Shaper

Shaper

Jessie Haas

Children's / History / Poetry

A Golden Kite Honor Book: A boy grieving the loss of his dog meets a man who can transform the lives of animals—and peopleChad Holloway feels estranged from his entire family. His tantrum-throwing older sister, Julia, and baby brother, Sky, drive him crazy. His parents don't understand him at all. And ever since his grandfather shot Chad's dog Shep, they haven't been speaking to each other, even though Jeep says it was a mercy killing. Queenie, the new puppy Jeep bought to make amends, will never replace Shep. Not even close. Chad has no idea how he's going to get through this summer. Then he meets his new neighbor. David Burton is a shaper—a dog trainer who changes animals' behavior using positive reinforcement. He hires Chad as his assistant and suddenly, things start to happen. Chad uses Queenie as a guinea pig to try out David's techniques. Except Chad starts to feel like he's the one being shaped. And he really likes David's daughter...
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Silver Stirrups

Silver Stirrups

Bonnie Bryant

Children's

Carole Hanson is used to being the best junior rider at Pine Hollow, but a new girl has started taking lessons there, and she's good. In fact, she's younger than Carole, and she's a better rider. Carole is surprised to find herself feeling jealous. Then she realizes that this new rider may excel in the saddle, but on the ground she's got a lot to work out, and the best person to help her is Carole. Can Carole overcome her jealousy and forge a new friendship?
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Beetle Queen

Beetle Queen

M. G. Leonard

Children's / Classics / Fiction

Cruel beetle fashionista, Lucretia Cutter, is at large with her yellow ladybird spies—and she has a devious plan. Darkus, Virginia and Bertolt are determined to stop her, but Darkus's dad is dead set against their involvement. Hope rests on Novak, Lucretia's daughter and a Hollywood actress, but the beetle diva is always one scuttle ahead...The wickedly wonderful sequel to the best-selling Beetle Boy, nominated for Waterstones' Children's Book of the Year.
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The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen (The Annotated Books)

The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen (The Annotated Books)

Hans Christian Andersen

Children's / Fairytales / Poetry

A richly entertaining and informative collection of Hans Christian Andersen's stories, annotated by one of America's leading folklore scholars.In her most ambitious annotated work to date, Maria Tatar celebrates the stories told by Denmark's "perfect wizard" and re-envisions Hans Christian Andersen as a writer who casts his spell on both children and adults. Andersen's most beloved tales, such as "The Emperor's New Clothes," "The Ugly Duckling," and "The Little Mermaid," are now joined by "The Shadow" and "Story of a Mother," mature stories that reveal his literary range and depth. Tatar captures the tales' unrivaled dramatic and visual power, showing exactly how Andersen became one of the world's ten most translated authors, along with Shakespeare, Dickens, and Marx. Lushly illustrated with more than one hundred fifty rare images, many in full color, by artists such as Arthur Rackham and Edmund Dulac, The Annotated Hans Christian Andersen will captivate readers with...
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Selected Poems

Selected Poems

Rudyard Kipling

Fiction / Poetry / Children's

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) is often regarded as the unofficial Laureate of the British Empire. Yet his writing reveals a ferociously independent figure at times violently opposed to the dominant political and literary tendencies of his age. Arranged in chronological order, this diverse selection of his poetry shows the development of Kipling's talent, his deepening maturity and the growing sombreness of his poetic vision. Ranging from early, exhilarating celebrations of British expansion overseas, including "Mandalay" and "Gunga Din", to the dignified and inspirational "If -" and the later, deeply moving "Epitaphs of the War" - inspired by the death of Kipling's only son - it clearly illustrates the scope and originality of his work. It also offers a compelling insight into the Empire both at its peak and during its decline in the early years of the twentieth century.
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Arts and Thefts

Arts and Thefts

Allison K. Hymas

Children's / Mystery / Humor and Comedy

Middle school retrieval specialist Jeremy Wilderson must team up with preteen private detective Becca Mills once again to solve his most mind-boggling case yet in this action-packed MAX novel.Ahh, summer vacation! Jeremy Wilderson, Scottsville Middle School's first (and only) retrieval specialist, is enjoying a slower-than-usual season of retrieving (NOT stealing) lost objects in order to help the under thirteen population of Scottsville. But crime doesn't take a vacation! And when sabotage strikes Scottsville's event of the year—the Summer Art Show—threatening to ruin the burgeoning painting career of Jeremy's best friend, Case, it's up to Jeremy to figure out what's going on. Of course, his archrival Becca Mills, who just happens to think Jeremy, Case, and their friend Hack are involved in the crime, is also looking into it. Jeremy has only a few precious hours to stop the sabotage before more contest entries—and kids' dreams—are...
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The Cybil War

The Cybil War

Betsy Byars

Children's

Young love, told by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Summer of the SwansSimon is in fifth grade, and every time he sees Cybil Ackerman, his heart pounds. Falling in love with her was easy, but winning her is not. Simon's best friend, Tony, is also swooning over Cybil, and he'll stop at nothing to ruin Simon's chances of impressing her. When Simon realizes what Tony is up to, the war is on... but only Cybil can decide the outcome. Who will be the lucky winner of Cybil's heart?"Young love, fifth-grade variety, portrayed with warmth and humor and that extra, penetrating touch one expects of Byars."—Kirkus ReviewsAn ALA Notable Book
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Haunting Miss Trentwood

Haunting Miss Trentwood

Belinda Kroll

Children's / Historical Fiction / Young Adult

Witty, secluded Mary is adjusting to life with her aunt after her father, Trentwood, passes away and returns in ghostly form. When Hartwell, a London lawyer, arrives at their doorstep claiming someone in the house is blackmailing his sister, Mary stumbles into a mystery that forces her to revisit memories and rethink her future.
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A Blind Guide to Normal

A Blind Guide to Normal

Beth Vrabel

Children's / Young Adult / Contemporary

Richie “Ryder" Raymond has a gift. He can find the punchline in any situation, even in his limited vision and prosthetic eye. During the past year at Addison School for the Blind, Ryder's quick wit earned the respect and friendship of his classmates. Heading to mainstream, or “normal," school for eighth grade is going to be awesome.After all, what's not to like? At Addison, Ryder was everyone's favorite person. He could make anyone laugh, especially his best friend Alice. So long as he can be first to make all of the one-eyed jokes, Ryder is sure he'll fit in just as quick at Papuaville Middle School, home of the Fighting Guinea Pigs. But Alice warns him fitting in might not be as easy as he thinks.Turns out, Alice was right. In just the first hour of “normal" school, Ryder is attacked by General MacCathur II (aka, Gramps's cat), causes his bio teacher to pass out cold, makes an enemy out town hero Max, and falls for Jocelyn, the fierce girl next door who...
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Caleb and Kit

Caleb and Kit

Beth Vrabel

Children's / Young Adult / Contemporary

From award-winning author Beth Vrabel comes a powerfully moving story about a magical friendship, coping with disability, and the pains of growing up and growing apart. Twelve-year-old Caleb is shorter, frailer, and more protected than most kids his age. That's because he has cystic fibrosis, a diagnosis meaning lungs that fill with mucus and a shortened lifespan. Caleb tries not to let his disorder define him, but it can be hard with an overprotective mom and a perfect big brother. Then Caleb meets Kit--a vibrant, independent, and free girl--and his world changes instantly. Kit reads Caleb's palm and tells him they are destined to become friends. She calls birds down from the sky and turns every day into an adventure. Her magic is contagious, making Caleb question the rules and order in his life. But being Kit's friend means embracing deception and danger, and soon Caleb will have to decide if his friendship with Kit is really what's best for him--or her. **Review "A can't-put-it-down tale. Caleb's discoveries about his own strength and resilience during his friendship with free-spirited, imaginative Kit will expand your heart and fill your soul. From the beautiful cover to the last sentence, this book is a favorite to savor and share."―*Bibi Belford, author of *Canned and Crushed**** "Having a disability myself, my heart broke for Caleb who wants nothing more than to feel like a normal twelve-year-old kid - at any cost. Caleb and Kit will forever be entwined, the roots of their friendship solid, rich, and strong, just like this beautiful story."―*Kerry O'Malley Cerra, author of *Just a Drop of Water**** "In the midst of Kit's self-constructed fantasy world, Caleb's heroism is the real deal. He's determined, courageous, and witty despite his unusual physical challenges. Beth Vrabel doesn't shy away from the tough stuff that can complicate the lives of tweens. Readers young and old will find this a unique novel well-deserving of a permanent place on the family bookshelf."―*Melissa Hart, author of *Avenging the Owl* "A realistic story with strong, recognizable characters that doesn't reduce cystic fibrosis to a tragedy." **―*-Kirkus Reviews*** "Filled with smart, witty, and magical writing, Kit and Caleb, and those around them, come to vibrant life in this heartbreaking story about the ties that bring people together, and the difficulties of facing the truth."―**-Booklist**** "A compelling story of two struggling kids making their own safe haven." ―**- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books* About the Author Beth Vrabel is the award-winning author of A Blind Guide to Stinkville, A Blind Guide to Normal, and the Pack of Dorks series. She can't clap to the beat or be trusted around Nutella, but she indulges in both often, much to the dismay of her family. She lives in Canton, Connecticut. 
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