Elsie Mae Has Something to Say


Book Description

Elsie Mae Has Something to Say is the perfect book for middle school girls and summer reading book for kids. From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a sweet and uplifting coming of age tale about friendship, sensitivity, and the importance of protecting our planet, making this the perfect growing up book for girls. Elsie Mae is pretty sure this'll be the best summer ever. She gets to explore the cool, quiet waters of the Okefenokee Swamp around her grandparents' house with her new dog, Huck, and she's written a letter to President Roosevelt that she's confident will save the swamp from a shipping company and make her a major hometown hero. Then, news reaches Elsie Mae of some hog bandits stealing from swamper families, and she sees another opportunity to make her family proud while waiting to hear back from the White House. But when her cousin Henry James, who dreams of one day becoming a traveling preacher like his daddy, shows up and just about ruins her investigation with his "Hallelujahs," Elsie Mae will learn the hard way what it really means to be a hero. Praise for Elsie Mae Has Something to Say: "Swamp magic."—Kirkus Reviews "An engrossing story."—Booklist Also by Nancy J. Cavanaugh: This Journal Belongs to Ratchet Always, Abigail Just Like Me




This Journal Belongs to Ratchet


Book Description

Move over Diary of a Wimpy Kid—there's a new journal in town and it belongs to Ratchet. "A book that is full of surprises...Triumphant enough to make readers cheer; touching enough to make them cry." —Kirkus, STARRED Review If only getting a new life were as easy as getting a new notebook. But it's not. It's the first day of school for all the kids in the neighborhood. But not for me. I'm homeschooled. That means nothing new. No new book bag, no new clothes, and no new friends. The best I've got is this notebook. I'm supposed to use it for my writing assignments, but my dad never checks. Here's what I'm really going to use it for: Ratchet's Top Secret Plan Turn my old, recycled, freakish, friendless life into something shiny and new. This Florida State Book Award gold medal winner is a heartfelt story about an unconventional girl's quest to make a friend, save a park, and find her own definition of normal.




Just Like Me


Book Description

Just Like Me is the perfect book for middle school girls and doubles as an adoption book for kids, as three adopted sisters navigate their relationship with one another while at summer camp. From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, comes a funny, uplifting summer camp story about unlikely friendships and finding your place in the world, making this the perfect growing up book for girls. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read! Who eats Cheetos with chopsticks?! Avery and Becca, my "Chinese Sisters," that's who. We're not really sisters—we were just adopted from the same orphanage. And we're nothing alike. They like egg rolls, and I like pizza. They wave around Chinese fans, and I pretend like I don't know them. Which is not easy since we're all going to summer camp to "bond." (Thanks, Mom.) To make everything worse, we have to journal about our time at camp so the adoption agency can do some kind of "where are they now" newsletter. I'll tell you where I am: At Camp Little Big Lake in a cabin with five other girls who aren't getting along, competing for a camp trophy and losing (badly), wondering how I got here...and where I belong. Told through a mix of traditional narrative and journal entries, don't miss this funny, surprisingly sweet summer read! "A tender and honest story about a girl trying to find her place in the world, and the thread that connects us all."—Liesl Shurtliff, author of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin "A heartwarming story about the universal struggle of yearning to be an individual while longing to fit in."—Karen Harrington, author of Sure Kinds of Crazy




The Wisdom of Sally Red Shoes


Book Description

Ruth Hogan, the international bestselling author behind the The Keeper of Lost Things returns with an irresistible novel of unexpected friendships, second chances—and dark secrets... They say friends make life worth living... Once a spirited, independent woman with a rebellious streak, Masha's life was forever changed by a tragic event twelve years ago. Unable to let go of her grief, she finds comfort in her faithful canine companion Haizum, and peace in the quiet lanes of her town's swimming pool. Almost without her realizing it, her life has shuddered to a halt. It’s only when Masha begins an unlikely friendship with the mysterious Sally Red Shoes, a bag lady with a prodigious voice and a penchant for saying just what she means, that a new world of possibilities opens up: new friendships, new opportunities, and even a chance for new love. For the first time in years, Masha has the chance to start living again. But just as Masha dares to imagine the future, her past comes roaring back... Like her beloved debut, The Keeper of Lost Things, Ruth Hogan's second novel introduces a cast of wonderful characters, both ordinary and charmingly eccentric, who lead us through a moving exploration of the simple human connections that unite us all.




Always, Abigail


Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7 From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet, a hilarious and heartwarming story about cheerleading, popularity, and middle school survival told exclusively through lists and letters. Always Abigail is the perfect growing up book for girls, and with its illustrated format, this book is perfectly suited for reluctant readers kids aged 9-12 who love graphic novels. Sixth Grade To Do List: Make the Pom Pom Squad! Be best friends forever with Alli and Cami Don't panic when #1 and #2 look like they're totally not going to happen Abigail and her two best friends are poised for a life of pom-poms and popularity. But not only does Abigail end up in a different homeroom, she doesn't make the squad. Then everyone's least favorite teacher pairs Abigail up with the school's biggest outcast for a year-long Friendly Letter Assignment. Abigail can hardly believe her bad luck! As her so-called best friends and dreams of pom pom fame start to slip away, Abigail has to choose between the little bit of popularity she has left or letting it go to be a true friend. A Texas Bluebonnet Nominee A South Carolina Book Awards Honoree "Brimming with honesty and heart."—Caroline Starr Rose, award-winning author of MAY B. "Told in the hyper-chatty, status-obsessed voice of your secretly sweet best friend, Always, Abigail is always adorable."—Tim Federle, author of Better Nate Than Eve Great for parents and educators looking for: A story told in a unique format, perfect for readers that love graphic novels and reluctant readers A good conversation starter for girls who are having trouble adjusting to a new grade or school A realistic story about a girl who struggles to balance social pressures and her own moral compass




Better with Books


Book Description

Featuring 500 diverse book recommendations covering a wide range of subjects, this preteen and teen reading guide is a “go-to resource for parents, students of young adult literature, teachers, and librarians” (School Library Journal). Needed now more than ever: a guide that includes 500 reading recommendations for preteens and teens with the goal of inspiring greater empathy for themselves, their peers, and the world around them. As young people are diagnosed with anxiety and depression in increasing numbers, or dealing with other issues that can isolate them from family and friends—such as bullying, learning disabilities, racism, or homophobia—characters in books can help them feel less alone. And just as important, reading books that feature a diverse range of real-life topics helps generate openness, empathy, and compassion in all kids. Reading lists are organized around topics, including: • Adoption and foster care • Body image • Immigration • Learning challenges • LGBTQIA+ youth • Mental health • Nature and environmentalism • Physical disability • Poverty and homelessness • Race and ethnicity • Religion and spirituality Each chapter explores a particular issue affecting preteens and teens today and includes a list of recommended related books—all published within the last decade. Recommendations are grouped by age: those appropriate for middle-grade readers and those for teens. Better with Books is a valuable resource for parents, teachers, librarians, therapists, and all caregivers who recognize the power of literature to improve young readers’ lives.







When I Hit the Road


Book Description

From the award-winning author of This Journal Belongs to Ratchet comes an uplifting, hilarious, illustrated middle grade story about a girl on a madcap road trip. Told in journal entries, When I Hit the Road explores making unexpected friends, multigenerational relationships, and finding out that maybe journaling your adventures isn't so bad after all. Samantha is not exactly excited to spend her entire summer vacation in Florida with her grandma. Or to have to write to her future self in the journal her mom insists she use. But it turns out that Gram has some not-so-boring plans up her sleeve... Gram and her friend Mimi are going to audition for the Seniors Have Got Talent Karaoke Contest! A road trip in Gram's new Mustang turns into a series of hilarious mishaps that flip Samantha's summer on its head, especially because, an unexpected person is sharing the ride: a super cute, muscular, athletic-looking, dimple-faced, middle-school boy named Brandon. It looks like her journal might be worth keeping after all because this summer will be one Samantha will never want to forget. Follow along with Sam, Gram, Mimi and Brandon in all their road trip shenanigans, including: A GIANT alligator and the grossest swamp mud you'll ever see The safe-haven Glory Bound Baptist Church (and cat burglar) The hilarious (and terrifying) Kooky Karaoke Contest The Friendly Fill-up Gas Station (and the Restroom of Horror) And more Perfect for summer reading, middle school girls, and students grades 3rd to 8th that want a fun, lighthearted read!




Roller Babes


Book Description

After tightening her laces with shaking hands, Lottie glanced at the other skaters, who had already rolled awkwardly around the big track. Each skater's unsteady movements made a low rumble sound that reverberated throughout the empty Armory. The pounding of skates on the wooden surface made it difficult to hear normal voices. The skaters glided and stretched their legs; up on the big track each person appeared larger than life. Lottie noticed that the guys looked so much bigger and faster than the small group of girls. Maybe, she thought, her father was right. What A League of Their Own is to women's baseball, Roller Babes is to women's professional roller derby. Set in the 1950s, Roller Babes dramatically captures the story of Lottie Karla Zimmerman's inspirational rise from the tenements of the Bronx to her stardom as the Roller Derby queen. Her road is anything but smooth as she tangles with love, loss, and the "bad" girls of the banked track. The widely watched yet underappreciated sport of Roller Derby comes to life in Roller Babes, reminding us not only of a simpler time but also of the power of the human spirit to overcome enormous obstacles.




Roamer


Book Description