Young Adult Authors Unplugged From Arroe Collins

In her new book, Ultimate Book of the Future: Incredible, Ingenious, and Totally Real Tech That Will Change Life as You Know It, Author Stephanie Drimmer shares exciting advances in cool high-tech stuff and shows us how scientists are working today to solve problems for a better tomorrow. Taking kids on a fascinating journey of discovery, Drimmer, a longtime writer for National Geographic Kids magazine, has a knack for making complex topics easy-to-grasp and interesting for kids through clear and lively explanations, often with a touch of humor or suspense. While filled with fun and wonder, everything in this book is backed by research and grounded in science reality. Kids will discover what’s coming soon in robotics, bionics, space travel, and much more. As they dive into chapters on everyday tech, future cities, future food, high-tech entertainment, transportation, building better bodies, and saving the world, young readers will have a chance to imagine what tomorrow might look like.

Author, and self proclaimed reluctant reader, Ryan Jacobson knows firsthand how hard it can be to keep young readers engaged these days. Reading is absolutely fundamental and that’s why Ryan has changed the game by allowing readers to choose their own paths throughout these exciting middle grade novels. The Can You Survive? series aims to keep young readers on their toes with high-interest plots and engagement strategies that will have the most reluctant readers coming back for more!

In THE LAST FALLEN MOON, we meet again with the protagonist Riley Oh, who has come to realize that life as the Godrealm’s last fallen star is not all it’s cracked up to be. Her new divine heritage doesn’t even come with cool magical powers; half of her friends and family (including her parents) can’t remember her; and to top it all off, the entire Gom clan is mad at her for killing the Cave Bear Goddess and stripping away their healing abilities. But when their anger boils over and a group of witches curse Riley’s home, she knows it’s up to her to restore magic back to her clan even if it means sneaking into the Spiritrealm. Luckily, Riley has some backup. Along with her sister, Hattie, Riley meets Dahl, a heaven-born boy with shockingly white hair and a fondness for toilets who might not be telling the whole truth about who he is. Together they’ll fight vicious monsters, discover dark underwater worlds, and race to save the land of the dead from a fate that no one could have foreseen.And this time, Riley won’t let anything get in her way. Because she can’t shake the feeling that something terrible is coming their way and the gifted community is going to need all the powers they can get.

Prince Jones is the guy with all the answers—or so it seems. After all, at seventeen, he has his own segment on Detroit’s popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, where he dishes out advice to the brokenhearted. Prince has always dreamed of becoming a DJ and falling in love. But being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that and the only romances in his life are the ones he hears about from his listeners. Until he meets Dani Ford.Dani isn’t checking for anybody. She’s focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. But her college essay keeps tripping her up and acknowledging what’s blocking her means dealing with what happened at that party a few months ago. And that’s one thing Dani can’t do. When the romantic DJ meets the ambitious writer, sparks fly. Prince is smitten, but Dani’s not looking to get derailed. She gives Prince just three dates to convince her that he’s worth falling for. Three dates for the love expert to take his own advice, and just maybe change two lives forever.

A quiet revolution has been underway in recent years, with study after study revealing substantial same-sex sexual behavior in animals. In the new YA title Queer Ducks (and Other Animals), two-time National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author Eliot Schrefer presents a well-researched exploration of queer behavior in the animal world—from albatrosses to bonobos to clownfish to doodlebugs.In sharp and witty prose—aided by humorous comics from artist Jules Zuckerberg—Schrefer uses science, history, anthropology, and sociology to illustrate the diversity of sexual behavior in the animal world. Interviews with researchers in the field offer additional insights for readers and aspiring scientists.Eliot Schrefer is a New York Times bestselling author, has twice been a finalist for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature, and has won the Green Earth Book Award and the Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award for Children’s Literature. His novels include the Lost Rainforest series, Endangered, Threatened, Rescued, Orphaned, and two books in the Spirit Animals series. He lives in New York City, is on the faculty of the Hamline University and Fairleigh Dickinson University MFA in creative writing programs, and reviews books for USA Today.

In WHAT CAN I SAY, author Catherine Newman provides a framework for parents to help their kids learn more about relationships, empathy, respect, friendship, and communication. From how to be inclusive, listen, give advice, argue, stick up for yourself, and ask for help to how to turn down a date, express sympathy, deal with offensive comments, respond to bullying, and be trustworthy, What Can I Say? helps kids develop the skills to express themselves clearly while showing empathy, care, and generosity towards others.

A Show for Two follows Mina Rahman whose goal is to win the Golden Ivy student film competition, get into her dream school, and leave New York City behind for good. When indie film star Emmitt Ramos enrolls in her high school under a secret identity to research his next role, he agrees to star in her short film for the competition…if she acts as his NYC tour guide. As Mina ventures across the five boroughs with Emmitt, the city she grew up in starts to look more like home than it ever has before. Suddenly, Mina’s dreams begin to crumble, and she’s forced to ask herself: Is winning worth losing everything?

Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She’ll be working in her family’s ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend—whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort—and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.But when she gets a letter from her biological father—a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life—Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.While King’s friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family’s business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can’t ignore her father forever.

This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 496 With Grand Master Dork Lord Michael JohnstonHe’s set about turning traditional tropes in the fantasy genre on their head. In this epic adventure, GRAVE DANGER, written for ages 8-12, Johnston recasts the villain figure as the hero – because let’s be honest, it’s always the villain that gets to do all the fun stuff, and has the coolest powers.

Just in time for Halloween best-selling author Roseanne A. Brown brings us the story of a vampire slayer uprooted to suburban Maryland. How does a girl who was trained to be a vampire slayer adjust to regular life in middle school? Not so well. Serwa will make big mistakes, earn detention, and even make a trip to the underworld before she learns the shocking truth about herself and her family. For most kids, catching fireflies is a fun summer activity. For twelve- year-old Serwa Boateng, it's a matter of life and death. That's because Serwa knows that some fireflies are really adze, shapeshifting vampires from the forests of Southeastern Ghana. Adze prey on the blood of innocents, possessing their minds and turning them into hulking monsters, and for generations, slayers like Serwa and her parents have protected an unknowing public from their threats. Serwa is the best adze slayer her age, and she knew how to use a crossbow before she could even ride a bike. But when an obayifo (witch) destroys her childhood home while searching for a drum, do Serwa's parents take her with them on their quest to defeat her? No. Instead, they dump Serwa with her hippie aunt and cryptic-obsessed cousin in the middle of Nowheresville, Maryland "for her own safety." Now, instead of crossbows and battle armor, she's dealing with mean girls and algebra, and for the first time in her life she doesn't have to carry a staff everywhere she goes, which is, kind of nice, actually.

HOW TO SURVIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL is written by educators, vetted by curriculum experts, and chock-full of sophisticated illustrations, charts, diagrams, and formulas. Covering English, Math, Science, U.S History and World History, the content in these study guides is presented in a bold and fun format that's easy to read and understand. From ancient Rome to modern poetry, from the solar system to rational numbers, these study guides will help middle schoolers survive any pandemic learning gaps and ultimately thrive in their new environment.

The most well-known spoken word poem from National Poetry Slam Champion Elizabeth Acevedo comes alive in the brand-new illustrated book, Inheritance: A Visual Poem. Paired with vivid, full-color illustrations by artist Andrea Pippins, Inheritance: A Visual Poem addresses Elizabeth’s experiences being Afro-Latinidad and the traits and struggles she inherited through her racial and ethnic heritage. Elizabeth recited the poem while performing on the D.C. poetry circuit in 2014, and video of her performance went viral, which fueled her popularity among a worldwide audience.In the famous poem, Elizabeth embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad culture — the history, pain, pride and powerful love of that inheritance. With Inheritance: A Visual Poem, Elizabeth’s powerful words can now be read in a vibrant package, making it the ideal gift, treasure or inspiration for readers of any age.

Featuring thrilling sky battles, SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF is the first book in a fast-paced adventure series that skewers pop notions of unicorns and subverts the “unicorns are pink and cuddly” trope. The creatures in this series are powerful and exploding with uncontrolled magic. YA readers looking for a world to lose themselves in need look no further than the detailed, lavishly crafted universe of SKANDAR. But the magic surrounding this series truly lies in 29-year-old debut author A.F. Steadman, who studied Spanish, Russian and law at The University of Cambridge and became a lawyer. She eventually gave up her law career to pursue writing fulltime and was inspired to write SKANDAR AND THE UNICORN THIEF while walking through Oxford years ago, during which she envisioned a clear image of a boy riding a unicorn through the sky. Steadman calls this a book about ferocious unicorns, but it’s also about friends who accept you for who you really are, and about the fierce bond that can exist between humans and animals. It’s a book about loving people—even when loving them can be hard. And about doing the right thing—even when it scares you. The message of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief is a simple one, together we are always stronger.

This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 480 With Cedric Williams From Face’s Music Party On NickelodeonFace is back for a new generation of preschoolers in Face’s Music Party, a brand-new music variety show premiering Monday, June 6, at 11 a.m. (ET/PT). The interactive series that combines animation and live action (13 episodes) will feature a reimagined Face as host and VJ, playing modern pop hits and revamped nursery school classics to create the ultimate music party. Face’s Music Party will debut as part of the ongoing “Music Mondays”-themed preschool programming block and air regularly Mondays at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.

Eleven-year-old Ella is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies. Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy, and not all Marvellers are welcoming of Conjurors. But eventually, she finds friendly faces in potions teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit and Jason.When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with the aid of a Conjuror, Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur never returns from a research trip. With her friend's help, Ella must clear her family's name and track down her mentor before it's too late.

Fact: About 71 percent of the Earth's surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 percent of all Earth's water. Fact: More than 80 percent of the ocean and never been mapped, explored, or even seen by humans. A far greater percentage of the surfaces of the moon and the planet Mars has been mapped and studied than of our own ocean floor. Despite its size and impact on the lives of every organism on Earth, the ocean remains a mystery. Affectionately dubbed "Her Deepness", by The New Yorker magazine, Dr. Sylvia Earle, one of the world’s top experts on ocean science and conservation, shares her inspiring wisdom in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OCEAN: A GLOBAL ODYSSEY showcasing how the ocean--with its forces, habitats, creatures, and global influence--has a tremendous impact on our everyday lives. President & Chairman of Mission Blue, Dr. Earl describes the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean, the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing, and the myriad ways we can help protect it. With a special focus on new discoveries in the deepest reaches of the ocean, Dr. Earle’s book reveals wonders that few have witnessed before and broadens our understanding of this essential realm of life on Earth.

Feathers, fins, fur, feet—the animal kingdom is made up of nearly 9 million known species! From flying fish to flightless birds, each living creature has a unique role to play in the life of planet Earth. In this book, Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz, hosts of the mega-popular kids’ podcast Wow in the World, will take you on a fact-filled adventure to explore the funniest and most fascinating animals known to humankind. Featuring hilarious illustrations and filled with facts, jokes, photos, and quizzes, this book is a call to the wild kids of the world.

Meet three notoriously mysterious sea creatures and their unnerving beauty Acclaimed National Geographic photographer David Liittschwager describes his fascination with the octopus, seahorse and jellyfish this way: “Nature loves to hide. I want to see.” And see he does- creating some of the most mesmerizing images of these tiny often overlooked sea creatures. Liittschwager has spent 12 years photographing octopuses, seahorses and jellyfish in more than 28 locations around the world—from Tasmania to Bonaire, the Florida Keys to the Solomon Islands, Portugal to Japan—equipped with his trusty 500-pound photo studio. Using a white background to capture the smallest of details, including small hairs and translucent tissues, Liittschwager has been able to render the details that would normally go unseen. Accompanying some of the images from the nearly 500 specimens he photographed, are essays by bestselling science writers which further explain the biology of these surprising creatures. While researchers continue to explore to find new sea life, they are in a battle with time as the planet loses species to human activity such as oil spills, global warming, plastic waste and more.

Summertime is well under way and teens home from school may be tempted to spend more time online. To help parents get teens excited about taking a break from their phones, TikTok recently introduced a number of tools and programs to reduce screen time and encourage safe online habits.This summer, TikTok is partnering with Barnes & Noble to support summer reading with the new #BookTokChallenge. Through August 31, TikTok encourages people to discover and read new books and share their reactions with the TikTok community using #BookTokChallenge. Barnes & Noble visitors can also scan a QR code at participating locations that takes them to a dedicated #booktok hub featuring popular books and bestselling authors across a range of literary genres - all in an effort to unite the TikTok community around the love of reading.TikTok also offers several tools to help people control their screen time. A screen time management dashboard gives people visibility into how and when they are using TikTok and the ability to set time limits; screen time breaks remind people to take a break after a certain amount of uninterrupted screen time; and several top creators have made short videos encouraging users to take a snack break, explore the city, go outside and rest your body and mind -- which have already generated millions of views.

In 2018, Michelle Figueroa – a journalist, filmmaker and CNN contributor – launched The Good News Movement, the only large-scale, journalist-run, politics-free social media platform for only good news. The Good News Movement quickly amassed a huge loyal following and now has several million followers with celebrities such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Kristen Bell, Ricky Martin and Jamie Lee Curtis as fans.Now, Michelle introduces the new children’s book, A Good Thing Happened Today, a rhythmic collection of happiness and hope inspired by real-life good news. With beautiful illustrations by #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Ramona Kaulitzki, the book highlights good moments—from small to big—and encourages kids to practice the important skill of positive thinking. Inspired by true news stories from around the world, A Good Thing Happened Today reminds us that there are positive things happening every day and we can all be a part of it.In addition to founding The Good News Movement, Michelle Figueroa has 15+ years of experience as a bilingual journalist, producer and filmmaker, and has contributed to CNN en Espanol, CNN.com, PBS/World Channel, NPR, Al Jazeera, Discovery, Univision, Hearst and many more.

The year is 2072. Soon a volcanic eruption will trigger catastrophic devastation, and the only way out is up. While the world’s leaders, scientists, and engineers oversee the frantic production of a space fleet meant to save humankind, their children are brought in for a weekend of touring the Lazarus, a high-tech prototype spaceship. But when the apocalypse arrives months ahead of schedule, First Daughter Leigh Chen and a handful of teens from the tour are the only ones to escape the planet. This is the new world: a starship loaded with a catalog of human artifacts, a frozen menagerie of animal DNA, and fifty-three terrified survivors. From the panic arises a coalition of leaders, spearheaded by the pilot’s enigmatic daughter, Eli, who takes the wheel in their hunt for a habitable planet. But as isolation presses in, their uneasy peace begins to fracture. The struggle for control will mean the difference between survival and oblivion, and Leigh must decide whether to stand on the side of the mission or of her own humanity.

The 150th anniversary of Arbor Day falls at the end of April this year. Susan Tyler Hitchcock, a writer specializing in history, nature and science, is perfectly qualified as author of INTO THE FOREST: The Secret Language of Trees. Writing for National Geographic, Hitchcock combines legendary photography with cutting-edge science to show exactly how trees influence the life of planet Earth―from our personal lives to the weather cycle. Beautifully illustrated essays tell the stories of the world’s most remarkable trees, from Tane Mahura in New Zealand, the ancient Maori "lord of the forest," to Pando, a single aspen spreading over 100 acres: Earth’s largest living thing.

It began with the lighting of a lamp. One day three of Aru Shah’s schoolmates show up at her doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don’t believe her claim that the Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, then she can get herself out of this mess with her school friends. But lighting the lamp unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon also known as the Lord of Destruction, who’s determined to end the world unless the youth can stop him. The novel brings to play the largely untapped world of Hindu mythology and its figures who are deployed to help the young heroine on a journey replete with contemporary pop culture references and an exploration of karma and reincarnation. In THE NECTAR OF IMMORTALITY, ARU SHAH has only until the next full moon to stop the Sleeper from gaining infinite power. But how can Aru, Mini, and Brynne hope to defeat him without their celestial weapons? The Sleeper and his army are already plundering the labyrinth, and the sisters can't even enter. Their quest to get in will have them calling on old friends, meeting new allies, and facing fearsome trials, like...performing in a rock concert? When the moment of confrontation finally arrives, it's up to Aru to decide who deserves immortality, the devas or the asuras. The most unexpected answer will come from a most unexpected place. More surprises and delights, gods, and demons, and laughs and tears await in this immensely satisfying conclusion to the wild ride that began with the lighting of a lamp.

This debut novel is everything we want in a YA fantasy: schools of magic, ancient secrets, twisted monsters, and a noble kid-turned-hero. White takes you on a journey to unlock the secrets of a new kind of magic, Dragon Metal, alongside brave protagonist Jestin Kase. What I think makes this book even more special than the story within, is the author’s approach to writing fantasy based in reality. His career as a newspaper reporter gave him deep glimpses into the challenges of the world, from the struggles of foster care to the tragedies of murder and war. His fiction often reflects these experiences. Instead of setting his stories in alternate, dystopian futures, he looks at the dystopia of the world we live in today, through the lens of urban fantasy and adventure, with a little dark humor.

Eleven-year-old Ella is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies. Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy, and not all Marvellers are welcoming of Conjurors. But eventually, she finds friendly faces in potions teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit and Jason.When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with the aid of a Conjuror, Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur never returns from a research trip. With her friend's help, Ella must clear her family's name and track down her mentor before it's too late.

A dark land filled with shadows and strange noises. A multiheaded beast standing guard. A new, sly ruler with a few tricks in store. A lack of Mutt Nuggets to fill Ares the pug’s belly…The Olympians of Mount Olympus Pet Center have never faced a challenge quite like this. With Zeus the Mighty trapped in his palace by an all-seeing guard dog named Cerberus, it’s up to his gaggle of gods and goddesses to figure out how to rescue him. Once the Oracle speaks, the critters know they must venture deep into the belly of the vast Underworld to find the powerful relic that can free Zeus. But with so many new faces along the way, who can they trust? Will their quick thinking and teamwork be enough to save Zeus and themselves? After all, they found a way in, but can anyone really escape the Underworld?

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.

This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 428 is with Lyn Liao Butler Creator Of The Book Red Thread Of Fate.Born in Taiwan and moved to the States when she was seven. In her past and present lives, she has been: a concert pianist, a professional ballet and modern dancer, a fitness studio owner, a personal trainer and instructor, an RYT-200 hour yoga instructor, a purse designer with an Etsy shop and most recently, author of multi-cultural women's fiction. Lyn did not have a Tiger Mom. She came about her over-achieving all on her own.When she is not torturing clients or talking to imaginary characters, Lyn enjoys spending time with her FDNY husband, their son (the happiest little boy in the world), two stubborn dachshunds, and trying crazy yoga poses on a stand-up paddleboard. So far, she has not fallen into the water yet.

In these inspiring stories, two National Geographic Explorers, Clare Fieseler and Gabby Salazar, celebrate changemakers and outstanding women of diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and fields of study – many of whom are just beginning their game-changing work– by shining a light on the unique journeys and struggles that led to their incredible modern-day achievements. This book illuminates how women are making history today. Inside these pages, readers will uncover the stories of amazing women who have done, and are still doing, incredible actions across the globe; women who have traveled the world to protect animals, tell stories, preserve history, and complete incredible athletic feats. They’ll learn about what it’s really like to be a woman in science – including the hardships many endure before ultimately forging their own paths in science and exploration.

Tahereh Mafi introduces the first book in a new epic, romantic trilogy, This Woven Kingdom. This YA novel invites readers into an intricate, absorbing world that weaves clashing empires, forbidden romance, and glimmering magic, with Persian mythology.To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient kingdom forced to hide in plain sight. The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the servant girl with the strange eyes, the girl he can’t put out of his mind, would one day soon uproot his kingdom—and the world.Tahereh Mafi is the National Book Award nominated and New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Shatter Me series, A Very Large Expanse of Sea, An Emotion of Great Delight, Whichwood, and Furthermore. With more than 186,000 Instagram followers, Tahereh Mafi has a passionate, dedicated fan based that’s always eager to devour her books.

From Ching Shih, a Chinese pirate who presided over a fleet comprised of some 80,000 men (Blackbeard had 400!), to Anne Bonny who famously ran away from an arranged marriage to don trousers and brandish a pistol in the Bahamas, to Sayyida al Hurra, an Islamic queen who ruled the Western Mediterranean, these women are often forgotten by history. Now, this edgy, wow-worthy illustrated book shares these daring women’s lives and proves that they have made their mark in pirate lore and the high seas.Each pirate profile includes a dramatic original poem presented against a backdrop of gorgeous full-color art by award-winning illustrator Sara Gomez Woolley. Each profile is followed by fascinating information about the real life and times of these daring (and dangerous!) women. Vetted by the world’s leading pirate experts and historians, this book is a cool and edgy gift. It’s also perfect for any curious kid who dreams of adventure and for parents who are eager to show their tweens and teens that history is more diverse, daring, and surprising than what is typically found in textbooks.

This is Play It Forward. Real people. Real stories. The struggle to Play It Forward Episode 407 with Yoon Ha Lee creator of the book Tiger Honor.Sci-Fi novelist Yoon Ha Lee spins a tale from the point of view of a nonbinary tiger spirit for his loyal middle grade fantasy fans. Sebin, a young tiger spirit from the Juhwang Clan, wants nothing more than to join the Thousand World Space Forces and, like their Uncle Hwan, captain a battle cruiser someday. But when Sebin's acceptance letter finally arrives, it's accompanied by the shocking news that Hwan has been declared a traitor. Apparently, the captain abandoned his duty to steal a magical artifact, the Dragon Pearl, and his whereabouts are still unknown. Sebin hopes to help clear their hero's name and restore honor to the clan.

Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children's Books (RHCB), will publish a new picture book by hip-hop pioneer Darryl "DMC" McDaniels in partnership with Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS Consumer Products, it was announced by Chris Angelilli, VP & Editor-in-Chief, Licensed Publishing.DARRYL'S DREAM will be published on January 4, 2022, as part of Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS Consumer Products' recently announced cross-category consumer products program with McDaniels.A picture book about creativity, confidence, and finding your voice, DARRYL'S DREAM introduces readers ages 3 to 7 to a quiet third grader named Darryl. He has big dreams, loves writing, and wants to share his talents, but he's shy, and the kids who make fun of his glasses only make things worse. Will the school talent show be his chance to shine?Written by iconic performer Darryl "DMC" McDaniels, DARRYL'S DREAM is a story about finding courage, facing bullies, and celebrating individuality.A founding member of Run-DMC, McDaniels has extended his influence beyond the world of music in important ways. He is the co-founder of the Felix Organization, a nonprofit that works to provide inspiring opportunities and new experiences for children in the foster care system. McDaniels appeared before Congress and other state legislatures in support of adoptees and foster children and has worked with First Lady Michelle Obama on her Let's Move! campaign.

If you had the chance to change your future, would you take it? From first-time author Femi Fadugba comes The Upper World, a mind-bending YA sci-fi novel that follows two teens whose fates collide across time – and outside of it. The Upper World is currently being developed into a major Netflix movie starring Daniel Kaluuya, the star of Get Out, Black Panther and Judas and the Black Messiah). The Upper World follows Esso, a young man who realizes he can access a world where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees is true, he might not have long to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history. Meanwhile, a generation away, a young woman named Rhia meets a new physics tutor, Dr. Esso, who needs her help to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. Author Femi Fadugba has a Master's degree from Oxford University, where he published in Quantum Physics and subsequently studied as a Thouron Scholar at University of Pennsylvania. According to Femi, “Studying physics showed me from a young age that we live in a mysterious and miraculous universe. I wanted to combine the everyday story of a few kids from South London with the otherworldly physics of space and time – and make it gripping and relatable enough that both the nerds and the jocks would enjoy it.”

Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad: Newton’s Flaw is the second book in the National Geographic Kids fact-based fiction series written by American Girl series co-creator, Valerie Tripp. In the ongoing quest to overcome the challenges of middle school, the five friends must continue to use their collective skills and the power of STEM to bring order to their school. With their first mystery solved and first-day jitters triumphantly behind them, Izzy and her pals — the Solving Mysteries and Revealing Truths Squad (S.M.A.R.T.) — start to settle in to the normal day-to-day at Atom Middle School. Izzy even works up the courage to try out for an all-boys ice hockey team! Things are going well until a mysterious illness threatens to shut down the media center — and maybe the entire school. The S.M.A.R.T. Squad embarks on an investigation adventure to crack the case in a race to figure out what ails them — but that’s not all. A pop-up science fair causes excitement and tension for the Squad, and Izzy’s failure to speak up in her speech class feels like an obstacle she can’t overcome. Can the girls pull together to solve the media center mystery? Will their STEM smarts help them rock the science fair? Or will Izzy Newton’s flaws mean the end of the S.M.A.R.T. Squad?

“The World Almanac has been the source for definitive data and answers to questions on any subject since 1868,” said Sarah Janssen, executive editor of The World Almanac. “In a year of major transitions, the new edition of The World Almanac documents the rapidly shifting world to give a source of historic perspective and new understanding to any curious reader.”

In Out of My Mind, we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids’, but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody’s impactful story. In Out of My Heart, Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.

Ghosts, clones, and fairy magic come to play in this ultimate and ridiculous showdown between the twins and their worst enemy. FOWL TWINS Get What They Deserve is the 3rd installment in the FOWL TWINS series and like the previous adventure stories, it is filled with high-tech, spectacular magic, and silly business.For almost two years, Lord Teddy Bleedham-Drye, the Duke of Scilly, has been plotting revenge against the Fowl Twins, who humiliated him in Book One. Teddy plans to give them exactly what they deserve: permanent death.He threatens Myles with his weaponized jet and Beckett and Specialist Lazuli succeed in disarming the aircraft and causing an accident that kills the duke. But does it really?

Ana Dakkar is a freshman at Harding-Pencroft Academy, a five-year high school that graduates the best marine scientists, naval warriors, navigators, and underwater explorers in the world. Ana's parents died while on a scientific expedition two years ago, and the only family's she's got left is her older brother, Dev, also a student at HP. Ana's freshman year culminates with the class's weekend trial at sea, the details of which have been kept secret. She only hopes she has what it'll take to succeed. All her worries are blown out of the water when, on the bus ride to the ship, Ana and her schoolmates witness a terrible tragedy that will change the trajectory of their lives.

Following his time in University, Melbourne native Garth Nix worked for the Australian government and was a soldier in the Australian army. But his time as a bookseller in a small independent book shop fueled his love of books which would ultimately result in his creation of The Old Kingdom, a six-part fantasy adventure series that sold millions of copies worldwide and was translated in more than 40 languages.First published in 1995, the first installment, Sabriel, introduces readers to a young girl named Sabriel who must take on a powerful foe to rescue her father in the Old Kingdom, a land where magical creatures run free and the dead don’t always stay that way. A feminist milestone, Sabriel was one of the first fantasy books to present a female hero. Now, more than 25 years after the first novel, Garth Nix presents Terciel & Elinor, the long-awaited prequel which tells the exciting back-story of Sabriel’s parents.Globally best-selling celebrity authors such as Cassandra Clare, Scott Westerfield, Holly Black, Alison Goodman, and Veronica Roth have mentioned The Old Kingdom series as an inspiration for their own work. Speak with Garth Nix to find out what served as his inspiration to create the unforgettable characters who have captured the imagination of millions of readers worldwide, and what they can expect from the new novel, Terciel & Elinor. Garth can further discuss his decision to introduce a female action hero, far before it was fashionable to do so, as well how the fantasy genre has changed since he first began writing The Old Kingdom series in light of properties such as Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings.

Donna Jo Napoli believes that traditional stories are about passing on wisdom that can help us move through our daily lives. In Treasury of Magical Tales from Around the World, Napoli introduces us to a flower-spouting princess, a gobbling prince, an emerald-winged fairy, foolish giants, fearsome ogres, and talking frog and fish – just a few of the captivating characters found in this anthology of beloved stories from 29 places around the world. From the Arctic to Africa to Asia to Australia to Europe to the Americas, this beautifully illustrated, diverse compendium includes stories from: China: The Island of the Ogres (a sailor with an ogre wife) Fiji: Kumaku and the Giants (a young girl who outsmarts giants)Morocco: Half-a-Rooster (a clever rooster seeking its fortune)Ecuador: The Mundopuma (a music-playing jaguar)Italy: The Speaking Bird (princes turned to statues)

Affectionately dubbed "Her Deepness", by The New Yorker magazine, Dr. Sylvia Earle, one of the world’s top experts on ocean science and conservation, shares her inspiring wisdom in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OCEAN: A GLOBAL ODYSSEY showcasing how the ocean--with its forces, habitats, creatures, and global influence--has a tremendous impact on our everyday lives. President & Chairman of Mission Blue, Dr. Earl describes the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean, the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing, and the myriad ways we can help protect it. With a special focus on new discoveries in the deepest reaches of the ocean, Dr. Earle’s book reveals wonders that few have witnessed before and broadens our understanding of this essential realm of life on Earth.

Just ahead of what would have been his 79th birthday, poet Charles R. Smith Jr., and illustrator Edel Rodriguez have collaborated on this electrifying picture book biography of legendary guitar genius, Jimi Hendrix. From Hendrix’s turbulent childhood through his epical appearance at the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, Coretta Scott King Honoree Charles R. Smith Jr. covers it all in this rich and rhythmic account of a singular life. Written as a series of verses beginning with intro and ending with outro, this unique mix of rhythm and rhyme captures the essence of the rock icon and his struggle to live life on his own terms. Accompanied by the psychedelic splendor of former TIME art director Edel Rodriguez's acid-tinged artwork, each page is a feast for the ears and eyes. Aimed at readers 7–11—but perfect for music lovers of any age—SONG FOR JIMI celebrates a unique individual who inspired so many.

The Dragon’s Blood is the sixth 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. From the jungles of Borneo to the forests of Tasmania, the explorers embark on some of their most challenging expeditions, so far. Is it possible that an animal once thought extinct still exists? For Cruz, it is a time of self-discovery as he seeks to make sense of the family mystery he is slowly unraveling. His search for the seventh cipher leads him to an ancient city, even as he remains on the hunt for the explorer spy. Who is betraying him? And why? More surprises are on the way as Cruz faces new revelations about his destiny and those who are determined to keep him from fulfilling it!

The Rick Riordan Presents imprint of books presents the final book in the New York Times best-selling Tristan Strong trilogy by Kwame Mbalia. After reuniting with Ayanna, who is now in his world, Tristan travels up the Mississippi in pursuit of his archenemy, King Cotton. Along the way they encounter new haints who are dead set on preventing their progress north to Tristan's hometown of Chicago. It's going to take many Alkean friends, including the gods themselves, the black flames of the afokena gloves, and all of Tristan's inner strength to deliver justice once and for all. Shocking twists, glorious triumphs, and a cast of unforgettable characters make this series conclusion as satisfying as it is entertaining.

Updated and reviewed by experts in the field for the most accurate, up-to-date information, this comprehensive reference book features 2,500 species, 1,000 stunning photos, and more than a dozen engaging maps. Jam-packed with fun facts--such as the world's tallest animal, the longest living animal on Earth, and even the smelliest--it also contains new, exclusive "From the Field" reports highlighting National Geographic explorers working around the world to study and protect every kind of animal, from giraffes to penguins and sharks to snails. Kids will love diving into topics like animal homes and habitats, migration, life cycles and babies, conservation and more! This must-have encyclopedia for all animal lovers also includes an extensive listing of animal species with basic facts and figures, and a comprehensive glossary and index.