Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances.
Publisher: n/a
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9780545342384
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Hardcover
Teddy Mars Book #1
By Burnham, Molly B.
Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner!Fans of Jeff Kinneys humor and Sharon Creechs heartfelt stories will love this hilarious new series about a ten-year-old boy from a big family who dreams of making it into The Guinness Book of World Records.Teddy Mars is determined to stand out in a world full of wonders and a house bursting with siblings. With the help of his best friends, Teddy tries to build the biggest snow mound, stuff the most grapes in his mouth, and lift a chair with his teeth. Hell do anything to succeed - even if it means sleeping in a tent and cleaning up pigeon poop for Grumpy Pigeon Man. Too bad his pesky little brother, also known as The Destructor, always wrecks Teddys record-breaking plans!Told in short, accessible sections, with memorable lists and winning illustrations, Molly B. Burnhams Teddy Mars #1: Almost a World Record Breaker is perfect for reading aloud. Teddys never-give-up attitude will have readers laughing out loud and clamoring to break records of their own!
Publisher: n/a
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9780062278104
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Hardcover
Absolutely Almost
By Graff, Lisa
From the author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots comes an inspiring novel about figuring out who you are and doing what you love.Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at gym. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself.A perfect companion to Lisa Graff's National Book Award-nominated A Tangle of Knots, this novel explores a similar theme in a realistic contemporary world where kids will easily be able to relate their own struggles to Albie's. Great for fans of Rebecca Stead's Liar and Spy, RJ Palacio's Wonder and Cynthia Lord's Rules.Praise for ABSOLUTELY ALMOST * "Albie comes through significant emotional hardship to a genuine sense of self-worth."--School Library Journal, starred review * "A perfect book to share with struggling readers."--BOOKLIST , starred review * "Achingly superb, Albie's story shines."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Graff's...gentle story invokes evergreen themes of coming to appreciate one's strengths (and weaknesses) , and stands out for its thoughtful, moving portrait of a boy who learns to keep moving forward, taking on the world at his own speed."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Lately the patrons of my school library have been asking, 'Do you have any books like Wonder by R.J. Palacio?' and now I have the perfect offering."--BookPage "Maybe the wonder of Absolutely Almost is that it's willing to give us an almost unheard of hero."--Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 Blog"Graff...again draws on her ability to create rich lifeworlds for her characters to present a boy who is gifted in many ways....[T]his is a sharp portrait of an outsider's inner perspective, and Albie's coming to terms with himself will be cheered by many."--BCCB Reviews
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9780399164057
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Book
Catch That Pass!
By Christopher, Matt
Only one thing keeps Jim from being the best linebacker in the team - his fear of getting tackled. But his friend Chuckie knows Jim isn't a coward. With Chuckie's special courage as an example, can Jim find the strength to face his fears head-on?
Publisher: n/a
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9780316139243
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Paperback
Another Day as Emily
By Spinelli, Eileen
"Taut, fast-paced, economical, devoid of sham, Spinelli's book echoes Dickinson's own deceptive simplicity."--The New York Times Book ReviewEleven-year-old Suzy just can't win. Her brother is a local hero for calling 911 after seeing their elderly neighbor collapse, and only her best friend was able to win a role in the play they both auditioned for. Feeling cast aside from all angles, Suzy sees a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, the subject of her summer project. Suzy decides to escape from her disappointments by emulating the poet's life of solitude: no visitors or phone calls (only letters delivered through her window) , no friends (except her goldfish, Ottilie) , and no outings (except church, but only if she can wear her long white Emily dress) .But being a recluse is harder than Suzy predicted. Will she find a way to fold Emily into her life while also remaining true to herself?From the Hardcover edition.
Publisher: n/a
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9780449809884
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Book
The Waffler
By Donovan, Gail
When one boy waffles back and forth, it's going to take a few little kids-and one pet rat-to get him to finally make a decision.Monty is a waffler-he can never make up his mind, which always gets him in trouble. But when each student in his fourth-grade class is assigned a kindergarten buddy, Monty takes some left-out kindergarteners under his wing, even though it's against the rules to have more than one buddy. When his blended family and his teachers find out, they give him an ultimatum: choose just one buddy, or have none at all. That stinks! On top of that, his beloved pet rat escapes, and his twin sister stops speaking to him! Monty doesn't want to cast away his new friends, but he needs to come to a decision before everything spins out of control. With laugh-out-loud humor reminiscent of Andrew Clements, Donovan gets the agony-and the tremendous fun-of elementary school perfectly.
Publisher: n/a
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9780803739208
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Hardcover
Anna Was Here
By Kurtz, Jane
Ten-year-old Anna Nickel is moving from Colorado to Kansas, and she is not happy about leaving her friends behind! This is a moving, often humorous coming-of-age story about family, faith, God's love, and the meaning of home, perfect for fans of Katherine Paterson and The Penderwicks.Ten-year-old Anna Nickel's worst nightmare has come true. Her father has decided to move the family back to Oakwood, Kansas - where he grew up - in order to become the minister of the church there. New friends, new school, a new community, and a family of strangers await, and what's even worse, it's all smack-dab in the middle of Tornado Alley. Anna has always prided herself on being prepared (she keeps a notebook on how to cope with disasters, from hurricanes to shark bites) , but she'll be tested in Oakwood! This beautifully written novel introduces a family who takes God's teachings to heart while finding many occasions to laugh along the way, and an irrepressible and wholesome ten-year-old who, with a little help from Midnight H. (her cat) , takes control of her destiny.
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9780060564933
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Print book
Binny for Short
By Mckay, Hilary
A tender, sweet, and hilarious novel about growing up with a loving family and a perfectly rambunctious dog, from an author who "has set the standard of brilliance" (Horn Book) .When she was eight, Binny's life was perfect: She had her father's wonderful stories and Max, the best dog ever. But after her father's sudden death, money is tight, and Aunty Violet decides to give Max away - he is just too big for their cramped new life. Binny knows she can't get her dad back, but she never stops missing Max, or trying to find him. Then, when she's eleven, everything changes again. Aunty Violet has died, and left Binny and her family an old house in a seaside town. Binny is faced with a new crush, a new frenemy, and ... a ghost? It seems Aunty Violet may not have completely departed. It's odd being haunted by her aunt, but there is also the warmth of a busy and loving mother, a musical older sister, and a hilarious little brother, who is busy with his experiments. And his wetsuit. And his chickens. You'll delight in getting to know Binny and her charming, heartwarming family in this start to a new series from the inimitable Hilary McKay.
Publisher: n/a
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9781442482753
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Hardcover
The Friendship Matchmaker
By Abdel-fattah, Randa
Lara Zany is known throughout the school yard as the Friendship Matchmaker-kids call on her expertise and follow her hard-and-fast rules to find best friendships. Lara's documented everything from friendship categories (the BOBF, or Bus Only Best Friend; the TL, or Total Loner; the LBC, or Loner By Choice) to strategies (BJF, or the Bungee Jump Friend; FTFP, or Field Trip Faux Pas) . But when new kid in school Emily Wong questions Lara's methods, the two decide to compete by each finding a TL a best friend. But Lara, an LBC, doesn't bank on finding her own best friendship in the most unlikely of places. . . . In the tradition of Clueless, this reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma for middle school readers is a funny and heartwarming story of celebrating individuality and finding acceptance.
Publisher: n/a
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9780802734761
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Paperback
Ready to Wear
By Taylor, Chloe
A tween fashion designer's blog garners A-list attention in this chic start to a new middle grade series.Over the summer, fashion-loving Zoey Webber gets the best news ever: Her middle school is getting rid of uniforms! There's just one problem. Zoey has sketchbooks full of fashion designs, but nothing to wear! So with a little help from her best friends Kate and Priti, she learns to make her own clothes. She even begins to post her fashion design sketches online in a blog. That's how the Sew Zoey blog begins, and soon it becomes much more. Zoey's quirky style makes her a bit of a misfit at middle school, but her Sew Zoey blog quickly gains a dedicated following. Real fashion designers start to read it! Yet even as her blog takes off, Zoey still has to deal with homework, crushes, and P.E. class. And when the principal asks her to design a dress for the school's fashion-show fund-raiser, Zoey can't wait to start sewing! But what will happen when her two worlds collide?
Publisher: n/a
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9781442479340
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Hardcover
33 Minutes
By Hasak-lowy, Todd
This school-based boy friendship story is "funny, fast-paced, and quite poignant" (R. J. Palacio, author of Wonder) .Sam Lewis is going to get his butt kicked in exactly thirty-three minutes. He knows this because yesterday his former best friend Morgan Sturtz told him, to his face and with three witnesses nearby, "I am totally going to kick your butt tomorrow at recess." All that's standing between Sam and this unfortunate butt-kicking is the last few minutes of social studies and his lunch period. But how did Sam and Morgan end up here? How did this happen just a few months after TAMADE (The Absolutely Most Amazing Day Ever) , when they became the greatest Alien Wars video game team in the history of great Alien Wars teams? And once the clock ticks down, will Morgan actually act on his threat? Told with equal parts laugh-out-loud humor and achingly real emotional truth, 33 Minutes shows how even the best of friendships can change forever.
Publisher: n/a
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9781442445000
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Hardcover
Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom, & the Challenges of Bad Hair
By Payne, C.c.
While Lula Bell Bonner tries desperately to fit in by not standing out, her wise and irrepressible Grandma Bernice says: Let your light shine! It's Grandma Bernice who provides the joy that balances Lula Bell's difficult school life, but when this balance is upended, when Kali Keele turns up the heat on her cruel teasing, and when the talent show -that she should NEVER have signed up for-- is about to happen, how in the world can Lula Bell cope?This funny, heartfelt novel exploring friendship, family, and forgiveness, introduces an unforgettable hero, lost in the wilderness of 5th grade, searching for her own shining light.The author of Lula Bell has donated this book to the Worldreader program
Publisher: n/a
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9780761462255
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Hardcover
A Whole Lot of Lucky
By Haworth, Danette
Hailee Richardson never realized how much she hated her Salvation Army life and Goodwill accessories until the night her family wins the lottery. All of a sudden she's no longer the only girl at school without a cell phone or a brand-new bike! And the newfound popularity that comes with being a lottery winner is just what she's always dreamed of. But the glow of her smartphone and fancy new clothes wears off when Hailee is transferred to Magnolia Academy, a private school. All of a sudden, her best friend and parents seem shabby compared to the beautiful Magnolia moms and the popular bad-girl Nikki, who seems to want to be her friend. Now, Hailee wants nothing more than to grow up-and away-from her old life. It'll take one very busy social networking page, a stolen first kiss, and a whole carton of eggs for Hailee to realize that not all luck is good, not all change is bad, and a best friend who's just a call away will always be more valuable than a phone.
Publisher: n/a
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9780802723932
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Print book
Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick
By Holm, Jennifer L.
Part graphic novel, part scrapbook and altogether original - New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Holm's Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries and Babymouse!Ginny has big plans for eighth grade. She's going to try out for cheerleading, join Virtual Vampire Vixens, and maybe even fall in love. But middle school is more of a roller-coaster ride than Ginny could have ever predicted. Her family has just moved into a fancy new house when Ginny's stepdad loses his job. (Can worrying about money make you sick?) . Ginny's big brother keeps getting into trouble. And there's a new baby on the way. (Living proof that Ginny's mom and stepdad are having sex. Just what she needs.) Filled with Post-its, journal entries, grocery lists, hand-drawn comic strips, report cards, IMs, notes, and more, Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is the sometimes poignant, often hilarious, always relatable look at a year in the life of one girl, told entirely through her stuff.From the Hardcover edition.
Publisher: n/a
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9780375968518
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Library Binding
Cool Down
By Waters, Cassie
As summer ends, a new poolside friendship is formed - one that could lead to trouble - in this addition to a tween series that puts drama in the deep end.Labor Day is just around the corner. Swim team is over, and many of the Riverside Swim Club regulars have gone away for the last days of summer. And some kids are returning from their summer vacations - kids like Nikki Angelo. Nikki is just the kind of funny and carefree friend Christina is looking for now that Grace has shown her true colors, and it isn't long before Christina and Nikki become super close. But when Nikki starts bending the rules, Christina starts getting into major trouble. Will Christina realize who her real friends are before it's too late?
Publisher: n/a
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9781442453777
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Hardcover
STAT
By Stoudemire, Amar'e
STAT: Standing Tall And Talented - A slam-dunk new fiction series from NBA superstar Amar'e Stoudemire! Eleven-year-old Amar'e Stoudemire has a lot going on. He plays sports with his friends. He takes his schoolwork seriously. He helps out with his dad's landscaping company. And he loves to go skateboarding in the park.But when an older group of boys start bullying his friends on the basketball court, Amar'e is forced to step in and use his athletic ability and intelligence to save the day. He realizes basketball is his true passion. Based on the life of All-Star NBA sensation Amar'e Stoudemire, who overcame many obstacles to become one of the most popular figures in sports today. Amar'e is just as versatile in his life off the court as he is on. He is devoted to several charities. He promotes literacy and education. He is a media darling. And he has an amazing story to tell in this heartfelt, accessible middle-grade series.
Publisher: n/a
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9780545431699
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Hardcover
About Average
By Clements, Andrew
Can average be amazing? A girl challenges herself to become extraordinary in the latest from bestselling author Andrew Clements.. Jordan Johnston is average. Not short, not tall. Not plump, not slim. Not blond, not brunette. Not gifted, not flunking out. Even her shoe size is average. Shes ordinary for her school, for her town, for even the whole wide world, it seems. But everyone else? Theyre remarkable. She sees evidence everywhere - on TV, in magazines, and even in her classroom. Tremendously talented. Stunningly beautiful. Wildly gifted. And some of them are practically her age! Jordan feels doomed to a life of wallowing in the vast, soggy middle. So she makes a goal: By the end of the year, she will discover her great talent. By the end of the year, she will no longer be average. She will find a way to become extraordinary, and everyone will know about it! Well known for his expert ability to relate to kids in a school setting, bestselling author Andrew Clements presents a compelling story of the greatest achievement possible - personal acceptance.
Publisher: n/a
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9781416997245
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Hardcover
Monica and the Sweetest Song
By Gallagher, Diana G
Monica wants Rory's band to win the Battle of the Bands, but Claudia is cheering for Brad's band. How can best friends let boys come between them?
Publisher: n/a
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9781434225566
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Book
Alice-Miranda at School
By Harvey, Jacqueline
Move over Matilda and Madeline, there's a charming miniature heroine ready to make her mark! Her name is Alice-Miranda--and she's full of spunk!Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennigton-Jones can't wait to start boarding school. When she arrives at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, the adventure begins . . . only not quite as Alice-Miranda expects. The minute she sets foot on the school's manicured grounds, she senses that something is wrong: Miss Grimm, the headmistress, is nowhere to be seen, the gardens have no flowers, and a mysterious stranger seems to be hiding out on the premises.But that's not all. Some girls are mean and spoiled, like Alethea Goldsworthy. Can Alice-Miranda defeat Alethea in one of three difficult tests she must pass to remain at school? Will she discover Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale's big secret - and make things right? Well, if anyone can, it's spunky Alice-Miranda!
Publisher: n/a
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9780385739931
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Hardcover
Chocolate Fever
By Smith, Robert Kimmel
Henry loves chocolate so much, it practically flows through his veins. Chocolate cake, chocolate cereal, chocolate syrup, chocolate milk and chocolate cookies-and that's just breakfast! Still, it comes as a shock when he suddenly breaks out in chocolaty brown spots and is diagnosed with none other than . . . Chocolate Fever. Rather than be poked and prodded by doctors, Henry runs away, starting an adventure that puts him in the path of schoolyard bullies, on the road with truckers and up against dangerous thieves. But at the end of it all, the question remains: Is there a cure for Chocolate Fever?
Publisher: n/a
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399243550
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Print book
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
By Pilkey, Dav
Young readers will laugh out loud at this actioin-packed, easy-to-read chapter book by award-winning author and Caldecott Honor illustrator Dav Pilkey. Introducing FLIP-O-RAMA, a wonderfully silly and fun-filled illustration technique that allows readers to animate the action.
Publisher: n/a
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590846272
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Book
Henry and Beezus
By Cleary, Beverly
Henry Huggins is friends with Beezus Quimby -- even though she's a girl and has a pesky little sister. Her name is Ramona, and she's got a way of causing trouble!When Henry finds a bonanza of gum balls, Beezus helps him take them to school to sell. She knows he's trying to earn money for a bike. Henry's best chance to get one comes when there's an auction for lost bikes at the police station. He sets off to buy a red one, but Beezus and Ramona tag along -- and Ramona brings a fat slimy garden slug . . . . In her first book, Henry Huggins, Beverly Cleary created funny, endearing characters and situations that left readers asking for more. In this second adventure, Henry tries to get the bike he longs for, and readers laugh while hoping that Henry's dreams come true.
Publisher: n/a
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688313833
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Loser
By Spinelli, Jerry
There are winners everywhere .... The sidewalks. The backyards. The alleyways. The playgrounds ...Except for Zinkoff. Zinkoff never wins.But Zinkoff doesn't notice. Neither do the other pups.Not yet.Zinkoff is like all kids -- running, playing, riding his bike. Hoping for snow days, wanting to be his dad when he grows up.Zinkoff is not like the other kids -- raising his hand with all the wrong answers, tripping over his own feet, falling down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." The kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it.Once again, Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of Zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with "hero."
Publisher: n/a
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9780060001933
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Hardcover
No Talking
By Clements, Andrew
"You have the right to remain silent." However... The fifth-grade girls and the fifth-grade boys at Laketon Elementary don't get along very well. But the real problem is that these kids are loud and disorderly. That's why the principal uses her red plastic bullhorn. A lot. Then one day Dave Packer, a certified loudmouth, bumps into an idea -- a big one that makes him try to keep quiet for a whole day. But what does Dave hear during lunch? A girl, Lynsey Burgess, jabbering away. So Dave breaks his silence and lobs an insult. And those words spark a contest: Which team can say the fewest words during two whole days? And it's the boys against the girls. How do the teachers react to the silence? What happens when the principal feels she's losing control? And will Dave and Lynsey plunge the whole school into chaos? This funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness...with or without a bullhorn. It's Andrew Clements at his best -- thought-provoking, true-to-life, and very entertaining.
Publisher: n/a
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9781416909835
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Hardcover
11 Birthdays
By Mass, Wendy
GROUNDHOG DAY meets FLIPPED in this tale of a girl stuck in her birthday.It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited -- after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together. When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating iself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it? Only time, friendship, and a little luck will tell. . .
Publisher: n/a
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9780545052399
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Hardcover
Confetti Girl
By LoÌpez, Diana
Apolonia "Lina" Flores is a sock enthusiast, a volleyball player, a science lover, and a girl who's just looking for answers. Even though her house is crammed full of books (her dad's a bibliophile) , she's having trouble figuring out some very big questions, like why her dad seems to care about books more than her, why her best friend's divorced mom is obsessed with making cascarones (hollowed eggshells filled with colorful confetti) , and, most of all, why her mom died last year. Like colors in cascarones, Lina's life is a rainbow of people, interests, and unexpected changes.In her first novel for young readers, Diana Lpez creates a clever and honest story about a young Latina girl navigating growing pains in her South Texan city.
Publisher: n/a
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9780316029551
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Print book
Eleven
By Myracle, Lauren
Starting with her birthday in March, every chapter brings a new month and a new event in Winnie's life. From surviving her teenage sister's grumpy mood swings in April to dealing with prissy new rival Gail Grayson in September, there's a calendar full of ups and downs of being eleven years old. Especially hard for Winnie is the growing distance between herself and her best friend, Amanda, as both girls grow into different social circles. The big and little moments of Winnie's year are captured with honesty and warmth, and her sharp observations and infectious enthusiasm make for hilarious storytelling. Eleven-year-olds of all ages will discover themselves in this winning young heroine on the brink of adolescence.
Publisher: n/a
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525471650
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Book
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
By Dowell, Frances O'roark
Kate and Marylin are best friends forever.... Well, except for last year when they weren't friends anymore.... And except for this year when they both want to be friends again, but just don't know how. But the thing is, even as they are trying to fix their broken friendship, they are becoming more and more unalike. And that's becoming harder and harder to deal with. Well, it would be a lot easier if Kate would just take some of Marylin's fashion advice. Ballet flats would look so much better than those big black combat boots. Feminine. But Kate doesn't want to be feminine. She wants to learn guitar and write her own songs; she wants to be the exact opposite of the middle-school cheerleaders. And maybe if Marylin would just stick up for herself and not get bullied by Mazie (the Meanest Cheerleader Ever) into judging anyone who's the least bit different, Marylin and Kate could be real friends again. Funny, realistic, and incredibly insightful, Edgar Award-winning novelist Frances O'Roark Dowell explores the shifting terrain of middle-school friendship in the companion book to the well-loved The Secret Language of Girls.
Publisher: n/a
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9781416950318
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Print book
Smiles to Go
By Spinelli, Jerry
What is stargazer, skateboarder, chess champ, pepperoni pizza eater, older brother, sister hater, best friend, first kisser, science geek, control freak Will Tuppence so afraid of in this great big universe?Jerry Spinelli knows.
Publisher: n/a
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9780060281342
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Library Binding
Flat Stanley. his original adventure!
By Brown, Jeff
When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick! Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he's a hero. This is the very first Flat Stanley adventure, updated with crisp new art.Supports the Common Core State Standards
Publisher: n/a
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60097914
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Paperback
Save Me a Seat
By Weeks, Sarah
Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in.Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.
Publisher: n/a
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9780545846608
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Hardcover
A Long Pitch Home
By Lorenzi, Natalie Dias
A sensitive and endearing middle grade novel about a young Pakistani immigrant adjusting to his new life in contemporary America Ten-year-old Bilal liked his life back home in Pakistan. He was a star on his cricket team. But when his father suddenly sends the family to live with their aunt and uncle in America, nothing is familiar. While Bilal tries to keep up with his cousin Jalaal by joining a baseball league and practicing his English, he wonders when his father will join the family in Virginia. Maybe if Bilal can prove himself on the pitchers mound, his father will make it to see him play. But playing baseball means navigating relationships with the guys, and with Jordan, the only girl on the team - the player no one but Bilal wants to be friends with.
Zane and the Hurricane
By Philbrick, W R
Newbery Honor author Rodman Philbrick presents a gripping yet poignant novel about a 12-year-old boy and his dog who become trapped in New Orleans during the horrors of Hurricane Katrina.Zane Dupree is a charismatic 12-year-old boy of mixed race visiting a relative in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hits. Unexpectedly separated from all family, Zane and his dog experience the terror of Katrina's wind, rain, and horrific flooding. Facing death, they are rescued from an attic air vent by a kind, elderly musician and a scrappy young girl--both African American. The chaos that ensues as storm water drowns the city, shelter and food vanish, and police contribute to a dangerous, frightening atmosphere, creates a page-turning tale that completely engrosses the reader. Based on the facts of the worst hurricane disaster in U.S. history, Philbrick includes the lawlessness and lack of government support during the disaster as well as the generosity and courage of those who risked their lives and safety to help others. Here is an unforgettable novel of heroism in the face of truly challenging circumstances.
Teddy Mars Book #1
By Burnham, Molly B.
Sid Fleischman Humor Award Winner!Fans of Jeff Kinneys humor and Sharon Creechs heartfelt stories will love this hilarious new series about a ten-year-old boy from a big family who dreams of making it into The Guinness Book of World Records.Teddy Mars is determined to stand out in a world full of wonders and a house bursting with siblings. With the help of his best friends, Teddy tries to build the biggest snow mound, stuff the most grapes in his mouth, and lift a chair with his teeth. Hell do anything to succeed - even if it means sleeping in a tent and cleaning up pigeon poop for Grumpy Pigeon Man. Too bad his pesky little brother, also known as The Destructor, always wrecks Teddys record-breaking plans!Told in short, accessible sections, with memorable lists and winning illustrations, Molly B. Burnhams Teddy Mars #1: Almost a World Record Breaker is perfect for reading aloud. Teddys never-give-up attitude will have readers laughing out loud and clamoring to break records of their own!
Absolutely Almost
By Graff, Lisa
From the author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots comes an inspiring novel about figuring out who you are and doing what you love.Albie has never been the smartest kid in his class. He has never been the tallest. Or the best at gym. Or the greatest artist. Or the most musical. In fact, Albie has a long list of the things he's not very good at. But then Albie gets a new babysitter, Calista, who helps him figure out all of the things he is good at and how he can take pride in himself.A perfect companion to Lisa Graff's National Book Award-nominated A Tangle of Knots, this novel explores a similar theme in a realistic contemporary world where kids will easily be able to relate their own struggles to Albie's. Great for fans of Rebecca Stead's Liar and Spy, RJ Palacio's Wonder and Cynthia Lord's Rules.Praise for ABSOLUTELY ALMOST * "Albie comes through significant emotional hardship to a genuine sense of self-worth."--School Library Journal, starred review * "A perfect book to share with struggling readers."--BOOKLIST , starred review * "Achingly superb, Albie's story shines."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Graff's...gentle story invokes evergreen themes of coming to appreciate one's strengths (and weaknesses) , and stands out for its thoughtful, moving portrait of a boy who learns to keep moving forward, taking on the world at his own speed."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Lately the patrons of my school library have been asking, 'Do you have any books like Wonder by R.J. Palacio?' and now I have the perfect offering."--BookPage "Maybe the wonder of Absolutely Almost is that it's willing to give us an almost unheard of hero."--Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 Blog"Graff...again draws on her ability to create rich lifeworlds for her characters to present a boy who is gifted in many ways....[T]his is a sharp portrait of an outsider's inner perspective, and Albie's coming to terms with himself will be cheered by many."--BCCB Reviews
Catch That Pass!
By Christopher, Matt
Only one thing keeps Jim from being the best linebacker in the team - his fear of getting tackled. But his friend Chuckie knows Jim isn't a coward. With Chuckie's special courage as an example, can Jim find the strength to face his fears head-on?
Another Day as Emily
By Spinelli, Eileen
"Taut, fast-paced, economical, devoid of sham, Spinelli's book echoes Dickinson's own deceptive simplicity."--The New York Times Book ReviewEleven-year-old Suzy just can't win. Her brother is a local hero for calling 911 after seeing their elderly neighbor collapse, and only her best friend was able to win a role in the play they both auditioned for. Feeling cast aside from all angles, Suzy sees a kindred spirit in Emily Dickinson, the subject of her summer project. Suzy decides to escape from her disappointments by emulating the poet's life of solitude: no visitors or phone calls (only letters delivered through her window) , no friends (except her goldfish, Ottilie) , and no outings (except church, but only if she can wear her long white Emily dress) .But being a recluse is harder than Suzy predicted. Will she find a way to fold Emily into her life while also remaining true to herself?From the Hardcover edition.
The Waffler
By Donovan, Gail
When one boy waffles back and forth, it's going to take a few little kids-and one pet rat-to get him to finally make a decision.Monty is a waffler-he can never make up his mind, which always gets him in trouble. But when each student in his fourth-grade class is assigned a kindergarten buddy, Monty takes some left-out kindergarteners under his wing, even though it's against the rules to have more than one buddy. When his blended family and his teachers find out, they give him an ultimatum: choose just one buddy, or have none at all. That stinks! On top of that, his beloved pet rat escapes, and his twin sister stops speaking to him! Monty doesn't want to cast away his new friends, but he needs to come to a decision before everything spins out of control. With laugh-out-loud humor reminiscent of Andrew Clements, Donovan gets the agony-and the tremendous fun-of elementary school perfectly.
Anna Was Here
By Kurtz, Jane
Ten-year-old Anna Nickel is moving from Colorado to Kansas, and she is not happy about leaving her friends behind! This is a moving, often humorous coming-of-age story about family, faith, God's love, and the meaning of home, perfect for fans of Katherine Paterson and The Penderwicks.Ten-year-old Anna Nickel's worst nightmare has come true. Her father has decided to move the family back to Oakwood, Kansas - where he grew up - in order to become the minister of the church there. New friends, new school, a new community, and a family of strangers await, and what's even worse, it's all smack-dab in the middle of Tornado Alley. Anna has always prided herself on being prepared (she keeps a notebook on how to cope with disasters, from hurricanes to shark bites) , but she'll be tested in Oakwood! This beautifully written novel introduces a family who takes God's teachings to heart while finding many occasions to laugh along the way, and an irrepressible and wholesome ten-year-old who, with a little help from Midnight H. (her cat) , takes control of her destiny.
Binny for Short
By Mckay, Hilary
A tender, sweet, and hilarious novel about growing up with a loving family and a perfectly rambunctious dog, from an author who "has set the standard of brilliance" (Horn Book) .When she was eight, Binny's life was perfect: She had her father's wonderful stories and Max, the best dog ever. But after her father's sudden death, money is tight, and Aunty Violet decides to give Max away - he is just too big for their cramped new life. Binny knows she can't get her dad back, but she never stops missing Max, or trying to find him. Then, when she's eleven, everything changes again. Aunty Violet has died, and left Binny and her family an old house in a seaside town. Binny is faced with a new crush, a new frenemy, and ... a ghost? It seems Aunty Violet may not have completely departed. It's odd being haunted by her aunt, but there is also the warmth of a busy and loving mother, a musical older sister, and a hilarious little brother, who is busy with his experiments. And his wetsuit. And his chickens. You'll delight in getting to know Binny and her charming, heartwarming family in this start to a new series from the inimitable Hilary McKay.
The Friendship Matchmaker
By Abdel-fattah, Randa
Lara Zany is known throughout the school yard as the Friendship Matchmaker-kids call on her expertise and follow her hard-and-fast rules to find best friendships. Lara's documented everything from friendship categories (the BOBF, or Bus Only Best Friend; the TL, or Total Loner; the LBC, or Loner By Choice) to strategies (BJF, or the Bungee Jump Friend; FTFP, or Field Trip Faux Pas) . But when new kid in school Emily Wong questions Lara's methods, the two decide to compete by each finding a TL a best friend. But Lara, an LBC, doesn't bank on finding her own best friendship in the most unlikely of places. . . . In the tradition of Clueless, this reimagining of Jane Austen's Emma for middle school readers is a funny and heartwarming story of celebrating individuality and finding acceptance.
Ready to Wear
By Taylor, Chloe
A tween fashion designer's blog garners A-list attention in this chic start to a new middle grade series.Over the summer, fashion-loving Zoey Webber gets the best news ever: Her middle school is getting rid of uniforms! There's just one problem. Zoey has sketchbooks full of fashion designs, but nothing to wear! So with a little help from her best friends Kate and Priti, she learns to make her own clothes. She even begins to post her fashion design sketches online in a blog. That's how the Sew Zoey blog begins, and soon it becomes much more. Zoey's quirky style makes her a bit of a misfit at middle school, but her Sew Zoey blog quickly gains a dedicated following. Real fashion designers start to read it! Yet even as her blog takes off, Zoey still has to deal with homework, crushes, and P.E. class. And when the principal asks her to design a dress for the school's fashion-show fund-raiser, Zoey can't wait to start sewing! But what will happen when her two worlds collide?
33 Minutes
By Hasak-lowy, Todd
This school-based boy friendship story is "funny, fast-paced, and quite poignant" (R. J. Palacio, author of Wonder) .Sam Lewis is going to get his butt kicked in exactly thirty-three minutes. He knows this because yesterday his former best friend Morgan Sturtz told him, to his face and with three witnesses nearby, "I am totally going to kick your butt tomorrow at recess." All that's standing between Sam and this unfortunate butt-kicking is the last few minutes of social studies and his lunch period. But how did Sam and Morgan end up here? How did this happen just a few months after TAMADE (The Absolutely Most Amazing Day Ever) , when they became the greatest Alien Wars video game team in the history of great Alien Wars teams? And once the clock ticks down, will Morgan actually act on his threat? Told with equal parts laugh-out-loud humor and achingly real emotional truth, 33 Minutes shows how even the best of friendships can change forever.
Lula Bell on Geekdom, Freakdom, & the Challenges of Bad Hair
By Payne, C.c.
While Lula Bell Bonner tries desperately to fit in by not standing out, her wise and irrepressible Grandma Bernice says: Let your light shine! It's Grandma Bernice who provides the joy that balances Lula Bell's difficult school life, but when this balance is upended, when Kali Keele turns up the heat on her cruel teasing, and when the talent show -that she should NEVER have signed up for-- is about to happen, how in the world can Lula Bell cope?This funny, heartfelt novel exploring friendship, family, and forgiveness, introduces an unforgettable hero, lost in the wilderness of 5th grade, searching for her own shining light.The author of Lula Bell has donated this book to the Worldreader program
A Whole Lot of Lucky
By Haworth, Danette
Hailee Richardson never realized how much she hated her Salvation Army life and Goodwill accessories until the night her family wins the lottery. All of a sudden she's no longer the only girl at school without a cell phone or a brand-new bike! And the newfound popularity that comes with being a lottery winner is just what she's always dreamed of. But the glow of her smartphone and fancy new clothes wears off when Hailee is transferred to Magnolia Academy, a private school. All of a sudden, her best friend and parents seem shabby compared to the beautiful Magnolia moms and the popular bad-girl Nikki, who seems to want to be her friend. Now, Hailee wants nothing more than to grow up-and away-from her old life. It'll take one very busy social networking page, a stolen first kiss, and a whole carton of eggs for Hailee to realize that not all luck is good, not all change is bad, and a best friend who's just a call away will always be more valuable than a phone.
Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick
By Holm, Jennifer L.
Part graphic novel, part scrapbook and altogether original - New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Holm's Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is just right for fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dork Diaries and Babymouse!Ginny has big plans for eighth grade. She's going to try out for cheerleading, join Virtual Vampire Vixens, and maybe even fall in love. But middle school is more of a roller-coaster ride than Ginny could have ever predicted. Her family has just moved into a fancy new house when Ginny's stepdad loses his job. (Can worrying about money make you sick?) . Ginny's big brother keeps getting into trouble. And there's a new baby on the way. (Living proof that Ginny's mom and stepdad are having sex. Just what she needs.) Filled with Post-its, journal entries, grocery lists, hand-drawn comic strips, report cards, IMs, notes, and more, Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick is the sometimes poignant, often hilarious, always relatable look at a year in the life of one girl, told entirely through her stuff.From the Hardcover edition.
Cool Down
By Waters, Cassie
As summer ends, a new poolside friendship is formed - one that could lead to trouble - in this addition to a tween series that puts drama in the deep end.Labor Day is just around the corner. Swim team is over, and many of the Riverside Swim Club regulars have gone away for the last days of summer. And some kids are returning from their summer vacations - kids like Nikki Angelo. Nikki is just the kind of funny and carefree friend Christina is looking for now that Grace has shown her true colors, and it isn't long before Christina and Nikki become super close. But when Nikki starts bending the rules, Christina starts getting into major trouble. Will Christina realize who her real friends are before it's too late?
STAT
By Stoudemire, Amar'e
STAT: Standing Tall And Talented - A slam-dunk new fiction series from NBA superstar Amar'e Stoudemire! Eleven-year-old Amar'e Stoudemire has a lot going on. He plays sports with his friends. He takes his schoolwork seriously. He helps out with his dad's landscaping company. And he loves to go skateboarding in the park.But when an older group of boys start bullying his friends on the basketball court, Amar'e is forced to step in and use his athletic ability and intelligence to save the day. He realizes basketball is his true passion. Based on the life of All-Star NBA sensation Amar'e Stoudemire, who overcame many obstacles to become one of the most popular figures in sports today. Amar'e is just as versatile in his life off the court as he is on. He is devoted to several charities. He promotes literacy and education. He is a media darling. And he has an amazing story to tell in this heartfelt, accessible middle-grade series.
About Average
By Clements, Andrew
Can average be amazing? A girl challenges herself to become extraordinary in the latest from bestselling author Andrew Clements.. Jordan Johnston is average. Not short, not tall. Not plump, not slim. Not blond, not brunette. Not gifted, not flunking out. Even her shoe size is average. Shes ordinary for her school, for her town, for even the whole wide world, it seems. But everyone else? Theyre remarkable. She sees evidence everywhere - on TV, in magazines, and even in her classroom. Tremendously talented. Stunningly beautiful. Wildly gifted. And some of them are practically her age! Jordan feels doomed to a life of wallowing in the vast, soggy middle. So she makes a goal: By the end of the year, she will discover her great talent. By the end of the year, she will no longer be average. She will find a way to become extraordinary, and everyone will know about it! Well known for his expert ability to relate to kids in a school setting, bestselling author Andrew Clements presents a compelling story of the greatest achievement possible - personal acceptance.
Monica and the Sweetest Song
By Gallagher, Diana G
Monica wants Rory's band to win the Battle of the Bands, but Claudia is cheering for Brad's band. How can best friends let boys come between them?
Alice-Miranda at School
By Harvey, Jacqueline
Move over Matilda and Madeline, there's a charming miniature heroine ready to make her mark! Her name is Alice-Miranda--and she's full of spunk!Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennigton-Jones can't wait to start boarding school. When she arrives at Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale Academy for Proper Young Ladies, the adventure begins . . . only not quite as Alice-Miranda expects. The minute she sets foot on the school's manicured grounds, she senses that something is wrong: Miss Grimm, the headmistress, is nowhere to be seen, the gardens have no flowers, and a mysterious stranger seems to be hiding out on the premises.But that's not all. Some girls are mean and spoiled, like Alethea Goldsworthy. Can Alice-Miranda defeat Alethea in one of three difficult tests she must pass to remain at school? Will she discover Winchesterfield-Downsfordvale's big secret - and make things right? Well, if anyone can, it's spunky Alice-Miranda!
Chocolate Fever
By Smith, Robert Kimmel
Henry loves chocolate so much, it practically flows through his veins. Chocolate cake, chocolate cereal, chocolate syrup, chocolate milk and chocolate cookies-and that's just breakfast! Still, it comes as a shock when he suddenly breaks out in chocolaty brown spots and is diagnosed with none other than . . . Chocolate Fever. Rather than be poked and prodded by doctors, Henry runs away, starting an adventure that puts him in the path of schoolyard bullies, on the road with truckers and up against dangerous thieves. But at the end of it all, the question remains: Is there a cure for Chocolate Fever?
The Adventures of Captain Underpants
By Pilkey, Dav
Young readers will laugh out loud at this actioin-packed, easy-to-read chapter book by award-winning author and Caldecott Honor illustrator Dav Pilkey. Introducing FLIP-O-RAMA, a wonderfully silly and fun-filled illustration technique that allows readers to animate the action.
Henry and Beezus
By Cleary, Beverly
Henry Huggins is friends with Beezus Quimby -- even though she's a girl and has a pesky little sister. Her name is Ramona, and she's got a way of causing trouble!When Henry finds a bonanza of gum balls, Beezus helps him take them to school to sell. She knows he's trying to earn money for a bike. Henry's best chance to get one comes when there's an auction for lost bikes at the police station. He sets off to buy a red one, but Beezus and Ramona tag along -- and Ramona brings a fat slimy garden slug . . . . In her first book, Henry Huggins, Beverly Cleary created funny, endearing characters and situations that left readers asking for more. In this second adventure, Henry tries to get the bike he longs for, and readers laugh while hoping that Henry's dreams come true.
Loser
By Spinelli, Jerry
There are winners everywhere .... The sidewalks. The backyards. The alleyways. The playgrounds ...Except for Zinkoff. Zinkoff never wins.But Zinkoff doesn't notice. Neither do the other pups.Not yet.Zinkoff is like all kids -- running, playing, riding his bike. Hoping for snow days, wanting to be his dad when he grows up.Zinkoff is not like the other kids -- raising his hand with all the wrong answers, tripping over his own feet, falling down with laughter over a word like "Jabip." The kids have their own word to describe him, but Zinkoff is too busy to hear it.Once again, Newbery Medal-winning author Jerry Spinelli uses great wit and humor to create the unique story of Zinkoff as he travels from first through sixth grades. Loser is a touching book about the human spirit, the importance of failure, and how any name can someday be replaced with "hero."
No Talking
By Clements, Andrew
"You have the right to remain silent." However... The fifth-grade girls and the fifth-grade boys at Laketon Elementary don't get along very well. But the real problem is that these kids are loud and disorderly. That's why the principal uses her red plastic bullhorn. A lot. Then one day Dave Packer, a certified loudmouth, bumps into an idea -- a big one that makes him try to keep quiet for a whole day. But what does Dave hear during lunch? A girl, Lynsey Burgess, jabbering away. So Dave breaks his silence and lobs an insult. And those words spark a contest: Which team can say the fewest words during two whole days? And it's the boys against the girls. How do the teachers react to the silence? What happens when the principal feels she's losing control? And will Dave and Lynsey plunge the whole school into chaos? This funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness...with or without a bullhorn. It's Andrew Clements at his best -- thought-provoking, true-to-life, and very entertaining.
11 Birthdays
By Mass, Wendy
GROUNDHOG DAY meets FLIPPED in this tale of a girl stuck in her birthday.It's Amanda's 11th birthday and she is super excited -- after all, 11 is so different from 10. But from the start, everything goes wrong. The worst part of it all is that she and her best friend, Leo, with whom she's shared every birthday, are on the outs and this will be the first birthday they haven't shared together. When Amanda turns in for the night, glad to have her birthday behind her, she wakes up happy for a new day. Or is it? Her birthday seems to be repeating iself. What is going on?! And how can she fix it? Only time, friendship, and a little luck will tell. . .
Confetti Girl
By LoÌpez, Diana
Apolonia "Lina" Flores is a sock enthusiast, a volleyball player, a science lover, and a girl who's just looking for answers. Even though her house is crammed full of books (her dad's a bibliophile) , she's having trouble figuring out some very big questions, like why her dad seems to care about books more than her, why her best friend's divorced mom is obsessed with making cascarones (hollowed eggshells filled with colorful confetti) , and, most of all, why her mom died last year. Like colors in cascarones, Lina's life is a rainbow of people, interests, and unexpected changes.In her first novel for young readers, Diana Lpez creates a clever and honest story about a young Latina girl navigating growing pains in her South Texan city.
Eleven
By Myracle, Lauren
Starting with her birthday in March, every chapter brings a new month and a new event in Winnie's life. From surviving her teenage sister's grumpy mood swings in April to dealing with prissy new rival Gail Grayson in September, there's a calendar full of ups and downs of being eleven years old. Especially hard for Winnie is the growing distance between herself and her best friend, Amanda, as both girls grow into different social circles. The big and little moments of Winnie's year are captured with honesty and warmth, and her sharp observations and infectious enthusiasm make for hilarious storytelling. Eleven-year-olds of all ages will discover themselves in this winning young heroine on the brink of adolescence.
The Kind of Friends We Used to Be
By Dowell, Frances O'roark
Kate and Marylin are best friends forever.... Well, except for last year when they weren't friends anymore.... And except for this year when they both want to be friends again, but just don't know how. But the thing is, even as they are trying to fix their broken friendship, they are becoming more and more unalike. And that's becoming harder and harder to deal with. Well, it would be a lot easier if Kate would just take some of Marylin's fashion advice. Ballet flats would look so much better than those big black combat boots. Feminine. But Kate doesn't want to be feminine. She wants to learn guitar and write her own songs; she wants to be the exact opposite of the middle-school cheerleaders. And maybe if Marylin would just stick up for herself and not get bullied by Mazie (the Meanest Cheerleader Ever) into judging anyone who's the least bit different, Marylin and Kate could be real friends again. Funny, realistic, and incredibly insightful, Edgar Award-winning novelist Frances O'Roark Dowell explores the shifting terrain of middle-school friendship in the companion book to the well-loved The Secret Language of Girls.
Smiles to Go
By Spinelli, Jerry
What is stargazer, skateboarder, chess champ, pepperoni pizza eater, older brother, sister hater, best friend, first kisser, science geek, control freak Will Tuppence so afraid of in this great big universe?Jerry Spinelli knows.
Flat Stanley. his original adventure!
By Brown, Jeff
When Stanley Lambchop wakes up one morning, his brother, Arthur, is yelling. A bulletin board fell on Stanley during the night, and now he is only half an inch thick! Amazing things begin happening to him. Stanley gets rolled up, mailed, and flown like a kite. He even gets to help catch two dangerous art thieves. He may be flat, but he's a hero. This is the very first Flat Stanley adventure, updated with crisp new art.Supports the Common Core State Standards
Save Me a Seat
By Weeks, Sarah
Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL.Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in.Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.
A Long Pitch Home
By Lorenzi, Natalie Dias
A sensitive and endearing middle grade novel about a young Pakistani immigrant adjusting to his new life in contemporary America Ten-year-old Bilal liked his life back home in Pakistan. He was a star on his cricket team. But when his father suddenly sends the family to live with their aunt and uncle in America, nothing is familiar. While Bilal tries to keep up with his cousin Jalaal by joining a baseball league and practicing his English, he wonders when his father will join the family in Virginia. Maybe if Bilal can prove himself on the pitchers mound, his father will make it to see him play. But playing baseball means navigating relationships with the guys, and with Jordan, the only girl on the team - the player no one but Bilal wants to be friends with.