Unable to find anyone to play with, Mario agrees to help his Nana by watching cousin Gia, but caring for the toddler is challenging and Mario is near the end of his rope when he gets a reminder that spending time with family is a gift.
Family life
Nine Open Arms
A ghost story, a fantasy, a historical novel, and literary fiction all wrapped into one, this highly awarded novel for young readers begins with the Boon family’s move to an isolated, dilapidated house. Is it the site of a haunting tragedy, as one of the daughters believes, or an end to all their worries, as their father hopes?
Leopardpox!
When Sadie, a kindergartner, suddenly turns into a frisky leopard cub, her mother and brothers take her to a doctor, a veterinarian, and even a zoo seeking a cure.
Out And About: A First Book of Poems
In this joyous collection of poems, Katie and her little brother, Olly, are ready for whatever each day offers, sunshine, wind, rain, mist, or snow. From the happy sights and sounds of the beach to the quiet beauty of leaves in a rain puddle, this exuberant volume captures to perfection the everyday wonder of being out and about.
Summer of the Mariposas
In an adventure reminiscent of Homer’s Odyssey, fifteen-year-old Odilia and her four younger sisters embark on a journey to return a dead man to his family in Mexico, aided by La Llorona, but impeded by a witch, a warlock, chupacabras, and more.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume VII, Issue 3
Mystery of the Giant Masks of Sanxingdui
Young Min, her brother Wei, and Father Ping, the chief, face a flood then help their fellow villagers decide what to do about invaders who are approaching their Bronze Age village in China during an important festival. Includes facts about bronze-making and the archaeological finds at Sanxingdui and Jinsha, as well as archival photographs.
Sleuth On Skates
Sesame Seade, an established brainiac and aspiring sleuth, has a mystery to solve when university student Jenna Jenkins goes missing. With help from her friends, Sesame just might crack the case, as long as she can steer clear of pesky parents and avoid the perpetrators of a serious crime!
Pig Park
Seventeen-year-old Masi Burciaga’s barrio becomes more like a ghost town every day, but when she and other youths are recruited to erect a giant pyramid in hopes of attracting tourists, she wonders about the entrepreneur behind the scheme–and his attractive son.
Lola Plants A Garden
After Lola reads a book of garden poems, she wants to plant some flowers. She gets books from the library and chooses her plants. Then Lola and her mommy buy the seeds, make the garden, and mark the rows. Now it’s time to wait. . . .
The Secret Sky
Two teens from different ethnic groups in present-day Afghanistan must fight their culture, tradition, families, and the Taliban to stay together as they and another village boy relate the story of their forbidden love.