Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

In season three of "Secrets of Sulphur Springs," a new ghost checks into room 205 and starts wreaking havoc around The Tremont. After learning the evil presence will ruin their lives by 2024, the kids race to solve a tangled mystery in the past that may hold the key to defeating the ghost in the present and saving the Dunns and the Campbells from a very bleak future. The series stars Preston Oliver ("This is Us") as Griffin Campbell, Kyliegh Curran ("Doctor Sleep") as Harper Dunn, Elle Graham ("Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret") as Savannah Dillon, Kelly Frye ("Criminal Minds") as Sarah Campbell, Josh Braaten ("American Horror Story") as Ben Campell, Landon Gordon ("Top Gun: Maverick") as Wyatt Campbell, Madeleine McGraw ("Black Phone") as Zoey Campbell, Diandra Lyle ("American Woman") as Jess Dunn, Johari Washington ("The Walk-On's") as Topher Dunn, and Eugene Byrd ("Bones") as Sam Tremont.

Born and raised in South LA, she writes stories about gentrification, Black teen joy, and the sh*tshow that is capitalism. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ethnicity, Race & Migration, a certificate in Human Rights and recently graduated from law school, with a specialization in Critical Race Studies. There Goes the Neighborhood is her debut novel. A raised fist against the destructive forces of gentrification and a love letter to communities of color everywhere, Jade Adia's unforgettable book tells the darkly hilarious story of three best friends willing to do whatever it takes to stay together.

From New York Times #1 best-selling Author/Illustrator Peter H. Reynolds, and Author/ Film Producer, Marc Colagiovanni comes a moving new picture book for all ages, WHEN THINGS AREN’T GOING RIGHT, GO LEFT. With illustrations by Reynolds, whose award-winning picture books have been New York Times, Indie, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers, WHEN THINGS AREN’T GOING RIGHT, GO LEFT is a creative and colorful reminder for readers young and older that they can navigate around life’s burdens to forge their own path. Colagiovanni’s lyrical text and Reynolds's stunning art combine to create a much-needed message of strength and perseverance during these challenging times. The book is already proving to be both universal and personal, and one that readers will be drawn to over and over again. As Manager Child Life Services Micaela Hall Materne, MS, at Hasbro Children’s Hospital notes, “I’m smitten with the visual images, and the important and empowering messages . . . I hope these books get into as many hands as possible so that children and caregivers of all ages can enjoy these characters and feel inspired into meaningful conversations from which they can learn and grow.” This first picture book collaboration between Marc and Peter, will be followed next year by an equally moving story called THE REFLECTION IN ME, which began as a short, animated film, produced by Reynolds’ Boston-based media firm FableVision Studios. Written by Marc for his young daughters who were beginning to wrestle with self-image issues, this heartwarming family story spotlights the themes of love, acceptance, and having a positive self-image. It has been featured in film festivals around the globe and has already attracted over 1.4 million views on YouTube.

When ten-year-old Lina Gao steps off the plane in Los Angeles, it’s her first time in America and the first time seeing her parents and her little sister in five years! She’s been waiting for this moment every day while she lived with her grandmother in Beijing, getting teased by kids at school who called her “left behind girl.” Finally, her parents are ready for her to join their fabulous life in America! Except, it’s not exactly like in the postcards: For instance: School’s a lot harder than she thought. When she mispronounces some words in English on the first day, she decides she simply won’t talk. Ever again. And her chatty little sister has no problem with English. She seems to do everything better than Lina, including knowing exactly the way to her parents’ hearts. They live in an apartment, not a house like in Mom’s letters, and they owe a lot of back rent from the pandemic. And Mom’s plan to pay it back sounds more like a hobby than a moneymaker. As she reckons with her hurt, Lina tries to keep a lid on her feelings, both at home and at school. When her teacher starts facing challenges for her latest book selection, a book that deeply resonates with Lina, it will take all of Lina’s courage and resilience to get over her fear in order to choose a future where she’s finally seen.

In Winston Chu vs. The Whimsies, Stacey Lee, an award-winning and best-selling author of YA fiction, draws middle-grade readers into a modern reimaging of a classic Chinese folktale—replete with magic, boba, and lots of trash talking. At its center is Winston, an awkward, struggling teen with a big heart. While skateboarding home with a pie in hand, Winston happens to save a local shopkeeper—the proprietor of Mr. Pang’s Whimsies—from getting robbed. As a reward, Mr. Pang invites Winston to choose any oddity in the store, with a word of caution: the first thing Winston touches will be the thing he gets. Should he choose the “Far-Seeing Eyeballs” or maybe the “Kick-Me Boots”? As he ponders all the weird treasures, a magpie flies under a shelf, and, without thinking, Winston grabs an old broom to sweep it out. Mr. Pang hands him the broom and a complimentary dustpan and says, “Congratulations.”

NEVER FORGET ELEANOR is a heartfelt picture book about a young elephant named Elijah who loves the stories his grandma Eleanor tells him. But when Eleanor’s memory starts to fade, Elijah will need to become the storyteller himself. Elijah loves spending time with his grandma Eleanor. She knows all the best words to answer tricky crossword puzzles and to tell the most beautiful stories for her family and friends. Everyone calls her “Never Forget Eleanor” because she remembers every word she reads and person she meets. Lately, though, Elijah has started to notice Grandma Eleanor forgetting little things. But when Grandma Eleanor doesn’t show up for her Saturday story session, Elijah will need to find a way to use her favorite words and become the storyteller to bring her home.

Originally released in 2019, the album features recordings from music icons like Micky Dolenz, Sandi Patty, Vanessa Williams, Jim Brickman, Jon Secada, Lee Greenwood, Rita Wilson, Tom Bergeron, The Cowsills, Jaci Velasquez, Kellie Pickler, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. The new deluxe reissue will include a newly recorded version of "Won't You Be My Neighbor" by singer-songwriter and guitar virtuoso Parker Hastings, along with artist interviews, and track commentary. Thank You, Mister Rogers: Music & Memories has won several awards including the Parent's Choice Award, National Parenting Products Award, Family Choice Award, Hot Diggity Award, and was a nominee of American Association of Independent Music's Libera Award. Scott also recorded and produced Songs From The Neighborhood - The Music of Mister Rogers, which won a GRAMMY® award in 2006 for Best Musical Album for Children, and featured recordings from music icons Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Jon Secada, Amy Grant, CeCe Winans and others.

1954: The Winter Soldier is the Soviet Union's greatest weapon. Assigned the most dangerous covert missions from the USSR's secret military branch and guided by a handler who knows him better than he knows himself, he has only one purpose: to obey orders. But he wasn't always the Winter Soldier . . . 1941: As World War II begins, sixteen-year-old Bucky Barnes is determined to enlist in the US army—if only the local commander will stop getting in his way. When Bucky is offered enrollment in a training program with the British Special Operations Executive—the UK's secret service—he leaps at the chance to become a hero. But Bucky has hardly touched down in London when he finds himself running from a mysterious assassin and accompanied by an English chess champion fond of red lipstick and double crosses. She's in possession of a secret every side is desperate to get their hands on. If only they knew what it was . . . Decades later, the Winter Soldier struggles to solve the same mystery Bucky is just beginning to uncover. As their missions intersect across time, their lives collide too—in a way that neither of them would have expected, and that will change the course of their respective wars. In The Winter Soldier: Cold Front, New York Times best-selling author Mackenzi Lee explores the youth of one of Marvel's most compelling characters, James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes—and the enemy soldier he is forced to become.

Promise Boys is a debut YA thriller by writer-filmmaker, Nick Brooks in which three boys at an urban charter school investigate their principal’s murder during a high-stakes 24-hour day. It is a page-turning, murder mystery thriller that shines a light on themes of social justice and educational inequities, shaping this novel to be both a commercial and literary blockbuster. Prior to becoming a filmmaker, Brooks worked as an educator with at-risk youth, and Promise Boys reflects his firsthand experience at how the system can condemn these boys to failure before they’ve even had a chance at success, despite the media fanfare often awarded to urban academies. “Promise Boys is a classic whodunit that mystery fans will love. But even more than that it’s a social thriller, told through the perspective of Black and Brown boys, that highlights the inequity in our education system,” said Brooks. “This is a story that needs to be told, to speak for our kids who far too often are unable to advocate for themselves and to inspire them to tell their own story."

Did you know … that one of Saturn’s moons is so hollow it would float in water? That the largest known star is 3.69 billion times bigger than our sun? Or that Jupiter likely has diamonds floating in its clouds? Explore dazzling facts about the vast expanse of space, from glowing stars billions of light-years away to supermassive exploding supernovas to rockets thundering into the unknown. This comprehensive book takes you on a mind-blowing tour of our unbelievable universe and is full of fascinating facts on topics such as space exploration, our solar system and galaxy, and beyond. Expert astronomer Dean Regas—former host of PBS’s Star Gazers and astronomer of the Cincinnati Observatory—takes you on an incredible tour of facts about each planet in our solar system, dwarf planets, our sun and other stars, exoplanets, comets, asteroids, galaxies, space travel, and so much more. Hundreds of stunning photographs bring the facts to life.

Into every generation, a slayer is born. One girl in all the world…sort of. Frankie Rosenberg is the world’s first slayer-witch, but she doesn’t have that slay-life balance figured out just yet. She’s still reeling from the deadly explosion at the annual slayer retreat- and new evidence that some slayers may have survived. And while she’s defeated her first Big Bad, Frankie soon realizes it was just a warm-up act. Bigger, badder forces of evil are just getting started. The Hellmouth has been reawakened and its calling old friends home. Portals are opening between Sunnydale and other dimensions. And the Scooby Gang has too many demons to contend with – real, metaphorical, and sometimes absurdly hot. Then an oracle warns of a new foe on its way: the Darkness. Could this be what attacked the slayers? And is it coming for Frankie?

Thank you for being part of the conversation. This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 563 With Cassandra Clare The Author Of Chain Of Thorns James and Cordelia must save London—and their marriage—in this thrilling and highly anticipated conclusion to the Last Hours series. Cordelia Carstairs has lost everything that matters to her. In only a few short weeks, she has seen her father murdered, her plans to become parabatai with her best friend, Lucie, destroyed, and her marriage to James Herondale crumble before her eyes. Even worse, she is now bound to an ancient demon, Lilith, stripping her of her power as a Shadowhunter. After fleeing to Paris with Matthew Fairchild, Cordelia hopes to forget her sorrows in the city’s glittering nightlife. But reality intrudes when shocking news comes from home. Cordelia returns to a London riven by chaos and dissent. , If Cordelia and her friends are going to save their city—and their families—they will have to muster their courage, swallow their pride, and trust one another again. For if they fail, they may lose everything—even their souls.

It's almost Lunar New Year, and Chloe can’t wait to celebrate! But first, Chloe and her family must prepare for the new year. They buy new shoes, lay out good-luck oranges in a bowl, decorate the red envelope, and make a crispy turnip cake. Everyone comes together to cook a fantastic feast, saving a plate for A-má, of course. Chloe enjoys the festive celebration and yummy food, but most of all, she loves spending time with her family. Lily LaMotte and Michelle Lee have created a tender, warm, and uplifting holiday story about tradition and the importance of being with those you love. The backmatter contains educational facts about the Lunar New Year celebration in Taiwan and a fun recipe for a yummy fortune cake!

From the creators of the #1 Amazon Best Children’s Book of 2020 and a #1 New York Times bestseller, ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER, author Tami Charles and renowned illustrator Bryan Collier, bring us WE ARE HERE. Sharing the beauty and excellence in the history of the Black community, while assuring Black and brown children of the extraordinary legacy from which they come. A groundbreaking picture book, WE ARE HERE is a stirring, poetic and empowering follow up with soaring language and stunning illustrations. Part love letter, part anthem, WE ARE HERE offers an equally inspirational and arresting ode to all of the Black women and men throughout history who have made momentous contributions from the beginning of time. The second of three books in a trilogy that together add up to All Because You Matter (2020); We Are Here (2023); United Together and represent, respectively, an affirmation; a celebration; a proclamation, WE ARE HERE is for picture books as what THE HATE U GIVE was for YA readers and GHOST BOYS for middle grade students.

In this stunning ninth book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series,Sophie and her friends discover the true meaning of power—and evil. Sophie Foster changed the game. Now she’s facing impossible choices:when to act, when to trust, and when to let go. Her friends are divided and scattered, and the Black Swan wants Sophie to focus on their projects. But her instincts are leading her somewhere else. Stellarlune—and the mysterious Elysian—might be the key to everything. But finding truth in the Lost Cities always requires sacrifice. And as the Neverseen’s plans sharpen into terrifying focus, it appears that everyone has miscalculated. The Lost Cities’ greatest lie could destroy everything. And in the battle that follows, only one thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same. The world and characters that Shannon creates immediately suck you in--but everything is still grounded in a relatable story. The stories feature a strong female protagonist as well as several great male characters/friends, and they're full of action, humor, and fantastical elements, which will appeal to all readers. Millions of readers have made Keeper of the Lost Cities a worldwide phenomenon, and the series continues to grow with each new book.

In this comprehensive and update guide packed with hundreds of ideas vetted by experts at every site, America’s #1 national parks publisher provides all of the information you need to discover the beauty and diversity of the country’s most iconic national parks, scenic trails, seashores, historic areas, and more. This 544-page reference is the ultimate travel planner for all things national parks, filled with full-color photos, detailed maps, historical background, and practical facts on the location of the park system properties, as well as the best times to visit and top-rated activities.

Fire. Ice. Flood. Three climate disasters.Four kids fighting for their lives.Akira is riding her horse in the California woods when a wildfire sparks—and grows scarily fast. How can she make it to safety when there are flames everywhere?Owen and his best friend, George like spotting polar bears on the snowy Canadian tundra. But when one bear gets way too close for comfort, do the boys have any chance of surviving?Natalie hunkers down at home as a massive hurricane barrels toward Miami. When the floodwaters crash into her house, Natalie is dragged out into the storm—with nowhere to hide.Akira, Owen, George, and Natalie are all swept up in the devastating effects of climate change. They are also connected in ways that will shock them—and could alter their destinies forever.

The first YA novel from MELISSA DE LA CRUZ Studios, ANNE OF GREENVILLE, by award-winner Mariko Tamaki gives a modern twist to the classic saga with Anne depicted as a queer, Asian-American and the adopted daughter of two moms. In this modern reimagining of Anne of Green Gables, Anne is an ABBA-loving singer/actor/writer of disco-operas, queer, Japanese American who longs to be understood for her artistic genius. Recently relocated to middle-of-nowhere Greenville and starting at a new school, Anne has a tendency to A) fall in love quickly, deeply, and effervescently and B) fly off the handle in the face of jerks. Both personality quirks quickly come into play when the soccer team boos the premiere of her disco performance, which—in a roundabout way—introduces her to her new BFF, Berry, and she soon after meets the girl of her dreams, Gilly.Falling quickly into that age-old trap of ignoring the best friend for the new crush, Anne soon becomes embroiled in a series of dramatic and unfortunate events, and quickly finds herself wrapped up in a love triangle she never expected. Is she MTB with Gilly? Or is Berry her true soul mate? Only time (or 304 pages) will tell.

The Land of Secret Superpowers: Vegetables is health and lifestyle expert Devin Alexander's first publication for children. Geared towards toddlers and preschoolers, this delightfully illustrated book entices little ones to open their eyes (and their mouths) to the heroic possibilities of the delicious foods we are all meant to eat, highlighting how the vegetables are grown & featuring a cast of multicultural children & veggies named from recent lists of most popular baby names. The use of rhyming words is a proven technique to help kids improve word decoding and reading comprehension.

More than 250 million years ago, our planet looked and felt a lot different from how it does now. The seven separate continents we have today hadn't yet taken shape. Instead, there was only one "supercontinent" called Pangaea. This was the beginning of the time of the dinosaurs. Journey from the Triassic to the Jurassic to the Cretaceous to find out how Earth slowly shifted over time, and how the variety of dinosaurs ruling the planet changed too. Discover how some of these creatures took to the land and others to water or air, and what their habitats were like. Explore how these prehistoric lands correspond to current locations and hear from paleontologists about the groundbreaking discoveries they are making in these fossil-rich places today. Experience the Mesozoic world of the dinosaurs as never before.

New York Time best-selling author J.C.CERVANTES is a believer in magic andsearches for it in all corners of the word. As an author of books for children andyoung adults she writes about a pre-teen who gets pulled into adventures withvarious gods and the shadow bruja Ren and her quest to prevent the nine AztecLords of Night from awakening in THE LORDS OF THE NIGHT.Fourteen-year-old Renata Santiago is the most powerful godborn of them all, abruja with a unique combination of DNA. The Mexica blood from her dad's sidegives her the ability to manipulate shadows. Her mom Pacific, a Maya goddess,gifted her a magical rope that controls time, and Ren recently used it to save a fewgods from getting stuck forever in 1987. She brought them back to the present, buther BFF Ah Puch, the once fearsome god of death, darkness, and destruction, isnow a teenager with no divine powers.Ren is also a girl with ordinary hopes and dreams. She wishes, for example, that her blog about alien sightings would garner more respect. She's always been absolutely convinced that there's a connection between aliens and the Maya civilization. Plenty of online haters feel differently, and they call her a fake, a liar, and a loser.When Ren receives an email about an alien sighting in Kansas, she thinks it may support her theory. She also suspects that the cinco--five renegade godborns--are up to no good. Soon she finds herself embroiled in a quest to prevent the troublemakers from awakening the nine Aztec Lords of Night. Problem is, none of Ren's friends are available to help her hunt down the cinco and the dangerous gods they are resurrecting. Ren has no choice but to team up with two strangers recruited by Ah Puch: Edison, a teen hybrid demon, and Montero, an eleven-year-oldAztec hunter. Succeeding in this quest will prove that Ren is no fake, liar, or loser. But it isn't just another challenge. It could well be an impossible one that leaves Ren questioning her very existence.

From award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexandercomes an all-ages, family read destined to be a major saga that changes the way we think about pre-colonial Africa: THE DOOR OF NO RETURN tells the saga of an African family through the eyes of twelve-year-old Kofi and his friend Ama, as they come of age in pre-colonial Ghana and face the woes and wonders of the new worlds of Europe and America. Alexander’s masterful storytelling and real-to-life characters paint a portrait of a young boy coming-of-age whose similarity to readers will offer an immediate connection to the world of today and continues the legacy of family saga stories such as Roots. Dreams are today’s answers for tomorrow’s questions. 11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets... Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he’s hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin. But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi’s brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight. You are only fine, until you are not. The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs... The river does not care how grown you are. As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.

LOVE YOUR AMAZING SELF – meditation teacher and hip-hop musician - OFOSU JONES-QUARTEY – offers a unique entry point to mindfulness and self-empowerment for kids ages 7 and up. The book is a unique collection of lyrical meditations that call out to be spoken, recited, or sung aloud. Jones-Quarterly also knows as the recording artist - BORN I – has been teaching mindfulness and meditation for more than 10 years and working with kids and families to bring mindfulness and positivity into practice in daily life. As the recording artist BORN I, Jones-Quartey combines his meditative philosophy with hip-hop and electronic music. He is also the male voice of the mindfulness app – Balance – and is available for interviews on November 30. “The world has its ideas of who you are/ but you don’t need them,/ to be the person you really are inside/ is Freedom.” These are the empowering lyrical verses of meditation teacher and hip-hop musician - Ofosu Jones-Quartey – who also goes by the recording artist name of Born I. The verses appear in the new book: LOVE YOUR AMAZING SELF- a unique collection of lyrical meditations for kids ages 7 and up that encourages mindfulness and inspires confidence. With words written to be read, sung, and recited aloud, Jones-Quartey shares original verses that celebrate the ever-important values of joy, resilience, empowerment and self-compassion. Accompanied by the vibrant illustrations of Ndubisi Okoye, each verse in Love Your Amazing Self carries a theme that encourages kids to affirm the positive in themselves and their lives, including: Be True to Yourself, Find Your Magic, Stand up for Kindness, Embrace Impermanence, and Ask for Help. Short reflections and activities accompanying each verse help kids embody the messages, strengthen their self-confidence, and bring greater joy into their own lives and those around them.

A heart-pounding final showdown changes the life of Cruz Coronado forever in the seventh and final book in this thrilling fact-based fiction series. The Forbidden Island is the seventh and final installment of Explorer Academy, the fact-based fiction series deemed “captivating” by the editors at Parenting.com. This story features even more thrilling adventures, complete with science, technology, culture and code breaking, and will have kids on the edge of their seats as the action-packed plot intensifies with a captivating conclusion. Amid assignments that take the Explorer Academy recruits from the iceberg-filled waters of Antarctica to the bone-dry deserts of Argentina, Cruz Coronado is scrambling to complete the last piece of the cipher. With Nebula agents and the elusive explorer spy still out there, his opportunity to recover his mother’s world-changing formula is slipping away. But as Cruz has learned from his time aboard Orion, true explorers must never give up. Even after completing dozens of high-risk missions and traveling to all seven continents, Cruz could never prepare himself for one ultimate surprise.

We all know that little kids ask an awful lot of questions. “Why” can sometimes seem like the only word they know! Now here’s a chance to have some answers. If you want to rule in your knowledge about the animal kingdom and become an expert on all creatures that crawl, wriggle, run, swim, leap, and fly, this is the book for you! Roam through the savanna to discover why hyenas laugh. Slither along the forest floor to find out why snakes stick out their tongues. Pick up a magnifying glass and figure out why ants are obsessed with sugar. And get some practical advice as to why so many poisonous animals are brightly colored and why pesky mosquitoes think your feet are especially delicious!From National Geographic Kids—creators of the bestselling Why? Over 1,111 Answers to Everything and Why Not? Over 1,111 Answers to Everything—Why? Animals is the first in a brand-new series of fun-packed books designed to supercharge your child’s curiosity while keeping them entertained for hours. Chomp down on hundreds of fun facts, stunning photographs, explorer interviews, and activities such as matching games and quizzes.

It's that time of year where we reassess how we're going to tackle the new year and setting healthy habits for our little ones is high on most parents' minds. Beloved kids franchise CoComelon is out with new research about the most important habits parents want to establish with their kids with bathtime, bedtime and eating vegetables all topping the list. Award winning TV host and personality Lillian Vazquez will talk about how she incorporates healthy habits with her own son and will give viewers tips and tricks they can put to immediate use. With more than 150 million subscribers and 4 billion monthly views, CoComelon is the #1 most-watched kids brand on YouTube globally and has become a perennial leader on major streaming platforms like Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, Roku and Netflix, where it set the record for consecutive days in the Top 10 ‘Most Watched TV Show.’

In the 2017 young adult novel They Both Die at the End, author Adam Silvera introduced two teenagers who experience one unforgettable day after a mysterious organization called Death-Cast informed them that today would be their last day on Earth. The book became a publishing phenomenon, hitting #1 on the New York Times best-seller list, garnering tremendous critical acclaim, and capturing the imagination of a massive audience of passionate readers. They Both Die at the End is one of the most popular YA titles on ‘BookTok’, selling over 1.5 million copies domestically and nearly 2 million internationally.Now, the long-awaited prequel – The First to Die at the End – arrives in stores on October 4. In the highly anticipated novel, two new strangers spend a life-changing day together after Death-Cast makes its fateful calls. Orion Pagan has a serious heart condition and he signed up for Death-Cast so he could know what’s coming. Valentino Prince has a long and promising future ahead and he only registered for Death-Cast after his twin sister nearly died in a car accident. Orion and Valentino cross paths in New York and immediately feel a deep connection. But when the first round of End Day calls goes out, one of them receives a call, and the other doesn’t. Though neither boy is certain how the day will end, they know they want to spend it together…even if that means their goodbye will be heartbreaking.

You Don’t Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl from Ukraine is 12-year-old Yeva Skalietska’s firsthand account of her harrowing escape from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yeva’s story begins on her twelfth birthday in Kharkiv, where she has been living with her grandmother since she was a baby. Ten days later, the only life she’d ever known was irrevocably shattered. On February 24, 2022, her city was suddenly under attack as Russia launched its horrifying invasion. Yeva and her grandmother fled to a basement bunker, where she began writing this diary. She describes the bombings they endured while sheltering underground, and their desperate journey west to escape the conflict raging around them. “Everyone knows the word war, but very few people understand what it truly means,” writes Skalietska. “I want the world to know what we have experienced.” After many endless train rides and a prolonged stay in an overcrowded refugee center in West Ukraine, Yeva and her beloved grandmother eventually find refuge in Dublin. There, she bravely begins to forge a new life, hoping she’ll be able to return home one day. You Don’t Know What War Is: The Diary of a Young Girl from Ukraine is an important, emotional, and ultimately hopeful memoir about the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.

This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 544 With Author And Journalist Nora Nues MUHAMMAD NAJEM, WAR REPORTER In 2018 CNN Reporter Nora Neus stumbled across the twitter feed from Muhammad Najem, a 15-year-old Syrian using social media to tell his story in any way he could. He was only eight years old when the war in Syria began. He was thirteen when his beloved Baba, his father, was killed in a bombing while praying. By fifteen, Muhammad didn’t want to hide anymore—he wanted to act. He was determined to reveal what families like his were enduring in Syria: bombings by their own government and days hiding in dark underground shelters.

The creators of the Circle Round bring their beloved combination of folktales and storytelling activities to book form in the first branded Circle Round book series. Podcast host Rebecca Sheir has uncovered folktales from a broad range of traditions, all exploring timeless values, such as kindness, generosity, acceptance, and more. Specially designed to be read aloud and shared, these stories are accompanied by questions and prompts for conversation, along with creative storytelling activities developed by Melissa Taylor of Imagination Soup.

Love & Gelato meets The Opposite of Always in the poignant and romantic novel, SPELLS FOR LOST THINGS by Jenna Evans Welch. In this brand-new standalone novel, two teens try to find their place in the world after being unceremoniously dragged to Salem, Massachusetts, for the summer.Willow has never felt like she belonged anywhere and is convinced that the only way to find a true home is to travel the world. But her plans to act on her dream are put on hold when her aloof and often absent mother drags Willow to Salem, Massachusetts, to wrap up the affairs of an aunt Willow didn’t even know she had. An aunt who may or may not have been a witch.There, she meets Mason, a loner who’s always felt out of place and has been in and out of foster homes his entire life. He’s been classified as one of the runaways, constantly searching for ways to make it back to his mom. If she can’t take care of him, it’s his job to try and take care of her. Right?Naturally pulled to one another, Willow and Mason set out across Salem to discover the secret past of Willow’s mother, her aunt, and the ambiguous history of her family. During all of this, the two can’t help but act on their natural connection. But with the amount of baggage between them—and Willow’s growing conviction her family might be cursed—can they manage to hold onto each other?

Bursting with fascinating, fun-tastic facts, this treasure trove of all things animals leaves no habitat unexplored or unusual animal ability unmentioned! If you have ever wondered what sound a rhino makes when it’s happy you can find the answer and 4,997 more in this captivating and colorful collection! Featuring vibrant photography and a bold, eye-catching design, this treasure trove is perfect for both the casual browser and the truly fact-obsessed!

National Geographic Explorers and big cat experts Steve Winter and Sharon Guynup have spent more than two decades tracking big cats in some of the world’s most remote wild places. They’re now sharing what they’ve learned about these iconic cats in a fun, fascinating photo and fact-filled book for kids, The Ultimate Book of Big Cats: Your Guide to The Secret Lives of These Fierce, Fabulous Felines. The book shares never-before-seen images of big cats in their environments, including snow leopards, jaguars, leopards, tigers, cheetahs and of course lions. As photographer and journalist, their work has sparked successful programs protecting people and their livestock, so they no longer kill snow leopards in the Himalayas, jaguars in Brazil, and leopards in Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Steve’s images of P-22, a cougar in L.A., helped create what will be the world’s largest wildlife overpass in California.

The E.B. White Read Aloud Award winner is publishing his first interactive book called HEY, BRUCE!, adding to the fun of his best-selling the curmudgeonly Mother Bruce series of books for young readers .“One convenient thing about writing stories about a grump is that I can get away with more bad things happening to him before the audience stops laughing and starts feeling sympathy for him,” Higgins told PW. “That’s essentially what the Bruce books are,” Higgins said, “me having ridiculous conversations with myself and seeing what happens.”

Darren Aronofsky and his screenwriting partner, Ari Handel, introduce their debut novel Monster Club, the first book in an action-packed, hilarious and heartfelt series about growing up, letting go, and facing down your monsters.The only thing that makes Eric “Doodles” King happy is Monster Club, the epic roleplaying game that he and his friends created. But when his friends start to think of Monster Club as a kid’s game and get more interested in other things, Eric is heartbroken. That’s when Eric happens across a long-lost vial of magic ink that brings their monster drawings to life, and suddenly, the monsters he and his friends created are wreaking havoc across their hometown of Coney Island. Eric soon realizes that it’s up to the Monster Club to face down the very monsters they created and save their city in the process.

When Mac first opens his classroom copy of Jane Yolen's The Devil’s Arithmetic and finds some words blacked out, he thinks it must be a mistake. But then when he and his friends discover what the missing words are, he's outraged. Someone in his school is trying to prevent kids from reading the full story. But who?Even though his unreliable dad tells him to not get so emotional about a book (or anything else), Mac has been raised by his mom and grandad to call out things that are wrong. He and his friends head to the principal's office to protest the censorship... but her response doesn't take them seriously. So many adults want Mac to keep his words to himself. Mac's about to see the power of letting them out.Amy Sarig King writes this story from real life experience. Jane Yolen’s The Devil’s Arithmetic was censored in her local elementary school in the exact way as it’s described in her novel. After buying an uncensored copy at her local independent bookstore, she went to the principal to fix the problem, but was shrugged off as if she were silly to think that censorship is wrong.The Attack of the Black Rectangles takes on censorship and intolerance, two issues of importance to King, as she cautions in her author’s note:Now… school districts all over the country are seeing a massive rise in book bans—where just a few citizens are removing many books from shelves in a call to “protect” you from the truth . . . when taking away stories of people different from you, or stories where you might be able to see yourself and your family, or, really, any stories, is the opposite of protection. I want you to care about intellectual freedom— which is the right to read.

Former NBA All-Star and Miami Heat assistant coach Caron Butler and acclaimed author Justin A. Reynolds tip off the first book in a new middle grade series about a young boy trying to make his mark on an AAU basketball team coached by a former NBA star. In Shot Clock, Tony loves basketball. But the game changed recently when his best friend, Dante, a hoops phenom, was killed by a police officer. Tony hopes he can carry on Dante’s legacy by making the Sabres, the AAU basketball team Dante took to two national championships. With his community reeling and the team just finding its footing on the court, can Tony find a path to healing while helping to bring the Sabres a championship?

Beloved African American folklorist Zora Neale Hurston first published the short story Magnolia Flower in 1925. A stirring folktale brimming with poetic prose, culture, and history, Magnolia Flower follows a young Afro-Indigenous girl who longs for freedom. Now, Magnolia Flower is tenderly reimagined as a children’s picture book by #1 New York Times bestselling and National Book Award-winning author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. Born to parents who fled slavery and the Trail of Tears, Magnolia Flower is a girl with a vibrant spirit who longs to connect with others who also seek freedom. Magnolia sets off on a journey that will prove just how brave one can be when leading with one’s heart. With breathtaking illustrations by Loveis Wise, this picture book reminds us that there is no force strong enough to stop love.

This new addition to the wildly popular, fact packed Weird But True series is all about the coolest, strongest, and WEIRDEST birthday facts in the world. For instance, did you know that you are likely share your birthday with about 20.8 million other people around the globe? Or that the winner at the world birthday-cake-eating championship ate 14.5 pounds of cake in just under eight minutes?Unwrap 300 wacky facts and pictures showcasing the hilarious history, crazy coincidences, awesome astrological beliefs, and surprising statistics behind birthdays. You’ll be impressed by the world’s craziest cakes, most elaborate decorations, and most grandiose gifts to ever commemorate a year in the life. Whether you’re celebrating your own birthday, looking for the perfect present, or just love wacky trivia, this fact-packed, fun-filled book takes the cake!This kid-favorite series is sure to entertain the birthday boy or girl with lots of fun and obscure facts!

Bill Konigsberg, author of six books, the latest being Destination Unknown, a YA book from Scholastic, which Kirkus Reviews calls “Historical fiction at its finest.” In fact, the review is so great, here are some excerpts that say it better than I can: “Two drastically different gay teens meet in New York City in 1987 at the height of the AIDS pandemic…… What ensues is a tour de force: an exploration of a relationship that pulls back the curtains on queer 1980s New York City to reveal a community wrestling with life and death. With care, emotional depth, and a myriad of period music references, Konigsberg expertly balances Micah’s wonder, fear, despair, and outrage at coming out during the AIDS crisis. Strong characterizations of Micah and CJ are buoyed by excellent dialogue and believable secondary characters—…propelling this exhilarating page-turner. It’s sure to be an emotional eye-opener for those who did not live through this time and a resonant picture of resilience, community, and activism for those who did.”

We all know them—the sandcastle smashers, the avid piñata bashers, the kids who thrill to watching videos of wrecking balls in action and avalanches. Rather than be concerned about boys and girls who are drawn to destruction, parents, teachers, and other significant adults should encourage their fascination. Because the more curious they become, the more they’ll want to learn about how things blast apart, wear away, topple, shatter, and self-destruct. And they just might grow up to be a scientist or inventor who applies that knowledge to building stronger buildings, designing better products, and making the world a safer place. A how-things-work look at how things don’t work, Break Down! is aimed at middle-graders who build towers of blocks just to knock them down, get excited about a trip to the junkyard to see a car crusher at work, and wonder why toilets get clogged. Written in a high-energy, kid-friendly style by award-winning science journalist Mara Grunbaum and filled with incredible photos and fun facts, it covers all kinds of things that crash, crumble, and break (including some by design, like bike helmets) as well as colossal disasters, both natural and those due to epic human error (like the Great Molasses Flood of 1919, which took out entire city blocks in Boston, killing 21 people and injuring at least 150 more). While indulging their curiosity about everything from what loggers did before chainsaws to the inner workings of a cracked cell phone screen, kids will get a crash course in the science and technology behind explosions, implosions, crashes, crushes, demolition. and decomposition. Packed with photos, in-depth explanations, real-life stories, and hands-on activities to captivate kids and help them understand the forces that break things down and explore ways to prevent them.

From the troll doll bug of Suriname to the Bog Snorkeling Championships in Wales to a technicolor village in Indonesia, Weird but True! World 2023 offers an unparalleled, adventure-filled exploration of our world’s amazing uniqueness. Middle graders will discover Earth’s strangest animals, wackiest festivals, ancient wonders, intriguing news, and more in the newest addition to the wildly popular WEIRD BUT TRUE! book series. Weird but True! World 2023: Incredible Facts, Awesome Photos, and Weird Wonders—for This Year and Beyond! showcases strange, shocking, and spectacular sights around the globe, from kooky creatures to amazing architecture. Young readers will journey across all seven continents, dive into the ocean, and even blast off into space to discover a whole wide world of weird. The blockbuster kid-favorite series is a big, bold annual extravaganza of the wackiest and wildest marvels on planet Earth. Weird but True! World 2023 is full of fun surprises, from the world’s first underwater post office to a glass frog with transparent skin. The yearly compendium also crowns the world’s top weirdos in three categories, naming global winners plus four runners up. Readers will discover the 2023 weirdest place to live, weirdest animal, and weirdest photo. Weird But True! World 2023 goes continent-by-continent to explore the weirdest things the world has to offer through lively blurbs, zany maps, incredible photo spreads, stats, personality quizzes, and more. Young readers will visit an amusement park deep underground, dive into a crystal-clear crack between continents, take a trip to the world’s most remote toilet, and, of course, meet all manner of weird animals big and small along the way.

We know animals can’t speak and express themselves in the same way as humans but even the smallest and quietest animals have incredible ways of communicating with each other. With wildlife veterinarian expert Dr. Gabby Wild as a guide, How to Speak Animal helps kids understand how animals communicate through sound, body language, and behavior. It’s full of expert insights and real-life stories of humans exploring ways to “talk” to animals, from teaching great apes sign language to speaking “dolphin.” Packed with super-engaging animal photography that helps illustrate key concepts, this fascinating book profiles more than 60 different creatures—from birds to mammals to reptiles and more—and their amazing ways of communicating with each other. The book features a variety of wild and domestic animals including mammals, marine life, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. If you’ve ever wondered why gorillas beat their chests and make hooting noises, what it means when chameleons change color, or why some elephants twist their trunks together, this is the book for you!

Scholastic Press is proud to publish COMING UP CUBAN: RISING PAST CASTRO'S SHADOW by 15‐time Emmy® Award winner and Pura Belpré honoree Sonia Manzano (on sale August 2, 2022). Offering a fresh look at and examining the impact of the 1959 Cuban Revolution, this unforgettable and crucial story addresses the inner lives and growth of four children from very different walks of life as they experience major social, political, and cultural upheaval.In the wake of Fidel Castro's new regime, Ana, Miguel, Zulema, and Juan-children of different ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds-learn to find a place for themselves in a world forever changed. In a tumultuous moment of history, we see the lasting effects of a revolution in Havana, the countryside, Miami, and New York. Through these snapshot stories, we are reminded that regardless of any tumultuous times, we are all forever connected in our humanity."Social upheavals affect everyone. I wanted to write a novel that examined the impact the 1959 Cuban Revolution had on four children. Through these four separate life stories, I hope our readers see how interconnected we all are, regardless of any tumultuous times we might be living in. Scholastic, with their everlasting focus on diverse books, are the perfect publishers," said Manzano.In this novel, two of the kids make it out of Cuba, one of them flown out as part of a program called Operation Peter Pan and brought to Miami. Over 14,000 unaccompanied Cuban minors were sent to the USA under this system by frightened parents who hoped to protect them from the real or rumored Castro policies. Two are left behind, where poverty and uncertainty lurk. Perfect for fans of Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Refugee by Alan Gratz, COMING UP CUBAN imparts resonant and interwoven tales of children enduring trying moments in history, as they grow through these emotionally‐charged experiences. The book is also the first in a new four‐book publishing program between Manzano and Scholastic.

Civil rights icon, Ambassador Andrew Young and his daughter, Paula Young Shelton, deliver a powerful story about a special day in Andrew’s childhood that changed him forever. Written for kids, Just Like Jesse Owens is a story of race relations in the 1930s South and is illustrated by bestselling Caldecott Honor winner Gordon C. James. The 90-year-old Andrew Young shares the teaching of his parents, and Jesse Owens' example, that became the guiding principles that built his foundation as a civil rights leader and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

With every throw, tackle, and kick, numbers are being calculated on the football field. National Geographic Kids and ESPN teamed up to create It’s a Numbers Game! Football to teach kids the way that digits and math factor into football, from the countless statistics used to measure an individual player’s performance to the numbers used in defensive formations. NFL superstar Patrick Mahomes wrote the foreword for this new book, explaining how he uses time, numbers, and math to win football games. Kids will read about the most amazing moments in football history and learn about the crazy calculations behind winning plays. They will discover which NFL team defenses have allowed the fewest points and check out cool graphics that show the angles in different pass patterns. Young readers will enjoy learning about the greatest players in the game’s history and finding out fascinating facts, like the price of a Super Bowl commercial. Players and enthusiasts of all levels will enjoy reading about their favorite football stars and learning how numbers are used to enhance the game, such as the math behind the perfect punt. The book also provides lessons for players to practice their skills based on the strategies provided. There are specific “Try This” activities at the end of each chapter to get kids actively learning. Jam-packed with infographics, statistics, fun facts, sports history, and tips and activities to improve their own game, this book will help kids become a number-crunching football pro.

The Blue Bloods are back, and they are more fanged and fabulous than ever. Melissa de la Cruz is the #1 New York Times, #1 Publisher’s Weekly and #1 IndieBound bestselling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for readers of all ages including the Blue Bloods series. Within New York City’s most elite families, there lurks a secret society of celebrated Americans whose ancestors sailed on the Mayflower. They are the powerful and the wealthy—and in fact, they are not human. They are the Blue Bloods, an ancient group of vampires. After defeating Lucifer and sacrificing the love of her life, Jack, Schuyler wakes up back in New York safe and sound. Only it’s not quite the New York she knows, and she’s not in her regular body. She looks different and feels different and so does everyone else. Schuyler soon discovers that in this world, her best friend has a different last name, her parents are both alive and well and one of them is an entirely different person, and the love of her life? Not so dead after all. The catch? Jack has no idea who she is. As it turns out, Schuyler is not in her New York. She’s not even in her universe. This is an alternate reality. One where Lucifer is alive and well and acting as mayor of New York, Blue Bloods are luring humans to clinics to drain their blood, and Jack is Lucifer’s right-hand man. Just when she thinks all is lost, Schuyler is contacted by a familiar friend—the Silver Blood, Kingsley. The Kingsley from her world. He remembers the Schuyler she used to be! But he also has a theory, and it’s one she doesn’t like. That Schuyler was sent here to defeat Lucifer. Again. And that she’s the only person in this universe or any universe that can defeat him.

Blade Breaker, the highly anticipated sequel to the instant #1 New York Timesbestselling Realm Breaker, features breathless action, deadly twists, and gripping magic, making it perfect for fans of Garth Nix and J. R. R. Tolkien. In Blade Breaker -- from bestselling author Victoria Aveyard (whose Red Queen series has sold more than 3 million copies) -- a divided world must rally, an unstoppable enemy must be defeated, and the fate of the world rests on a blade’s edge.Andry, a former squire, continues to fight for hope amid blood and chaos. Dom, a grieving immortal, strives to fulfill a broken oath. Sorasa, an outcast assassin, faces her past when it returns with sharpened teeth. Valtik, an old sorceress, summons a mighty power. And Corayne, a pirate’s daughter with an ancient magic in her blood, steps closer to becoming the hero she’s destined to be. Together they must assemble an army to face Queen Erida and Taristan’s wicked forces. But something deadly waits in the shadows, something that might consume the world before there’s any hope for victory.