Denver Public Schools Top 100: Elementary School

Everybody Books

A sharp and heartfelt picture book about a young soccer-loving girl who's an interpreter for her Spanish-speaking parents.

When a girl's confidence is shaken and she begins to shrink, her grandmother is there to remind her of who she is in this empowering picture book about self-esteem.

A young Native American boy demonstrates bravery by proudly wearing his long hair in a braid to honor his ancestors' traditions.

A little boy adores his big brother, who is always there for him, playing with him and teaching him things.

Fourth-generation Chinese American Mei celebrates her heritage by sharing her family's history at an antiracism rally supporting Asian Americans.

A biography of a Taiwanese ice pop entrepreneur from the eyes of his granddaughter.

From Pura Belpre Honoree Alda P. Dobbs and illustrator Emily Mendoza comes a lyrical and vibrant picture book history of the Poinsettia flower and the holiday traditions it has inspired. In the Mexican state of Guerrero, after the harvest moon rises, north winds swirl, days turn short, and shadows grow long. This is when the giving flower blooms. The story of the Poinsettia goes back through hundreds of years, treasured by the Aztecs, the inspiration for Mexico's most famous Christmas legend. After the flower caught the eye of the first US ambassador to Mexico, it was named after him. A century later, millions of Americans saw the brilliant red flower on their first color television screens. Award-winning author Alda Dobbs and artist Emily Mendoza bring to life the history of this beautiful and uniquely new world holiday icon. Includes detailed back matter with a timeline.

Edwin loves his sister Patsy's closet. He adores dresses and earrings and boots with high heels. And when he's finished getting dressed, Edwin is transformed...into the fabulous Edweena! Today is a big day. It's the figure skating competition at school and Edwin has decided to compete as Edweena. What will people say when they meet her for the first time? Can a boy in drag win the competition? Edweena will have to give her best performance ever to find out!

From art to science, history to math, there are so many things to learn at school! But Mr. Gill's students are most interested in learning about the empty chair that sits in the front of their classroom. He tells them a story from his childhood about his Black best friend, Archie, the racism they experienced at a classmate's birthday party, when Archie was told there wasn't a chair for him, and how it inspired Mr. Gill to prioritize inclusivity and love. In this true story of bravery and belonging from longtime elementary school teacher Dan Gill and gorgeously illustrated by Susan Gal, readers will learn to always keep an extra chair in their home and in their hearts.

Girls are strong and powerful alone, but even stronger when they work to uplift one another. In this galvanizing original poem by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, girls and girlhood are celebrated in their many forms, all beautiful, not for how they look but for how they look into the face of fear.

In this inspiring picture book, Dragonfly invites the reader to journey with her to visit the places in our lives that give rise to brilliant dreams for the future--from the construction site, where we dream of being builders, to the dentist's office, where we imagine helping others, to our garden, where we envision growing food and medicine.

On the day of her performance with her mother's mariachi band, Rosa battles stage fright but finds solace and confidence with the support of her Mamiachi and madrinas. Includes the history of the mariachi tradition, the rise of all-female mariachi groups, and a detailed look at a mariachi's signature suit.

¡Hoy es el gran día! Rosa subirá al escenario junto a su mamá y tocará con su popular banda de mariachis. Pero mientras abrochan las brillantes botonaduras y se atan los moños de sus trajes charros, Rosa comienza a preocuparse. ¿Y si al público no le gusta su música? ¿Está realmente lista para subirse al escenario? Con su "mamiachi" y sus madrinas a su lado, el miedo escénico de Rosa se desvanece al compás de trompetas, guitarras y violines. El poder de la hermandad, la comunidad y la música, centran el cálido texto escrito por la dupla Jolene y Dakota Gutiérrez. Madre e hijo, junto a la ilustradora Mirelle Ortega, ofrecen una perspectiva única del mundo de los mariachis, tradicionalmente dominado por hombres. El material complementario incluye información sobre la historia de esta tradición mexicana y sobre el surgimiento de mariachis femeninos, además de un glosario, una bibliografía, lecturas adicionales y un vistazo divertido y detallado del traje charro.

El nuevo?lbum del t?ndem superventas Isern-Bonilla nos presenta historias encadenadas por sus personajes, ideales para leer individualmente o como una narraci?n continuada, donde los ni?os y ni?as ver?n y entender?n qu? supone ponerse en el lugar de los dem?s. Nuevas historias a caballo entre la fantas?a y la realidad para trabajar valores mientras disfrutamos de literatura infantil de calidad y acompa?ado por las bellas ilustraciones de Rocio Bonilla.

Hace muchos años, las mujeres no podían llevar pantalones. Esta es la historia de Luisa Capetillo, una mujer valiente e inteligente que decidió desafiar las normas.

When Junior moves to Roxboro, North Carolina, in 1959, new friends bring him to an incredible place: the Negro Library.

Missing her mother and bullied in school, Janney can no longer sing until she is inspired by one particular bee in the garden of Abuela that works harder than the others, leading her to open her heart and her voice.

Extrañando a su madre y sufriendo acoso escolar, Janney ya no puede cantar hasta que se inspira en una abeja particular en el jardín de la Abuela que trabaja más duro que las demás, lo que la lleva a abrir su corazón y su voz.

Playtime is the best time--a time of wonder, where big boys can run free, make new friends, and imagine worlds beyond their own--and their big feelings and big energy spread big boy joy for all to share!

A supposed nature guide humorously warns readers why they should never trust fish, exploring their mysterious and villainous nature.

Siblings Lily and Noah help prepare for the Lunar New Year parade and learn about the colorful, traditional lion dance.

A picture book about the origin and advancement of humans.

A boy shares his dream of wearing a traditional ribbon skirt to the community's round dance with his grandmother.

All the animals think Crow is just cranky, but there's more to his actions than meets the eye.

Anya lives in a paper village, among delicate paper trees and paper houses, where the people are paper-light. When dangerous winds blow through the village of Paperlee, Anya crafts a kirigami paper bridge to cross the chasm to meet the strangers who live there and discover how to save her home.

Graphic Novels

Hassan faces a hectic month of homework, soccer and gaming while fasting every day for the holy month of Ramadan, in a story about balancing family traditions and secular middle school life.

NYC kid Santiago heads upstate to stay with his grandmother for the summer.

Aphmau is the new girl in town, and after a rough first day at school--thanks, Stacy--she's not sure anyone will come to her birthday party. Thankfully, the super cute and mysterious Aaron comes through and brings the party with him. But after Stacy sprinkles the cake with magic, Aphmau's birthday wishes don't only come true, they come to life! Soon Aphmau and her friends find that the world has become just like Aphmau's video games! Will they be able to turn everything back to normal? Or will Stacy's evil plan reign supreme?

Jackie and her friend Milo deal with all the pressures of other kids' everyday life as they begin middle school.

Stitch Head was the first creation to be born--and the first to be forgotten. He's the adorably monstrous creation of Professor Erasmus Erasmus, a man who has breathed life into over three hundred creatures with all manner of fangs, tails, and eyes. But as good as Erasmus is at giving life, he's equally bad at taking care of it. And so the duty falls to Stitch Head to ensure his siblings don't tear Castle Grotteskew apart. Despite having a handle on the threats within the castle, however, no one is prepared for the conniving Mr. F--the ringleader of a traveling circus of wonders and oddities--to show up at Grotteskew's front door. He offers Stitch Head a new chance at family--one that will make him known by the whole world and forgotten by no one. The terms of Mr. F's deal may be glowing, but there's something dark lurking behind his eyes. As Stitch Head will learn, not every monster is a meanie ... and some seemingly normal folk can be the nastiest beasts of all!

In an age when Maya demigods roamed the Earth, a pair of demigod twins use their magic of song to rescue their father and restore cosmic balance, but not without facing shunned allies, taunting half-brothers, and the need for some tricky magic along the way.

En la época en que los semidioses mayas vivían entre nosotros, dos hermanos despreocupados, Uno Junajpú y Siete Junajpú, son atraídos a Xibalbá, la Tierra de los Muertos. Incapaces de regresar al mundo rodeado de mar, los hijos primogénitos de Uno Junajpú deben ser criados por su abuela. En Xibalbá, Uno Junajpú conoce a la rebelde Princesa Sangre, y su amor conduce a otro par de hijos gemelos, destinados a salvar a su padre y a su tío y restaurar el equilibrio del cosmos. ¡Pero no será fácil! Los gemelos necesitan algo de magia engañosa para sobrevivir la crueldad de sus medio hermanos. Adaptada de los recuentos y traducciones del autor David Bowles de textos precolombino esenciales como el Popol Vuh, la serie Leyendas de la serpiente emplumada da vida a las historias indígenas mesoamericanas para los lectores jóvenes.

The sleepy seaside town of Crater is falling apart. The buildings are run-down, the streets are full of potholes, and the power is unreliable. However, it's the only home Lily Cole has ever known, and despite her protests, Lily's family will be moving away at the end of the summer. Now, Lily is determined to spend as much time as possible with her friends before she leaves, riding bikes, hanging out, and playing stickball. When a foul ball leads the kids into an abandoned mansion on the edge of town, the gang is shocked to discover that Crater is haunted by thousands of ghosts, and they've stumbled upon the tools to hunt and trap them! With ghost traps fully charged and bikes at the ready, join Lily and her friends in the spookiest summer of their lives.

This high-octane middle-grade graphic novel set in two timelines tells the hidden history of the first female race-car driver to race in the Indy 500 and follows a spunky twelve-year-old mechanic discovering that history while restoring a vintage Jaguar.

Faiza wants to win the biggest boxing tournament in town. When the odds are stacked against her, will she be able to achieve her dream without the presence of her biggest supporter? Life in hilly northern India is not easy. Faiza doesn't have many friends or relatives who believe in her, but her dream of being a world champion boxer keeps her going. When her baba's travel is delayed due to a landslide, Faiza has to enter the boxing tournament without her coach. She learns that sometimes your biggest cheerleader is the voice inside of you.

During a blackout, a parent gathers stars to comfort their child, then returns them to the sky, and together they sleep under the stars outside.

A companion to Miss Quinces, Kat Fajardo's bestselling, award-winning middle-grade graphic novel! Sue is heading to Camp Willow this summer! She's looking forward to hiking, archery, and making comics in the fresh air. She's especially excited about LARPing (live-action role-playing) and can't wait for the freedom of being away from home. But she won't be far from family because her big sister, Carmen, is a camp counselor and her little sister, Ester, is a fellow camper and won't give her any space! All Sue wants is to make memories with her friends, but they're assigned to only a few of the same activities. To make matters even worse, her best friend, Sam, has a best camp friend named Marisol? And Sue's good friend Izzy has a crush on Sue?! This summer isn't at all going as planned!

Ollie Herisson's dad is a diplomat, which means her family moves around a lot. She has already lived in Singapore, Korea, France, and the United States. When Ollie starts at a new school, she doesn't worry about making a good impression because she knows that when her family inevitably moves again, she'll get a fresh start somewhere else. A complete reset. It doesn't matter if her classmates think she's weird for pretending that she lives in the world of an imagined anime, or if she makes an enemy out of the most popular girl in her class, or if she does something hugely embarrassing! And it definitely doesn't matter that all her mom wants is for Ollie to be more of a proper Thai daughter. But after moving from Germany to Virginia and having a mortifying first day at her new school, Ollie is shocked to learn that her parents are going to buy a house so that Ollie and her sister, Cat, can finish grade school in one place. Can Ollie figure out how to both be herself and make real friends when she can't run away from her life?

Stella knows fifth grade will be the best year ever. Her closest friends, Emiko and Latasha, are in her class and they got the teacher they wanted. Then their favorite television show, Witchlins, announces a new guidebook and an online game! But when the classwork starts piling up, Stella struggles to stay on top of it. Why does it take her so long to read? And when she can't deal with the text-heavy Witchlins guidebook, she can't keep up with her friends in the game. Her loving teachers and her family recognize that Stella has a learning difference, and after a dyslexia diagnosis, she gets the support and tools she needs to succeed.

When Cassie gets a letter that says she's won a huge prize, she thinks it's the answer to all her problems. She could get another car so her big family doesn't have to take two trips to go places. Or new furniture to replace their shabby old sofa. Or maybe she could make Vali her best friend forever by taking her on a fabulous vacation. But what happens if Cassie wins nothing at all? She won't let her worries stop her, though. Anything is possible if Cassie can dream on!

Good Boy is a graphic novel about a boy named Charlie and his rescue dog, Ralph. Together, they take on agility course training--but do they have what it takes to compete? Charlie's life is a series of obstacles, not least of which is an uncontrollable urge to barf when his anxiety overwhelms him. Ralph is an unpredictable rescue dog with more energy than manners. The two make an unlikely pair but are the best of friends. When Ralph causes a scene by following his boy to school, it's suggested the two join a dog agility training group. Ralph is a natural--zipping in, around, and over obstacles at lightning speed. Agility training is a fun way for the pair to bond, but when Charlie even considers joining the other handlers at the big contest, his stomach begins to turn. Can the duo take a leap and cross the finish line?

Nestled in the depths of the forest lies Avery's new home. She can't wait to explore, collect plants, and meet local critters! However, after stumbling into a toadstool ring she finds herself shrinking and encountering the tiny fairy world hidden from human eyes. Navigating the forest when you're no bigger than a mouse is challenging, but luckily Avery has a fairy friend to show her the way. Hopefully, they can complete some fairy tasks, get Avery back to her correct size, and make it home before Avery's parents start to worry!

Orin, an ordinary boy, discovers he is the reincarnation of a great hero and is destined to defeat the Fiendlord, but keeps befriending the Fiends he is meant to destroy.

Eli, Lexi, and Mo, three trainees to an international organization that supports the needs of youngest siblings, accept their first mission and help find a lost hamster.

Emily, her mom, and her aunt Gina have a very special magical power: They can bake emotions into the desserts they sell at their family bakery. Need a dash of confidence? Try their millionaire shortbread! Want relief after a stressful day? The cheesecake will lighten your spirits! There is only one rule: Never bake a bad feeling. Every day after school, Emily and her best friend, Dae, make tried-and-true recipes, while she and Aunt Gina brainstorm new ones. But when Aunt Gina dies in an accident, Emily's life is turned upside down. Not knowing what to do, Emily breaks the rule and bakes her bad feelings into... a crumble. It looks gross. Dae says it tastes gross. But they can't stop eating it. Neither can Emily's classmates. And with her grief and pain baked into the crumble, Emily gets the comfort of being at least a little numb. So even though she's not supposed to, she makes it again, and again, and again. But baking (and eating) bad feelings doesn't really make them go away...

Twelve-year-old best friends Trent and Sawyer accidentally kick off a class-wide prank war in their middle school as they compete to win an online video challenge.

Beatrice, Roxy, and Virginia face personal challenges and strained friendships as they embark on their first week at sleepaway camp after finishing 6th grade.

Eleven-year-old Adara and her dad are moving from California to the cold and flat lands of Michigan . . . and it sucks. After Mom's recent passing, it seems way too soon. Talking to Dad has always been harder than with Mom, but now it's like walking around eggshells. And why did Dad bring so many of Mom's houseplants across the country? Her mother might have been called the Plant Whisperer back home, but Adara is beginning to wonder if there is something more to it. And when she meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mother had: talking to plants! But taking care of Perle isn't as easy as it seems -- the environment isn't suited for her, and Adara doesn't know how to meet her needs. Kind of like the situation Adara herself is in. If only Perle could ask Adara for help . . . and Adara could ask her dad. With a touch of magic, this debut middle-grade graphic novel explores loneliness, mental health and empathy, and shows how communication, openness and a willingness to listen can help young people -- and older people -- and plants! -- navigate their mental well-being and heal from loss, individually and together.

Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce.

Casco, Patty, Letty, Nubes and Flealix the Dog aren't your average heroes--they make up Scissors City's beloved crew of crime-fighting, mystery-solving barbers! But not everyone in Scissors City is a fan of the Snips' dazzling dos and wacky hair inventions. Buzz and Doffo Buzzington are desperately trying to find a way to overthrow the Snips and restore their family's company, Buzz Corp. to the top of the haircutting world. Can the snips keep the citizens of Scissors City safe from the high jinks of the Bad Buzz Boyz and still give amazing hairdos?

There's nothing that Wade and his younger brother Andrew love more than fishing together. As summer is drawing to a close, they're excited for one last hoorah before they have to get back to school. But what starts as a typical fishing trip with friends Camilla and Tommy filled with homemade bait and friendly competition, quickly takes a darker turn. A heavy fog creeps over the creek and Andrew hooks something big--too big. In a moment of chaos, he's pulled overboard, and Wade must dive in after him. There, in the watery depths, the boys get a glimpse of what waits at the end of the line, and it seems far more monster than fish. Could the recent storm have stirred up more than just water, unleashing something horrible from below? When the adults won't take their claims seriously, and Andrew starts to exhibit strange behavior, the brothers and their friends set out to attempt their biggest catch evidence of a real-life monster living in their own backyard. But are they in way over their heads? As Andrew's condition worsens, only one thing is they are in deep trouble.

A graphic memoir chronicling Amar's real-life experiences as a fourteen-year-old sports journalist covering the golden era of the NBA, when he befriended Shaq and hung out with Michael Jordan and the Bulls--all while surviving the high school caste system, dealing with crushes, and friendships being tainted by jealousy.

Middle school was supposed to be a fresh start for Mira, who struggles to speak in class even though she can speak at home without a problem. Her former best friend, Chloe, has become her worst enemy, and Mira's only solace is making videos for her secret stop-motion animation channel. But when Chloe's mom has to travel for a family emergency, Mira is horrified to learn that her family has volunteered to let Chloe stay with them. When it feels like everything is going wrong, will Mira ever find her voice?

Cassi loves spending time with her grandfather. His games, songs, and stories have always brought her endless joy. This visit with him, though, is different: Grandpa seems to be losing track of things, including everything from the stories they're sharing to who Cassi herself is. So when he goes missing after wandering off from his own backyard, Cassi knows she has to figure out where he's gone. What she discovers is a world filled with memories, none of them her own. As she leaps from one memory to the next, she knows she's getting closer and closer to finding her grandfather -- but only if she can make sure he doesn't slip away forever.

Welcome to the club! Makayla is bursting with ideas but doesn't know how to make them into a story. Howard loves to draw, but he struggles to come up with ideas and his dad thinks comics are a waste of time. Lynda constantly draws in her sketchbook but keeps focusing on what she feels are mistakes, and Art simply loves being creative and is excited to try something new. They come together to form The Cartoonists Club, where kids can learn about making comics and use their creativity and imagination for their own storytelling adventures!

Nothing has been going right for Jinx. People at school think she's a goth weirdo, and now her parents are getting divorced. She has to move to an unfamiliar apartment building that doesn't feel like home --and that doesn't have her dad. And when a new neighbor gives her a mysterious crystal, her life is turned even more upside down by the Adorables, a mischievous band of magical creatures. They are messy, distracting, and, worst of all, they follow Jinx everywhere. She just wants to be left alone. ... Getting rid of the Adorables turns out to be harder than expected, but they might just help Jinx find her way back to happiness.

Doctor-in-training Kara Orc has worked hard and followed the rules her entire life to get where she is now. But when a human in need shows up at the hospital, her obedience is put to the test. Sure, most humans are dangerous, destructive beasts, but Kara took an oath to help all creatures. Even humans deserve care and compassion. How long can she keep such a big secret from her boss... who also happens to be her mother? And will her decision to do what's right cause a rift between Kara and her mom that no medicine can cure?

A middle-grade coming-of-age novel that follows twelve-year-old Lucy Carver as she starts seventh grade at Windley School of the Arts. While adjusting to the school's high academic and artistic expectations, Lucy also navigates personal challenges at home, including her father's alcoholism. She channels her energy into music, aiming to secure the top flute soloist spot, but faces setbacks when an accident affects her ability to play and her academic performance declines. As tensions rise, Lucy must decide whether to pursue her goals ethically or compromise her values. The story explores themes of resilience, family, and personal growth.

Twelve-year-old Magda's gift for inventing unique and delicious dishes earns her a spot in the famous intergalactic cooking tournament, but she discovers a conspiracy to rig the competition and steal the prize: the world-healing Nectar.

Twelve-year-old Eugenia Wang, who has never celebrated her birthday on April 4th due to her mom's superstition, starts to question whether she is cursed when troubling visions of doom begin to surface as she approaches her thirteenth birthday.

Welcome to the island of Asunción, home to the most powerful witches--and Pacheco, who dreams of being like them. There's just one problem: commoners, and especially boys, aren't allowed to learn magic. However, once his family's business begins to suffer, Pacheco is certain that magic is the solution. He meets Doris, the so-called fearsome witch of the mountain, and becomes her apprentice. Pacheco soon finds himself caught up in the rules of an old-fashioned witch society and surrounded by magical creatures in need of protection. Pacheco will have to dig deep to muster the courage--and magic--needed to defend what he believes in.

Chapter Books

Two ten-year-olds must decide whether they should join forces to create an unbeatable duo that is sure to win their school's annual creative storytelling contest.

Tres hermanos. Dos mundos. Una amenaza. Telmo Lobo se está volviendo loco: ve cosas que nadie ve, las gaviotas le hablan y un misterioso millonario aparece para decirle que sabe dónde está su padre, quien desapareció sin decir nada hace años de la vida de sus hijos, Telmo, Mía y Sammy. Los hermanos Lobo y su amiga Carmina se han enfrentado a abusones y a duras competiciones de deporte, pero lo que se encontrarán al seguir la pista de su padre será algo nunca visto: otra dimensión como jamás hubiesen imaginado, donde surfear por el aire y comunicarse con la mente es posible, y donde el mal amenaza con tomar el control. Juntos se adentrarán en una aventura llena de retos en la que todos deberán hacer frente a sus miedos. Tendrán que sacar valor y arriesgarse antes de que la amenaza de Vértigo condene a todas las personas a las que quieren. Tictac, tictac... El tiempo se acaba. ¿Te atreves a acompañarlos?

When thirteen-year-old African American Coal discovers he can turn invisible, he searches for answers about his past with the help of his friends and his new foster family.

Una emotiva y conmovedora historia sobre la adopción ... ¿Alguna vez te has preguntado de dónde vienes? ¿Y si antes de ser un niño hubieses sido algo diferente? ¿Y si antes de vivir con tus padres hubieses sido... una tortuga?

Thirteen-year-old Cuban American Gonzalo joins his estranged grandfather on road trip to promote his grandfather's fantasy book series.

Chinese American Derrick explores his queer identity by competing in a small-town beauty pageant where he shares his new love of drag with his family and friends.

Told from multiple points of view, this novel follows four kids relocated to the same evacuation camp who investigate the mysterious threat that forced the large-scale exodus. Told in verse format.

Por más de 400 años, el mundo ha sido un sinfín de tierras baldías. Los pocos seres humanos que logran sobrevivir han formado una existencia en la ruin ciudad de Pocatel, o prueban su suerte en las Forastierras, llenas de espíritus deambulantes y gudrones. No suelen durar mucho. Leandro, un carterisa de trece años, y su hermana Gabi hacen lo que tienen que hacer para forjar una vida en Pocatel. La ciudad desconfía de Cascabeles como ellos, descendientes de aquellos que trabajaron en el Valle de San Joaquín por generaciones. Cuando atrapan a Gabi robando frutos preciosos de la élite Pocatelana, Leandro asume la culpa del crimen. Pero su exilio demuestra ser mucho más de lo que nunca hubiera podido imaginar, más que un simple destierro, su conciencia es trasladada a un dron antiguo y abandonada para valerse por sí misma. Pero más allá de las murallas de Pocatel yacen otros Alebrijes como Leandro buscando un mundo mejor, así como monstruos mutantes, piratas de las forastierras, un oasis escondido, y la verdad.

A young cucuy, assigned to scare a boy named Ramón, struggles to frighten him when Ramón is too preoccupied with worrying about starting a new school, leading to an unexpected friendship between them.

Los más jóvenes del pueblo de Tres Leches han empezado a desaparecer. ¿Los atrajo el legendario Diablo Bailarín hasta el salón El Camarón para hacerlos danzar eternamente? Rooster tiene doce años y, como es el hijo del mismísimo Diablo, tendrá que resolver el misterio. ¿Podrá romper la maldición de su familia bailando a su propio ritmo? ¿Podrá desentrañar una de las leyendas más conocidas de la frontera de México y Estados Unidos?

After coming out as trans, fourteen-year-old A is forced to attend weekly Save Our Sons and Daughters meetings, where he uncovers the terrifying truth that the group is run by a demon feeding on their pain and is part of a larger, darker force preying on the world's vulnerable.

Eleven-year-old British Indian Vanya is whisked away to a magical school where she trains to become a monster hunter and learns to embrace her wonderful neurodivergent self.

Ajay has lived his life dutifully following the rules set by his Tamil parents. Rule #3: Straight As only. Rule #5: There is no such thing as a no-homework day. Rule #10: Never watch scary movies. However, moving to a new school gives Ajay a new rule to follow: Get on seventh-grade all-star Jacob Underson's good side. When Jacob asks him to steal a Mercury bar from Scary Al's convenience store, Ajay feels this is his chance to finally 'get cool' and stop eating alone. But Jacob rejects the stolen chocolate bar, leaving Ajay to unwrap it and discover that it contains Mercury's Twenty-fifth Anniversary Grand Prize: one million dollars.

Eleven-year-old Florencia finds her ballet dreams and some friendships cut short after a panic attack during a performance, but she forges a new path for herself as she comes to terms with her anxiety.

Page-turning WW2 hidden history masterfully told by award winner Daniel Nayeri 1941. The German armies are storming across Europe. Iran is a neutral country occupied by British forces on one side, Soviet forces on another. Soldiers fill the teahouses of Isfahan. Nazi spies roam the alleyways. Babak and his little sister have just lost their father. Now orphans, fearing they will be separated, the two devise a plan. Babak will take up his father's old job as a teacher to the nomads. With a chalkboard strapped to Babak's back, and a satchel full of textbooks, the siblings set off to find the nomad tribes as they make their yearly trek across the mountains. On the treacherous journey they meet a Jewish boy, hiding from a Nazi spy. And suddenly, they are all in a race for survival. Against the backdrop of World War II comes an epic adventure in the faraway places. Through the cacophony of soldiers, tanks, and planes, can young hearts of different creeds and nations learn to find a common language? Master storyteller Daniel Nayeri keeps you on the edge of your seat, uncertain to the very end.

Three cousins venture through time to 1862 where they must deliver their aunt's mysterious sword to General Ignacio Zaragoza in time for the Battle of Puebla in Mexico.

Twelve-year-old Natalia's dream of becoming a synchronized swimmer is in jeopardy when her parents decide they are against a sport that emphasizes looks, but Nat is determined to change their minds.

Nathan wants to help his people, but first he has to figure out who they are. Nathan never understood what was "fun" about secrets, probably because he's always had to keep a very big one. Although he appears to be a typical sixth-grader (with parents, homework and a best friend, Victor), Nathan learned at an early age that his family is from another planet. Now, their time on Earth may be coming to an end. Nathan, his parents and nine other families are part of an experiment that suddenly seems to be going wrong. Some of the experimenters, including Nathan's first crush, Izzy, are disappearing without a word. After his family is called back to the mothership, Nathan begins to question everything he's been taught to believe about who he is and why he's on Earth. The Experiment is a fast-paced coming-of-age novel - with aliens - that asks universal questions about how we figure out who we want to be, and whether it's ever too late to change.

Equipped with the unique ability to see Nightmare creatures in the forbidden Labyrinth, twelve-year-old Ix joins an elite magical group to protect her family and defend the kingdom from a terrible beast.

When eleven-year-old Glory leaves her family inn in the Seam, a monster-filled land, for a secret journey across time and space with a mysterious boy, she discovers something is dangerously amiss in the Outersphere.

Nonfiction and Poetry

A groundbreaking nonfiction collection of well-known LGBTQ professional athletes and queer authors telling stories about the feeling of belonging that comes with finding a sport that's yours, all dynamically packaged with photographs and full-color interior illustrations.

A colorful, eye-catching word book--written in both English and Spanish--showing us how everyday things are connected in unique ways. What do a watering can, a shoe, and a saltshaker have in common? What about a kangaroo, popcorn, and a spring? From the mind of award-winning author/illustrator Bernadette Gervais, discover the answers to these questions, and learn about other similarly interesting connections, in Stuff/Cosas. Arranging animals, objects, and other items in a fashion at times humorous and poetic, this picture book--written in both English and Spanish--organizes our world in a unique way, bringing together more than 200 large, magnificent images created with stencils and brushes. Marvel at how much more things have in common than you might've thought!

This book invites young readers on an enlightening journey of self-discovery through the stories of ten diverse kids, each showcasing a unique blend of characteristics. From Olivia's hasty bravery to Tina's thoughtful shyness, each chapter dives into a different child's personality, exploring traits like Diego's perceptiveness and Fatimah's boundless energy. As kids read about their peers, they will learn to recognize their own qualities and understand how everyone contributes to the wonderful tapestry of individuality. This exploration encourages readers to embrace their true selves while fostering appreciation for the unique traits of others.

Where did the word "banana" originate? What is the world's most secret language? Which word is universally understood? This book answers all these questions and more, taking the reader on a journey across the globe to explore the complexity, beauty, and variety of languages. It includes: fun facts and language trivia, beautifully illustrated maps to pore, intricate language family trees that show how different languages have grown and connected over time, eye-catching infographics. 

Myths! Lies! Recycling scams? Discover the real story behind the first Earth Day celebration and some of the biggest US climate catastrophes--and their solutions!

Biographies

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities.

A boy who loves stories grows into a teenager who escapes into his writing and then a young man who plays his typewriter like a piano to show the fullness of Black life, in this lyrical picture book biography of James Baldwin, the celebrated novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and activist.

Compiling the definitive speeches, sermons, and correspondence as well as some never-before-seen original material, this comprehensive narrative biography of American icon, Malcolm X, will be the definitive reference volume for young readers.

En este libro descubrirás cómo fue la increíble infancia de Francisco Gabilondo Soler, apodado Cri-Cri, el Grillito Cantor, quien desde hace muchos años acompaña a los niños en su viaje por la música y la imaginación. Pancho Gabilondo tiene una pasión por aprender... ¡pero no por ir a la escuela! En su lugar, prefiere embarcarse en toda clase de aventuras en las que conoce a los personajes que habrían de convertirse, años después, en los protagonistas de sus deliciosas y memorables canciones. Desde su pasión por el piano, los libros de aventuras y la astronomía, así como su amor incondicional por su abuela, descubre cómo Pancho Gabilondo se convirtió en una estrella de la radio en la famosa estación XEW, siempre acompañado por su fiel amigo, ¡el sabio y entrañable Grillito Cantor!

From Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes [an] ... illustrated memoir for middle-grade readers (and adults, too), inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes. Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James's point of view, allowing them to see the world through his disabling eye conditions. Readers will get lost as they chase words. They'll stare into this book while taking a vision test. They'll hold it upside down as they practice 'pretend-reading'--and they'll follow an unlikely trail toward discovering the power of words.

Profiles 13 inspirational athletesWritten and illustrated by two hijabi, these uplifting profiles set off by cheerful illustrations are sure to spark interest. Great for readers passionate about athletics and hijabi representation."-Booklist, starred review Meet 13 inspiring hijabi athletes who are changing the rules. Many of these women were the first in their sport to compete while wearing the hijab. Some were up against cultural traditions that didn't allow girls to play sports. And some fought to have institutional anti-hijab rules changed so that they, and Muslim girls after them, would be able to compete. Discover the stories of Egyptian beach volleyball player Doaa Elghobashy, UAE hockey player Fatima Al Ali, Afghani soccer player Hajar Abulfazl and Syrian-American runner Rahaf Khatib, among many others. Game Changers shows the next generation of Muslim girls that they don't have to choose between following their religion and following their dreams. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Ella Jenkins is considered the first lady of children's music. At a time when children's music was mostly novelty songs and movie soundtracks, she believed that music could be a powerful tool to teach. From the very beginning, she believed that a child's natural curiosity and good nature could be fed by introducing them to the folk rhythms, music, and dance of cultures from all over the world. This book tells Ella's story from the time she was a young child, first learning about music through her Uncle Flood playing harmonica, to her encounters with racial discrimination, and finally her involvement with the folk music movement and her discovery that music could be a powerful tool to teach children and bridge cultures, leading her to perform and work with children on all seven continents (including Antarctica!)