Daisy’s Defining Day

Daisy loves words, so she is delighted when Miss Goldner teaches the class about alliteration. When her neighbor Grant starts calling her Lazy Daisy, she decides to come up with an alliterative nickname so dazzling it sticks. As Daisy collects D words that describe her, she shows delightful determination in finding the perfect name.

In Lucia’s Neighborhood

Inspired by urban visionary Jane Jacobs, seven-year-old Lucia takes the reader through a day in her neighborhood and celebrates the people and places that make it feel like home. A great starting point for discussions on cities, this book will encourage readers to stop and smell the urban roses.

Willow Finds a Way

Willow is thrilled the whole class — including her! — is invited to classmate Kristabelle’s fantastic birthday party, until the bossy birthday girl starts crossing guests off the list when they dare cross her. There are many books on bullying, but Willow’s story offers a unique look at how to handle the situation as a bystander.

The Lobster Chronicles: A Narrow Escape

Inspired by urban visionary Jane Jacobs, seven-year-old Lucia takes the reader through a day in her neighborhood and celebrates the people and places that make it feel like home. A great starting point for discussions on cities, this book will encourage readers to stop and smell the urban roses.

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping

Scaredy Squirrel is not too comfortable with the idea of camping … unless it’s on his couch! There will be no mosquitoes, skunks or zippers to worry about when he watches a show about the joys of camping on his brand-new TV. But first Scaredy must find an electrical outlet, and that means going into the woods! Will the nutty worrywart’s plans prepare him for the great outdoors, or will his adventure end up as a scary story told around the campfire?

The Further Adventures of Jack Lime

Jack Lime, amateur private eye, solves mysteries for his high school classmates in exchange for future favors. He stops at nothing — except for an occasional bout of narcolepsy — to crack three seemingly stand-alone cases while dodging bullies, Principal Snit and tireless reporter KC Stone. In the tradition of 1950s noir but with a thoroughly modern hero, these stories — shot through with Lime’s acid wit — are best served with a root beer float.

Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind

Jasper John Dooley’s beloved Nan is leaving on a cruise for a whole week! He feels so pththth. All he can think about is Nan missing out on their Wednesday card game, and whether it’s raining where she is, too, and if she will ever come back. But each day something happens, from a stapling mishap to a hamster escape, and Jasper realizes that waiting for someone to return from an adventure takes forever ? unless you’re having an adventure, too. Jasper John Dooley: Left Behind is the second in a series of chapter books featuring a charismatic and funny central character. An only child with active, loving parents (and a most impressive lint collection), Jasper John Dooley is a true original.

A Long Way From Home

Thirteen-year-old Rabia, along with her mother and younger brother, flees Afghanistan and the brutal Taliban for Pakistan. Some months later, they take part in a program that is relocating refugee widows and orphans to America. However, their flight falls on the fateful morning of 9/11. After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, their plane is diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. Also on the plane is a boy named Colin, who struggles with his prejudices against Rabia and her family after they are all stuck in Gander. The people in the small community open their hearts and their homes to the stranded passengers, and their kindness might be the bridge to bring Rabia and Colin’s families together.

Enemy Territory

Thirteen-year-old Rabia, along with her mother and younger brother, flees Afghanistan and the brutal Taliban for Pakistan. Some months later, they take part in a program that is relocating refugee widows and orphans to America. However, their flight falls on the fateful morning of 9/11. After the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New York City, their plane is diverted to Gander, Newfoundland. Also on the plane is a boy named Colin, who struggles with his prejudices against Rabia and her family after they are all stuck in Gander. The people in the small community open their hearts and their homes to the stranded passengers, and their kindness might be the bridge to bring Rabia and Colin’s families together.