Young Readers Fiction

Young America, Volume 1 begins in the year 1773. With the continued pressure from England, the Colonists are feeling the heavy hand of King George as he deliberately makes life intolerable with steep taxes on everything. English soldiers are everywhere ensuring the taxes are paid. You can feel the electricity in the air as tensions rise. The Colonists are in agreement that something must be done.

Two scientists working on a top-secret government project suddenly start talking gibberish. The government does not know how or why this has happened and asks the Brants if they can move the remaining scientists to Spindrift Island, a scientific foundation located on an island off the New Jersey Coast, in order to better protect them. The Brants agree. Rick and Scotty become suspicious of a new barber in town and believe he is part of an espionage ring.

This powerful and hopeful book—inspired by the historic election of Vice President Kamala Harris—celebrates brown and Black girls. Based on a viral poem by Blaxican poet and activist Leslé Honoré, this moving journey through the past, present, and future of brown and Black girls is a celebration of community, creativity, and joy—and offers a reminder of the history that inspires hope, and the hope that inspires activism.

Jerry Pinkney drew everywhere, all the time. It was how he made sense of the world—how he coped with the stress of being a sensitive child growing up in crowded spaces, struggling with a learning disability, in a time when the segregation of Black Americans was the norm. Only drawing could offer him a sense of calm, control, and confidence. When friends and siblings teased him about having the nickname “Jerry” as his only name, his mother always said, “Just ‘Jerry’ is enough.

In the groundbreaking tradition of his award-winning Monster and Bad Boy: A Memoir, Walter Dean Myers fashions a highly listenable, powerful novel about the rules for success for young men, especially those navigating coming of age while Black. Share this book in the classroom, in a father-son group, or as a summer listening (or anytime) choice that's likely to spark conversation and be a favorite.

Welcome to Pity Party, where the social anxieties that plague us all are twisted into funny, deeply resonant, and ultimately reassuring psychological thrills. There's a story about a mood ring that tells the absolute truth. One about social media followers who literally follow you around. And one about a kid whose wish for a new, improved self is answered when a mysterious box arrives in the mail. There's also a personality test, a fortune teller, a letter from the Department of Insecurity, and an interactive Choose Your Own Catastrophe.

Brenda Black prides herself on her logical and orderly mind. She studies anatomy books and idolizes Leonardo da Vinci. But things go haywire when her spoiled cousin Tiffany comes to visit. Fed up with Tiffany's bragging, Brenda snaps when Tiffany implies that Brenda is not cultured enough to know who Miss Camilla Freeman is--Miss Camilla Freeman, the very famous prima ballerina. Brenda tells Tiffany that not only does she know who Camilla Freeman is, but she happens to own an autographed pair of her toe shoes.

Eleven-year-old Simon and his friends are disappointed with the lack of funding at Booker T. Washington School—there’s no AC, only one space for school activities, and the money for extracurricular programs is getting cut. Desperate to save Maria’s beloved debate team, the crew start a petition to grab the attention of the local community and show they deserve to have the same opportunities as everyone else.

Ten little princesses are all dressed up and excited for the special ball. But on their journey there, they run into all sorts of trouble, from a wicked witch and a spooky forest to a hungry giant and a fire-breathing dragon! How will these princesses ever get to the ball on time?

Newly hatched and ready to explore, these curious reptiles set off in search of adventure. But what will the ten little dinosaurs do when they meet a stomping diplodocus? And a grumpy triceratops? And a hungry T-rex? With plenty of prehistoric fun to count, this bouncing rhyming story will have your little one wanting to hear it again and again!

Vampires and werewolves are not affected by radiation, therefore a British coven and a Russian clan live in Chernobyl. My sisters Kassia, Maddy and I belong to both. After the nuclear accident on April 26, 1986, our home remains one the most contaminated areas in the world.

The Scouts are hitting the nature trail to earn their "Camp Out" badge. But not all of the troopers are gung-ho about sleeping beneath the stars. Violet can't bear the thought of leaving her comfy bed behind, while everything about the great outdoors seems to make Junebug sneeze. But when Miss Poppy goes missing, can the Scouts work together to track down their troop leader?

Lola is fierce on the field, but when a soccer game during recess gets too competitive, she accidentally hurts her classmate Juan Gomez. Now, everyone is calling her Mean Lola Levine! Lola feels terrible, but with the help of her family, her super best friend, Josh Blot, and a little "pencil power," she just might be able to turn it all around.

The Levines are finally getting a pet—a furry one that is. They are excited about adopting a kitty they name Jelly, but they don't get very far in the process when Ben starts sneezing. Oh no, he's allergic! Lola is devastated and sets out to find Jelly a good home. Luckily, Lola is rewarded with a very happy (and still furry) ending!

Lola is named after her tía Lola, who lives in Lima, Peru. Lola misses her aunt and dreams of visiting her. After Lola's dad has a successful art show, Lola's dream comes true. The Levines are going to Peru! Thousands of miles from home, Lola and Ben discover all the new adventures Lima has to offer. But will Lola and Ben manage to stay out of trouble?

Seven-year-old Lola Levine is fierce on and off the soccer field. She can do a slide tackle (although she's not supposed to) and even likes gooey worms. Nothing scares Lola! That is, until she's auditioning in front of EVERYONE for her class play. After Lola is overcome with stage fright, she's cast as Squirrel #2, a non-speaking part!

Dorothy has returned to Oz; this time with the help of her friend, Princess Ozma. Dorothy finds that the wonderful fairy kingdom she had known on her past visit is now under a dreadful curse. King Pastoria is ill, and the council of elders has now taken over control of the kingdom. When events take a turn for the worst, Dorothy and Ozma must set out on a grand adventure to restore the kingdom of Oz to its former glory; facing dangers beyond anything they could have imagined.

Everyone in Peter Powers' family has super awesome superpowers. His dad controls fire with his mind, and his mom can fly. His big brother makes copies of himself, and his little sister is super strong. And his baby brother even turns invisible! But all Peter can do is - this is really embarrassing - make ice cubes with his fingertips. When Captain Tornado comes to town and begins robbing banks, will Peter Powers and his totally lame abilities step up to save the day - or will he get cold feet?

Everyone in Peter Powers' family has super awesome superpowers - except Peter. All he can do is make ice cubes and freeze little stuff. He's also afraid of insects. (And why wouldn't he be? The pests are creepy and crawly and like to bite.) Too bad that two new villains have come to town, bringing swarms of bugs with them. With the town overrun by hordes of insects, will Peter be able to chill out and conquer his fear? Or will he let the insects - and his fears - get the best of him?

A teen social media star learns he can’t control everything in this delicious, queer graphic novel adaptation that relocates Jane Austen’s Emma to a modern-day high school in Queens, New York. Evan Horowitz has it all: beauty, brains, and a not-so-secret flair for matchmaking! An Insta influencer with a talent for makeup and a taste for romance, he’s no stranger to playing cupid for those hopelessly clueless in finding love.