New Arrivals in Children's Books: Age 8 and Under

Year of the Jungle: Memories from the Home Front

Suzanne Collins
NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author Suzanne Collins has created a deeply moving autobiographical picture book about a father who must go off to the war in Vietnam -- and the daughter who stays behind. When young Suzy's father leaves for Vietnam, she struggles to understand what this means for her and her family. What is the jungle like? Will her father be safe? When will he return? The months slip by, marked by the passing of the familiar holidays and the postcards that her father sends. With each one, he feels more and more distant, until Suzy isn't sure she'd even recognize her father anymore. This heartfelt and accessible picture book by Suzanne Collins, the NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Hunger Games series, is accompanied by James Proimos's sweet and funny illustrations. This picture book will speak to any child who has had to spend time away from a parent.

My Little Pony: Welcome to the Crystal Empire!

Olivia London
Twilight Sparkle tours the Crystal Empire. She attends the Crystal Faire, meets lots of Crystal Ponies and gets to stay in a special room in the castle with her very own library! Come explore the sparkling world of the Crystal Empire...

This storybook includes a removable postcard to mail to your friends!

Sabotage Season

Alex Morgan
The Kicks’ championship hopes are being sabotaged in the second book in a series that celebrates confidence and teamwork, from star soccer player and Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan.

Things are going wrong left and right for the Kentville girls’ soccer team, and Devin’s sure the girls from their rival team, the Pinewood Panthers, are behind the many mishaps. Can Devin get to the bottom of the mystery and stop the sabotage before her team’s championship hopes disappear for good?

If Dogs Run Free

Bob Dylan
Music icon Bob Dylan and acclaimed illustrator Scott Campbell team up in this delightful interpretation of Dylan’s 1970 song, “If Dogs Run Free”!

If dogs run free,
Why not we?

In this quirky, spirited interpretation of Bob Dylan’s 1970 song, “If Dogs Run Free,” illustrator Scott Campbell brings Dylan’s lyrics to life as a celebration of the freedom and creativity of childhood. Children of all ages will delight in the message, “Just do your thing!”

Sonic Super Special Magazine #8

Sonic Scribes

The SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE is back with an issue that’ll really knock your socks off! In this high-speed installment, you'll get a wrap-up of the Worlds Collide crossover, an exclusive interview with superstar Sonic artist Evan Stanley, a sneak-peek at the new Sonic game, Sonic Lost World, and MORE! Also featuring tons of comics, news, features, never-before-seen artwork and a brand-new cover by Sonic artist rising star Lamar Wells! Sonic super-fans can't miss this thrilling installment packed with tons of bonus features you won't find anywhere else!

Rainbow Magic Special Edition: Autumn the Falling Leaves Fairy

Daisy Meadows
Get into the crisp, brisk fall spirit with Autumn the Falling Leaves Fairy! Rachel and Kirsty love the fall! They can't wait to go apple picking, carve pumpkins, and take a hayride. But this fall, everything is going all wrong -- because Autumn the Falling Leaves Fairy's magic is missing! Can the girls help her outsmart Jack Frost and his goblins, and make sure that fall is fun again?

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #3: Amelia Bedelia Road Trip!

Herman Parish

Amelia Bedelia, America's favorite housekeeper, had a childhood full of surprises, mischief, and hilarious misunderstandings. In this illustrated chapter book adventure, just right for fans of Judy Moody and Ivy + Bean, young Amelia Bedelia piles into the family car and takes a road trip with her family. This is the third book in the Amelia Bedelia chapter book series and is just right for newly independent readers ready for a more challenging vocabulary and books with chapters.

Amelia Bedelia takes everything literally and that leads to all kinds of silly misunderstandings. Tripping over roads may not be your idea of fun, but for Amelia Bedelia a road trip is a true adventure! The best-selling and beloved housekeeper has been making readers laugh for more than fifty years. Amelia Bedelia has a warm and positive attitude and she has fun with language, vocabulary, and idioms. The Amelia Bedelia chapter books feature short, easy-to-read chapters, illustrations throughout, and Amelia Bedelia's can-do spirit. This is the third book in the chapter book series featuring the childhood of America's favorite housekeeper. The first book was called Amelia Bedelia Means Business and the second book was Amelia Bedelia Unleashed—and you don't have to read them in series order to enjoy them.

Emma Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

Coco Simon
Emma puts her big sister skills—and her bravery—to the test when her brother has to stay in the hospital.

Emma’s younger brother Jake has been getting sore throats for quite a while. When her parents take him to the doctor, their suspicions are confirmed: Jake needs to get his tonsils out. The Cupcake Club rallies around Jake, and even bakes him a special batch of cupcakes to make him feel better. Emma feels bad for him, but wants to stay as far away from hospitals as possible—she’s a bit squeamish and gets woozy at the sight of blood. But Jake throws a fit the day of his operation and says he only wants “Emmy” to stay with him. Emma’s mom tells her she doesn’t have to stay, but Emma realizes Jake isn’t faking; he’s really scared. Can Emma get over her own fears in order to help her little brother?

Mega Man #28

Ian Flynn

"THE RETURN": Mega Man is BACK! After wrapping up a history-making adventure with his pal Sonic the Hedgehog, Mega Man has returned to all new danger and excitement in Mega-City! Meanwhile, Dr. Wily has sixteen Robot Masters under his command, not to mention the mysterious Break Man—so what has got the evil doctor so terrified? Find out as the full might of the ancient alien RA MOON is unleashed upon an unsuspecting world! The prelude to the next Mega Man epic "BLACKOUT-THE CURSE OF RA MOON" starts here with an ending that will leave you breathless!

Jughead Double Digest #195

Archie Superstars

Jughead sets sail on a whirlwind trip to … Buffalo, NY?! That’s right, Jughead’s headed to the chicken wing-capital of the world to submit his very own hot sauce recipe to the National Buffalo Wing Festival! Nothing could ruin this once-in-a-lifetime trip for him—except maybe, of course, some scheming on Reggie’s part. Can the gang catch up with Jughead in time to ensure he wins? Or will Reggie’s fowl prank leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth? Find out in “Winging It!”

Calendar Mysteries #10: October Ogre

Ron Roy
In the tenth book of the Calendar Mysteries, an early chapter-book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives, there's a haunted house in Green Lawn! It's Halloween, and the Shangri-la Hotel has been transformed into a haunted house, complete with an ogre out front. Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy are ready for some scary fun, but then they notice that none of the kids who have gone in the hotel have come back out. What's happening to them? Ghosts and witches and ogres aren't real . . . right?

Calendar Mysteries #9: September Sneakers

Ron Roy
In the ninth book of the Calendar Mysteries, an early chapter-book mystery series featuring the younger siblings of the A to Z Mysteries detectives, Bradley, Brian, Nate, and Lucy have taken care of the first-grade class hamster, Goldi, for the summer. But on the first day of school, when they plan to bring her back, Goldi is missing! In place of her cage is a green-and-orange sneaker key chain. Soon, the kids spot green-and-orange sneakers all over Green Lawn. And they find out other things have been disappearing around town, too. Can the four friends track down the sneaker sneak and get Goldi back? 

Lights, Camera . . . Zombies!

Franklin W. Dixon
The boys track down an unusually undead suspect in this Hardy Boys Secret Files mystery.

Bayport is buzzing with excitement when a film crew sets up shop to film the latest zombie flick. Frank, Joe, and their friends are really psyched that there will be fake zombies running around town—not to mention a famous director and some of their favorite actors. They are hoping for a sighting or two, and maybe even an autograph, if they’re lucky!

But things get a little too real when one of the boys’ friends claims he saw an actual zombie in Bayport—nowhere near the shoot. Is someone just pulling a crazy prank? Or is the movie starting to take on a life of its own?

Playing with Fire

Phoebe Rivers
Sara nervously prepares for a paranormal confession—and staying in a haunted hotel isn’t helping!

Sara has made a big decision: She’s finally going to tell her best friend about her powers. When Lily’s family invites Sara to come along with them on a trip to the Adirondacks, Sara thinks it will be the perfect opportunity to talk to Lily. After all, having a serious discussion about paranormal stuff will be a lot easier outside a haunted town like Stellamar.

But when they arrive in the Adirondacks, Sara learns that they are staying in a very haunted hotel. So haunted, in fact, that a psychic has been called in to help drive the ghosts out. It seems that Sara can’t avoid ghosts and psychics no matter where she goes! Can she escape the mayhem long enough to have her heart-to-heart with Lily? What will happen if Sara doesn’t get the reaction she’s hoping for?

Princess Ponies 5: An Amazing Rescue

Chloe Ryder
Chevalia is an enchanted island where ponies and horses rule, its magic powered by eight golden horseshoes hanging in the royal castle. But the horseshoes have been stolen and must be found before Midsummer Day or the island will lose its magic . . .

In An Amazing Rescue there's only one day to go until Midsummer, and still three golden horseshoes are missing! Pippa and Stardust head for the Wild Forest, and to their astonishment discover another side to haughty Cinders and grumpy Princess Cloud. And they are also shocked to find there is an enemy in their midst.

Vet Volunteers 15 Helping Hands

Laurie Halse Anderson
Jules and Josh are so excited when their parents hire ponies to attract customers to their sidewalk sale. But the Vet Volunteers notice that the ponies don't seem to be very healthy, and after an examination, they learn that the handler, Gus, has been mistreating them. Can the Vet Volunteers help the ponies get well and find a better life for them?

The Berenstain Bears and Mama's New Job

Stan Berenstain
When Mama turns her quilt-making hobby into a business, the Bear family worries that she won't have time for them. But as everyone pitches in to help her, they realize that things aren't so different after all—and they're prouder of Mama than ever!  

The Berenstain Bears Blaze a Trail

Stan Berenstain
Brother Bear, Sister Bear, and Cousin Fred are determined to get their Trailblazing Merit Badge. 
 
They are carefully following the Bear Scouts guidebook. However, Papa Bear has some ideas of his own about the best way to blaze a trail. Through the swamp, the brambles, and Rocky Gorge, Papa forges ahead, getting himself into all kinds of problems. And as usual, the younger bears are able to help him out. That is until Papa Bear decides to make some trailblazer stew. . . 
 
Literary legends Stan and Jan Berenstain’s First Time Books address many of the issues of childhood in simple, direct ways, opening the door for discussion and leaving room for parents to personalize each situation.  

Monster Trucks!

Susan E. Goodman
Its tires are over five feet tall. It is as heavy as an elephant. And it can jump, race, and crush like a monster! It’s a monster truck!
 
Whether racing over ramps, plowing through mud, or crushing cars, monster trucks are the biggest and baddest trucks out there! The bestselling and award-winning team that brought you Choppers! and Motorcycles!, author Susan E. Goodman and photographer Michael J. Doolittle, show readers how these beasts came to be, how they work, how they get ready for a show, and some of the exciting tricks that only monster trucks can do. This action-packed Step 3 Step into Reading beginning reader is filled with you-are-there color photographs!
 
Informative and fast-paced, this book is perfect for boys and girls who love everything on wheels!

The Baby-Sitters Club Super Special #6: New York, New York!

Ann M. Martin
The Baby-sitters have always wanted to be sophisticated New Yorkers like Stacey. Well, now here's their chance: Stacey has invited them all to the city for a vacation.

Lalaloopsy: Meet the Lalaloopsy Girls

Samantha Brooke
Join the Lalaloopsy craze! The hottest toy of 2010 is now in storybook format! This charming storybook is the perfect introduction to the Lalaloopsy girls: Crumbs Sugar Cookie, Jewel Sparkles, Peanut Big Top, Bea Spells-a-Lot, Mittens Fluff 'n' Stuff, Dot Starlight, Pillow Featherbed, and Spot Splatter Splash. Lalaloopsy were once rag dolls who magically came to life when their very last stitch was sewn. With your love and little bit of imagination, you'll see why Lalaloopsy dolls are sew magical . . . and sew cute!

The Baby-Sitters Club #28: Welcome Back, Stacey!

Ann M. Martin
Stacey's parents are getting a divorce. Stacey is sad and angry, and she has a big decision to make--stay in New York with her father, or move back to Stoneybrook with her mother.

Jewel Society #2: Diamonds Are a Thief's Best Friend

Hope McLean
The espionage continues in New York City with the second book in this original heist series! Still smarting after their last run-in with the Rivals, the Jewels focus on their upcoming trip to the Big Apple. But the girls can't stop thinking about the cryptic letter they found, describing not one, but four precious gems that now need their protection! Even more confusing, the Jewels start receiving anonymous notes, one of which claims the Rivals will try to steal a diamond during their trip to New York City! But which one is it? Finding the right diamond in New York is like looking for a needle in a haystack. The Jewels get to work, using all their expertise to unravel the mystery of the secret letter and outsmart the Rivals, as a furious game of cat and mouse ensues across New York City. Will the Rivals rule again? Or can the Jewels conquer in quiz bowl AND stop a crime?

Abel's Island

William Steig
Abel's place in his familiar, mouse world has always been secure; he had an allowance from his mother, a comfortable home, and a lovely wife, Amanda. But one stormy August day, furious flood water carry him off and dump him on an uninhabited island. Despite his determination and stubborn resourcefulness--he tried crossing the river with boats and ropes and even on stepping-stones--Abel can't find a way to get back home.

Days, then weeks and months, pass. Slowly, his soft habits disappear as he forages for food, fashions a warm nest in a hollow log, models clay statues of his family for company, and continues to brood on the problem of how to get across the river--and home.

Abel's time on the island brings him a new understanding of the world he's separated from. Faced with the daily adventure of survival in his solitary, somewhat hostile domain, he is moved to reexamine the easy way of life he had always accepted and discovers skills and talents in himself that hold promise of a more meaningful life, if and when he should finally return to Mossville and his dear Amanda again. Abel's Island is a 1976 New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of the Year and Outstanding Book of the Year, and a 1977 Newbery Honor Book.

Top Selling in Children's Books: Age 8 and Under

Sandwalk Adventures

Jay S Hosler
The Sandwalk Adventures is the tale of follicle mites living in the left eyebrow of Charles Darwin himself. The mites believe Darwin is a god, one of their myths handed down from generation to generation, and he has to set them straight about that and other mite fables. A humorous series of illustrated lessons in natural selection and evolution ensues. Recommended for readers with an interest in real science and a working funny bone. 159 pages of evolution, humor, and science suitable for high schoolers and other intelligent readers

My Weird School 4-Book Collection with Bonus Material: My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!; My Weird School #2: Mr. Klutz Is Nuts!; My Weird School #3: Mrs. Roopy Is Loopy! and My Weird School #4: Ms. Hannah Is Bananas!

Dan Gutman

Don’t miss out on an exciting new My Weird School ebook collection, complete with the first four books in Dan Gutman’s seriously hilarious and seriously zany series. The collection includes My Weird School #1: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!, My Weird School #2: Mr. Klutz Is Nuts!, My Weird School #3: Mrs. Roopy Is Loopy!, My Weird School #4: Ms. Hannah Is Bananas!, and a bunch of seriously strange activities. The activities include a checklist, a maze, and a word scramble.

Meet a teacher who eats bonbons, a principal who kisses pigs, a librarian who thinks she's George Washington, and an art teacher who dresses up in pot holders! They're all inside this collection! They must be getting pretty crowded in there!

Boomer Goes to School

Constance McGeorge
In Boomer's Big Day, Boomer and his family moved to a new town. Now Boomer is going to school! Like many new students, Boomer finds that going to school can be a bit confusing . . . at first. But in the end, he discovers that school is a great place for friends, learning, and fun!

Heidi Heckelbeck Has a Secret

Wanda Coven
Introducing Heidi Heckelbeck—a brand-new young chapter-book series with witchy whimsy!

Now readers between the ages of five and seven can read chapter books tailor-made for a younger level of reading comprehension. Heavily illustrated with large type, Little Simon's young chapter books let young readers feel like they are reading a “grown-up” format with subject, text, and illustrations geared specifically for their own age groups!

Heidi Heckelbeck seems like any other eight-year-old, but she has a secret: She’s a witch in disguise. Careful to keep her powers hidden (but excited to use them all the same), Heidi’s learning to live like any other kid—who just happens to be witch. And with easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Heidi and her brother Henry have always been homeschooled—until now. But Heidi is not happy about attending Brewster Elementary, especially not when meanie Melanie Maplethorpe turns Heidi’s first day of school into a nightmare by announcing that Heidi is smelly and ruining her art project. Heidi feels horrible and never wants to go back to school—but while sulking in her room at home, she remembers her special medallion and Book of Spells. With a little bit of carefully concealed magic, Heidi might be able to give Melanie a taste of her own medicine….

Show me the Honey (Dr. Seuss/Cat in the Hat)

Tish Rabe
Where does honey come from? The Cat in the Hat knows that! It comes from bees, and what better way to learn about honey making than to visit inside a hive and see firsthand how it’s done? In this rhymed easy reader based on an episode from the hit PBS Kids TV show The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, the Cat, Sally, Nick, and Things One and Two shrink to bee size and learn how bees communicate via dance, collect nectar and spit it into combs, turn it into honey, and seal the combs with wax.

This is a sweet, funny Step into Reading book that kids will gobble up—without realizing they are ingesting an important natural-history lesson!

Amelia Bedelia Chapter Book #1: Amelia Bedelia Means Business

Herman Parish

Amelia Bedelia makes her chapter book debut! In Amelia Bedelia Means Business, a New York Times bestseller and the first book in the new chapter book series, young Amelia Bedelia will do almost anything for a shiny new bicycle.

Amelia Bedelia's parents say they'll split the cost of a new bike with her, and that means Amelia Bedelia needs to put the pedal to the metal and earn some dough! With Amelia Bedelia anything can happen, and it usually does. Short, fast-paced chapters, tons of friends, silly situations, and funny wordplay and misunderstandings make the Amelia Bedelia chapter books an ideal choice for readers of the Ivy and Bean, Magic Tree House, and Judy Moody books. Features black-and-white pictures by Lynne Avril on every page!

Look out! Here comes Amelia Bedelia, and she means business! "Sure to be favorites on the early chapter-book shelves."—School Library Journal

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Children's Classic Stories: Fairytales, Fables & Folktales

Belinda Gallagher
Children's Classic Stories is a timeless collection of fairytales, fables and folktales. Many you will know by heart, others you will be familiar with and some will be new to you. Charming illustrations by renowned children's artists bring to life much-loved characters such as Dick Whittington and Snow White--and introduce many new ones-- to keep you entertained time and time again. This book contains favorites such as Hansel and Gretal, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Aladdin and the Lamp to name just a few. There are tales of fairytale magic, Animals big and small, stories about boys and girls, wizards and witches, giants and genies--a wealth of entertainment for all ages.

The Day the Crayons Quit

Drew Daywalt
Crayons have feelings, too, in this funny back-to-school story illustrated by the creator of Stuck and This Moose Belongs to Me -- now a #1 New York Times bestseller!

Poor Duncan just wants to color. But when he opens his box of crayons, he finds only letters, all saying the same thing: His crayons have had enough! They quit! Beige Crayon is tired of playing second fiddle to Brown Crayon. Black wants to be used for more than just outlining. Blue needs a break from coloring all those bodies of water. And Orange and Yellow are no longer speaking—each believes he is the true color of the sun.

What can Duncan possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best?
Kids will be imagining their own humorous conversations with crayons and coloring a blue streak after sharing laughs with Drew Daywalt and New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers. This story is perfect as a back-to-school gift, for all budding artists, for fans of humorous books such as Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, and for fans of Oliver Jeffers' Stuck, The Incredible Book Eating Boy, Lost and Found, and This Moose Belongs to Me.


Steam Train, Dream Train

Sherri Duskey Rinker
The team behind the #1 New York Times bestseller Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site returns with another fabulous book for bedtime! The dream train pulls into the station, and one by one the train cars are loaded: polar bears pack the reefer car with ice cream, elephants fill the tanker cars with paints, tortoises stock the auto rack with race cars, bouncy kangaroos stuff the hopper car with balls. Sweet and silly dreams are guaranteed for any budding train enthusiasts! Plus, this is the fixed format version, which will look almost identical to the print version. Additionally for devices that support audio, this ebook includes a read-along setting.

Ribbit!

Rodrigo Folgueira
A group of frogs are living happily in a peaceful pond, until they discover a surprise visitor: a little pink pig. Sitting contentedly on a rock in the middle of their pond, the pig opens his mouth and says: RIBBIT! The frogs are bewildered at first, and then a bit annoyed—"What did that little pig just say?", "Does he think he's a frog?", "Is he making fun of us?" 

Soon the pig draws the attention of all the nearby animals; everyone is curious to know what he wants! After much guessing (and shouting) and a visit to the wise old beetle, the animals realize that perhaps the pig was not there to mock them afterall—maybe he just wanted to make new friends!  But is it too late?  This is a warm, funny, and beautifully illustrated story of friendship, with boisterous RIBBIT!s throughout—perfect for reading aloud.  

Ol' Mama Squirrel

David Ezra Stein
Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein’s lively tale is a fantastic read-aloud, and feisty Mama Squirrel will have fierce mamas everywhere applauding!

Ol’ Mama Squirrel has raised lots of babies, and she knows just how to protect them. Whenever trouble comes nosing around, she springs into action with a determined “Chook, chook, chook!” and scares trouble away. Her bravery is put to the test, however, when a really big threat wanders into town and onto her tree. But no matter what, Mama’s not about to back down!




Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg

Lori Mortensen
Cowpoke Clyde’s house was completely clean—he’d even shooed off the horseflies: “Then right behind his cookin’ pot, / he spied one thing he’d plumb forgot: / ol’ Dawg, his faithful, snorin’ friend, / all caked with mud from end to end.” Needless to say, Dawg wakes up and runs. The chase that follows—with page-turn surprises—makes for a hilarious shaggy-dog story involving fleas, a hog, bribery, cats, deception, and a mule. The rhyming stanzas are pitch-perfect, Texas-style, and plumb near cry out to be read aloud. Austin’s expressive acrylic and colored-pencil caricatures of Cowpoke Clyde and his menagerie are priceless. A storytime shoo-in!

Flora and the Flamingo

Molly Idle
A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book

In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!

The Sasquatch Escape

Suzanne Selfors
When Ben Silverstein is sent to the rundown town of Buttonville to spend the summer with his grandfather, he's certain it will be the most boring vacation ever. That is, until his grandfather's cat brings home what looks like . . . a baby dragon?

Amazed, Ben enlists the help of Pearl Petal, a local girl with an eye for adventure. They take the wounded dragon to the only veterinarian's office in town -- Dr. Woo's Worm Hospital. But as Ben and Pearl discover once they are inside, Dr. Woo's isn't a worm hospital at all -- it's actually a secret hospital for imaginary creatures.

After Ben accidentally leaves the hospital's front door unlocked, a rather large, rather stinky, andvery hairy beast escapes into Buttonville. Ben and Pearl are tasked with retrieving the runaway creature, and what started out as an ordinary summer becomes the story of a lifetime.

Suzanne Selfors delivers a wild journey filled with mythical creatures and zany adventures that are anything but imaginary.
This book includes bonus writing, art, and science activities that will help readers discover more about the mythological creatures featured in The Sasquatch Escape. These activities are designed for the home and the classroom. Enjoy doing them on your own or with friends!

Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Secret Admirer

Jane O'Connor

Nancy Clancy returns in New York Times bestselling team Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser's second Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy chapter book all about love! In the sequel to Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth, Nancy and Bree decide to play matchmaker, but nothing works out as planned. Will love conquer all in the end?

Fans of Fancy Nancy will delight in joining Nancy Clancy as she takes on love in the second chapter book in the series. As always, the central theme of all the Nancy Clancy books shines through, showing the beauty of friendship and love.

Heidi Heckelbeck Goes to Camp!

Wanda Coven
When Heidi has trouble making friends at camp, she discovers that courage can be even more powerful than magic!

Heidi can’t wait to go to camp with her friend Lucy, but when they get there, Lucy’s camp friends from last year make Heidi feel unwelcome. At first Heidi uses her Book of Spells to help her win their friendship, but in the end she decides to be brave and ask the girls why they don’t like her. Heidi is surprised by their answer…and by the time camp ends she has made two new friends!

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, the Heidi Heckelbeck chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Ballpark Mysteries #6: The Wrigley Riddle

David A. Kelly
Next up to the plate—book #6 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

Ivy-covered walls—they're the most famous part of the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, Wrigley Field. Mike and Kate can't wait to get down on the field to see the ivy for themselves. But when they do, they're horrified to discover patches of the ivy have been ripped away! Who would want to sabotage the stadium? Is it someone trying to curse the Cubs? Or is the rumor of a treasure hidden under the ivy tempting greedy fans? The Wrigley Riddle includes a fun fact page about Chicago's Wrigley Field.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans. 

National Geographic Kids Chapters: Animal Superstars: And More True Stories of Amazing Animal Talents

Aline Alexander Newman
This entertaining and humorous chapter book will feature animals who can perform amazing acts like riding motocross, foretelling the weather, and playing a guitar. These stories will enchant readers and empower them to devour the more text-heavy "grown up" style of the book, while still keeping the story easily digestible for a hesitant reader.

National Geographic supports K-12 educators with ELA Common Core Resources.
Visit www.natgeoed.org/commoncore for more information. 

Ninja Meerkats (#1): The Clan of the Scorpion

Gareth Jones

Jet Flashfeet, Chuck Cobracrusher, Donnie Dragonjab, and Bruce Willowhammer . . . Together they are THE CLAN OF THE SCORPION!

Armed to the teeth with ninja know-how, this ultimate fighting force has one goal—to thwart the evil Ringmaster’s plans for world domination. Ninja-Boom!

A tiger is missing from Hong Kong Zoo, but this is no ordinary big cat—and she won’t be found by sticking “Lost!” posters on lampposts. When the meerkats find a clown-shaped Clue in the Poo at the zoo, it can only mean one thing: the Ringmaster and his Circus Goons are in town. It’s time for the Ninja Meerkats to leap into action!

The Curse of the Pharaoh #1

Steve Stevenson
Agatha: Girl of Mystery is a fanciful and fabulous new mystery series about a headstrong girl detective who jets off on exotic and international adventures with the help of her hulking bodyguard and loyal cat named, aptly, Watson. The first mystery in this series sees young detective Agatha Mistery traveling to Egypt. Rumors of a mysterious tablet unearthed in the Valley of the Kings may be just the clue that Agatha needs to unlock the secret curse of an ancient Pharaoh.

Dodsworth in Tokyo

Tim Egan
With trips to New York, Paris, London, and Rome under their belts, Dodsworth and the duck head for Japan: “The plane glided over Mount Fuji. Tokyo sparkled in the distance. Dodsworth was a little nervous.” Dodsworth has good reason to be nervous—the duck bumps into a rickshaw, falls into a koi pond (he can’t swim), and knocks over a tray of wagashi! Readers will love the slapstick humor and the odd-couple friendship between Dodsworth and the duck. Four engaging chapters of short sentences, clean design, and gem-like little paintings of the Land of the Rising Sun make it easy for early readers to enjoy the journey.

Just Grace and the Trouble with Cupcakes

Charise Mericle Harper

It's time for the school fair, and Just Grace's class has chosen a cupcake theme. But the fair’s highlight, a cupcake competition, causes quite a stir when Grace gets paired with dreadful Owen 1 and not with her best pal, Mimi. Grace is devastated. And just when she thinks things can’t get worse, her team votes down her idea to build a cupcake Eiffel Tower in favor of building Spiderman.

It's a challenging time for Grace. Will she be able to overcome her disappointment and lead her team onward? Will Grace’s team ever figure out how to make a Spiderman out of cupcakes?

Visit Just Grace’s website at www.justgracebooks.com to find all sorts of fun things, including videos, quizzes, and information about all the Just Grace books.

The Meanest Birthday Girl

Josh Schneider
It’s Dana’s birthday, so she can do what she likes. And what Dana likes to do is pinch. And call people names. And steal her classmates’ desserts. You probably know a kid like Dana. What can stop her from being so mean? In this story, it’s not what you might expect. Because sometimes, it takes a little creativity (and possibly a very large pet) to change a mean kid’s ways. Five short chapters with comical full-color illustrations offer a fresh, fun take on bullying and birthdays (and pet elephants).