The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: Poppy Song Bakes a Way


Book Description

In the exciting new KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS chapter-book series, every book is written by a different beloved children's author and stars a different kid in the class. For Book Three, Poppy Song must navigate both a tricky candy recipe and her grandmother’s increasing forgetfulness in a heartwarming tale written by New York Times bestselling author Karina Yan Glaser (The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street). When Poppy Song joined Mrs. Z's third-grade class at Curiosity Academy, she knew just how to connect with her classmates: baked goods. Her beloved grandmother Po Po used to own her own bakery, and Poppy has inherited Po Po's gift for making pineapple buns, egg tarts, and other sweets, which she gladly shares with the other kids in Mrs. Z's class. After her classmates hear about a fancy treat called Dragon's Beard candy, they can't wait for Poppy to make some and bring it in. Poppy is excited -- and daunted -- to try to make the candy, but she has other worries on her mind as well. Ever since they moved to Peppermint Falls, Po Po has been acting differently, putting items back in the wrong places, even mixing up ingredients in the recipes she knows by heart. Poppy wonders whether to say anything about these changes. Then comes a day when the differences put Po Po in danger, and Poppy must find her own courage to help her grandmother and her family figure out a way forward. This tender novel from the author of The Vanderbeekers on 141st Street series celebrates all the people, and surprises, that make life sweet.




Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #2)


Book Description

A creative kid with ambitious dreams of launching his own pet business starts babysitting the class guinea pig in this big-hearted story from an award-winning author. Rohan Murthy dreams of running a successful business like his creative and kind mom. When Mrs. Z announces that Curiosity Academy needs to raise money for a school garden, Rohan sees the chance to launch his dreams right away! He'll start a pet care company to help the people of Peppermint Falls look after their dogs, hamsters, fish, snakes, lizards . . . anything but cats. With hard work, some glittery posters, and the help of his friends from Mrs. Z's class, Rohan knows he can do a lot for the school garden. His parents point out just one small problem: Rohan has never taken care of an animal before. They think he doesn't even like touching animals. (There is a reason cats aren't on his list.) To prove his parents wrong, Rohan volunteers to spend a weekend watching over Honey, the class guinea pig. But Honey appears surprisingly anxious, which makes Rohan nervous as well. When his big dreams meet his secret fears, what will Rohan do?




The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class: The Legend of Memo Castillo


Book Description

In the exciting new KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS chapter-book series, every book is written by a different beloved author and stars a different kid in the class. With Book Four, written by National Book Award winner William Alexander, Memo Castillo is excited to attend his first-ever fan convention with his best friend, Theo Chang -- but when their transportation plans go awry, will they get to live out their dreams? Guillermo "Memo" Castillo and Theo Chang have been best friends since they were in kindergarten, and now they're partners in Sorcery too -- the mega-popular collectible card game, that is. Memo and Theo are excited to attend the upcoming science fiction & fantasy fan convention not far from Peppermint Falls. They plan to dress up in costumes, play in their first-ever Sorcery competition, defeat that arrogant fifth grader Josh Harkan in the tournament, and have an awesome day. But Memo's dad can't drive them to the convention. His mom can't either. Theo's family is out as well. That leaves just one option: Memo's fearsome abuela. Lala doesn't speak English, though, and Memo doesn't speak Spanish. The two of them have never been able to really connect or communicate. But when Lala unexpectedly agrees to take Memo and Theo to the convention, it opens up a whole new set of adventures and challenges -- along with a kind of magic that Memo never expected.




Poppy Song Bakes a Way (the Kids in Mrs. Z's Class #3)


Book Description

In the exciting new KIDS IN MRS. Z'S CLASS chapter-book series, every book is written by a different beloved children's author and stars a different kid in the class. For Book Three, Poppy Song must navigate both a tricky candy recipe and her grandmother's increasing forgetfulness in a heartwarming tale written by New York Times bestselling author Karina Yan Glaser (The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street). When Poppy Song joined Mrs. Z's third-grade class at Curiosity Academy, she knew just how to connect with her classmates: baked goods. Her beloved grandmother Po Po used to own her own bakery, and Poppy has inherited Po Po's gift for making pineapple buns, egg tarts, and other sweets, which she gladly shares with the other kids in Mrs. Z's class. After her classmates hear about a fancy treat called Dragon's Beard candy, they can't wait for Poppy to make some and bring it in. Poppy is excited -- and daunted -- to try to make the candy, but she has other worries on her mind as well. Ever since they moved to Peppermint Falls, Po Po has been acting differently, putting items back in the wrong places, even mixing up ingredients in the recipes she knows by heart. Poppy wonders whether to say anything about these changes. Then comes a day when the differences put Po Po in danger, and Poppy must find her own courage to help her grandmother and her family figure out a way forward. This tender novel from the author of The Vanderbeekers on 141st Street series celebrates all the people, and surprises, that make life sweet.




The Witch's Apprentice


Book Description

The dragons may be out of the bag, but Jaxon is ready to hatch some magic of his own in this third book in the critically acclaimed series. Ever since the baby dragons were returned to the magical realm, things have been off. The New York summer has been unusually cold. A strange sleeping sickness is spreading across the city. And Jaxon’s friends Kenny and Kavita have begun to change, becoming more like the fairy and dragon they once cared for. On top of all that, Jax is hiding a secret—Vik entrusted him with a phoenix egg! Jax wants to help his friends and learn how to hatch the phoenix, but so far his lessons as a witch’s apprentice haven’t seemed very useful. Where can he find the strength—and the magic—he needs?




How To Save A Life


Book Description

Jill's life lost all meaning when her dad died. Friends, boyfriend, college – nothing matters any more. Then her mom drops a bombshell: she's going to adopt a baby. Mandy is desperate for her life to change. Seventeen, pregnant and leaving home, she is sure of only one thing – her baby must never have a life like hers, whatever it takes. As their worlds change around them, Jill and Mandy must learn both how to hold on and how to let go, finding that nothing is as easy - or as difficult - as it seems. Heart-achingly beautiful, moving and funny, How to Save a Life has been named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2011, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2011 and an American Library Assocation 2012 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults. "A rich tapestry of love and survival that will resonate with even the most cynical readers." - Booklist




Tracking Tortoises


Book Description

Galápagos giant tortoises are fascinating—and endangered. They live only on the Galápagos Islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador. These tortoises face threats from the humans who live on—and visit—the islands, as well as from Earth's warming climate. Join author Kate Messner on an a journey to the Galápagos Islands to see these incredible creatures up close and discover how cutting-edge technology is helping scientists to study and protect them.




Home Again


Book Description

Courage, kindness, and adventure abounds in this charming, illustrated chapter book series about a mouse discovering the true meaning of home. It's summer at the Heartwood Hotel, and everyone is in a flurry getting ready for Ms. Prickles's wedding to Mr. Quillson! Meanwhile, a new mouse guest named Strawberry comes to stay. She's sweet and soft-spoken like Mona, and gifted in the kitchen just as Mona's mother was-could Strawberry be a long-lost relative? But when lightning strikes part of Fernwood Forest and starts a fire, all thoughts go to the guests and staff hurrying to leave to make sure their homes and families are safe. Mona works to protect the Heartwood from harm, but as the fire rages on, it's becoming dangerous to stay. Can Mona and her friends save their home before it's too late? These heartwarming stories will delight newly independent readers.




Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates


Book Description

Two hamster roommates with wildly different personalities crammed in one cage--what could go wrong in this hilarious story about introverts versus extroverts? It's been two hundred and five days since Henry has had peace. That's because it's been two hundred and five days since Marvin has come to live with him. Marvin, who loves to talk in the tunnels, talk while they're eating, talk while they're running. Marvin, who drives Henry up the cage walls. But when Henry finally loses his cool and gets exactly what he wanted, both hamsters have to figure out a way to live together and work through their communication mishaps.




The Squatchicorns


Book Description

In this tale by the author of The Monster Detector, a Sasquatch and a human boy make a new friend while dealing with a curse and celebrating a birthday. When a tribe of Sasquatches flee from a mysterious curse, they take refuge in Hugo’s home, Widdershins Cavern. These new Sasquatches look a bit . . . odd. For example, they all have unicorn horns on their heads! Always open to meeting new creatures, Hugo befriends one of these strange squidges, Nobb. Nobb offers to escort Hugo though the North Woods so that Hugo can attend Boone’s birthday party. Having never been inside a Human house, Hugo finds the experience confusing and somewhat disastrous. Just when it looks like Hugo may have ruined Boone’s birthday, they set out on a mission to solve the troubling curse in Nobb’s cavern. Praise for the Big Foot and Little Foot series “A delightful series about friendship and embracing difference.” —School Library Journal