The bears are excited to swim, climb, and run...all except Ursa, the littlest one. The lake looks so wide! And the tree looks so tall! As Ursa watches her siblings try new things, she learns it's OK to set her own pace in this adorably illustrated tale about facing fears by taking one step at a time. Listening to yourself and doing things when you feel ready are important growing-up skills. Parents and children will cheer for the little bear who...

Thomas is a very smart student at his school. He excels in Math and French, but because of this he is called "teacher's pet" and "Genius" by the basketball team captain, Victor, and his friends. After school one day, coincidentally on his birthday, he runs into Victor and his friends and gets bullied verbally and physically. He does not tell his parents or grandparents when he gets home, but instead chooses to enjoy the birthday celebration they all...

There's nothing Amy likes more than being famous. It's so fun to sign autographs for her bear, pose for photos with her parents, and she loves getting gold stars in class. But when a new girl comes to school, suddenly she's the superstar, and Amy is just super jealous. It's not until they spend time together that they discover something more meaningful than fame-friendship. Themes of sharing the spotlight, overcoming jealousy, and finding great...

Award-winning Lulu and the Hunger Monster is also available as a bilingual book in Spanish and English. When Lulu's mother's van breaks down, money for food becomes tight and the Hunger Monster comes into their lives. Only visible to Lulu, Hunger Monster

When a family shatters, can it be rebuilt? Ever since they've been on their own, life has been tough for Ben and his mother. Though they love each other, their life together has been a series of bitter fights and standoffs. But when his mother marries Lyle, at last Ben finds a missing puzzle piece. Ben's new stepfather is an easygoing charmer, and he and Ben grow close. Things aren't as smooth with Ben's new stepbrother, Dustin. Surly, distant, self-destructive,...

A little dog finds himself alone in the vastness of Manhattan after his owner has an accident while they are out for a walk. His two-year journey brings him to familiar neighborhoods and famous landmarks, but also to New York City's more cheerless underside. On the street he meets people in need, and by his companionship becomes an agent of change. Along the way he encounters other dogs, mostly larger breeds like pit bulls, some trained fighters,...

You survived your freshman year at Kings Academy, the prestigious prep school in the New Hampshire hills, but hold the slow clap-turns out sophomore year's the real grinder. You'll have to deal with the stress of keeping up with the soul-crushing homework. Not to mention your glam classmates are throwing glitzy sweet sixteen parties this year and you'll need a job if you want to join. Will you take that babysitting job in town (and pretend not to...

When trucker Jo hits the open road, her faithful little doggy pal, Big Al, is always with her. The two make a fine traveling team until Big Al gets distracted after a potty break at a rest stop and wanders off. In her rush to get back on the road, Jo doesn't realize her best buddy isn't in the truck cab. As soon as Big Al figures out what has happened, he is determined that nothing will distract him from his plan to wait for Jo to come back. Well,...

The night Carly and her dad visited her grandparents changed her life forever. Child Protective Services showed up and Carly's dad had to leave. Carly watched her dad walk out the door. At a very young age Carly had to overcome being abandoned by her parents. She thought her brother and sister were sleeping outside. Her school shut down, and in her new school her teacher walked off the job. Carly reflects back on her life in this book, hoping that...

The second book in a fun middle-grade contemporary fantasy series, about a social-media-loving tween-and witch! After a summer of being the worst witch at a fancy witch school, Hasani can't wait to get back to the peace and normalcy of Riverbend Middle where she knows all the rules and is destined to be captain of the Mathletes. There are a few little hiccups to work out-like how she's going to tell her best friend that she's a witch-but even though...