Among the Hidden

It’s the first day of school for Dexter and he’s already mad at everyone in the building. When his teacher tells the class to write a story, Dexter writes about how tough he is — and how he’s already gotten into a fight. Is any of Dexter’s story true?

In the first book of The Missing series, 13-year-olds friends Jonah and Chip land in the middle of mystery involving the FBI, smugglers, and people who vanish at will. Opposing forces are struggling over Jonah and Chip’s lives and they may not have any choice in the matter.

When Janie’s family runs into financial trouble, the third-grader begins wearing a one of her mom’s handknit sweaters to her new school each day. This warmhearted story touches on what it feels like to be the new kid in school and how families bind together in tough times.