Ming often gets teased for being “weird.” His curious mind and wild imagination make him extra nervous for his school’s upcoming lockdown drill after a deadly dance hall shooting. His teacher calls the Helper Hounds to help calm his nerves—and King Tut comes to the rescue! King Tut knows all about being weird. she’s been in some scary situations herself after being abandoned under a bridge as a puppy. King Tut helps Ming and his classmates through the lockdown drill. Discover how King Tut helps Ming and his friends see the beauty in being “weird.”
Danny is scared to tell the truth. After he saw someone steal some bikes, now he has to see that person in court and tell what he did. To help calm Danny’s fears on the big day, his parents call the Helper Hounds—and there’s no better pup for the job than Spooky. Spooky was involved in a crime herself—she lost her leg after being shot by a police officer who thought she was dangerous. Will Spooky’s best calming tricks give Danny the courage to tell the truth in court?
Max and his sister Lily are staying with relatives while their Mom is away getting her own emotional help. Max and Lily are being teased and bullied at school. Their Aunt Eileen calls the Helper Hounds – and soon Robot, an endearing Rottweiler who knows all about bullies, comes to give support. A lot of people think Rottweiler's are bullies, but that's because they don't really know how cuddly they can be. Robot and his handler Samuel help the kids at Max and Lily's school deal with bullies while Max and Lily gain new friends.
Portia has overcome a lot in life. Born with Down syndrome, Portia has been through many surgeries, lots of doctor’s appointments, and strange looks from people who want to limit what she can do. Inside herself, Portia knows she can do anything – including getting over her fear of dogs. But when Penny shows up at Portia’s house, she isn’t so sure. After all, Penny is a pit bull – the scariest dogs of all, right? Good thing Penny has a few tricks of her own to win Portia’s trust.
Mary’s new in town. She’s worried about starting classes at her new school. That’s why her mom called the Helper Hounds – and why Sparkplug, the wildly handsome, wickedly smart, card-carrying, world famous Helper Hound is on the scene. Sparky knows a thing or two about moving. He moved four times as a puppy, and learned to make new friends along the way. Sparky knows he can teach Mary all his best tricks and help her meet new friends, too. At least Sparky thought he could until he met Custard, Mary’s persnickety cat. Will Sparky’s best tricks be enough to win over Custard and show Mary making friends is nothing to fear?
Into the Wind is a middle-grade novel about the unlikely friendship between a boy and an elderly woman. Both moving and joyful, this is a poignant story about loss and love, and the surprising and sustaining bonds that can grow between the old and young.
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.
Lily has a hole. It eats her joy, makes her angry, and--no matter what Daddy does to try to help--it just keeps growing. So Lily retreats. But a friend lets her in on a secret (he has a hole too!) and shows her the best way to repair holes: spend time on friends, family, the things you love, yourself, and kindness. Those patches don't make the hole go away, but they help. A lyrical and age-appropriate story for learning to cope with grief and loss.
When Polly's father goes overseas to fight in World War I, her whole world changes. Though the war is in Europe, its effects are felt on American soil. There are food, fuel, and other supply shortages everywhere. Even something as simple and enjoyable as a family Sunday car ride isn't possible anymore. Everyone must do their part to help the war effort. Victory gardens are planted and scrap metal is collected. "It's the biggest event in our history. And it involves every single adult, every single boy, and every single girl," says Polly's teacher. As Polly struggles to make sense of the war, she wonders how she can contribute. When the government puts out a notice requesting peach pits to be used in gas mask filters, Polly knows how she can help.
Most folks know the famous story of Helen Keller—a DeafBlind girl who learned to understand sign language at the family water pump. But what do you really know about her? Did you know she was an activist, a rebel, a writer, a performer, a romantic? There is so much more to Helen than we usually learn in school. Read ahead as the story of Helen Keller’s passionate, boundless life unfolds—reminding us that she was, as we all are, so many things.
Rae Mars and Kia Ladd are best friends starting sixth grade at a new school. But when they both decide to run for Student Council, things get complicated. Will this mean the end of their friendship?
Andrew Lu is the coolest kid at Knight Middle School. He's known for his epic pranks and amazing birthday parties. But when Andrew decides to prank his former best friend, the very uncool Zach Bottoms, everything goes wrong. His 12th birthday party and his own popularity hang in the balance. Can Andrew find a way to save his party, or will this prank be his last?
Dax Davis loves candy. He eats it every day and posts on a social media site for candy fans. But when he steals a rare piece of candy so he can be the first to try it, he has a very strange reaction. Before long, he finds himself in desperate need of help.
Langston Hughes is often thought of as one of the greatest and most influential African American authors. This fascinating and inspiring biography will have readers enthralled by the life of Hughes as they learn how he became known as the voice of the Harlem Renaissance. Featuring lively images, photos, and captivating facts, this book allows readers to gain insight into how the Civil Rights Movement had an effect on Hughes' life and writing as well as important movements in the Harlem Renaissance like jazz, poetry, music, and clubs. The easy-to-read, supportive text works in conjunction with the accessible glossary and index to give readers the tools they may need to better understand the content and vocabulary.
Learn how to recognize and understand when you're feeling sad. It's okay to feel sad, remember you're not alone! This book complements any social-emotional curriculum to help early readers grow their emotional intelligence. Simple sentences help develop word recognition and improve reading skills. Each book in this series includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and an author biography.
Learn how to recognize and understand when you're feeling surprised. Don't worry, it only lasts a second! This book complements any social-emotional curriculum to help early readers grow their emotional intelligence. Simple sentences help develop word recognition and improve reading skills. Each book in this series includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and an author biography.
Learn how to recognize and understand when you're feeling love. It's okay to show it! This book complements any social-emotional curriculum to help early readers grow their emotional intelligence. Simple sentences help develop word recognition and improve reading skills. Each book in this series includes a table of contents, glossary, index, and an author biography.
Learn all about education activism, from creating inclusive classrooms to ending school shootings. Get a global look at the history of the movement, meet the activists involved, and celebrate some of the legal victories! Each chapters end with a call to action, so kids can feel inspired to get involved in their own communities. This high-interest book is written at a lower reading level for struggling readers. Considerate text and engaging art and photographs are sure to grab even the most reluctant readers. Series includes a table of contents, sidebars, bibliography, glossary, index, and author biography.
The 5,000th caller on fraternal twins Ned and David's favorite reality show, Ryan's World, will get to spend an entire week with extreme sports superstar Ryan Wilson. Ned and David both dial and redial. Will they win? It doesn't seem likely. But they do! Ryan will spend the entire week with the sixth graders. And stay in their home! But TV Ryan is not the same as real-life Ryan.
Rob Vega wants one thing for his 17th birthday: to go bungee jumping for the first time. His dad takes Rob and two friends to a bungee jumping park. All goes well until Rob’s wallet falls out during his jump.
Macy is dead. Selfies while driving never end well. She knows it now #suckstobeme. And she has unfinished business. Her friend Ryan is planning to shoot up the school. But the afterlife is so unexpected. She gets distracted. Who knew she would find love?
Ernesto Sandoval begins his junior year at Cesar Chavez High School a virtual stranger. He didn't want to move back to the barrio after a decade in Los Angeles. After all, he had a lot of friends and even a girlfriend. But then he spies Naomi Martinez- the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. And he falls hard.
Malia MacLeod is part Hawaiian and part Haole, the Hawaiian word for Caucasian. Raised in Los Angeles, she returns to Oahu to teach high school and learn about her family's history.
Naomi can't believe her good luck. First she gets a job at a local frozen yogurt shop. Then she gets an immediate raise. Her dream car is within her grasp. But why does the shop's owner keep staring at her so intently? And Clay Aguirre is still stalking her, trying to get her back.
Rod Garcia resents goody-two-shoes Ernesto Sandoval through and through. How could an outsider steal everything he'd worked so hard to achieve? He cannot accept Ernesto's win as senior class president. And he refuses to be bested by Ernesto on the track. His number one goal: make Ernesto's life miserable.
