Family Culture

The quinceañera, the 15th birthday celebration for a Latina girl, is quickly becoming an American event. This legendary party is a sight to behold: lavish ball gowns, extravagant catered meals, DJs, limousines, and multi-tiered cakes. The must haves for a "quince" are becoming as numerous and costly as a prom or wedding. And yet, this elaborate ritual also hearkens back to traditions from native countries and communities, offering young Latinas a chance to connect with their heritage.

During a semester in the wilderness, 16-year-old Sib expects the tough outdoor education program and the horrors of dorm life, but friendship drama and an unexpected romance with popular Ben Capaldi? That will take some navigating. New girl Lou has zero interest in fitting in, or joining in. Still reeling from a loss that occurred almost a year ago, she just wants to be left alone. But as she witnesses a betrayal unfolding around Sib and her best friend Holly, Lou can't help but be drawn back into the land of the living.

Jonah and his younger brother, Simon, are on their own. They set out to find what's left of their family, carrying between them 10 dollars, a backpack full of dirty clothes, a notebook, and a stack of letters from their brother, who is serving a tour in Vietnam. And soon into their journey, they have a ride. With a man and a beautiful girl who may be in love with Jonah. Or Simon. Or both of them.

Rule by head or rule by heart? Elinor Dashwood is a great believer in "sense," while her exuberant younger sister Marianne feels keenly that only "sensibility" (what today we'd call passion) serves to guide the heart. Through vicissitudes and, in the case of Marianne, outright betrayal by her lover, these two women learn the value in the other's outlook, and thereby prepare themselves for later domestic bliss that is the hallmark resolution of Jane Austen's novels.

It's the summer before senior year of high school. It's supposed to be one of the biggest summers of her life, but Pippa is headed to an art program she has no interest in. The one saving grace is that it's in Italy. And when the opportunity strikes, she decides to ditch the program and travel around Italy accomplishing her own list of goals - things like swimming in the Mediterranean Sea, eating a whole pizza in one sitting… and falling in love with an Italian boy!

In the role of death escort, a Fetch is not supposed to step from Heaven back to Earth. A Fetch is not supposed to fall hopelessly in love with a mortal either. But Calder is a Fetch like no other. And when his actions land him amid the clash and clang of the Russian Revolution, he sets off a chain of events with dire consequences for both the living and the dead.

Wonder, mysticism, heartache, and joy are the stones that set the path to one girl's journey as her destiny unfolds. In the village of Huanan in medieval China, the deity that rules is the Great Huli Jing. Though 12-year-old Li Jing's name is a different character entirely from the Huli Jing, the sound is close enough to provide constant teasing - but maybe is also a source of greater destiny and power. Jing's life isn't easy....

Which president had feet bigger than his ego? Which barked like a seal? Which joked about dating mummies? Kathleen Krull uses fun and quirky facts to bring to light the human side of the 42 U.S. presidents in this "deliciously gossipy" biography.

In 1936, the life of ten-year-old Princess Elizabeth of York changed forever. Although she was a member of the British Royal Family, she never expected to become queen. But when her uncle Edward gave up the throne, suddenly her father was the new king, which meant young Elizabeth was next in line! Queen Elizabeth reigned for seventy years, and while there were palaces galore, the crown jewels, and trips around the world, her life was one of strict discipline and duty.

Cris Burks won widespread acclaim for her engaging first novel, SilkyDreamGirl. Burks' second offering follows the life of a determined girl struggling toward adulthood in 1950s Chicago. The devastating discovery that "Daddy" is not her real father opens a great chasm in Neecey's world and leads to Neecey's abusive mother bringing a succession of no-good men into the home. Nevertheless, as she grows into a woman, the resilient Neecey strives to overcome despair and forge a new life for herself.

Henna is so much more than a form of temporary body art. Henna is nature—seeds sprouted into shrubs, leaves kissed by tropical rain. Henna is color—the orange of juicy mangoes, sun-kissed brown, or black as the feathers of crows. Henna is fragrance—earthy and nutty, lemony and clove-y. The intricate patterns of flowers, feathers, vines, and other symbols painted and stained onto skin has been a tradition in cultures all around the world for thousands of years. Beautiful and eye-catching, henna also carries the scents, textures, and colors of family and identity.

Sound interesting? The author thinks so too! Listen to Christmas Family Quiz and enjoy this audiobook.

Since the passing of their father, Oscar has tried—and in his little brother Sufyan’s eyes, failed—to be the man of his family of Syrian refugees. As Oscar waits in line for rations, longing for the books he left behind when his family fled their home, Sufyan explores more nontraditional methods to provide for his family. Ignoring his brother’s warnings, Sufyan gets more and more involved with a group that provides him with big rewards for doing seemingly inconsequential tasks.

Ancient pyramids can be flat-out dangerous! Ever since Stanley was flattened by a bulletin board, there are places he can get to that no one else can. So when Stanley receives a letter from an archaeologist, he travels by airmail to Egypt to help find an ancient treasure deep in the heart of a great pyramid. But what if even the flattest boy on earth can't wriggle out of this dark tomb - and the terrible mess he finds himself in?

I struggled with my own identity early in life. Others whispered their ideas about who I was or who I would become. Does this sound familiar to you? As humans, we are taught to find a model-"a system or thing used as an example to follow or imitate"-to fit in. Finding or even following this model may seem impossible. All of us need what I call a North Star. A North Star is something or someone guiding you to who you know you are supposed to become and guiding you to what you are supposed to be doing.

Aufregung in der Savanne: Jemand spielt nachts gemeine Streiche. Und alle sind sich einig: Es war Pinsel, Tafitis bester Freund! Schließlich wurden eindeutig Pinselohren am Tatort gesichtet. Und die hat schließlich nur das Pinselohrschwein! Pinsel ist fassungslos. Niemals würde er so etwas tun! Tafiti glaubt seinem Freund. Doch ob sie auch die anderen überzeugen können? Am besten sie stellen eine Falle. Wer da wohl reintappt ... In Tafiti. Pinsel unter Verdacht sind Tafiti und Pinsel auf geheimer Mission.

John Kasich calls it like he sees it. A former long-time U.S. congressman, a respected author, and popular television host, Kasich has been around the neighborhood a few times. In his first book, Courage Is Contagious, he celebrated the under-the-radar accomplishments of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to change America. Now, in Stand for Something, he tackles head-on the erosion of long-standing, hard-earned values upon which our nation is built.

Husband-and-wife team Marie-Louise Gay and David Homel create a sequel to the enormously popular Travels with My Family and On the Road Again! - but with a twist. This time Charlie and his family stay home, and find adventure in their own Montreal neighborhood.

Red doesn’t remember who she is or where she came from. In fact, her only memory is a terrifying, repeating dream of a threatening shadow and a foggy field. But after many years, she wonders if that’s just something she made up. Red does know that she now belongs with Yakaka, the witch who rescued Red when she was a little girl. Full of power and magic, Yakaka travels the world, healing the planet when it calls for her help.

Vanessa, the daughter of Australian parents, grows up in Taiwan adopted by local farmers. The story follows her journey from 1978 to '89. She experiences a childhood surrounded by love, death, poverty, and beautiful nature. Vanessa discovers music to express her joy and grief. She puts her soul into the music notes, melting her listeners’ hearts. Music brings her into the larger world and on a journey to a surprise discovery. You will experience the Taiwanese culture in this heart-touching and uplifting story.