The Great Depression hits close to home for 11-year-old Margo Bandini when the sheriff starts eviction procedures against her family. Her father has two weeks to pay the bank or they must leave their home forever. Margo is determined to find a way to help Papa save their home, in this debut novel based on the author's own experiences.

A beautiful reminder that we are all composites of the people who love us and the places they have known as home. Lyrical text and richly layered illustrations provide a moving reading experience. Great for bed times!

With few or no words on these pages, the reader feels the hot, sticky night in the family's apartment, along with the boy's growing frustration. Everyone is TOO BUSY to play a game. And then the lights go out. As the family ventures outside its "normal" box for entertainment, they discover the pleasure of each other's company. Wonderfully told and illustrated.

The gentle, poetic way in which Rylant describes the exciting birth of seven summer puppies, a fall fishing excursion between a father and son, and an unexpected winter blizzard provides a breath of fresh air for readers of any age. The pure, strong familial tie speaks more in actions than words, perhaps restoring hope to a disillusioned reader.

This complex exploration of communication unfolds through the dog's narration. The author imagines what an earnest dog may have said to help his autistic person understand and to encourage him to respond with a spoken word. We, readers, begin to grasp the intracacies of intuition and inference, and the frustrations of misunderstandings. Well-meaning parents and teachers miss the big picture when o ...

"In this (Level 3) I Can Read book, Turner takes a sad episode in history (the Great Depression) and fashions it into a story that has depth as well as drama. . . . Realistic, nicely executed illustrations decorate every page".--"ALA Booklist". Full color.

Wiles has created a unique, funny, and utterly real cast of characters in this heartfelt, and quintessentially Southern coming-of-age novel. Ten-year-old Comfort Snowberger will charm readers with her wit, her warmth, and her struggles, as she learns about life, loss, and, ultimately, triumph.

Thirteen-year-old Rosie Beckett embarks on the adventure of her life when her family takes a trip to the World's Columbian Exposition, a.k.a. the Chicago World's Fair, in 1893. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults.

Six-year-old Ben is very small for his age, and gets along better with animals than people. One June day in 1870, Ben wanders away from his home on Hawk's Hill and disappears into the waving prairie grass. This is the story of how a shy, lonely boy survives for months in the wilds and forges a bond with a female badger. ALA Notable Book. Newbery Honor Book.

When Julian finds out that his dad has always wanted snakes for a birthday present, he realizes he'll need more than good intentions--he'll need courage.

Donald Zinkoff is one of the greatest kids you could ever hope to meet. He laughs easily, he likes people, he loves school, he tries to rescue lost girls in blizzards, he talks to old ladies. The only problem is, he's a loser.

Illus. in black-and-white. Marvin Redpost has finally figured out why he doesn't look like anyone in his family. He's not really Marvin Redpost--he's Robert, the lost prince of Shampoon!

Grant simply loves to run – around town, with his best bud, Jay, and as a winning member of the school track team. He pounds out the miles until one day he really does pound the pavement – he face-plants just before the finish line! Hurt and embarrassed Grant must rebuild his self-esteem, but his social-media-loving brother has the video and sends it viral across the internet. To regain his co ...

When you get a dog for companionship, but the dog prefers everyone else over you, what do you do? If you're Eric, you try every trick in the book, even though nothing seems to work. Or does it? Hilarious book sure to keep young readers entertained and laughing.

A tender rendering of how a grandchild learns to value the life and experiences her grandmothers share with her, though they differ widely. Cross-cultural expectations may vary in practice, but so many aspects of life they share in common and young Nina adapts quickly. A strong comparison book with a similarly strong theme of love woven throughout.

When a thunderstorm's loud booms frighten this young protagonist, her father cleverly helps her weather the storm. Loud sounds lessen with a blanket-tent shelter and a game of checkers. Father and daughter make their own big and small sounds, and as the young girl grows comfortable with newfound awareness, the storm outside abates and loud stomps in large puddles close the story in smiles. Illustr ...

When a carload of their relatives pay a visit, a beleaguered family cannot tell one cousin from another. A Caldecott Honor Book.

How different life is for seven-year-old Emma and her older brother, Zach, when their Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Elliot care for them while their parents are away. They don't know how to fix breakfast and have too many rules, but Emma is willing to teach them how to be parents.

Set in 1923, Eben and his dog roam the countryside dreaming of faraway places. However, little did Eben dream that when he accepted his father's challenge he'd uncover such odd, funny, interesting, and unbelievable wonders within the community right outside his doorstep. An all-time favorite!

Inspired by her own family, Polacco beautifully depicts an endearing family reunion that includes all of her aunts, uncles, cousins, and Gramma, who promises to teach the children how to catch RlightningS in a jar. Full color.