Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

Calling all Dragon Masters! NYT’s best-selling author Tracey West is celebrating 10 years of her bestselling Dragon Masters early chapter book series with THE EPIC GUIDE TO DRAGON MASTERS. Featuring maps, information about Dragon Masters and their dragons, notes from wizards, the history of Dragon Masters, and more, this book has everything a future Dragon Master needs to know. In an author’s note, West writes, “In these pages, you will find facts and secrets about Dragon Masters and dragons. You will learn about wizards, magical creatures and fantastic ideas.” She adds, “We hope that by reading this book, you will become an even better Dragon Master.” Dragon Masters first published with Rise of the Earth Dragon on August 26, 2014, and the series now has more than 10 million copies in print. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence.

Filled with big, theatrical song and dance numbers, Disney’s new animated series Kindergarten: The Musical follows 5-year-old Berti and her new friends as they navigate the experiences that come with starting school for the first time. Each episode contains at least six fantastical Broadway-style musical numbers in a variety of styles that provide a peek into the kids’ imaginations. The series highlights themes of self-expression, developing friendships, having confidence in social situations, cultivating teamwork, the importance of imaginative play and the power of music.Series creator Charlton Pettus and Kay Hanley are part of the creative team who helped bring Kindergarten: The Musical to life. For nearly 25 years, Charlton has been the touring guitarist, producer and cowriter for the legendary British rock band Tears for Fears. He produced and cowrote the band’s last two studio albums, The Tipping Point and Everybody Loves a Happy Ending. An established music producer, songwriter and musician, Pettus has collaborated with such artists as Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan, Josh Kelley and Selena Gomez, to name just a few.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

AMARI AND THE DESPICABLE WONDERS is the third book in a pitch-perfect middle grade fantasy series full of magical world building, witty humor, and genuinely surprising twists and turns. Readers will be on the edge of their seats, waiting to dive in! In AMARI AND THE DESPICABLE WONDERS, Elaine Harlowe has manipulated her way into becoming prime minister, and Dylan Van Helsing—Amari’s former partner— is the newly crowned leader of the League of Magicians, after a destructive new power. When Amari and her friends learn that the only way to stop Dylan is to find powerful magical inventions known as Wonders, they go after them. But wielding these items comes at a terrible cost, and Amari will have to decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice... because the Despicable Wonders will demand everything.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

The stand-alone companion to the New York Times bestselling A Wolf Called Wander and A Whale of the Wild, A HORSE NAMED SKY by Roseanne Parry, introduces us to the young colt named SKY. He is a young, wild horse who must find his way across treacherous terrain to reunite with his family after being captured for the Pony Express. A fast-paced survival story about wild horses, family bonds, and a changing environment, with striking black-and-white illustrations throughout. We run together under the stars.One band. Safe and strong. Young colt Sky was born with the urge to run. Alongside his band, he moves across the range searching for fresh water and abundant grazing. But humans have begun to encroach on Sky’s homelands. With fewer resources to share, Sky knows that he must leave if his family is to survive. He hopes that one day, he’ll be strong and brave enough to return and challenge the stallion to lead the herd. Being a lone wild horse in a vast landscape is not easy, and things get even more dangerous when Sky is captured and forced to run for the Pony Express. Now, against all odds, Sky must find a way to escape and reunite with his family.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Sarah and Martha are women who live in the sea and on the coast. Their journey takes them through all aspects of the sea as they explore themselves and their relationship. Transfigured Sea is a work of literary fiction, written in prose with a few poems included. Minimal use of dialogue facilitates its dream-like atmosphere. This relationship undergoes many difficulties, as they travel. In the deep seabed, they face themselves and discover the healing light of bioluminescence. When Sarah finally walks back out onto the beach, she is full of stillness and silence. She is now self-sufficient and no longer dependent on the relationship with Martha. The major characters include Sarah who is a poet and a biologist. She has problems with her mother, who believes poetry to be morally wrong. Her mother also dominates and stifles Sarah. Sarah finds a shell on the beach which has a visionary quality. The other major character is Martha, sometimes known as the Sea Sprite. She was raped years ago, on land. She is gentle, but also self-centred. She makes sarcastic remarks and uses her wit to sidestep issues. The third major character is the sea itself. The plants and animals in the sea often parallel the lives of the two women. Themes include the role of the sea as a place of change and difficult personal growth. Another theme is the natural history of the ocean. The third theme is Ancient Greek mythology in terms of Nereides , or sea nymphs. They represent everything kind and beautiful about the sea and offer protection to those in distress. The settings are the various aspects of the sea, including the coast. These range from the beach to rocky coast, estuary, mangroves, shallow water, coral reef, open waters, Antarctica, a storm and the Deep. On the shores of the ocean, Laura and Daphne fantasize that they are mother and daughter, mother and Sea Spirit. They both have problems in their past, which they need to resolve. They set out to explore every aspect of the sea, from an estuary and mangroves to Antarctic waters and the deep ocean. Mother Sea is a whisper of emotion and a memory of intuition. She dwells in the subconscious. Sea creatures abound, from sea urchins and stingrays to dolphins and sharks. Some of these parallel the behavior of the women. Sea nymphs accompany them and they are assisted by a special conch shell. While they are exploring the sea, the women also explore their own make-ups. Laura remembers interactions with her own mother. Daphne needs healing. However, they have no idea of the profound changes which will come to them.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

hanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Fans of the Japanese Manga will thrill to the adventures of Unico, Scholastic’s first dive into the manga genre! Originally started as a Kickstarter campaign, author Samuel Sattin and artist Gurihiru brought back to life this beloved character from the God of Manga, Osamu Tezuka who also created Astro Boy. UNICO: AWAKENING is all about a young unicorn named Unico, who spreads positivity, and garners the wrath of the Goddess Venus, cursing him to forget his own memories. Saved from oblivion by the kindhearted West Wind, Unico continues to help others, before having to escape Venus again and begin a new adventure. Conceived anew by author Samuel Sattin and artist team Gurihiru, and developed in collaboration with Tezuka Productions, UNICO: AWAKENING is a groundbreaking reboot with striking full-color artwork and reading left to right in the Western comics style to match the original manga. Fans of Hayao Miyazaki, The

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

This timely and heartwarming story explores the complexities of love, friendship, and family amidst the backdrop of a politically divided nation. Debut author Emily Locker’s YA (young adult) novel, Running Mates, follows Annabelle and Gabe, two teenagers from opposite sides of the political spectrum who find themselves falling in love. As they navigate their budding romance, they must also grapple with the challenges of bridging the political divide that separates their families and their town. "This book is a must-read for anyone who wants a dose of empathy in their summer," raves Parents Magazine, which included "Running Mates" in its 2024 Ultimate Summer Reading List for Teens and Tweens. Regis High School in New York City also recommends the book for summer reading, praising its portrayal of civil discourse and its relevance to today's polarized political climate.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Beloved mindfulness teacher, best-selling author, and longtime Buddhist practitioner Susan Kaiser Greenlanddraws from science, psychology, Buddhism, wisdom traditions, and personal stories to offer a view of “real-world enlightenment”—where we shift from a narrow survival-driven frame of mind to one that is grounded and as vast as the sky. When we cultivate this expansive worldview from the inside out, we become more resilient, and we are able to build a kinder and more resilient world. To help us do this, she offers valuable methods and takeaways that allow you to apply these life-changing universal themes every day. They include:Practical ways to recognize the basic goodness within and around you by tapping into sensory pleasures like music or nature.Robust tools to manage stress and develop attention by focusing on a sight, sound, image, word, or phrase.Catchy slogans that promote emotional balance when you feel overwhelmed, like “right now, I’m okay,” “drop the baggage,” or “don’t play the scene before you get there.”Accessible meditation methods to experience life with greater equanimity by slowing down your thinking process to heighten awareness of the natural movement of your mind.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

The last thing Adriana and Jon expect to find in the harsh juvenile detention center in which they are both imprisoned is love. But when they start to communicate through Adriana’s journal, left in the center's shared library, the unexpected happens. Adriana knows why she is in Compass juvenile detention center: her bad taste in “friends.” If she can manage to keep her head down for the next seven months, she might be able to get through her sentence. Thankfully, she’s allowed to keep her journal, where she writes down her most private thoughts and observations when the pressure inside her is too much. Until the day she opens her journal and discovers that her thoughts are no longer so private. Someone has read her writings, and written back.Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of more than fifty books, including Challenger Deep, which won the National Book Award; Scythe, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book; Dry, which he co-wrote with his son, Jarrod Shusterman; Unwind, which won more than thirty domestic and international awards; Bruiser, which was on a dozen state lists; The Schwa Was Here, winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award; and Game Changer, which debuted as an indie top-five best seller. You can visit him online at storyman.com.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

“If you want to get away with murder, do it on an Indian reservation”so writes debut author, K,A, Corbell in her YA thriller, LOOKING FOR SMOKE, a sensitive look at the historic issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The Indigenous communities of the US and Canada face a prevailing issue in Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, or #MMIWG2S. The numbers speak for themselves: 84 percent of Native women have experienced violence and 56 percent have experienced sexual violence. The murder rate of Native women is three times more than that of white women, and in some locations the rate is more than ten times the national average. While Native women, girls, and two-spirit people are drastically more likely to be killed or go missing than any other group, these tragedies have typically not received the necessary attention from news media, law enforcement, or wider society. With deft talent and a fresh voice, K.A. Cobell carefully folds this epidemic into a fast-paced story of grief and secrecy, in a high-stakes whodunnit. When local teen Loren includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor Loren’s missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends on the Blackfeet reservation. Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, turns up murdered. The last four people to see Samantha alive—Mara, Loren, Brody, and Eli—become the persons of interest in the investigation, and every one of them has a complicated history with the victim and each other. To clear their names, they’ll have to take matters into their own hands—and find the murderer among them. LOOKING FOR SMOKE will shine a light on not only this timely issue, but on the strength and hope of the Native communities affected by it.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

You need to work to live. That’s the truth for most people, and plenty of bosses have been abusing that truth for centuries. Long before the first labor unions were formed, workers still knew what exploitation looked like. It looked like the enslavement of Black people. It looked like generations of children dying in dangerous jobs. It looked like wealthy people hiring private militaries to attack their employees. But workers have always found a way to fight back. Arawak tribespeople resisted Columbus and his colonizers. Enslaved people led walkouts and rebellions. Textile workers demanded a wage that would let them have fun, not just survive. Miners died for the right to unionize. From 20,000 young seamstresses striking in the early 1900s to Uber drivers organizing for change today, we’re stronger when we are united. SHIFT HAPPENS is a smart, funny, and engaging look at the history of the worker actions that brought us weekends, pay equality, desegregation, an end to child labor, and much more.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Terri Libenson’s best-selling graphic novel series, Emmie & Friends, feature humorous portrayals of friends coming of age, figuring out where they fit, and navigating the challenges of middle school. The first five books – Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy, Just Jamie, Becoming Brianna and Truly Tyler – deliver endearing and relatable stories about friendship and middle-school drama. Now, Terri introduces the sixth book in the series, Remarkably Ruby, a story about how there’s more to everyone than meets the eye.Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry. While Mia is type A, popular, and wants to be class president. They used to be friends. But now they have nothing in common anymore. . . . Or do they?Terri Libenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends children’s book series and award-winning cartoonist of the syndicated daily comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, which ran in hundreds of newspapers internationally from 2006-2020. Prior to that, she was an award-winning humorous card writer for American Greetings. Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Terri lives with her husband, two daughters, and spirited puppy in Cleveland, OH.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Jas Hammond’s debut novel, WE DESERVE MONUMENTS won the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent, received B&N YA Book Award shortlist recognition, and garnered acclaim as a “Best Book of the Year” by BuzzFeed, People, Parents, Amazon, and more. THIRSTY, their second YA novel, explores society’s normalization of alcoholism through protagonist, Blake, who’s trying to gain admittance into an elite sorority while coming to terms with her alcohol addiction. It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove. As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut . . . But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, Joanna Ho, comes an uplifting call to action that highlights Asian American history, paired with vibrant and colorful illustrations by artist and activist, Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. WE WHO PRODUCE PEARLS is a rich celebration of Asian American identity and a reminder of self-worth, of legacy, and, most of all, of destiny. This dynamic, lustrous Asian American anthem invites readers to turn pain and sacrifice into strength, to claim space for stories and dreams. Asian Americans are the history of this land and children of the celestial. This moving manifesto of rebirth will resonate with every reader who has ever felt underestimated, erased, or left out of the combination. In Joanna Ho’s true classic style, she creates a poetic ode that celebrates Asian American communities and their history. Debut illustrator Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s signature bright and bold palette brings to light the strength and power within us all, creating a mesmerizing, stunning, and magical masterpiece that proves how we can shape our pain and struggle into one of joy and power. Together, Joanna and Amanda remind readers to rise up, speak out, and step into power.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

LOUDER THAN WORDS is an amazing collaboration that brings together two inspirational Black artists, New York Times bestselling author Ashley Woodfolk and actress Lexi Underwood, for a story about the transformative power of art as protest and its capacity to change the world. When Jordyn Jones transfers to Edgewood High, it’s her opportunity to forget everything that happened at her old school. To forget what she and her friends did. To forget who she used to be. That was a different person—this is a fresh start. Now she’s someone new, someone better. Except it’s the very first day of school, and somehow everyone already seems to know who she is. But Jordyn soon finds a group of friends, and she even starts talking to Izaiah, a soccer star who shares her love of art. Life is good. That’s until an anonymous podcast called Tomcat Tea begins revealing humiliating secrets about Edgewood students, ruining their reputations and in some cases their futures. Jordyn and her friends know they have to do something—and this is Jordyn’s chance to prove to herself that she’s changed. Jordyn’s plan to take down the podcast throws her into the spotlight, and as the momentum builds, so do the risks— because Jordyn has a secret of her own, one that could ruin everything . . . and that a mysterious harasser online is threatening to expose. In an author letter, Ashley and Lexi say that LOUDER THAN WORDS “tackles the complexities of being human by examining the choices and mistakes we all make, the forgiveness we all need, and the redemption we all deserve.” They go on to share, “We hope this novel will show readers that no matter who they are or what they’ve done, there is always time to change and space to heal.”

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

This provocative Young Adult novel by best-selling author Jennifer Donnelly will forever change how you think about beauty, power, and what it really means to follow your heart. When Arabella faces makes her debut in society, her parents want her to be sweet and compliant so she can marry well, but try as she might, Arabella can't extinguish the fire burning inside her -- the source of her deepest wishes, her wildest dreams. When an attempt to suppress her emotions tragically backfires, a mysterious figure punishes Arabella with a curse, dooming her and everyone she cares about, trapping them in her castle. As the years pass, Arabella abandons hope. The curse is her fault -- after all, there's nothing more "beastly" than a girl who expresses her anger -- and the only way to break it is to find a boy who loves her for her true self: a cruel task for a girl who's been told she's impossible to love. When a handsome thief named Beau makes his way into the castle, the captive servants are thrilled, convinced he is the one to break the curse. But Beau -- spooked by the castle's strange and forbidding ladies-in-waiting, and by the malevolent presence that stalks its corridors at night -- only wants to escape. He learned long ago that love is only an illusion. If Beau and Arabella have any hope of breaking the curse, they must learn to trust their wounded hearts, and realize that the cruelest prisons of all are the ones we build for ourselves.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

In the tradition of timeless classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, the one and only Katherine Applegate has crafted a poignant, delightful, heartbreaking, unforgettable final foray into the world of Ivan, the world’s favorite silverback gorilla. For more than a decade, readers have been enchanted by the modern classic The One and Only Ivan, a Newbery Award winner and a #1 New York Times bestseller, and by its bestselling sequels, The One and Only Bob and The One and Only Ruby.In the highly anticipated finale to the series, The One and Only Family, Ivan has been happily living in a wildlife sanctuary, with his friend Ruby next door in the elephant enclosure, frequent visits from his canine friend Bob, and his mate Kinyani by his side. And in the happiest turn of all, Ivan and Kinyani have welcomed a set of twins to their family!Ivan loves being a papa, even though it can be hard sometimes. But as he navigates the joys and challenges of parenthood, he can’t help but recall his life before the glass walls of the mall circus, his own childhood in the jungle—and his own twin.Katherine Applegate is the Newbery Medal-winning and #1 New York Timesbestselling author of numerous books for young readers, including the The One and Only series, the Endling series, Crenshaw, Wishtree, the Roscoe Riley Rules chapter books series, and the Animorphs series.Applegate’s #1 New York Times-bestselling The One and Only series has sold over 9 million copies, received a Newbery Award, and was a TODAY Show Read with Jenna Jr. pick. The One and Only Ivan was adapted into a Disney+ movie starring Bryan Cranston, Sam Rockwell, and Angelina Jolie.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

From three-time Newbery Honoree Christina Soontornvat and award-winning historian Erika Lee comes a middle grade nonfiction that shines a light on the generations of Asian Americans who have transformed the United States and who continue to shape what it means to be American. It begins centuries before America even exists as a nation. It is connected to the histories of Western conquest and colonialism. It’s a story of migration; of people and families crossing the Pacific Ocean in search of escape, opportunity, and new beginnings. It is also the story of race and racism. Of being labeled an immigrant invasion, unfit to become citizens, and being banned, deported, and incarcerated. Of being blamed for bringing diseases into the country.It is also a story of bravery and hope. It is the story of heroes who fought for equality in the courts, on the streets, and in the schools, and who continue to fight in solidarity with others doing the same. This book is a stirring account of the ordinary people and extraordinary acts that made Asian America and the young people who are remaking America today.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

The iconic Latina heroine Dora the Explorer is back with an all-new CG-animated series that premieres Friday, April 12th, exclusively on Paramount+. With beautiful animation and imaginative character-driven storylines, DORA follows everyone’s favorite bilingual explorer, Dora and her best monkey friend, Boots, as they embark on epic adventures in a fantastical rainforest. Guided by trustworthy Map, Dora and her friends must work together to overcome many obstacles while being challenged by the sneakiest fox, Swiper.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Lullabies, love songs, caroling, karaoke — have you ever wondered . . . why do we sing? Travel the world and learn about the reasons we sing—to have fun and share our stories; to pass the time and remember times past; and to come together and celebrate! With gentle rhyming text, this musical adventure around the globe is the perfect introduction to the magical world of singing—from Bollywood to Broadway to your own backyard! Sam and Casey also share a passion for global music. Their popular TikTok series, 1 Song Every Country, where they sing a song from a different country (in a native language!) in each video, has a collective 65.5 million views.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change--his body teeming with hormones. His feelings that flow like lava. His relationship withPops, who's always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend. But when betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge, he doesn't anticipate that a fight to prove his manhood and defend Camelia's honor will lead to dire consequences--or that Camelia's not looking for a savior. Crackling with comedy and unflinching candor, Ultraviolet digs deep into themes of consent, puberty, masculinity, and the emotional lives of boys, as it challenges stereotypes and offers another way to be in the world. It speaks directly to tweens' and young teens' lived experiences and will make them feel seen.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

From Netflix star and New York Times bestselling author Phil Rosenthal and his daughter Lily comes a hilarious picture book about a food-loving dad encouraging his picky eater daughter to just try something new.Phil has one rule about food: try everything at least once. Otherwise, how will you know what you like? His daughter Lil disagrees. She already knows what she likes-just bread and pasta with no sauce-and that's all there is to it!When the two go to a food truck festival, Phil tries introducing Lil to all kinds of delicious cuisine, but she doesn't budge. Just when it looks like it's going to be a very long day, an unexpected mustard accident changes everything.

The OurEcho Challenge is a STEM competition that empowers young changemakers to take a closer look at biodiversity in their communities. Recognizing that half of the world’s biodiversity has been destroyed since 1970, the OurEcho Challenge engages young problem solvers in understanding and protecting the amazing diversity of species essential for the future of our planet. Teams of young leaders, ages 13-16, tackle the decline in biodiversity head-on by identifying threats to natural resources in their communities and developing an innovative solution and action plan in the form of a sustainable process or prototype.Presented by EarthEcho International, the global nonprofit founded on the belief that youth have the power to change our planet, submissions for the 2024 OurEcho Challenge are being accepted now thru April 26, 2024 and is open to students ages 13-16, first identify threats to local ecosystems and then propose solutions to protect or repair those natural resources.As young people are agents of change, entrepreneurs and innovators, activating and engaging them is key to building a durable conservation movement that can move with the speed and audacity needed to transform the future.

“Music Matters Challenge” that will be launching on March 26, coinciding with “Music In Our Schools Month,” a national online music challenge that will help raise awareness and dedicate resources for music programs in the nation’s underserved schools. Two grand prizes will be awarded – one for an individual ($10,000 in cash and the opportunity to select a music teacher to receive a three year salary); and one for school entries (a $25,000 school grant). John created the challenge with Cayley Tullman of the Tullman Family Office, after the Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, Tullman, and a group of eight students participated in weekly after-school workshops to compose an original song, “Let Music Fill My World,” which expressed why music mattered in their lives. The students wrote all of the verses in the song themselves, and had the opportunity to professionally record their song and create a music video with the help of seasoned industry music producers. As a part of this effort, the Tullman Family Office fully funded a full-time music teacher for the students at Chicago’s Farragut Career Academy, which propelled the idea to create the “Music Matters Challenge.” To enter the contest, visit: www.letmusicfillmyworld.com. Listen to “Let Music Fill My World” HERE.

Thanks for being part of the conversation I am the Poet In The Forest. A children series I penned out in the 1990s. None of it would be possible if it wasn’t for this forest in South Charlotte, NC. I talk about it so much that I thought maybe it’s time you get to meet all that inspires me. Thanks for being part of the conversation

Middle Grade and YA Author, Ali Terese shares her chaotically funny voice and community-oriented message, in FREE PERIOD, a cry of protest spotlighting both the undeserved shame young people feel around menstruation and the importance of friendship to all who experience it. Best friends Helen and Gracie are pranking their way through middle school when a stinky stunt lands them in the front office — again. Because nothing else has curbed their chaos, the principal orders the best friends to do the unthinkable: care about something, anything, to make them stop! So, they join the school’s Community Action Club with plans to do as little as humanly possible. But when Helen is caught unprepared by an early period and bleeds through her pants — they were gold lamé! — the girls take over the club’s campaign for maxi pads in bathrooms for all students who menstruate. In the name of period equity, the two friends use everything from over-the-top baked goods to glitter gluing for change. But nothing can prepare them for a clueless school board (ew), an annoying little sister (ugh), and crushes (oh my!). As Helen and Gracie find themselves closer to change and in deeper trouble than ever before, they must decide if they care enough to keep going . . . even if it costs them their friendship.”

In a final clash between kingdoms and gods, all must rise to fight - or be destroyed.Everything has come to this. Prepare for a larger-than-life, unforgettable finale to the instant New York Times bestselling Realm Breaker series, where a shattered alliance must rise from the ashes to make their final stand against a ruthless enemy…and the demon god who looks to shroud the entire world in darkness.The Companions are scattered and hopeless, torn from each other. After Corayne barely escapes with her life, she must forge on alone, leaving her blade broken and her allies behind her. Her only consolation: Corayne now has Taristan's sword, the only Spindleblade left in existence. Without it, he can’t rip open any more Spindles. Without it, he can’t end the world. But Taristan and Queen Erida will not be defeated so easily. Both will burn the world to bring down Corayne - and bring forth their demon god, What Waits, ready to claim the realm of Allward for his own.Victoria Aveyard was born and raised in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, a small town known only for the worst traffic rotary in the continental United States. She moved to Los Angeles to earn a BFA in screenwriting at the University of Southern California. She currently splits her time between the East and West coasts. As an author and screenwriter, she uses her career as an excuse to read too many books and watch too many movies. She is also the author of the New York Times bestselling Red Queen series.

Thank you for being part of the conversation. This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 616 with author Ridley Pearson. You’ve likely heard of Ridley Pearson as the Edgar-nominated author of over sixty novels including two New York Times #1 bestsellers. The Fulbright fellow who plays in a band with Stephen King, Dave Barry, Amy Tan and Scott Turow is also the author of KINGDOM KEEPERS INHERITANCE: VILLAINS' REALM, the second in a trilogy for middle grade readers which follows young heroes to Disney parks around the world. The first volume has sold over a million copies. With the help of Cinderella's very own Fairy Godmother-the notorious FGM as she's known in this world-they set out to stop Ursula-jumping from Epcot to Disneyland to Disneyland Paris, where the ultimate battle between good and evil plays out.