Marisol's journey resonates with anyone struggling with courage, as she navigates her fears and learns to embrace her inner strength. The narrative highlights themes of empowerment and resilience, encouraging readers to confront their challenges. Through her experiences, Marisol inspires others to find bravery within themselves, making this story a powerful testament to personal growth and self-discovery.
Marisol and her best friend Jada love to ride their bikes, except when they have to ride past a dangerous beast they call Daggers, but when Daggers gets loose, Marisol unexpectedly rescues him, conquering one of her biggest fears
Recognized with multiple prestigious awards, this book has garnered acclaim from various literary organizations and publications. It features engaging storytelling that resonates with young readers, blending themes of adventure and personal growth. The narrative is enriched by well-developed characters who navigate challenges, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking. Its broad recognition highlights its impact and relevance in children's literature, appealing to educators and parents alike.
Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same--until Orchid Mason arrives. This contemporary school story set in small-town Louisiana is about friendship, family, deception, and being true to yourself and your dreams.There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They've been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that's not necessarily a great thing.There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That's because Renni Dean's father got a promotion, and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni's desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets; is still pulling their strings.When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni's chair, the other seventh graders don't know what to think. Orchid--who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek from Paris--seems to float. Her dress skims the floor. She's wearing a flower behind her ear.Fawn Creek Middle might be small, but it has its tightly knit groups--the self-proclaimed "God Squad," the jocks, the outsiders--just like anyplace else. Who will claim Orchid Mason? Who will save Orchid Mason? Or will Orchid Mason save them?
A Newbery Honor Book and a selection of numerous best book lists, this middle grade novel set in 1986 follows siblings Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson Thomas in Park, Delaware. As the nation anticipates the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, each sibling grapples with personal challenges. Cash, passionate about basketball, faces academic failure due to a broken wrist. Fitch, who spends his afternoons at the arcade, struggles with his temper. Bird, a twelve-year-old twin, aspires to be NASA’s first female shuttle commander but feels invisible. The siblings navigate their tense home life, finding common ground in their enthusiastic science teacher, Ms. Salonga. She assigns a project that divides the class into spacecraft crews, requiring them to create and complete a mission. As the launch day approaches, the event profoundly impacts their lives and relationships. Told from three alternating perspectives, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery, making it a compelling read for those interested in science and sibling dynamics. Illustrated throughout by the author, it is a rich and engaging story for middle grade readers.
"Marisol, who has a big imagination and likes to name inanimate objects, has a tree in her backyard named Peppina ... but she's way too scared to climb it. Will Marisol find the courage to climb Peppina? Maybe"-- Provided by publisher
"In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and she loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball. They aren't friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms"--Publisher's website
Twelve-year-old Lalani Sarita takes on the impossible task of traveling to the legendary Mount Isa, towering on an island to the north. Generations of men and boys have died on the same quest -- how can a timid young girl in a tiny boat survive the epic tests of the archipelago?
A chance encounter with a mysterious boy from the future transforms twelve-year-old Michael Rosario's life, leading him on a journey filled with profound themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. This novel, crafted by bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly, resonates with fans of thought-provoking middle-grade fiction, reminiscent of Rebecca Stead's work.
In this funny young middle-grade novel about friendship, family, and animals, Felix Powell is magically transformed from a boy into a dog. Illustrated with black-and-white drawings by Newbery Medal winner and national bestseller Erin Entrada Kelly on almost every page. Perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean, Merci Suárez, and Ramona. Felix Powell can talk to animals. Just ask his dog, Mary Puppins! They talk all the time. When a mysterious, magical spell turns Felix into a dog, Mary Puppins is amazed. But not as much as Felix! Will his tail ever stop wagging? Will he ever see in full color again? How will he deal with Gumbo, the snobby neighborhood cat? Most importantly, will he ever return to being a regular boy? With short, high-interest chapters and illustrations by the author on almost every page, Felix Powell, Boy Dog celebrates curiosity, ingenuity, imagination, and friendship. For readers of Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, Meg Medina, and Megan McDonald, and all kids who love animals.