Lives West

Wishes tells the powerful, honest story about one Vietnamese family's search for a new home on the other side of the world, and the long-lasting and powerful impact that makes on one of the youngest members of the family. Inspired by actual events in the author's life, this is a narrative that is both timely and timeless. Told through the eyes of a young girl, the story chronicles a family's difficult and powerful journey to pack up what they can carry and to leave their world behind, traveling to a new and unknown place in a crowded boat.

A charming and innovative tale about a plucky little bird, from the award-winning author-illustrator of Fox the Tiger. Listeners will delight in following Mel on her journey from downward fall to triumphant flight in this tale of self-confidence and taking a leap of faith.

While driving through Ohio in an old Pontiac, a young girl's Chinese immigrant parents spot watercress growing wild in a ditch by the side of the road. They stop the car, grabbing rusty scissors and an old paper bag, and the whole family wades into the mud to gather as much as they can. At first, she's embarrassed. Why can't her family just get food from the grocery store, like everyone else? But when her mother shares a bittersweet story of her family history in China, the girl learns to appreciate the fresh food they foraged—and the memories left behind in pursuit of a new life.

When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla. But maybe strength is about more than just muscles. With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other.

In this extraordinary new tale from Peter H. Reynolds, Jerome discovers the magic of the words all around him—short and sweet words, two-syllable treats, and multisyllable words that sound like little songs. Words that connect, transform, and empower.

Discover a joyful reminder of the ways that every child is unique and special, from the beloved creator of The Dot, Happy Dreamer, and New York Times bestseller, The Word Collector. Here, Reynolds reminds listeners to "be your own work of art." To be patient, persistent, and true. Because there is one, and only one, YOU.

Ruby's mind is always full of ideas. One day, she finds some old boards and decides to build something. She invites her brothers to help, but they just laugh and tell her she doesn't know how to build. "Then I'll learn," she says. And she does! When she creates a dazzling fort that they all want to play in, it is Ruby who has the last laugh. This modern spin on the timeless favorite The Little Red Hen celebrates the pluck and ingenuity of young creators everywhere!

It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. The school has a rough start, but as the day goes on, he soon recovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

What does being successful in life mean to you? What do you think you need to do or know to become successful in life? Living Your Dreams is a book written for everyone who wants to achieve their goals and become successful in life. In this book, you will get to know the true meaning of being successful and living a life of purpose.

Manuel Lindo came from nothing, but stubbornly worked his way up at the Dredging and Construction Company. Obliged to move from city to city for his job, the family couldn't put down roots, and Elvira and her siblings' childhood was marked by unpredictability. As they pass through temporary homes, they're caught between Manuel's outsized temper and their young mother's worsening illness, which would tragically take her life. Beginning with nine-year-old Manuel's experience in Madrid in 1939, Open Heart takes us on a journey through Spain full of insights about love in its many forms.

Ignatz, a reformed petty criminal, acts as Pippa’s surrogate father while her parents are away. Nine-year-old Pippa arranges a romance between her handicapped teacher and Ignatz, but will her good intentions compensate for her bungling? Though Pippa tackles dangers and grown-up problems with courage and imagination, can she escape the cruelty of the school bully?

The Happy Hollisters are excited about the upcoming autumn season, with plans for pumpkin decorating, bobbing for apples, and the Shoreham Halloween parade. They decide to host a party for their friends and Farmer Johnson offers the use of his barn for the festivities in exchange for the children’s help selling pumpkins at his farm stand. The mysteries begin almost right away, when the horn on Farmer Johnson's old Model T Ford begins to blow...when no one is in the car!

In this last book in the trilogy about Gabrielle Allan, the listener finds Gay and her great-aunt, Belle, about to start a new life in a setting far different from their much-loved Drovers Road. The sheep station of Cape Lost is now Gay’s responsibility, and regardless of her three years’ study at the Massey Agricultural College, both the isolation and tasks ahead seem alarming. Despite its remote and nearly inaccessible location, a surprising cast of new and old characters converge on the station’s windswept, sea-edged expanse.

As the story of Cape Lost opens, an important new thread is about to be woven into the life of teenage Gabrielle Allan. Home from boarding school for the summer holidays, she and Merry are once more happily on horseback in the New Zealand hills. They are helping their Uncle Dunsany bring a herd of sheep to Cape Lost, the station owned by their great-uncle Garnet. Considered eccentric, Garnet Allan has lived all alone on the remote station bordering the sea ever since the mysterious disappearance of his young and beautiful wife many years before.

Van notices the small trinkets people drop, or lose, or throw away - that’s why his collection is full of treasures. Then one day, Van notices a girl stealing pennies from a fountain, and everything changes. He follows the girl, Pebble, and uncovers an underground world full of wishes and the people who collect them. Apparently, not all wishes are good, and even good wishes often have unintended consequences. The Collectors have made it their duty to protect us. But they aren't the only ones who have their eyes on the world’s wishes - and they may not be the good guys, after all.

Savannah Barrington has always found solace at her parents’ lake house in the Berkshires, and it’s the place that she runs to when her husband of more than 20 years leaves her. Though her world is shaken, and the future uncertain, she finds hope through an old woman’s wisdom, a little girl’s laughter, and a man who’s willing to risk his own heart to prove to Savannah that she is worthy of love.

Hetty Makes It Happen is second in the award winning Hetty trilogy for young adults. It is full of humor and romance. Continue with Hetty's exciting adventures of the heart.

A self-help guide to disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with the real world.

It’s been only a few weeks since Van uncovered a magical secret - that wishes really can come true, and that a mysterious society called the Collectors protects us from the dire consequences even the smallest wish can have. Van knows only too well how wishing can go awry: His mother is recovering from a broken leg, his friend Pebble has been stolen away by the evil wish collector Mr. Falborg, dozens of dangerous creatures called Wish Eaters have escaped into the world, and Van himself has almost died - twice - all because of wishes.

In this classic story from Eric Carle, Hermit Crab grows out of one house after another as he searches for the perfect home. Children who must change schools, move to a new town, or even graduate to a new grade in school will relate to Hermit Crab’s situation and take heart as they see that growing up isn’t really so scary after all.