Chris Conlan is the coolest kid in sixth grade—the golden-armed quarterback of the football team, and the boy all the others look up to. Scott Parry is the new kid, the boy with the huge brain, but with feet that trip over themselves daily. These two boys may seem like an odd couple, but each has a secret that draws them together as friends, and proves that the will to succeed is even more important than raw talent.

A little girl can’t help but wonder why she and her Mom are growing plants in their garden that are so different from the pretty flowers their neighbors have. Mom says they are growing something better than flowers, but the little girl is not convinced until they harvest the vegetables they have grown, and something unexpected happens …

Annie Richards knows there are a million things to look out for—bicycle accidents, food poisoning, chicken pox, smallpox, typhoid fever, runaway zoo animals, and poison oak. That’s why being careful is so important, even if it does mean giving up some of her favorite things, like bike races with her best friend, Rebecca, and hot dogs on the Fourth of July. Everyone keeps telling Annie not to worry so much, that she’s just fine. But they thought her brother, Jared, was just fine too, and Jared died.

Late one night, Rosalinda wakes to see her lovingly cared for lemon tree being robbed of all its fruit. The next day she sees the thief with his family — selling her limones! Then Rosalinda meets the spirit of La Anciana, The Old One, who makes things grow. She gives Rosalinda a remedy that will heal her lemon tree (and her bitter feelings). That night Rosalinda follows the spirit’s instructions and then slumbers under the lemon tree beneath a full yellow moon. When she awakes, the tree is full of …

The author encourages  preschoolers and toddlerss to embrace their individuality and communicate what they feel. Watch your child giggle and smile.

This book is packed with information about how common household items really work, but its real treasure is the imaginative explanations that the children in the story concoct before being told the truth.

Orphan Urchin never intended to be a swashbuckling squirrel. Abandoned at birth on a Mistmantle beach, this mild-mannered acorn hunter was raised by the island’s squirrels, otters, and moles. He gains entrance into the royal court, thanks to the support of his hero, the dashing Captain Crispin. But something is wrong in the peaceful kingdom of Mismantle. Under the influence of the squirrel captain Husk, the King is enforcing severe measures against his people. Crispin himself is falsely accused of a horrific murder and banished. Can little Urchin, a mere …

“Is someone teasing you? If so, then in Spanish they are ‘pulling your hair,’ and in English they are ‘pulling your leg.’” Use these 12 Spanish and English idioms to compare figures of speech.

This is another story of perseverance. Virgie begs to go to school with her older brothers. But it’s a seven-mile walk, and her siblings stay over at school all week, only coming home for the weekends. Virgie’s parents don’t think a young girl should make such a long trip and be away from home for so long. But Virgie remains determined and ends up getting the education she craves. Inspired by the stories of her grandfather’s family, Howard captures a girl’s passion to learn in the post-Civil War South.

Warning: This book may cause flatulence. Walter is a fine dog, except for one small problem: he has gas. He can’t help it; it’s just the way he is. Fortunately, the kids Billy and Betty love him regardless, but Father says he’s got to go! Poor Walter, he’s going to the dog pound tomorrow. And then, in the night, burglars strike. Walter has his chance to be a hero. Destined to become a children’s classic, this story will have kids rolling on the floor with laughter. Adults are permitted to …