Thirteen-year-old Satoshi Matsumoto spent the last three years living in Atlanta where he was the star of his middle-school baseball team—a slugger with pro potential, according to his coach. Now that his father's work in the US has come to an end, he's moved back to his hometown in rural Japan. Living abroad has changed him, and now his old friends in Japan are suspicious of his new foreign ways. Even worse, his childhood foe Shintaro, whose dad has ties to gangsters, is in his homeroom. After he joins his new school's baseball team, Satoshi has a chance to be a hero until he makes a major-league error.
A heartfelt story that sensitively tackles the everyday inner turmoil of growing up and staying true to oneself. Twelve-year-old Agnes hates everything about her life: her name, her parents' divorce, her best friend's abandonment, her changing body . . . . So while staying with her dad over the summer, she decides to become someone else. She tells people she meets that her name is Chloe, she's fourteen, her parents are married, and she's a dancer and actor—just the life she wants. But Agnes's fibs quickly stack up and start to complicate her new friendships, especially with Fin, whose mysterious relative runs a local raptor rehab center that fascinates Agnes. The birds, given time and care, heal and fly back home. Agnes, too, wants to get back to wherever she truly belongs. But first she must come to see the good in her real life, however flawed and messy it is, and be honest with her friends, her family, and herself.
When their road trips takes a turn for disaster, these teens must rely on their instincts to survive. Nora and her twin sister Livi are road tripping down the Pacific coast—Livi to interview at her dream school, Nora to finish her film school application. When Nora learns her favorite director may be shooting a monster movie nearby, she takes them more than a little off course. After an accident leaves their car in a river, can a group of friendly vampires help them survive?
When their road trips takes a turn for disaster, these teens must rely on their instincts to survive. CJ and Leo can't wait to spend their winter break skiing and snowboarding with their friends Alex and Katrina. But things aren't going quite as planned, as Alex and Katrina won't stop fighting about their college plans. And then the blizzard hits while they're driving up the mountain. Will they all be able to put aside their arguing in order to make it to safety?
When their road trips takes a turn for disaster, these teens must rely on their instincts to survive. Marissa's favorite singer is coming to a nearby music festival, and Marissa can't wait to rock out with her friends Ben and T. Sure, some things might go wrong, but there's nothing a few road burritos can't fix. It's not until a blown tire strands them in the desert that Marissa realizes their weekend isn't the only thing in danger—their lives might be too.
When their road trips takes a turn for disaster, these teens must rely on their instincts to survive. Kevin and Jesse have different ideas of how to spend their weekend at Jesse's cabin. Kevin wants to hike and camp, while all Jesse wants to do is pig out and play video games. But after a car accident leaves them stranded, holding onto their differences may put them in danger. Will these friends be able to band together to survive?
Ellie and her friend Kate get to spend time with Ellie's grandparents at their beach cottage. It's their first trip without their parents. The girls are excited and share everything on social media. But then a solar storm knocks out power to the entire state. People have to learn to live without electricity, running water, or technology. Will the girls be bored to tears?
Explores the world of friendship through poems meant for rapping. Includes suggestions for how to create raps about friends.
There’s new mystery in the neighborhood. Miss Puffy’s toy mouse is missing. Will Ick and Crud be blamed – or will the doggie duo solve the CATastrophic crime? Book 8 in the series.
Ick and Crud are surprised when to discover the first big snowfall of the season. It’s fun to play in the white fluffy stuff. But then Bob takes the boys to Mrs. Martin’s house to warm up. They can’t wait to get back to their cat-free home! Book 7 in the series.
It's Halloween, the day for spooky ghosts and scary cats! Check out the action as Bob tricks the boys for a Halloween treat. Book 6 in the series.
It's time for Ick and Crud to start school. But who is really learning the lessons? Bob or the boys? Readers will relate to the setbacks and successes of the first day at school.Book 5 in the series.
It's another lazy day in the backyard, and Ick isn't too happy to explore the sound in the woods. But Crud has his back - or does he? Book 4 in the series.
Bob is loading the car for a trip. Yippee! Ick and Crud love to take trips. But suddenly this trip doesn't seem like it will be fun. Book 3 in the series.
Something big is happening in the barn. The animals are all making a fuss. No good dog can resist the chance to sniff out the mystery. Book 2 in the series.
Ick is feeling down, under-the-weather BLEH! But lucky for him, his pal Crud is there to cheer him up. Book 1 in the series.
Raccoon loves making snowmen. He practices all winter with his rolling, his stacking, and his decorating. He doesn't overlook any detail and his snowmen are perfect. When his friends come by, Raccoon is certain that they will also want to build snowmen. And they will need his help. But following Raccoon's directions aren't that easy. Poor Rabbit can't find the right snow (someone has used it all); Fox doesn't have the right tools (someone isn't sharing them); and Mouse can't decorate her snowman (someone has taken the best items). And that someone is Raccoon. When his friends have decided they have had enough, Raccoon realizes too late the error of his ways. But is it too late? Will his friends give Raccoon one more chance to work together to build a totally different kind of perfect snowman? This ideal-for-every-time-of-the-year story celebrates the bonds of friendship and the power of forgiveness.
Caterpillar is plain, and the other bugs know it. But everyone is impressed when a big change takes place!
Every summer morning, Ellie and her Nonna go to the beach. They swim and build sandcastles, and while Nonna reads, Ellie watches the other children play. One day Ellie builds up the courage to approach an older girl playing on her own in a beached rowboat. Piper has a gift, an imagination so great that she whisks Ellie off on grand adventures, going high in the air, deep below the ocean and everywhere in between in their little blue boat, their magic boat. When Piper has to leave, Ellie discovers she has her own vivid imagination.
Angelica just can’t help herself! In this third book in the series, Angelica, aka Jelly, is confused for a junior reporter and decides to make the most of her mistaken identity to learn what it’s like to be a real journalist. Jelly and her bestie, Joon, are soon busy with problems at the new library, trouble in the lap lane at the local pool and a predicament in a rare-book room. With her keen observational abilities and a knack for creative solutions, Jelly soon has more than enough material for an article. But will she be able to keep up the ruse when a new friend starts nosing around?
A friendly neighborhood football game introduces the reader to simple verbs.
When Kaboodle the elephant continues to deny his best monkey friend Kit a peanut, Kit tries to impress his friend in a variety of fun ways. Together they learn valuable lessons about sharing and manners.
Alice and Adele are going to have a sleepover but Adele is a little bit nervous. As the friends get ready to go to sleep, common bedtime worries keep popping up. But there's nothing to fear! Alice is ready to do battle with anything that comes their way! This sweet story celebrates friendship and problem solving skills.
A sailor cat loves to spend his days on the ocean with his human, Sammy. They make a great team, catching fish, driving the boat, and doing battle against terrible sea creatures. This sweet story celebrates the friendship and everyday joy of a cat and his friend.
A sad monster is sad at school. He is sad because he doesn’t have any friends. Is there someone who can make him happy? The Sad, Sad Monster is a cute book for monster-loving toddlers through beginning readers. Simple sentences make this a perfect first reader.
