his own punch card. So when Benji wakes up one day from a particularly bad spell, his doctors take the radical step of suggesting he get a therapy dog. But when a massive crate arrives at Benji's house, out walks a two-hundred-pound Newfoundland who can talk! And boy, is he bossy.
In this hilarious and heartwarming friendship story in the tradition of bestselling authors Gordon Korman and Carl Hiaasen, Elvis brings out the dog lover in the most surprising people and shows Benji that making new friends may not be as scary as he once thought."
"The Gaither sisters are at it again! A sequel to the Newbery Honor Book One Crazy Summer, this Coretta Scott King Award-winning novel will find a home in the hearts of readers who loved Brown Girl Dreaming and As Brave as You.
After spending the summer in Oakland, California, with their mother and the Black Panthers, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern arrive home with a newfound streak of independence. That doesn't sit well with Big Ma, who doesn't like the way things are changing.
Neither does Delphine. Pa has a new girlfriend. Uncle Darnell comes home from Vietnam, but he's not the same. And her new sixth-grade teacher isn't the fun, stylish Miss Honeywell—it's Mr. Mwila, a stern exchange teacher from Zambia.
But the one thing that doesn't change during this turbulent year is the advice that Delphine receives from her mother, who reminds her not to grow up too fast. To be eleven while she can.
Readers who enjoy Christopher Paul Curtis's The Watsons Go to Birmingham and Jacqueline Woodson’s Brown Girl Dreaming will find much to love in this book. Rita Williams-Garcia's books about Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern can also be read alongside nonfiction explorations of American history such as Jason Reynolds's and Ibram X. Kendi's books.
Each humorous, unforgettable story in this trilogy follows the sisters as they grow up during one of the most tumultuous eras in recent American history, the 1960s. Read the adventures of eleven-year-old Delphine and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, as they visit their kin all over the rapidly changing nation—and as they discover that the bonds of family, and their own strength, run deeper than they ever knew possible.
“The Gaither sisters are an irresistible trio. Williams-Garcia excels at conveying defining moments of American society from their point of view.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)"
"When the 'delightfully different, bright yellow and rather scruffy' Dandylion joins Miss Gardener's neat and tidy class, chaos and fun follow. But after one messy incident too many he's told to go home - he just doesn't fit in. It doesn't take long, however, for everyone to realise that too much neatness and order isn't always a good thing and everyone's desperate for Dandylion to return!
At last, Dandylion feels like a wildflower in the right place!
An empowering story about friendship, diversity and finding your place."
"One fine day Little Croc finds a lonely lost purse . . . and it's FULL of money!
Does he keep it and use the money for himself? Will he succumb to the temptation of some new shoes, a cool lemonade or the teasing of his friends? NO! Honourable Little Croc is off to find the owner. And when the owner of the purse lets him keep it and the money inside, he soon realises that being honest is its own best reward!
A brand new heart-warming tale from Dandylion creator, Lizzie Finlay!"
"Everyone in Mrs. Mackle's class knows that Horrible Harry likes to do horrible things. That's how he got his nickname. He likes gross things, too, like the dead flies Song Lee brought in to feed the class water frog. But when someone sends Song Lee two 'I hate you' notes, no one thinks of Harry. He wouldn't send such mean notes to the nicest person in the class. All the students wonder who wrote them-and what Song Lee is going to do. Beginning readers love each visit to Horrible Harry's classroom, where there are always interesting new things to see and hear. This time, Song Lee is preparing a big surprise, too. Johnny Heller's exuberant narration captures all the energy of this popular series. School Library Journal comments on one of the Horrible Harry books: 'Another perfect chapter book for transitional readers.'"
"Everyone in Room 2B knows that Song Lee is shy, but Horrible Harry and his classmates soon find that quiet Song Lee is also full of surprises. Join the students is Room 2B in four adventures starring Song Lee. Johnny Heller's narration highlights all the fun."
"READ BY EMILIA FOX. A heartwarming adventure about finding your smile with two endearing new characters from the creator of Blue Kangaroo.
READ BY EMILIA FOX. When Melrose loses his smile, he worries that he won't be able to find it again. But Little Green Croc takes him to the countryside and sure enough, his smile returns! A heart-warming tale about the power of friendship"
"READ BY EMILIA FOX. Melrose and Croc return in style in this beautiful picture book and audio adventure, all about being the very best of friends. From the creator of the Blue Kangaroo series, these adorable characters will soon be your best friends too!
READ BY EMILIA FOX. Melrose and Croc are the best of friends. They love all the things about each other that make them who they are.
So when Melrose or Croc feels that nothing they do is good enough, they always know how to cheer each other up – it’s easy: they remind one another of ALL the different things that make them special – unique and totally loveable!
The universal theme of friendship and understanding is sure to touch every heart, as Melrose and Croc show how to love others and also yourself."
"READ BY EMILIA FOX. Join best friends Melrose and Croc for a day of sunshine and laughter beside the sea! This glowing picture book from the creator of the Blue Kangaroo series is perfect for sharing with little children making friends.
READ BY EMILIA FOX. Little Green Croc is in a snappy mood, but Melrose knows that a guessing game and a trip to the seaside will soon have his favourite friend smiling again.
This charming picture book is full of sunshine, brightly capturing the warmth of true friendship. Wonderfully illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, it’s a perfect addition to the Melrose and Croc series."
"READ BY EMILIA FOX. Melrose and Croc are two irresistible new characters from the creator of the popular Blue Kangaroo series, Emma Chichester Clark
READ BY EMILIA FOX. Our endearing duo are thrilled to be taking an exciting trip to town. Little Green Croc just can’t wait to rush off into the bright lights and bustle of the city, but the slightly more worldly-wise Melrose advises caution – the crowds are big and Croc is a very small crocodile, and if they are not careful, he might end up…LOST! Thankfully the friends are reunited for a happy ending.
This entertaining urban adventure for the loveable pair is sure to amuse children and parents alike, and shows the dazzling potential of the Melrose and Croc series."
"READ BY EMILIA FOX. Melrose and Croc return in style in this beautiful picture book adventure, full of tension and drama, from the internationally renowned, award-winning author-illustrator Emma Chichester Clark.
READ BY EMILIA FOX. Melrose has planned a wonderful birthday for his great friend Croc: a stay at a villa by the sea, a wonderful tea and a lovely surprise. As Melrose goes out to get everything ready, Croc sits and waits, and waits. Wherever can Croc be? Finally, Croc discovers that his friend is in danger, but will he reach him in time to save him?"
