The Bean family is building a house! But they have a problem. With a roof over their heads, they can't see the stars at night. Baby Bean suggests they go outside to see the stars. But the rest of this illogical bunch comes up with their own zany solution.
Nikki blames her brother, Derek, for their parents' death in a house fire, but when Derek gets involved with a gang, Nikki knows she is the only one who can save him. Enlisting the help of a girl named Rain, who uses her athletic abilities to carry out acts of petty thievery, Nikki uses all her gymnastic and free-running skills to stay ahead of the gang and keep her brother from being killed.
Life in 1880 Tenmile, Colorado, isn't easy. But it's all that 12-year-old Sissy Carlson knows. She's lived here her whole life, watching her father, the local doctor, tend to the town's citizens. And while the mountain setting is gorgeous, Tenmile is a rough gold mining town. It often feels like there's just a thin line between life and death. Mining is a hard job; men are hurt or even killed. Sissy sees the same thin line between the haves and the have-nots as she assists her father in his practice, seeing firsthand the personal and not-always-private struggles of his patients. Now that she's older, Sissy is starting to think of the world beyond Tenmile and where she might fit in. What opportunities might she find if she could just get away? What kind of future does Tenmile offer, especially for a girl? A poignant coming-of-age middle grade novel by New York Times-bestselling author Sandra Dallas.
Ana has never been far from her home in California, but now she has a chance to travel to New Orleans with her gran. Along the way, the two see some interesting sights and eat good food. They also have a chance to help search for a missing boy who has set off in search of aliens.
The family treasure has caused a rift between sisters. Isa's mom proudly shows Grandma's picture above the mantel in the Rodriguez living room. It's the last gift that Isa's grandfather ever gave. And it is proudly displayed, infuriating Isa's aunt. Then it is stolen. But why? Isa learns that to keep a valued friendship, sometimes it's better to think of others before yourself.
Jenny does not like her new stepmother. She doesn't like their new house either. And she's always getting into trouble. She hates it when her stepmom bosses her around. So she makes a wish to the garden troll in the back garden. She wants her stepmom to get in trouble too. Soon there are a lot of mishaps. A freezer is turned off. The trash cans get dumped in the front yard. Is it the troll's doing? How can Jenny take back her wish before something really bad happens?
Scott Schroeder dreams of a day when he and his father can have a home of their own. Following an accident that took his mother’s life eight years before, doctors discovered Scott was suddenly deaf. Blessed with being an accomplished gymnast, and even though he signs and reads lips, Scott’s biggest challenge is convincing others he is just as able in doing all things as those in the hearing world. Picking up on conversations he observes along the way, Scott figures out a big family secret concerning his father and uncle and makes his mind up to play a part in their reconciliation.
With a new sister on the way, Roosevelt Banks has to give up his bedroom and move into the attic, which must be haunted because of all the squeaks and groans coming from the spooky place at the top of the stairs. After his plan to move into a fort in the woods fails, and a ghost-busting exercise goes terribly wrong, Roosevelt—with the help of Tommy, Josh, and Eddie Spaghetti—has to find the courage to defeat the biggest, spookiest ghouls ever and turn the Attic of Doom into a Room with a View.
Into the Wind is a middle-grade novel about the unlikely friendship between a boy and an elderly woman. Both moving and joyful, this is a poignant story about loss and love, and the surprising and sustaining bonds that can grow between the old and young.
When Polly's father goes overseas to fight in World War I, her whole world changes. Though the war is in Europe, its effects are felt on American soil. There are food, fuel, and other supply shortages everywhere. Even something as simple and enjoyable as a family Sunday car ride isn't possible anymore. Everyone must do their part to help the war effort. Victory gardens are planted and scrap metal is collected. "It's the biggest event in our history. And it involves every single adult, every single boy, and every single girl," says Polly's teacher. As Polly struggles to make sense of the war, she wonders how she can contribute. When the government puts out a notice requesting peach pits to be used in gas mask filters, Polly knows how she can help.
When Eric Peters learns that a once famous World War II pilot has a P-51 Mustang stored at the local airstrip, he knows he must see it. So he goes to the nursing home to introduce himself to the now ninety-five-year-old pilot, Leo Foster. Now too old to see his dream of restoring the Mustang to flying shape, Mr. Foster encourages Eric to find someone who can fulfill his wish. But Eric's dad balks at having his son anywhere near danger. Will Eric be able to convince him otherwise?
Since her dad’s death, Jan Glass has been angry at everyone. Her mom and teachers are always on her case. Even her little sister seems extra whiny. One evening, Jan stomps off to bed in a fit of rage. But when she wakes up, everything is different. She finds herself in a strange place with odd creatures. They need her help, but Jan wants no part of it. Until, that is, one of the creatures changes her mind and her attitude.
Eva and Carmen want spending money for ice cream at Chill. They want to treat their friends. They want to do more things with their free time than the money they get from their parents allows. But their parents tell them to think of a way to earn it themselves, because they won't waste their cash on extras. So the girls come up with a plan to make extra cash over the summer. But they don't realize how hard having a job can be.
The 5,000th caller on fraternal twins Ned and David's favorite reality show, Ryan's World, will get to spend an entire week with extreme sports superstar Ryan Wilson. Ned and David both dial and redial. Will they win? It doesn't seem likely. But they do! Ryan will spend the entire week with the sixth graders. And stay in their home! But TV Ryan is not the same as real-life Ryan.
Luke Lawson is raising two couch potatoes, and that does not sit well with him. So he decides he's going to toughed up his two boys, Winston and Nelson, with an adventure in the great outdoors. At first, the boys are grumpy and upset, but as they explore nature, they become more curious and interested in the world around them. And Winston experiences a life-changing event when he meets the ghost of a Native American teen and takes a mellow midnight ride on horseback.
Reece's new dog, Ruckus, tears through life like a Tyrannosaurus rex. He bites everything that moves and drives Reece's mom nuts. The puppy was Dad's idea, to make things easier for Reece after his parents' separation, but Ruckus is not easy at all and Mom is getting fed up. When her diamond earrings go missing, it sends the family into a tailspin. What happens when a dog swallows something precious? Reece is about to find out. But they can't give up on this little Jack Russell terror, can they? He's family, after all. We first met Reece and his family in the Orca Echoes title Where's Burgess? by Laurie Elmquist.
Destiny has wanted a dog for a very long time, but her mom always sends her to her dad, who says no every time. Why does he say no? She can't figure it out, and he won't give a reason. After her uncle Jake helps her with a school report, she decides to ask for his help again. Can her father's brother convince him to let her have a dog, or will he come up with a game plan?
Otis P. Oliver is taking a stand. He is NOT taking another bath--ever. But when your opinions matter to the rest of the family about as much as the opinions of the family dog (who, it's worth mentioning, only has to bathe once a month), you have to get serious. So Otis borrows a spiffy suit from his dad and rouses a rabble of neighbor kids to stand up for what the know is right: a bathtub ban. This hilarious story about standing up for what you believe in, compromise, and family will have readers of all ages ready to hit the pavement for their cause--whatever it may be.
Carlos and Carmen's Abuelita has come to visit. She joins the twins, Mamá, and Papá as they go from store to store, searching for the perfect piñatas. When they finally find them, the twins fall in love with their new piñata pets. They don't want to smash them! Luckily, Abuelita knows just what to do. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Fall leaves and pumpkins are everywhere. Carlos and Carmen are making plans to be in the costume contest. They both want to win, but neither of them wants the other to lose. It's a problem. A prize-winning problem! But with an old shirt, a pair of scissors, and a lot of creativity, the twins come up with a prize-winning solution. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards.
Winicker Wallace is getting a baby brother! But Winicker dreads his arrival. She can't talk to anyone about how she feels, so Winicker runs away from home. Her mother finds Winicker at the very top of the Eiffel Tower. When they are finally safe at the bottom, Winicker realizes she is actually looking forward to her brother's birth.
Keith Evans is a talented player on Peabody's basketball team. His father was a great player too. When Keith stops applying himself on the court, his father scolds him. Is Mr. Evans pushing Keith to achieve just to relive his glory days? Or is it something else? Includes discussion prompts, a basketball quiz, and fun facts about basketball. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Graphic Planet is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.
Carlos and Carmen want to make this year's Father's Day really special for Papá. At first they don't know what to do, but working together, they come up with the perfect idea-a treasure hunt. Luckily for Papá, the twins are with him every step of the way making sure that he solves the clues, follows the map, and finds the sweet treasure. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.
The Garcia's new refrigerator comes in a big box. Carlos and Carmen turn the box into a rocket, then a submarine. Then the twins finally decide to make the box a fort. But it's a crumpled fort. It's a flat fort. Discover how Carlos and Carmen don't let a flattened box ruin their fun! Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.
Ana & Andrew are expecting a sibling! The family is very excited. Mama's family arrives from Trinidad, and everyone helps to get ready. When the baby arrives, Ana & Andrew learn from Granny that in African American culture, a baby's name often tells an important story. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Calico Kid is an imprint of Magic Wagon, a division of ABDO.
