What would you do if you discovered your grandfather had turned into a 13-year-old wise-cracking kid? Grandpa Melvin is a scientist and he’s discovered a cure for aging. (It involves jellyfish.) He appears on his estranged daughter’s doorstep, looking for help breaking into his old lab and to recover his research. He ends up enrolled … Read more
This edition of Malala’s story is 172 pages – ideal for elementary and upper elementary school shared reading. The story of Malala Yousafzai – the Afghan girl who defied the Taliban, was attacked and injured, and went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize – is deservedly well-known by adults. But each succeeding wave of … Read more
“Louie had not had the best luck nurturing creatures.” Newbery Medal-winning author Sharon Creech shares a heartfelt story about loving big despite the risks. When Louie’s father brings home a sickly newborn donkey from Uncle Pete’s farm, Louie is determined to save the “pitiful-looking” creature he names Winslow, even though he hasn’t had such great … Read more
“Next week is our first-ever Franklin School pet show!” This is great news for Cody Harmon, who truly is the King of Pets. He has nine pets he could potentially showcase – two dogs, two cats, three chickens, a rooster, and a pig. Which to choose!? But for all the kids in Cody’s class who … Read more
“They say the Year of the Dog is for friends and family. But there’s more to it than that. The Year of the Dog is for thinking… it’s a good year to find yourself.” In The Year of the Dog we meet ten-year-old Pacy in a story inspired by author Grace Lin’s real life. Pacy … Read more
Imagine life as a gopher snake. They look ferocious. They appear to be aggressive. But really that’s just because they often get confused for rattlesnakes. “I’m big, strong, and mean – and, though not deadly to humans, my bite doesn’t exactly tickle.” Crusher, the gopher snake, would love to be a rattlesnake. Instead, she is … Read more
“I knew what it felt like to want to be the best at something.” J. Dillard’s debut book will have readers laughing, learning, fist-pumping, and page-flipping as they get to know young J.D. He wears his hair in cornrows. Now it’s time for his first real haircut… J.D. doesn’t have a cool dad to cut … Read more
“It’s Simon Barnes here. But everybody calls me the Notorious D.O.G., because I might be little but I’ve got a loud bark. Okay, not true. Nobody calls me the Notorious D.O.G. yet.” As Simon prepares for his first day of fifth grade, he’s nervous because he’s always had trouble letting his inner voice be heard. … Read more
But you know what’s one thing that’s definitely not required for being an expert baker? Having arms. That’s what. Aven Green Baking Machine introduces us to eight-year-old Aven who is not only an expert baker, but she’s also a smart, wry kid learning to navigate life with the help of her friends, her family, and … Read more
