Child Esteem

In this powerful collection of short stories, children around the world turn eleven and take a step into their futures. Each one is changed in ways both big and small. Annoyed at having to walk his sister’s dog on his birthday, Connor heads into an undeveloped subdivision, where he comes across chilling evidence of a stranger’s unhappiness. A girl sneaks away from her class camping trip to a local conservation area and experiences, for the first time, the terror and joy of fending for herself for the first time.

From Grammy Award-winning singer Ashanti comes an empowering story about a girl who learns to love her unique name.

Thorn, an outlaw's son, wasn't supposed to be a slave. He's been sold to Tyburn, an executioner, and they're headed to Castle Gloom in Gehenna, the land of the undead, where Thorn will probably be fed to a vampire. Lilith Shadow wasn't supposed to be ruler of Gehenna. But following the murder of her family, young Lily became the last surviving member of House Shadow, a long line of dark sorcerers. Her country is surrounded by enemies, and the only way she can save it is by embracing her heritage and practicing the magic of the undead.

Welcome to my world. I'm Amal Abdel-Hakim, a 17-year-old Australian-Palestinian-Muslim still trying to come to grips with my various identity hyphens. It's hard enough being cool as a teenager when being one issue behind the latest Cosmo is enough to disqualify you from the in-group. Try wearing a veil on your head and practicing the bum's up position at lunchtime and you know you're in for a tough time at school.

From Leslie Connor, the critically acclaimed author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, comes a deeply poignant and beautifully crafted story about self-reliance, redemption, and hope. Mason Buttle is the biggest, sweatiest kid in his grade, and everyone knows he can barely read or write. Mason’s learning disabilities are compounded by grief. Fifteen months ago, Mason’s best friend, Benny Kilmartin, turned up dead in the Buttle family’s orchard.

Before their experiments, inventions, and discoveries that changed the world, the world’s most celebrated scientists had regular-kid problems just like you. Stephen Hawking hated school and preferred to spend his free time building model airplanes, inventing board games, and even building his own computer. Jane Goodall got in trouble for bringing worms and snails into her house. And Neil deGrasse Tyson had to start a dog-walking business to save up money to buy a telescope.

It's a dog-eat-dog world, and Rafe Khatchadorian is just trying to live in it. Life in middle school is finally starting to seem bearable - until Rafe spots his grandmother standing on the free-meal line at the local soup kitchen. In order to help bring in more money, Rafe concocts a brilliant plan - a dog-walking business that soon turns into a huge moneymaking neighborhood empire. He'll even have extra cash to buy his own WormHole Deluxe Multi-Platform GameBox!

Packed with practical tips, easy-to-understand content, powerful exercises, and enlightening paradigms, this book covers a wide range of life skills that will help your child succeed both now and in the future. Whether they're struggling with school or facing challenges at home, this book has everything your child needs to thrive. As your child works their way through this handbook, they'll gain valuable insights into how to navigate the world around them. They'll learn to communicate more effectively, make better decisions, and develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime.

Page is in unfamiliar territory as the new kid at school. To make matters worse, Shale Pit Academy of Creativity and Excellence (or “SPACE” as it is more commonly known) is no ordinary school. Students there have the dubious distinction of being nicknamed “SPACE cadets.” No, not the astronaut-in-training meaning. Think of the other kind of space cadet—you know, someone who is out of touch with reality. When a bitter prank war erupts with a rival school, Page and her classmates must ask themselves some difficult questions: Are they more than a nickname? Are they more than just SPACE cadets?

It's not so easy being Rosemary Goode and tipping the scales at almost 200 pounds - especially when your mother runs the most successful (and gossipiest!) beauty shop in town. After a spectacularly disastrous Christmas break when the scale reaches an all-time high, Rosemary realizes that things need to change. (A certain basketball player, Kyle Cox, might have something to do with it.)

The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness - and delighting their babies, who think they're perfect just the way they are. Inspired by the real-life ugly five safari animals, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's brand-new book is a jubilant celebration of animals who are often rather unloved.

You are a very lucky girl to have so many people love and support you. Your relationship with your parents and family can give you confidence and help you spread your wings through the world. The connection you have with your loved ones will inspire you to do many things you may not have tried before. You are a loved and wonderful girl.

The kindness and determination of the Little Blue Engine have inspired millions of children around the world since the story was first published in 1930. Cherished by audiences for 90 years, The Little Engine That Could is a classic tale of a little engine that, despite her size, triumphantly pulls a train full of wonderful things to the children waiting on the other side of a mountain.

Just Breathe is a fun and accessible go-to meditation guide authored by none other than Mallika Chopra, wellness expert and the daughter of Deepak Chopra. For kids ages eight to 12, this audiobook is full of specific exercises to help deal with day-to-day challenges and tips to lead a healthier, happier, and more connected life. The audiobook includes practical advice on breathing techniques and guided meditations for a number of topics and scenarios

It is time to choose the next Keeper of the Crystal - a magical crystal that imbues knowledge, wisdom and power. The Crystal dims. The Chooser is summoned.... When the man from the distant land of Maris delivers his mysterious message to the people of Rin, Rowan is shocked to discover what it means to him. Within hours he is travelling far from home, all the way to the glittering sea, and into the strange world of the Maris people.

Jake is just starting to enjoy life as his school’s first openly gay kid. While his family and friends are accepting and supportive, the same can’t be said about everyone in their small town of Barton Springs, Ohio.

Every parent will have to discipline a child at some stage. No matter how well behaved they are, they all have a moment when behavior lapses and falls below what is expected. In years gone by, it was the custom to use physical force to chastise children, but this has been shown to be ineffective and now parents look for other ways to deal with problems.

It is often said that life is a journey, and it’s true. But sometimes it’s hard to know which path to follow, when signs point in so many directions. Peter H. Reynolds once again encourages listeners to observe, to wonder, and to consider diverging from the well-worn path—to pursue their dreams.

Isadora Moon loves sunshine – and nighttime. She loves her magic wand – and her black tutu. She loves spooky bats – and Pink Rabbit. Isadora is half-fairy, half-vampire, and she's special because she is different! Now Isadora's parents want her to start school, but she's not sure where she belongs – fairy school or vampire school?

Star Anise dreams of being a star. But nobody in Spice Town seems to notice her, so she sets off in search of stardom. Join Star Anise as she goes on a flavourful adventure and finds out what it really means to be a star. This tasty tale is about caring for others.