“It’s time for Mrs. Oti’s class, where everyone’s about to learn a dance in ten easy steps! There are lots of children, and lots of feelings, too. Meet Fikile in her sparkly new shoes, and Naira, who is super excited to get started. Gan is a little worried about joining in, while Martin can’t wait to show his parents what he can do. Everyone’s getting into the groove (with just a few missteps) when suddenly an unexpected visitor disrupts the class—one whose fluttery movements give Mrs. Oti an idea. With a warm, upbeat text from a two-time winner of the hit British TV show Strictly Come Dancing and bright, child-friendly illustrations, this picture book debut will dance into the hands of families everywhere who love to move. As an extra treat, there’s a QR code at the end enabling readers to watch a step-by-step tutorial and listen to the “Bird Jive” song. Here we go!” — publisher […]
Cross Group Sub: Non-Central
Dog’s Best Friend (Must Love Pets #4)
“Imaan and her friends, London and Olivia, are excited to take on their newest pet sitting client: a fluffy rescue dog named Candy. Candy isn’t like any of their previous clients. This poor pup is quiet, nervous, and a little sad. The girls decide that what Candy needs is to be cheered up in a major way. But how to turn a dog frown upside down? Imaan isn’t sure, but she’s willing to try anything! Even getting Candy some baby chick BFFs. If Imaan can win over Candy, then surely her mom will finally see that she’s ready for a dog of her very own!” — publisher […]
Fresh Juice
“What makes a great juice that keeps everyone healthy? Art and his dad discover it takes carrots…collards…cayenne…and community!
When Art’s father can’t get over a cold, Art knows exactly what his daddy needs: some delicious sick-fighting juice! After looking through the fridge and cupboards, they discover they’re missing a key ingredient–ginger. But finding some ginger will take them downtown, to the farmers’ market, to the food co-op, to the West African grocery…to an unexpected encounter that brings everyone together, and results in a tasty celebration.” — publisher […]
Grounded
“When a thunderstorm grounds all flights following a huge Muslim convention, four unlikely kids are thrown together. Feek is stuck babysitting his younger sister, but he’d rather be writing a poem that’s good enough for his dad, a famous poet and rapper. Hanna is intent on finding a lost cat in the airport—and also on avoiding a conversation with her dad about him possibly remarrying. Sami is struggling with his anxiety and worried that he’ll miss the karate tournament that he’s trained so hard for. And Nora has to deal with the pressure of being the daughter of a prominent congresswoman, when all she really wants to do is make fun NokNok videos. These kids don’t seem to have much in common—yet.
Told in alternating points of view, Grounded tells the story of one unexpected night that will change these kids forever.” — publisher […]
Heidi Heckelbeck Sunshine Magic
“Heidi and her family are taking a trip to the Castle Spell Cove, a special place where Heidi’s mom and Aunt Trudy used to visit when they were kids. Once there, Heidi makes friends with an unusual girl named Sunny who has a magical secret of her own that will change Heidi’s life forever.” — publisher […]
Homeland
“As bedtime approaches, three young girls eagerly await the return of their father who tells them stories of a faraway homeland—Palestine. Through their father’s memories, the Old City of Jerusalem comes to life: the sounds of juice vendors beating rhythms with brass cups, the smell of argileh drifting through windows, and the sight of doves flapping their wings toward home. These daughters of the diaspora feel love for a place they have never been, a home they cannot visit. But, as their father’s story comes to an end, they know that through his memories, they will always return.
A Palestinian family celebrates the stories of their homeland in this moving autobiographical picture book debut by Hannah Moushabeck. With heartfelt illustrations by Reem Madooh, this story is a love letter to home, to family, and to the persisting hope of people that transcends borders.” — publisher […]
How to Eat in Space
“A kid-friendly, accessible, and humorous picture book about the sometimes complicated task of eating while in outer space—spoiler: it’s not as simple as it seems!” — publisher […]
Huda F Cares?
“Huda and her sisters can’t believe it when her parents announce that they’re actually taking a vacation this summer . . . to DISNEY WORLD! But it’s not quite as perfect as it seems. First Huda has to survive a 24-hour road trip from Michigan to Florida, with her sisters annoying her all the way. And then she can’t help but notice the people staring at her and her family when they pray in public. Back home in Dearborn she and her family blend right in because there are so many other Muslim families, but not so much in Florida and along the way.
It’s a vacation of forced (but unexpectly successful?) sisterly bonding, a complicated new friendship, a bit more independence, and some mixed feelings about her family’s public prayers. Huda is proud of her religion and who she is, but she still sure wishes she didn’t care so much what other people thought.” — publisher […]
I Will Find You Again
“Welcome to Meadowlark, Long Island—expensive homes and good schools, ambition and loneliness. Meet Chase Ohara and Lia Vestiano: the driven overachiever and the impulsive wanderer, the future CEO and the free spirit. Best friends for years—weekend trips to Montauk, sleepovers on a yacht—and then, first love. True love.
But when Lia disappears, Chase’s life turns into a series of grim snapshots. Anger. Grief. Running. Pink pills in an Altoids tin. A cheating ring at school. Heartbreak and lies. A catastrophic secret.
And the shocking truth that will change everything about the way Chase sees Lia—and herself.” — publisher […]
It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li!
“Pearl Li is ready to spend the summer before seventh grade hanging out with her two best friends, crocheting the cutest amigurumi dolls, and frequenting her favorite tea shop, Boba Time. Its quirky owner, Auntie Cha, is the only adult Pearl can confide in about her art—if only her tech-obsessed family would understand her love of crafts!
After Pearl learns of Boba Time’s financial troubles, she decides to sell her amigurumi to raise money for the shop. But as she navigates the ups and downs of running a business, Pearl realizes that monetizing her passion is more complicated than she could’ve ever imagined. Will she be able to stop Boba Time from closing and prove to her parents that her passion for crochet is worthy and serious?” — publisher […]
