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Before he was a household name, Cassius Clay was a kid with struggles like any other. Kwame Alexander and James Patterson join forces to vividly depict his life up to age seventeen in both prose and verse, including his childhood friends, struggles in school, the racism he faced, and his discovery of boxing. Readers will learn about Cassius’ family and neighbors in Louisville, Kentucky, and how, after a thief stole his bike, Cassius began training as an amateur boxer at age twelve. Before long, he won his first Golden Gloves bout and began his transformation into the unrivaled Muhammad Ali.

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I’ve been waiting for ages to tell my story, and now it’s finally happening! Being Rafe’s dog isn’t always easy, but it is always EXCITING! I’ve got so much to tell you about:
How I protect the yard from birds, raccoons, squirrels, raccoons, mail carriers … and did I mention raccoons? Sniffing pooch posteriors for the latest canine news. And the terrifying monster hiding in the hall closet: the vacuum cleaner! These were all the most paw-some parts of my doggie life — until the evil Mrs. Stricker threatened to send me back to the pound if I didn’t learn to behave. Now Rafe (Khatchadorian, of Middle School fame) and I have to go to obedience school and win the trophy for Best Trained Dog — or else! This is the first book in the Dog Diaries series from best-selling author James Patterson.

Sammy Hayes-Rodriguez has never really fit in, with an inventor mother, a graphic novelist father, a lovable little sister with an autoimmune disorder … and house full of robots. So he’s dreading the day when his mom insists he bring her newest invention to school: a walking, talking robot he calls E, for “Error.” Will E be Sammy’s one-way ticket to Loserville? Or will he prove to the world that it’s cool to be smart? It’s a roller-coaster ride for Sammy as he discovers the amazing secret E holds that could change his family forever … if all goes well on the trial run!  This is the first book in the House of Robots series from best-selling author James Patterson.

Cash, Fitch, and Bird Nelson Thomas are three siblings in seventh grade together in Park, Delaware. In 1986, as the country waits expectantly for the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, they each struggle with their own personal anxieties. They exist in their own orbits, circling a tense and unpredictable household, with little in common except an enthusiastic science teacher named Ms. Salonga. As the launch of the Challenger approaches, Ms. Salonga gives her students a project — they are separated into spacecraft crews and must create and complete a mission. When the fated day finally arrives, it changes all of their lives and brings them together in unexpected ways. This heartfelt story of family and the bond of siblings is old in three alternating points of view.

A sweetly hilarious story of two Black teens preparing to take a huge first step in their relationship. In frank stream-of-consciousness prose, Reynolds rewinds the teens’ heartfelt romance to showcase its development in reverse: 24 hours before, Neon was avoiding his homework by scrolling through videos he’d recorded of his classmates. And 24 days earlier, Neon was strolling the neighborhood with Gammy and the family dog, Denzel Jeremy Washington. As events roll backward, Neon has conversations with numerous richly wrought supporting characters, including his effervescent musician friend Dodie and his open and loving sister Nat, all of whom regale Neon with their thoughts on sex and love (with varying degrees of embarrassment and enlightenment for Neon). 

It’s August 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever—except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby. A story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves, this thematically rich novel is distinguished by its voice, character development, setting, and exploration of the issues that resonate with middle grade readers.

Maria Tallchief loved to dance, but was told that she might need to change her Osage name to one that sounded more Russian to make it as a professional ballerina. She refused, and worked hard at dancing her best, becoming America’s first prima ballerina.

As a child of two military parents, Deb Haaland moved around a lot when she was young before finally settling in Albuquerque to be near family. But she persisted, studying hard and eventually earning a law degree. An enrolled member of the Pueblo Laguna nation, Deb was one of the first two Native American women to be elected to Congress, where she represented New Mexico’s 1st District. In 2021, when the Senate confirmed her as President Biden’s secretary of the interior, she became the first Native American in history to become a cabinet secretary. She continues to break barriers and inspire future generations to dream of greater opportunities.

Have you ever wondered where colors come from? Explore the colors like never before in a totally engaging, often downright funny, and always informative book written by an illustrator (depicted with his dog throughout). Additional resources and activities conclude this fascinating, unique look at one aspect of art.

Rami sees a floating girl in the art museum where his mother heads the cleaning crew. Could it be connected to the missing painting? Can Rami and classmate Veda solve the mystery before Rami’s mother loses her job? What does Agatha, the turtle in the museum pond, see that others missed? Intrigue, friendship, and art combine in this memorable volume.

Mouse, a rodent living in Dogtown, narrates this fast-paced, humorous, and engaging tale of life for misfit shelter dogs, both real and robotic. Revisit Buster, the bounce-back hound, and robot dog Smokey with a peculiar chip in Dogtown (opens in a new window), the standalone, highly illustrated first tale in the series.

Lola has always felt the magic in her Mexican City home. To save her brother — and the magic — Lola travels to a hidden world where she learns that to gain something, other things must be let go. Beautifully written and handsomely illustrated.

Can two young people save the world’s magic? Find out in this memorable, beautifully written fantasy filled with fast-paced adventure and mythical creatures come alive to help or hinder. Sophisticated readers will appreciate the rich, colorful art and an introduction to the unique beings in this epic fantasy.

Rufus and the staff of the Woofmore Hotel work diligently to please all guests, but especially movie star Greta Garbark. Wordplay, a bit of scatological humor, and full-color illustrations will engage readers young and old in the first volume of the series. 

A small dwarf rabbit named Mishka helps an Afghan family who have been relocated to the Netherlands find home and a sense of permanence. Based on Elman’s experience, this touching family story is enhanced by delicate, textured illustrations.

Magnolia thought that her summer would be boring until she meets Iris Lam, new to the city. Together, Iris and Magnolia venture to reunite lost socks with their owners. Along the way, they meet fascinating, quirky people in this charming, humorous novel illustrated with black-and-white line drawings.

Isabel Beane is a quiet girl who lives with five siblings in a home with hubbub, hullabaloo, and “too muchness.” At school, Isabel feels anxious in class when a new girl behaves unkindly. Find out how Isabel learns to speak up for herself in this accessibly told novel. Resources about autism and anxiety are included.

Out of the depths of the Great Depression comes the astonishing tale of nine working-class boys from the American West who at the 1936 Olympics showed the world what true grit really meant. With rowers who were the sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the University of Washington’s eight-oar crew was never expected to defeat the elite East Coast teams, yet they did, going on to shock the world by challenging the German boat rowing for Adolf Hitler.

Learn about the amazing life of three-time Olympic gold medalist Florence Griffith Joyner–and how she persisted. Considered the fastest woman of all time, Florence Griffith Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, set two world records in 1988 that still stand today. But getting there wasn’t easy, and Flo Jo had to overcome many challenges along the way.
 

Teen sports reporter Susan Carol is competing as a swimmer at her first-ever Olympic games. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and her best friend Stevie is both amazed and envious. Usually they cover sporting events together, now he’s covering her. But Stevie can’t shake the feeling that something’s not right. Everyone wants a piece of Susan Carol’s success — agents, sponsors, the media. Just how far will they go to ensure that America’s newest Olympic darling wins gold?
 

Everything seemed set against Chaunté Lowe. Growing up with a single mother in Paso Robles, California, where she experienced food insecurity, homelessness, and domestic abuse. But then, one day, she turned on the TV and there was Flo Jo, competing in the Olympics and shattering records in track and field. Chaunté worked hard — both in the classroom and out on the sports field — and through her own fierce determination and grit, she overcame every imaginable obstacle, eventually propelling herself to the place she always dreamed about: the Olympic medal podium.

Dedicating his life to helping patients labeled “incurables,” Ludwig Guttmann fought for the rights of paraplegics to live a full life. The young doctor believed — and eventually proved — that physical movement is key to healing, a discovery that led him to create the first Paralympic Games.

Safiyyah studies old maps in the library of the Grand Mosque of Paris. Change happens quickly when the Nazi’s invade the city. Safiyyah, her family, and other Muslims work to save their Jewish neighbors from the horror that is starting. Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, this little-known piece of history is compelling and presented in rich language. An author’s note describes the background.

Unbeknownst to his family, Theo wants to become a police officer unlike the rest of his family who are, well, thieves. Each family member is described and depicted throughout in exaggerated illustrations equal to the over-the-top humor in this readable, slightly irreverent novel.