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Praise for the History Smashers series:

"Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"The book's format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers." -The New York Times Book Review

"Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts." "Messner and Meconis provide a timely perspective on an important part of American history." -School Library Journal

"A history book for middle-graders that should be on everyone's (child and adult) to-read list." -Shelf Awareness

"Kate Messner serves up fun, fast history for kids who want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Absolutely smashing!" -Candace Fleming, award-wining author

"Informative and fun, eye-opening and entertaining. I wish I could have read History Smashers when I was in elementary school. I would have devoured them and developed a big appetite for even more of this sort of truth-telling." - Chris Barton, award-winning author

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History Smashers: Pearl Harbor by Kate Messner: 9780593120378 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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Praise for the History Smashers series: "Critical, respectful, engaging: exemplary history for children." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review "The book's format may be a good match for those with shorter attention spans, and permits it to be gratifyingly capacious in what it covers." -The New York Times Book Review "Well-researched, entertaining, and packed with facts."

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With bookbags retiring to closets, schedules getting tossed out the window, and the summer sun soaking everything in a magical glow, it's time to turn our attention to books that fit the mood. Feel-good, nature-drenched, easy-breezy tales are at the very top of my family's to-be-read list this season.

These 15 picture books are exactly what you and your little readers need to get into that summertime groove.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2019 and updated in 2021.

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Feel-Good Kids' Books About the Warm Days of Summer | Brightly

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With bookbags retiring to closets, schedules getting tossed out the window, and the summer sun soaking everything in a magical glow, it's time to turn our attention to books that fit the mood. Feel-good, nature-drenched, easy-breezy tales are at the very top of my family's to-be-read list this season.

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With just over a month left before my kids are finished with this school year, I'm doing everything I can to get them excited about summer. We've planned for summer camps and trips, made lists of summery crafts to try, and are even reading a few children's books about summer to get pumped up about three solid months of fun. Will this finally be the year that my boys don't complain that they're bored every other day? Well, that's my goal.

On summer days when we can't take a trip to the beach or spend all afternoon in the pool, I plan to encourage my kiddos to still soak up all that summer has to offer. After all, they only get a few months worth of a break, so they need to live it up while they can. I'll have a new pile of summer-themed books ready to be read next to a sunny window or on the front porch. They can pour themselves a tall glass of lemonade and dive into a good book while I do the same.

I know it sounds almost too picturesque to be true, but the older my kids get, the more of a reality these lofty summer reading dreams become. If you have similar #summergoals, take a look at these kids books about summer to see which books might hold your child's attention for longer than it takes their popsicle to melt.
We only include products that have been independently selected by Romper's editorial team. However, we may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article.

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20 Children's Books About The Sticky, Sandy, Glorious Summer

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With just over a month left before my kids are finished with this school year, I'm doing everything I can to get them excited about summer. We've planned for summer camps and trips, made lists of summery crafts to try, and are even reading a few children's books about summer to get pumped up about three solid months of fun.

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Best New Nonfiction Books for Children 2022

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Best New Nonfiction Books for Children 2022

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Best New Nonfiction for Children & Teenagers: Winter, 2022

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The best nonfiction books entertain as well as teach! These are books that will excite curious children and teenagers about their favorite animals, scientific inventions, the lives of historical figures, true adventures, current events, about how things work, how things are made, and how people liv…

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https://www.granitemedia.org/category/best-new-books/best-nonfiction/

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12 Nonfiction Books Kids will Actually Read by ReadBrightly

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12 Nonfiction Books Kids will Actually Read by ReadBrightly

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Over the past couple of years, you may have noticed your child's teachers placing greater emphasis on reading nonfiction. With the adoption of Common Core standards in many states, elementary-school students are now expected to spend 50% of their reading time on literature and 50% on informational texts (i.e., nonfiction) to help them develop deeper knowledge of the world.

While some kids naturally gravitate toward informational writing, those who love a good story often feel that reading nonfiction is a chore. Here are 12 nonfiction books that have gotten rave reviews from young readers.
Editor's Note: This article was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2020.

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12 Nonfiction Books Kids Will Actually Read | Brightly

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Over the past couple of years, you may have noticed your child's teachers placing greater emphasis on reading nonfiction. With the adoption of Common Core standards in many states, elementary-school students are now expected to spend 50% of their reading time on literature and 50% on informational texts (i.e., nonfiction) to help them develop deeper knowledge of the world.

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See it on Amazon

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Watch the book trailer!

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See all the books in the series in order!

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See the series on Amazon

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See the series on Amazon

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See the Eerie Elementary home page!

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The Story-Treehouse books and more!

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ethanlong.com: Kid's Books * Television * Fun Fun Fun!

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Thanks for popping in! Covid-19 has made 2020 an unforgettable year so far for us all. The global outpouring of kindness amongst the panic keeps my creative spirit alive as my family and I hunker down at home. We're not sure what the future holds, but here's some good news: due to its immense popularity, PBS Kids just ordered up a 2nd "season" of the Emmy-Nominated Scribbles and Ink online interactive series! In addition to that, we just signed up to illustrate 2 more Stick Dog books and 4 more Junior Monster Scouts chapter books. It all adds up to another amazing year at the studio. Take care of yourselves and if you get bored watching videos and staring at your family all day, you can always come here for a daily dose of joy. Onward and upward!

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ethanlong.com: Kid's Books * Television * Fun Fun Fun!

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Thanks for popping in! Covid-19 has made 2020 an unforgettable year so far for us all. The global outpouring of kindness amongst the panic keeps my creative spirit alive as my family and I hunker down at home.

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Elephant and Piggie, Pigeon, and more

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Mo Willems: books, biography, latest update

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Follow Mo Willems and explore their bibliography from Amazon.com's Mo Willems Author Page.

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Penguin Young Readers Guided Reading Levels

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Penguin Young Readers apply the standards of Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnel's Guided Reading program in text layout, vocabulary, sentence structure, design, plot complexity, font size, genres, and themes to determine the appropriate Guided Reading level.
Download the Curriculum Guide "
Penguin Young Readers feature award-winning books and authors, critically- acclaimed classics, and new titles from established authors.

Penguin Young Readers bring favorite characters to the newest readers, including Young Cam Jansen, Amanda Pig, Amber Brown, and Pearl and Wagner.
Learn more "

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Penguin Young Readers Guided Reading Levels

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Penguin Young Readers unite the best authors, illustrators, and brands from the Penguin Young Readers Group under one umbrella.

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Find the complete National Geographic Readers book series listed in order. Great deals on one book or all books in the series. Free US shipping on orders over $10.

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International Literacy Associations Children's Choice Books 2020

International Literacy Association’s Children’s Choice Books 2019

International Literacy Association’s Teacher’s Choice Books 2020

International Literacy Association’s Teacher’s Choice Books 2019

Read Brightly’s Most Exciting Picture Books of 2019

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See it on Amazon

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See it on Amazon

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see it at Amazon

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(or anything by this fantastic author, Kate Messner)
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(another great author - Lynda Mullaly Hunt - check out her other books)
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wonderful historical fiction book
see it at Amazon

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not yet released...July 7th - can't wait
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see her books on Amazon

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see it at Amazon

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see it at Amazon

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see it at Amazon

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https://andreaywang.com/books/picture-books/watercress/

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https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/have-you-ever-seen-a-flower

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6th grade summer reading 2022 Norwell Public Schools

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https://www.harpercollins.com/products/mel-fell-corey-r-tabor?variant=33007679504418

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https://socialjusticebooks.org/unspeakable-the-tulsa-race-massacre/

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https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/623731/wonder-walkers-by-micha-archer/

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♦ Guess who’s coming to dinner? Well stocked with easy-to-digest facts, from nature notes (“The frog closes its eyes and swallows, using its eyeballs to push the fly down its throat”) to the taxonomic names of the 13 different kinds of flies that Clark renders with distinguishing details (and deservedly anxious expressions) in his cartoon illustrations, this disquisition on flies as food will draw swarms of young readers. Following a countdown entrée in which the said baker’s dozen are, one by one, gobbled up by predators ranging from birds, bats, and a fly-eating fungus to an unwary skateboarder (gross but, claims Heavenrich, “harmless”), subsequent courses dish up observations on the insect’s importance as a food source, its real potential as a food additive, its nutritional content (with a table modeled after the one printed on cereal boxes), and a labeled chart of fly body parts, from the “soft and chewy” abdomen to antennae (“high in fiber”). Budding STEM-winders especially will relish meaty closing lists of print and web resources. Amplify the buzz by pairing this biological bounty with Brigit Heos’ introduction to another segment of the life cycle, What to Expect When You’re Expecting Larvae, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch.
—Booklist, starred review

Counting insect corpses has never been so much fun. Thirteen species of flies and gnats meet their untimely demises as they’re devoured by amphibians, fish, birds, plants, other insects, and more. The structure of the book is deceptively simple: Each doomed insect is described by a single participle (which rhymes with the participle that describes the next) along with a comical cartoon of each fly’s passing. As each fly bites the dust, a small note identifies the species by its common and scientific names. The plot becomes more sophisticated with a brief paragraph that explains how and why each fly was eaten. As there are 13 flies, the final death doesn’t have a rhyme, but it discusses flies as food for humans (with the assumption that readers do not belong to cultures that currently include insects in their diets) and how food scientists may be looking toward the insect world for alternate protein sources. The format allows readers across different age ranges to enjoy the book either for the simple rhymes (and visual zest) or for the intriguing study of the food web. A select bibliography includes books, websites, and news stories that will entice curious readers looking to learn more. Fans of Ants Don’t Wear Pants! (2019) and Kevin McCloskey’s other graphic novels will appreciate the illustrations and humor of this unusual counting book.
Fly out and buy it.
—Kirkus Reviews

Thirteen short, rhyming answers are given to this question: How do birds, fish, mammals, and insects capture and eat flies? Some of these feeding methods are described as “zapped,” “wrapped,” and “underground.” Each of these tactics is explained in a descriptive paragraph of two or three sentences that centers on a specific animal and how it eats flies. For example, a garden spider captures a fly in its web, injects its prey with poison, and then wraps it in silk so that it resembles a burrito. Each paragraph is accompanied by a large illustration or two. These colorful illustrations are clear, but often humorously exaggerated. The text concludes that flies are a major food source for many animals. Educators could use this book for multiple lessons. The rhyming “ways” to eat a fly could be adopted for choral reading, with some of the factual information also included. Children could discuss how different animals capture and eat flies as food. VERDICT A lighthearted nonfiction picture book that could easily be used with young children in different ways.
—School Library Journal

There are 120,000 different kinds of flies, all of which have predators ready to devour them. But before the flies go down the hatch, they have to be caught, and that’s the focus of this humorous and informative look at food preparation on the fly. The book does a countdown of thirteen different methods: frogs use their tongues to zap them; crab spiders snatch them with their long front legs; garden spiders employ a two-step process, first killing flies with venom and then wrapping them up “like a burrito.” Trout wait until baby flies, or midges, hatch just above the water’s surface and then simply leap and gulp. Clark’s bright, digitally colored creatures, with exaggerated facial expressions, set the tone; visual humor abounds, including hte recurring lineup of different species of fly that decreases by one as the countdown progresses. A witty text culminates with equally amusing back matter, from a food label listing nutritional information (one serving: 65-80 flies, “depending on species”) that accompanies a tongue-in-cheek guide to fine fly dining, to a diagram labeling the edible parts of a fly. Appended with further reading and websites for children and a bibliography of sources. Bon appetit!
—The Horn Book

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13 Ways to Eat a Fly by Sue Heavenrich: 9781580898904 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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Thirteen flies become tasty snacks in this clever reverse counting book about subtraction, predators, and prey. Science meets subtraction in this fresh and funny STEM picture book with plenty of ewww...

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A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2021 A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book of 2021 An Amazon Best Children's Book of 2021 A New York Public Library Best Book of 2021 , Dad Bakes, Katie Yamasaki, 9781324015413

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This poignantly told fantasy stars Tong Tong, a lonely child who, looking for new marbles in a shop, buys a small bag of hard candies that offer magical hearing powers. The first hard orb, which matches the pattern of the family sofa, lets loose the sofa's voice, allowing Tong Tong to find a lost remote. (The sofa also puts forth a request: "Tell your dad to give the farting a rest.") When Tong Tong's father arrives home, the dad's endless admonitions fill an entire page with closely printed words-translator Bowman handles these with skill-but another candy lets Tong Tong hear the love behind them. Still another reveals the voice of the child's departed grandmother ("Don't worry about me. I'm having so much fun here"). Show-stopping spreads by Baek, similar to art by Red Nose Studio, feature molded, emotive figures in meticulously constructed scenery with miniature furniture, photographed under dramatic lighting-an effect startlingly close to animation. It's a fully realized world that considers discerning meaning and making friends, while offering artwork that lingers in the memory. Ages 4-8. Agent: Isabel Atherton, Creative Authors Limited. (Sept.)

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Children's Book Review: Magic Candies by Heena Baek

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This poignantly told fantasy stars Tong Tong, a lonely child who, looking for new marbles in a shop, buys a small bag of hard candies that offer magical hearing powers. The first hard orb, which matches the pattern of the family sofa, lets loose the sofa's voice, allowing Tong Tong to find a lost remote.

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https://www.harpercollins.com/products/tys-travels-beach-day-kelly-starling-lyons?variant=32291827712034

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First Friend: How Dogs Evolved from Wolvs to Become Our Best Friends by Kersten Hamilton

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First Friend: How Dogs Evolved from Wolvs to Become Our Best Friends by Kersten Hamilton

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Book Details

With lyrical text by Kersten Hamilton and luminous illustrations by Jaime Kim, First Friend is an exploration of how the wild wolves became dogs, and how we learned to communicate and grow alongside the creatures we love.

Long, long ago, when the world was new. . .a girl met a pup.

In those days, everyone knew that wolves and children could not be friends. Still, they learned from each other-how to hunt, how to trade, how to survive, how to play. And years and years went by, and the world spun and changed. And then-a boy fished with a wolf, and a girl traded with a wild dog, and animal and human grew up side by side. . .into the best friends we are today.

Imprint Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

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With lyrical text by Kersten Hamilton and luminous illustrations by Jaime Kim, First Friend is an exploration of how the wild wolves became dogs, and how we learned to communicate and grow alongside the creatures we love. Long, long ago, when the world was new. . .a girl met a pup.

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Stuntboy: In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

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Stuntboy: In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

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About The Book

A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel about the greatest young superhero you've never heard of, filled with illustrations by Raúl the Third!
Portico Reeves's superpower is making sure all the other superheroes-like his parents and two best friends-stay super. And safe. Super safe. And he does this all in secret. No one in his civilian life knows he's actually...Stuntboy!

But his regular Portico identity is pretty cool, too. He lives in the biggest house on the block, maybe in the whole city, which basically makes it a castle. His mom calls where they live an apartment building. But a building with fifty doors just in the hallways is definitely a castle. And behind those fifty doors live a bunch of different people who Stuntboy saves all the time. In fact, he's the only reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives.

All this is swell except for Portico's other secret, his not-so-super secret. His parents are fighting all the time. They're trying to hide it by repeatedly telling Portico to go check on a neighbor "in the meantime." But Portico knows "meantime" means his parents are heading into the Mean Time which means they're about to get into it, and well, Portico's superhero responsibility is to save them, too-as soon as he figures out how.

Only, all these secrets give Portico the worry wiggles, the frets, which his mom calls anxiety. Plus, like all superheroes, Portico has an arch-nemesis who is determined to prove that there is nothing super about Portico at all.

Reading Group Guide

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Reading Group Guide for
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
By Jason Reynolds

Illustrated by Raúl the Third
About the Book
Portico Reeves has a secret identity that only his best friend Zola knows about. As Stuntboy, he is the superhero who keeps all the other superheroes, and his fellow residents of Skylight Gardens (aka the Castle), safe. Lately, that means protecting Zola from their archnemesis, Herbert Singletary the Worst, learning to tame his own anxiety attacks (the Frets), and trying to keep his mother and father's fighting (which always reminds him of an episode of Super Space Warriors) from turning into an Explosion of Great Magnitude.
Discussion Questions
1. What does Portico love about living in Skylight Gardens? What does the fact that he calls it "The Castle" suggest about how he feels about his home? What do you love most about the place where you live?

2. Look up the definition of community. Which part of the definition do you think describes the community that is created by the residents of Skylight Gardens? Give examples of specific ways that they demonstrate that they care and look out for each other.

3. Explain the types of situations that cause Portico to get a case of the Frets. Look closely at the way Jason Reynolds describes how Portico feels when he is anxious: Which parts of his body are affected when he has the Frets? How does your body feel when you are anxious, worried, or afraid? What helps Portico feel better when he gets the Frets? What helps you when you are anxious?

4. Describe Zola and Portico's friendship. In your opinion, what makes them such good friends? How do they demonstrate that they care about each other? Choose a moment in the book when you think their friendship is particularly strong, and explain why you chose it. What do you think is the most important characteristic to look for in a friend?

5. Explain the difference between a hero and a superhero. Who are some of Portico's heroes? Who do you know that you consider a hero? Explain why you think they are heroic. If you could choose, would you rather be a superhero or a regular hero?

6. Which superhero does Portico decide he wants to be? What does he choose as his superpower? What do his choices tell you in regard to what Portico cares about?

7. Why is Portico initially excited when his parents tell him they are getting two apartments? Why do you think he does not realize his parents are separating?

8. When Portico's mother tells him to go see what Zola is up to "in the meantime," he thinks she says, "the mean time." Why is "the mean time" a good name for what is happening in Portico's apartment? Using words that sound alike to suggest a different meaning is called a play on words or a pun. Look for other times when Jason Reynolds uses a play on words.

9. An allegory is a story that has more than one meaning, and in this book, the Super Space Warrior episodes can be read as an allegory for the conflict between Portico's parents. Look up the meaning of the names "Mater" and "Pater." How is this a clue to the allegorical meaning of Super Space Warriors? What words do the name of the show's villains, the Irators, sound like when you say it out loud? How might Mater and Pater's duty to protect the sun relate to Portico and his parents? If each show ended with someone telling what the moral of the story is, what do you think the moral of each of the Super Space Warriors episodes would be? How do the illustrations reinforce the allegorical connection between Mater and Pater and Mr. and Mrs. Reeves?

10. Why do you think Herbert Singletary was looking sad the first time Portico met him? Why do you think Herbert responded to Portico's kindness by pushing him and calling him names when Portico was being nice to him?

11. What does a building superintendent do? Why do Zola and Portico conclude that the superintendent of Skylight Gardens is a superhero?

12. Why does Portico get into a physical fight with Herbert Singletary at the block party? What does his father say about whether or not it was okay for Portico to fight Herbert? What does his mother say? Who do you agree with?

13. What do Portico and Zola learn about Herbert's family and what is behind the half door? When Zola tells her mother that Herbert hides in the room behind the half door, Mrs. Brawner says, "We're all hiding from something." Sometimes people hide from their true feelings. What feelings do you think Herbert is hiding by being mean? What feelings do you think Portico's parents are hiding from when they act out in anger toward each other?

14. What event leads to Herbert becoming friends with Zola and Portico? Why do you think Portico is finally able to feel sad about his parents' separation? How do his friends let him know that they will be there for him? Why do you think he decides not to run in and stop his parents from fighting this time?

15. When Portico's parents fight over him, how does it make him feel? What does it mean to say that someone feels "torn" or "torn apart"? Have you ever felt this way? What helps Portico feel better? What helped you?

16. In the last section of the book, "The Final Word and Two Frights," what does Portico realize about himself? What does he realize about all the things that were piling up and making him afraid?

17. This book ends with the words, "To be continued." What do you hope happens next?
Extension Activities
1. Portico and his best friend, Zola, imagine themselves and the other people who live in Skylight Gardens as superheroes, complete with special powers. If you could choose a secret superhero identity for yourself, who would you be? What would be your secret power? What would be your mission? Would you work alone (like Wonder Woman), with a partner (like Batman and Robin), or with a team (like the Avengers)? Create a comic strip about one of your superhero's adventures.

2. Stuntboy, in the Meantime is structured as a series of episodes, each beginning with the Stuntboy theme song. Write complete lyrics for the theme song and make a recording of your song. You can use the tune of a song you already know or create your own music to go with your lyrics.

3. Zola teaches Portico about meditation and yoga, two practices that help people cultivate mindfulness and reduce anxiety. Research the benefits of practicing mindfulness, and work with a group to teach your class a breathing or other mindfulness exercise. Talk about how your body feels after you complete the exercise. How do you think you would feel if you practiced a mindfulness moment before you took a test or participated in a competition? How would you feel if you started and/or ended the day with a breathing exercise?

4. What can you tell about the way the plot of each Super Space Warriors episode is structured? How do they begin and end? What causes the conflicts in the episodes? Once you have analyzed the formula for Super Space Warriors, create a new episode that uses the same structure.

5. Try reading some of Stuntboy, in the Meantime out loud. What do you notice about the way the text sounds? Jason Reynolds uses figurative language when he writes, which you may recognize from reading poetry. Look for examples of internal rhyme, alliteration, similes, and metaphors. Divide your class into teams and search for other examples of poetic language in the book to see who can identify the most examples.

6. The residents of Skylight Gardens have created a community where everyone knows and cares about one another. When a school creates this type of community, we call it "school spirit," and some schools even have a student government organization and/or a spirit club to help build community. Think about the things that create community for the residents of Skylight Gardens, and develop a plan inspired by the book to create more school spirit.

7. Zola's mother says, "Life is just a TV show, and we're all characters in it." If your life was a TV show, what kind of show would you want it to be? In the style of Stuntboy, in the Meantime, write and illustrate a story that imagines one of your experiences as an episode of your own TV show.

8. Stuntboy, in the Meantime features numerous charts that provide instructions for how to do different things. What are your areas of expertise? Create a graphic chart that teaches others how to do something new and share it with your class.

9. Many of the items that Portico's parents fight over have a symbolic value (in other words, they are connected to a memory or idea that makes them important to the owner). Discuss why each item that they fight over is important to both of them. Think about an object you own that has a symbolic value to you and write an essay that describes the object using sensory details and explains why it is important to you.
Guide prepared by Amy Jurskis, English Department Chair at Oxbridge Academy in Florida.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.

About The Author

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a Newbery Award Honoree, a Printz Award Honoree, a two-time National Book Award finalist, a Kirkus Award winner, a UK Carnegie Medal winner, a two-time Walter Dean Myers Award winner, an NAACP Image Award Winner, an Odyssey Award Winner and two-time honoree, the recipient of multiple Coretta Scott King honors, and the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He was also the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. His many books include All American Boys (cowritten with Brendan Kiely); When I Was the Greatest; The Boy in the Black Suit; Stamped; As Brave as You; For Every One; the Track series ( Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu); Look Both Ways; Stuntboy, in the Meantime; Ain't Burned All the Bright (recipient of the Caldecott Honor) and My Name Is Jason. Mine Too. (both cowritten with Jason Griffin); and Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor. He lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

About The Illustrator

Raúl the Third is the illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Stuntboy, in the Meantime, by Jason Reynolds. He's also a three-time Pura Belpré Award winner for ¡Vamos! Let's Go to The Market! and his Lowrider picture book series written by Cathy Camper, the first of which, Lowriders in Space, also won the Texas Bluebonnet. Raúl is also the author and illustrator of ¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat and ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge. His work centers around the contemporary Mexican American experience and his memories of growing up in El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. He's also contributed to the SpongeBob Comics series. He lives outside of Boston.

Product Details

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (November 30, 2021)

Length: 272 pages

ISBN13: 9781534418165

Grades: 2 - 7

Ages: 7 - 12

Lexile ® 640L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

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Raves and Reviews

"Consistently funny and undeniably thoughtful."

- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED, September 15, 2021

Portico Reeves, secret alter ego Stuntboy, lives amid a lively, largely Black community at "the castle"-apartment building Skylight Gardens. As Portico, he navigates tense interactions with bully Herbert Singletary the Worst, the stress of his ever-fighting parents, and his own anxiety, or "frets." As Stuntboy, meanwhile, his job is "keeping other superheroes safe, so they can save the world!" And he definitely has his hands full watching out for the castle's various larger-than-life characters-rolling down the stairs for a neighbor who's a "little wobbly," taking a tumble in lieu of shoelace-obsessed Mr. Mister, and blowing salt-and-vinegar chip crumbs in his dad's face to stop his parents' fighting. Zola Brawner, best friend for 163 days, offers support, comparing Portico's fighting parents to episodes of an in-universe television show, but his folks' dismissals and descent into the "mean time" threaten to worsen the frets. From vibrant, comic book-style art with ample color by Elaine Bay to running gags and commercial breaks that balance serious moments, there's plenty to enjoy about this engaging, high-energy collaboration by Raúl the Third ( Strollercoaster) and Reynolds ( Stamped).

- Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW*, October 11, 2021

BCCB - Portico Reeves lives in "a giant castle . . . made from the glassiest glass and the brickiest bricks on Earth." Skylight Gardens apartment, towering over the city and boasting "one hundred windows," "at least a million steps," and plenty of interesting neighbors, is pretty much all the residence a kid could want. Unfortunately, one particular occupant, Herbert Singletary, is out to make life miserable for Portico and his best friend, Zola. Fired up by their common passion for Super Space Warriors (and by Portico's longing for a role in a superhero universe), the friends envision Portico as Stuntboy, a sort of caped guardian who does the physical dirty work of intervention so that superheroes will be safe. Stuntboy's skills are needed now more than ever to defuse his parents' fights over personal property as they prepare for a separation that's obvious to everyone but Portico. .... [T]he presentation is successfully buoyed by the interplay of Portico's overly literal tendencies (e.g., he understands "in the meantime" to allude to his parents' "mean time" skirmishes) and by and by Raúl the Third's ebullient digital illustrations, which shine as a love letter to working class urban life.

- BCCB, November 1, 2021

*"This ingeniously crafted illustrated novel offers a multifaceted and heartfelt take on the classic superhero story. Portico Reeves is a kid with a "secret secret"-he likes to think of himself as Stuntboy, a homegrown and self-styled superhero whose power is "making sure all the other heroes stay super. And safe. Supersafe." The selfless Stuntboy protects the quirky and racially diverse cast of characters in his apartment building, particularly his own family members and his best friend Zola. Instead of super strength or flight, Stuntboy performs a variety of odd "stunts" to help others, which also lets him burn off some energy. When he is Stuntboy, the young hero isn't affected by his anxiety, or "the frets," which are made worse for Portico by his parents' constant bickering and his relentless bullying by "Herbert Singletary the Worst." In ten episodic chapters, Reynolds employs fast-paced, realistic dialogue loaded with wordplay and humor. .... Raúl the Third's cartoon illustrations are integral, active components of the story....the art makes Portico's world feel real and vibrant. Bay's color work is invaluable, oscillating between pulsating palettes and subdued screentones. Keeping to the superhero tradition, the creators end on a cliffhanger, leaving readers with a promise of more adventures to come."

- The Horn Book, starred review

*"In this funny, action-packed graphic novel, readers are introduced to Portico Reeves (aka Stuntboy), a Black fourth-grader and superhero. As Portico tries to dodge Herbert's bullying and cope with his parents' constant arguing, Stuntboy swoops in to save his neighbors and, hopefully, his parents' marriage.

This easily accessible and hilarious graphic novel is broken up into short episodes interrupted by commercial breaks with helpful tips on stunts. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds ( Track series) creates a text that makes for a quick and easy read and the accompanying digital illustrations by Raúl the Third (Strollercoaster) match the tone perfectly. Stuntboy, in the Meantime is a perfect book for seven- to 12-year-olds."

- Shelf Awareness, starred review

Awards and Honors

Audie Award Winner

CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)

Volunteer State Book Award Nominee (TN)

Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title

ALA Notable Children's Recording

Odyssey Honor for Audio

NYPL Best Books for Kids (Top Ten)

ALA Schneider Family Honor Book Award for Best Book for Middle Grade

Resources and Downloads

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Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds - A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselli...

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Mars is: Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises by Suzanne Slade

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Mars is: Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises by Suzanne Slade

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Suzanne Slade. Peachtree, $19.99 (48p) ISBN 978-1-68263-188-1

Featuring mesmeric close-up photographs courtesy of NASA’s HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, this nonfiction picture book by NASA rocket engineer Slade offers rhythmic language interlaced with facts about Mars. Large monochrome type in a friendly rounded serif font guides readers through a simply worded tour of Mars. “Mars is buried bedrock// bubbling gas,// and mighty mesas,” Slade begins on the first three spreads, as concise smaller-font paragraphs expound on each proffered phrase: “the Martian caps contain dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) rather than water.” Textural full-color photos feature Mars’s exposed bedrock, ice channels created by bubbling gas, undulating sand dunes, and more. Though the book elides many details (e.g., the scale of each pictured element) in favor of a more poetic, aesthetic examination of Mars, this volume may still pique the interest of aspiring astronauts and young space hobbyists. Ages 6–10. (Apr.)

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Details

Reviewed on: 06/17/2021

Release date: 04/01/2021

Genre: Children's

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Children’s Book Review: Mars Is: Stark Slopes, Silvery Snow, and Startling Surprises by Suzanne Slade

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Featuring mesmeric close-up photographs courtesy of NASA’s HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) camera on the Mar...

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The Snail and the Whale by Julia Dondaldson

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The Snail and the Whale by Julia Dondaldson

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Thank You!

The perfect book picks are on their way.

Illustrated by Axel Scheffler

About the Book

Product Details

Author Bio

Praise

About the Book

From the creators behind The Gruffalo is a delightful tale of adventure and friendship with Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler's brilliant, characterful illustrations—a perfect gift for any special occasion

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

Product Details

On sale: April 6, 2006
Age: 3-7 years
Grade: Preschool - 2
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780142405802

Author Bio

Julia Donaldson is the internationally bestselling author of many popular books for children. Her Smarties Prize-winning modern classic, The Gruffalo, has sold more than 13.5 million copies worldwide, and the Halloween favorite Room on the Broom is a perennial best seller. In addition to children's books, she has written many children's plays and songs and runs regular storytelling workshops. She was the Waterstones Children's Laureate from 2011-2013.

Axel Scheffler is an award-winning, internationally-acclaimed illustrator of some of the most well-loved children’s books, including Julia Donaldson’s best-selling modern classic The Gruffalo, which has sold millions of copies worldwide. He lives in London.

Praise

"Along with providing a resonant environmental message, the story lightly demonstrates that friendships come in all shapes and sizes.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

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The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson: 9780142405802 | Brightly Shop

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From the creators behind The Gruffalo is a delightful tale of adventure and friendship with Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler's brilliant, characterful illustrations-a perfect...

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"Peppered with such intriguing scientific details as the pervasive nature of Mars dust, Holm's absorbing speculative novel is...rendered with a keen sense of place grounded by identifiable sociofamilial relationships." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"The plot and setting are elegantly simple, yet the story proves completely engaging, driven by a charming cast of gentle characters and, more so, by Holm's lean, measured prose, which moves briskly and seems to strike a resonant note on every page." - Booklist, starred review

"A delightful space adventure." - Kirkus Reviews

"The Lion of Mars looks past the red dust to reveal how our communities shape us just as much as our environments." - Bookpage

"The well-wrought setting, including thoughtful depiction of lowish-tech Martian life, and a strong cast of well-developed characters make for an intriguing and compelling read." - The Horn Book

Get the latest updates from Jennifer L. Holm

And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.

And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.

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The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm: 9780593121818 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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"Peppered with such intriguing scientific details as the pervasive nature of Mars dust, Holm's absorbing speculative novel is...rendered with a keen sense of place grounded by identifiable sociofamilial relationships."

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No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest by Robin Robinson

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No One Returns from the Enchanted Forest by Robin Robinson

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"Debut creator Robinson explores the ups and downs of siblinghood in this lushly illustrated fantasy that's visually reminiscent of Hildafolk and Steven Universe." - Publishers Weekly

"This graphic novel makes full use of skillful interplay between text and illustration, mirroring feelings of insignificance with expanses of space, and Robinson demonstrates creative exploration of panel size and shape... Contemplations of forgiveness and redemption add thoughtful layers to this fast-paced graphic novel."- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"With danger always lurking and illustrations that are full of movement, it's easy to get quickly swept up into this tale and not want to leave. Enchanting indeed."-Vibrant colors, imaginative beasts, skilled cartooning, and a well-told story make this a fun, satisfying read."-"In her debut author/illustrator comic, Robin Robinson weaves a compelling, adventurous tale set in a lushly drawn world... As I read, I was often reminded of the Hildafolk series and how this comic captures a similar natural environment, one that is wondrously inviting, yet fraught with danger." -No Flying No Tights

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No One Returns From the Enchanted Forest

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"Debut creator Robinson explores the ups and downs of siblinghood in this lushly illustrated fantasy that's visually reminiscent of Hildafolk and Steven Universe." - Publishers Weekly "This graphic novel makes full use of skillful interplay between text and illustration, mirroring feelings of insignificance with expanses of space, and Robinson demonstrates creative exploration of panel size and shape...

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The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Maynor

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The Sandcastle that Lola Built by Megan Maynor

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A modern, summery spin on the classic The House That Jack Built, in which Lola's day at the beach leads to new friends and a giant sandcastle.

Lola is building her dream sandcastle--one with a tall, tall tower and sea glass that sends signals to mermaids. But the beach is crowded, and soon enough, a boy steps on her castle. Not to worry! Lola recruits him to build a wall. When a toddler with a bulldozer starts digging too close the walls, Lola decides he can be in charge of digging the moat. As the sandcastle grows, so does Lola's friendly group of helpers. There's only one thing that Lola doesn't want near the sandcastle: a wave! Will the new friends be able to salvage the mermaids' castle when their hard work is washed away?

The sandcastles that Megan Maynor built were mostly on lakeshores, because she is a Minnesota girl herself. These days, she mostly builds stories to share with children. Megan is also the author of Ella and Penguin Stick Together and Ella and Penguin, A Perfect Match. She lives outside Minneapolis with one husband, three kids, and one rabbit. Learn more about Megan and her work at MeganMaynor.com or on Twitter at @Megan_Maynor.

Kate Berube (Bear uh bee) has spent many hours building sandcastles and searching for mermaids on the beaches of Cape Cod and the Oregon coast. Kate is also the illustrator of My Little Half-Moon and The Summer Nick Taught His Cats to Read and the author and illustrator of Hannah and Sugar, which won the 2017 Literary Arts Oregon Book Award. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and their one-eyed wonder dog, Sugar. Learn more about Kate and her work at KateBerube.com and on Twitter at @BerubeKate.

"The joys of a day at the beach - along with those inevitable moments of frustration, too - are packed into this story of a girl building a sandcastle."- The New York Times Book Review

"Dig into this playful, beachy read."- Kirkus

"The delightful text, coupled with nondogmatic examples of intent cooperation, make this a wonderful choice for group sharing and a great vehicle for launching the beach season."- SLJ

"The collage and mixed-media illustrations make the shoreline landscape and the chill vibe of a beach vacation feel very close at hand. In an age of adult-organized play, this book offers a fun but pointed reminder that children are more than capable of organizing themselves."- Publishers Weekly

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The Sandcastle That Lola Built by Megan Maynor: 9781524716158 | Brightly Shop

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A modern, summery spin on the classic The House That Jack Built, in which Lola's day at the beach leads to new friends and a giant sandcastle. Lola is building her dream sandcastle--one with a tall, tall tower and sea glass that sends signals to mermaids.

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Award-winning author Elisha Cooper uses his renowned soft yet lively watercolors to celebrate the cherished act of visiting the beach.

"Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves." A day at the beach supplies any child with a lifetime of memories. In this new picture book by award-winning author Elisha Cooper, the simple magic of building sand castles, collecting seashells, and running from the waves is brought to life through poetic text and lively illustrations. Together, readers will be able to visit the beach year-round as they share this delightful book.

Elisha Cooper is the award-winning author of Train, which received five starred reviews; Farm, which received starred reviews in Horn Book Magazine and Publishers Weekly; and Beach, which won the 2006 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Other picture books include A Good Night Walk, Magic Thinks Big, and Dance!, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. Elisha Cooper lives with his family in New York City. For more information, go to elishacooper.com.
Elisha Cooper is the award-winning author of Train, which received five starred reviews; Farm, which received starred reviews in Horn Book Magazine and Publishers Weekly; and Beach, which won the 2006 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Other picture books include A Good Night Walk, Magic Thinks Big, and Dance!, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year. Elisha Cooper lives with his family in New York City. For more information, go to elishacooper.com.

Categories

Product Details
ISBN: 9780439687850
ISBN-10: 0439687853
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication Date: June 1st, 2006
Pages: 40
Language: English

Recommended Reading Level
Minimum Age: 3
Maximum Age: 5
Minimum Grade Level: P
Maximum Grade Level: K

Kikrus Starred ReviewAnother charmer from Cooper, who, with his signature impressionistic, diminutive figures and scenes, delivers a perfect day at the beach, observing people, paraphernalia and nature. Panoramic views appose Lilliputian visual narratives- a woman pulling a wagon packed with toys and kids, a boy pretending he's a sea turtle as the waves carry him out, kids building a sand castle and a dog barking at waves. People are depicted like embellished artists' wooden movable figures, jointed but anamorphous in detail, and the simple daubs of paint generate motion like a handful of animation cels or a flip book. Masterful page composition creates a cinematic effect by panning from double spreads of the far-reaching vista to close-up pages of layered tiers of miniature dioramic scenes that are both graceful and fluid. As soothing and satisfying as the spray from dancing waves, sand between your toes and sun-warmed, waist high water, this is as close as you can get to the beach without getting wet. As daylight ebbs, the beach empties but leaves behind "a day to remember when the beach is far away." PWLike Cooper's other picture books (Baseball ;Building ), this surfside exploration combines a prosaic text with loose, cartoon-like figures that detail the activities a careful observer can notice about a particular place. "Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves," begins the straightforward narrative. Three vertical panels depict an empty stretch of beach, which gradually fills with people. Like the labeled illustrations in Richard Scarry's word books, several pages feature a plethora of tiny watercolor-and-pencil sketchbook drawings with one-sentence captions: "A woman changes into her swimsuit under her towel.... Two sisters fill buckets with sand and start building a sculpture.... Seagulls watch everything, hovering until made to move." Another spread brims with intriguing images of cloud shapes. The small, faceless figures resemble sophisticated drawings of an artist's wooden model positioned in various poses, as the scenes progress from early morning until dusk. But the text reads like commentary on an artist's notebook, with neither a conflict nor a plot to keep young readers involved. It may be more suitable as a meditation for older beachgoers. Ages 3-5.(June)BooklistK-Gr. 2. Cooper creates a paean to the pleasures of a day spent near, on, and in the water. Generous double-page spreads, which extend a full 20 inches across, convey an expansive sense of the sand and sky, and show the beach as it fills with bathers engaged in a variety of activities. Even the sky becomes crowded as clouds roll in. The pleasantly fluid watercolors, given definition by thin brush lines, work better on the panoramic double-page spreads than on pages with multiple vignettes, which, despite brief descriptive captions, lack enriching details. Even so, the book successfully evokes the fun and feeling of a day at the beach and the myriad things that can and do happen at the shore. Use this with John Burningham's humorous Time to Come Away from the Water, Shirley (1977). -John StewigHorn BookVery few picture book creators dare to be as quiet as Elisha Cooper. Despite the large trim size and opening line ("Away to the beach!"), Cooper's Beach is not a place for exclamation points and action verbs. Beginning at daybreak and ending at sunset, we watch from a distance as people arrive, put up umbrellas and blankets, and settle in for the day. Cooper's loose pencil-and-watercolor art leaves out the faces, but the body positions and gestures of his people provide all the visual information we need for complete character studies. Spreads vary from long-lined horizons showing time slowly passing to close-ups of people, shells, or pebbles. This tribute to the seashore prompts Cooper's strongest text to date; each time it seems in danger of taking itself too seriously, Cooper injects a child-centered detail. Describing waves: "They come in boisterous and loud / and they leave with a quiet pull. / Waves are nature's roller coaster. / The perfect wave lifts high and drops low, and can be felt in the stomach." At book's end, the sun-drenched beachgoers pack up and head home; readers who have spent the day with them will have to resist the urge to shake sand out of their shoes. LOLLY ROBINSON SLJ PreS-Gr 3-"As the day begins, the beach is empty, waiting to be filled." Cooper opens with a gorgeous stretch of sand in sun-flecked, amber-white watercolors, bounded by a sea so darkly blue that it seems still half-asleep. In the following pages, he tells the story, mainly in detailed splashes of paint, of the people and things that transform the quiet area into a lively spot. Readers will enjoy the affectionate portraits of swimmers, kite-flyers, sunbathers, seagulls, and barking dogs. A struggle with an inner tube or a beach umbrella, the people who go into the water but forget that they are still wearing their glasses, the clouds that look like spilled popcorn: here, as in life, it's the little things that snag readers' attention. Cooper's portrayal of a day at the shore is generous with such minutiae; his fondness for his subject is evident and infectious. As the beach once again empties at the end of the story, it's tempting to return to the first page, to a hundred possible activities at the shore-none of which is more earthshaking than a toppled sandcastle.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

Kikrus Starred ReviewAnother charmer from Cooper, who, with his signature impressionistic, diminutive figures and scenes, delivers a perfect day at the beach, observing people, paraphernalia and nature. Panoramic views appose Lilliputian visual narratives- a woman pulling a wagon packed with toys and kids, a boy pretending he's a sea turtle as the waves carry him out, kids building a sand castle and a dog barking at waves. People are depicted like embellished artists' wooden movable figures, jointed but anamorphous in detail, and the simple daubs of paint generate motion like a handful of animation cels or a flip book. Masterful page composition creates a cinematic effect by panning from double spreads of the far-reaching vista to close-up pages of layered tiers of miniature dioramic scenes that are both graceful and fluid. As soothing and satisfying as the spray from dancing waves, sand between your toes and sun-warmed, waist high water, this is as close as you can get to the beach without getting wet. As daylight ebbs, the beach empties but leaves behind "a day to remember when the beach is far away." PWLike Cooper's other picture books (Baseball ;Building ), this surfside exploration combines a prosaic text with loose, cartoon-like figures that detail the activities a careful observer can notice about a particular place. "Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves," begins the straightforward narrative. Three vertical panels depict an empty stretch of beach, which gradually fills with people. Like the labeled illustrations in Richard Scarry's word books, several pages feature a plethora of tiny watercolor-and-pencil sketchbook drawings with one-sentence captions: "A woman changes into her swimsuit under her towel.... Two sisters fill buckets with sand and start building a sculpture.... Seagulls watch everything, hovering until made to move." Another spread brims with intriguing images of cloud shapes. The small, faceless figures resemble sophisticated drawings of an artist's wooden model positioned in various poses, as the scenes progress from early morning until dusk. But the text reads like commentary on an artist's notebook, with neither a conflict nor a plot to keep young readers involved. It may be more suitable as a meditation for older beachgoers. Ages 3-5.(June)BooklistK-Gr. 2. Cooper creates a paean to the pleasures of a day spent near, on, and in the water. Generous double-page spreads, which extend a full 20 inches across, convey an expansive sense of the sand and sky, and show the beach as it fills with bathers engaged in a variety of activities. Even the sky becomes crowded as clouds roll in. The pleasantly fluid watercolors, given definition by thin brush lines, work better on the panoramic double-page spreads than on pages with multiple vignettes, which, despite brief descriptive captions, lack enriching details. Even so, the book successfully evokes the fun and feeling of a day at the beach and the myriad things that can and do happen at the shore. Use this with John Burningham's humorous Time to Come Away from the Water, Shirley (1977). -John StewigHorn BookVery few picture book creators dare to be as quiet as Elisha Cooper. Despite the large trim size and opening line ("Away to the beach!"), Cooper's Beach is not a place for exclamation points and action verbs. Beginning at daybreak and ending at sunset, we watch from a distance as people arrive, put up umbrellas and blankets, and settle in for the day. Cooper's loose pencil-and-watercolor art leaves out the faces, but the body positions and gestures of his people provide all the visual information we need for complete character studies. Spreads vary from long-lined horizons showing time slowly passing to close-ups of people, shells, or pebbles. This tribute to the seashore prompts Cooper's strongest text to date; each time it seems in danger of taking itself too seriously, Cooper injects a child-centered detail. Describing waves: "They come in boisterous and loud / and they leave with a quiet pull. / Waves are nature's roller coaster. / The perfect wave lifts high and drops low, and can be felt in the stomach." At book's end, the sun-drenched beachgoers pack up and head home; readers who have spent the day with them will have to resist the urge to shake sand out of their shoes. LOLLY ROBINSON SLJ PreS-Gr 3-"As the day begins, the beach is empty, waiting to be filled." Cooper opens with a gorgeous stretch of sand in sun-flecked, amber-white watercolors, bounded by a sea so darkly blue that it seems still half-asleep. In the following pages, he tells the story, mainly in detailed splashes of paint, of the people and things that transform the quiet area into a lively spot. Readers will enjoy the affectionate portraits of swimmers, kite-flyers, sunbathers, seagulls, and barking dogs. A struggle with an inner tube or a beach umbrella, the people who go into the water but forget that they are still wearing their glasses, the clouds that look like spilled popcorn: here, as in life, it's the little things that snag readers' attention. Cooper's portrayal of a day at the shore is generous with such minutiae; his fondness for his subject is evident and infectious. As the beach once again empties at the end of the story, it's tempting to return to the first page, to a hundred possible activities at the shore-none of which is more earthshaking than a toppled sandcastle.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY

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Award-winning author Elisha Cooper uses his renowned soft yet lively watercolors to celebrate the cherished act of visiting the beach."Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves." A day at the beach supplies any child with a lifetime of memories.

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When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

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When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

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ISBN: 133874626X

EAN13: 9781338746266

Language: English

Release Date: Nov 2, 2021

Pages: 288

Format: Hardcover

Book Overview

A heartwarming, feel-good story of friendship and overcoming adversity in a time of COVID, this is a book about community, giving back, and understanding the world around us through the power of generosity from debut author K. Ibura.

With one little announcement from their fourth-grade teacher, Shayla, Liam, Ben, and Ai's world turned upside down. Now, with school on hold due to a strange virus that they don't quite understand, the only semblance of safety they feel is knowing that they have one another in their apartment complex.

But as each of them head home and experience their own version of confinement, it becomes very real. And as their individual struggles grow, they need each other now more than ever. Very soon, they discover that they're not the only ones who need a little help.

Banded together, the friends find ways to help others struggling in their building. And one by one, they do their part in making their neighbors feel just a little bit safer. As the world becomes more complex, as protests take the streets, Shayla, Liam, Ben, and Ai do everything they can to better understand the world around them and the people around them in order to discover the power and comfort that understanding and generosity can bring.

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Buy When the World Turned Upside Down Hardcover Book By: K Ibura from as low as $17.99.

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Cat Kid Comic Club on Purpose by Dav Pilkey

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Cat Kid Comic Club on Purpose by Dav Pilkey

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The Cat Kid Comic Club is deep in discovery in the newest graphic novel in the hilarious and heartwarming worldwide bestselling series by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man.

The comic club is going in all different directions! Naomi, Melvin, and siblings are each trying to find their purpose. Naomi has an idea to get rich quick that causes a lot of commotion and emotion. And when faced with rejections, the friends try and try again to stay true to their vision. To top it off, a surprise visitor comes to class to stir things up. Will a desire for money and power cloud Naomi's purpose? Is it quitting time? Will the club ever be the same?

The hilarity is nonstop as the baby frogs navigate sibling relationships, follow their path, and create art -- with purpose! Featured as stories-within-the-story, the mini comics showcase each baby frog's perspective and individual art style.

In this groundbreaking graphic novel series, award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey uses a variety of techniques -- including acrylic paints, colored pencils, photography, collage, gouache, watercolors, and much more -- to illustrate each frog's creative purpose and encourage teamwork. The kaleidoscope of art styles, paired with Pilkey's trademark storytelling and humor, fosters creativity, collaboration, independence, and empathy. Readers of all ages will enjoy this fun, exciting, and purposeful graphic novel adventure.

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Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #3): From the Creator of Dog Man

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Amazon - Cat Kid Comic Club: On Purpose: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #3): From the Creator of Dog Man: Pilkey, Dav, Pilkey, Dav: 9781338801941: Books

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Diana and the Journey to the Unknown by Aisha Saeed: 9780593178416 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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May 24, 2022 | ISBN 9780593527696 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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Jun 14, 2011 | ISBN 9781101543146 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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Jun 14, 2011 | ISBN 9780307916860 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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May 24, 2022 | ISBN 9780593527696 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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Jun 14, 2011 | ISBN 9781101543146 | Middle Grade (8-12)

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Jun 14, 2011 | ISBN 9780307916860 | Middle Grade (8-12)

330 Minutes

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Shark Wars #2

EJ Altbacker

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Shark Wars by EJ Altbacker: 9780593527696 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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Since the dawn of time, prehistoric shark clans called Shivers have ruled over the earth’s oceans, fierce protectors of all who swim. For eons, the Big Blue has prospered under Shiver Law, and the delicate...

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" This stands all four paws firmly on its own." - Booklist

" Fast-paced, rollicking adventure will appeal to all readers. . . . this canine adventure shows what it means to be brave." -School Library Journal

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Dog Squad by Chris Grabenstein: 9780593301760 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

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" This stands all four paws firmly on its own." - Booklist " Fast-paced, rollicking adventure will appeal to all readers. . . . this canine adventure shows what it means to be brave." -School Library Journal Get the latest updates from Chris Grabenstein And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week.