A discussion guide inspired by Someone I Used to Know by Patty Blount.
About the book:
From the award-winning author of Some Boys comes an unflinching examination of rape culture that delves into a family torn apart by sexual assault.
It’s been two years since the night that changed Ashley’s life. Two years since she was raped by her brother’s teammate. And a year since she sat in a court and watched as he was given a slap on the wrist sentence. But the years have done nothing to stop the pain.
It’s been two years of hell for Derek. His family is totally messed up and he and his sister are barely speaking. He knows he handled it all wrong. Now at college, he has to come to terms with what happened, and the rape culture that he was inadvertently a part of that destroyed his sister’s life.
When it all comes to head at Thanksgiving, Derek and Ashley have to decide if their relationship is able to be saved. And if their family can ever be whole again.
Learn about over 50 athletes who were the first to break barriers, rules, and records in bold and fearless ways!
Fearless Firsts: Athletes Who Changed the Game celebrates over 50 athletes who broke barriers, rules, and records, transforming the world of sports. While these athletes came from different backgrounds and overcame unique struggles, they had one thing in common: they would not take “You can’t” for an answer. With a don’t-give-up attitude, these fearless firsts fought for what they believed in and created a better sports world.
In this book, kids will read about very famous athletes, like Jackie Robinson and Simone Biles. They’ll also discover the first female drag-racing champion and the first Latino American baseball superstar. They’ll meet the first Olympian with an amputated leg, the first blind Ironman racer, the first transgender college champion, and the first Asian American Olympic gold medalists. Beyond individual athletes, they’ll learn how Title IX impacted sports, why the Paralympics matters, and the history behind the Haudenosaunee lacrosse team.
By the time they’re done reading, whether an athlete or not, kids will be inspired to stay optimistic, fight against injustice, and be fearless in anything they set your mind to!
Hooray! Hooray! It’s Unicorn Night! Thelma the Unicorn meets Uni the Unicorn in this rainbow-packed book guaranteed for bedtime fun! This clever, colorful, and over-the-top picture book about unicorns and unique-corns is a MUST for all unicorn lovers!
Unicorns love to prance and dance the day away. But it’s exhausting! Now it’s time for unicorns to brush their manes, fluff their pillows, and sing the unicorn lullaby in this companion to the best-selling Unicorn Day.
“Fuzzy jammies, flower beds,
Sweet dreams swirling in our heads,
Neigh, neigh, neigh,
Played all day,
Time to sleep the night away!”
An activity kit filled with crafts, games, and even recipes to accompany The Halloween Tree, a charming and warm-hearted picture book that will help to start a new tradition
A discussion guide inspired by It Came from the Sky by Chelsea Sedoti.
About the book:
From the author of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett and As You Wish comes the unforgettable story of the one small town’s biggest hoax and the two brothers who started it all.
This is the absolutely true account of how Lansburg, Pennsylvania was invaded by aliens and the weeks of chaos that followed. There were sightings of UFOs, close encounters, and even abductions. There were believers, Truth Seekers, and, above all, people who looked to the sky and hoped for more.
Only…there were no aliens.
Gideon Hofstadt knows what really happened. When one of his science experiments went wrong, he and his older brother blamed the resulting explosion on extraterrestrial activity. And their lie was not only believed by their town—it was embraced. As the brothers go to increasingly greater lengths to keep up the ruse and avoid getting caught, the hoax flourishes. But Gideon’s obsession with their tale threatened his whole world. Can he find a way to banish the aliens before Lansburg, and his life, are changed forever?
Told in a report format and comprised of interviews, blog posts, text conversations, found documents, and so much more, It Came from the Sky is a hysterical and resonant novel about what it means to be human in the face of the unknown.
Dinosaur Lady is a beautiful and brilliant picture book that will enlighten children about the discovery of the dinosaurs and the importance of female scientists. It also includes a timeline of Mary Anning’s life and lots of fantastic fossil facts!
A Common Core State Standards Aligned Activity Guide for Grades 1, 2, 3, and 4.
From the creators of The Snatchabook comes Pirate Nell’s Tale To Tell, a book-filled adventure on the high seas! This activity kit is full of coloring, games, and even some storytime discussion questions perfect for pairing with the book!
More about the book:
Nell is finally a pirate!
And she has her trusty Pirate’s Almanac to help her sail the seas, even if Captain Gnash doesn’t like books on his ship. But when the journey gets rough and the captain is in trouble, it’s Nell and all her pirate knowledge that saves the day and leads them to the greatest buried treasure of all…
**“Immersive and captivating. Thrilling in every sense of the word.” –KAREN M. MCMANUS, #1 New York Times bestselling author of One of Us is Lying and One of Us is Next
From #1 *New York Times *bestselling author Marieke Nijkamp comes a shocking new thriller about a group of friends who go to a cabin to play a murder mystery game…only to have the game turned against them. **
FIVE friends go to a cabin.
FOUR of them are hiding secrets.
THREE years of history bind them.
TWO are doomed from the start.
ONE person wants to end this.
NO ONE IS SAFE.
For five friends, this was supposed to be one last getaway before going their separate ways—a chance to say goodbye to each other, and to the game they’ve been playing for the past three years. But they’re all dealing with their own demons, and they’re all hiding secrets.
Finn doesn’t trust anyone since he was attacked a few months ago. Popular girl Liva saw it happen and did nothing to stop it. Maddy was in an accident that destroyed her sports career. Carter is drowning under the weight of his family’s expectations. Ever wants to keep the game going for as long as they can, at all costs.
When the lines between game and reality start to blend with deadly consequences, it’s a race against time before it’s game over—forever.
Are you ready to play?
Perfect for readers who love:
• teenage mystery books or YA horror
• LGBT stories about intersectional groups of friends
• Karen McManus, Gretchen McNeil, or Natasha Preston
Praise for Even If We Break:
“The darkly twisted ode to self-discovery briskly whisks an intersectionally inclusive group through a reasonably stormy, emotionally charged scenario that considers the sometimes-steep price of growing up and growing apart.”**—Publishers Weekly***
“An engaging read, providing readers with some solid suspense, and twists to sink their teeth into.”—Booklist ***
“A fast-paced thriller that will leave you both gushing over the geekiness and gasping over the game.”—Rachel Strolle, Glenside Public Library District
More Teen Thrillers by Marieke Nijkamp:
This Is Where It Ends
Before I Let Go
“A tale that is chilling on more than one level… Zombie rats and ghastly ghosts galore—but the haunting comes from more than the spectral cast” — Kirkus
When 13-year-old Glennon McCue, his mom, and his fragile sister are left with their uncle at his lighthouse on Isle Philippeaux, Glennon desperately wants leave the desolate isle and return home. But his father is away, so Glennon is forced to spend his break surrounded by fog, rats, and chilling myths. Nothing seems quite right… with the island or with his family.
A storm rocks the island and a ship crashes near the lighthouse, leaving behind a group of sailors. Something is off about the survivors, who seem more monster than human. Soon it becomes clear that there won’t be boats to take anyone home, and Glennon and his family are trapped.
It will take all Glennon’s courage to save his family from the curse of the isle and the real monster in his life.
Pick up Monsters in the Mist if you are looking for:
A book for middle school students, 5th grade to 9th grade
Mystery books for kids 9-12
Chilling ghost stories and ghost books for kids (perfect for Halloween!)
Praise for The Wolf of Cape Fen:
“Brandt’s striking debut is eerie and intriguing, set in a deftly built world that feels both cozily familiar and unsettlingly odd. A stunning seaside fairy tale that will absorb readers until the very end.”—Booklist
“Unfolding gradually as Eliza relentlessly pieces the past together, this intriguing mystery culminates in a startling, literally transforming climax.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Atmospheric…this fabulist middle grade effectively employs a dream-fueled magic system that reckons with consequences.”—Publishers Weekly
Praise for A Wilder Magic:
“Readers who enjoyed the Savvy series by Ingrid Law and Drizzle by Kathleen Van Cleve will love this little gem.” —Rebecca Williams, Portland Book Review
“The relationship between magic, nature, and intent adds a thoughtful level of complexity and cost to this sophomore novel by Brandt…a poignant blend of loss and optimism as readers empathize with Sybaline’s rebellion against inevitable change.” —Publishers Weekly
“[Kids] expecting a big move may find comfort in Sybaline’s eventual acceptance of her need to leave the valley.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
**A timely book that introduces important concepts of social justice and equality to elementary-school children.
A Is for Ally, Advocate, Anti-Racist, Ancestors, and Assembly**
Using simple explanations and appealing illustrations in a familiar A-to-Z format, The Young Activist’s Dictionary of Social Justice will teach kids the new vocabulary of change.
Vetted by an anti-bias, anti-racism educator, this essential new resource is packed with easily understandable definitions of timely concepts. Each beautifully designed spread represents a letter and provides concise, age-appropriate definitions for 10 or more terms, with subject matter spanning issues like racial justice, climate change, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, income disparity, voter engagement, and immigration. In addition to information, the pages are also full of inspiration: Bite-sized bios accompany key terms, illuminating the stories of justice advocates who got involved with a cause at a young age. Infographics and sidebars bring complementary concepts to life. And with the rich resource section in the back, kids can read more about how to take action on the cause that’s meaningful to them.
Read on, and let’s work together for a more equal world for all.
In the style of School House Rock, this simple, entertaining picture book from bestselling authors Julia Cook and Garrett Gunderson encourages financial literacy in kids of all ages!
I am MONEY. You work hard to earn me, and if you’re careful and smart about it, I can end up working for you!
Introduce kids to the basics of money with this easy-to-understand picture book! Readers will learn about how to earn and save money, how to spend money wisely, and even how to use money to invest in themself. But the most important lesson of all? The best part of money is sharing it!
The simple text also helps explain the different forms money can take, like cash, cards, and even crypto. Backmatter with additional money tips make this fun book a great teaching tool for curious kids!
**From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Nature of Witches and Wild is the Witch comes a lush, romantic, and unforgettable new fantasy full of sea magic, arranged marriages, and the choice between love and duty
**
Tana Fairchild’s fate has been planned out for her since the day she was born: marry the governor’s son and secure an unprecedented alliance between the witches and the mainlanders. But when Tana meets Wolfe, a member of the only remaining coven left practicing dark magic, she’s stunned to learn of his existence. She’s always thought the final coven disbanded ten years ago, completely eradicating the use of dark magic.
When unknown magic builds in Tana’s body and she’s unable to expel the magic on her own, she begs Wolfe for help. And as she practices Wolfe’s dark magic, she’s horrified to discover how naturally it comes to her. It makes her feel powerful. Alive.
Tana tries to rid herself of the memories of Wolfe and his magic, throwing herself into her courtship with Landon, the key to the alliance the witches have worked so hard for. With Tana’s covenant ball approaching, their engagement will be officially announced.
But when Tana’s family discovers her use of dark magic and her mother confides in her that the witches are losing control of the currents, and it’s only a matter of time before the sea swallows a mainlander. When that happens, Tana’s relationship with Landon could be the only thing that keeps the mainlanders from turning on the witches.
But Tana can’t stop thinking about Wolfe. And as the tide grows fiercer, and the witches’ relationship with the mainlanders more tenuous, Tana has to decide what’s most important to her: love, or duty?
From the best-selling creators of Unicorn Day comes a mer-tastic celebration as all sorts of sea creatures celebrate Mermaid Day!
*Hooray Hooray!
It’s Mermaid Day!
Shake your tailfin!
Splash and play!
Bubbles popping,
One, two, three,
Mermaid magic
Fills the sea!*
On Mermaid Day, the mer-queen throws a big bash. She decorates with seashell garlands and seaweed bows. Creatures of all kinds arrive. Dolphins dance, narwhals play ring toss. But who’s that lurking in the dark—is that a shark?
But mermaids know this shark won’t bite. He’s just shy. As night falls the guests say goodbye to a mer-mazing day.
From the best-selling creators of Unicorn Day comes a mer-tastic celebration as all sorts of sea creatures celebrate Mermaid Day!
*Hooray Hooray!
It’s Mermaid Day!
Shake your tailfin!
Splash and play!
Bubbles popping,
One, two, three,
Mermaid magic
Fills the sea!*
On Mermaid Day, the mer-queen throws a big bash. She decorates with seashell garlands and seaweed bows. Creatures of all kinds arrive. Dolphins dance, narwhals play ring toss. But who’s that lurking in the dark—is that a shark?
But mermaids know this shark won’t bite. He’s just shy. As night falls the guests say goodbye to a mer-mazing day.
**New in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series—can YOU catch a mermaid?
**
*Last week I saw a mermaid.
It’s not something I’d pretend!
I’d really like to catch her
so she could be my friend.
But how to catch a mermaid?
You don’t learn this in school.
We’ll need to build a gentle trap
and start near the tide pool.*
Many claim to have caught a mermaid, but can YOU? Perfect for summer, the newest title in the New York Times bestselling How to Catch series will have children and parents excited to see if these characters can actually pull off catching a mermaid!
The newest addition in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series—do YOU have the rad skills needed to catch the mystical Daddysaurus?
“Have you ever heard of the Daddysaurus?
Known for his kindness and bravery too?
We’re on a mission to catch him today
But we may need some help from YOU!”
The Catch Club Kids are at it again! This time, they’re out to trap the Daddysaurus—a mystical creature capable of such amazing acts of kindness, bravery, brilliance and humor. The kids try to trap the creature with all his favorite activities, but will they succeed? Maybe all they need is a little sweetness to make this awesome Daddysaurus appear!
Perfect for Father’s Day, this fun dinosaur picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos.
**Using a cheeky guessing game format, Butt or Face? is a hilarious nonfiction picture book that teaches fascinating facts about animals! Are YOU ready to play?
**
Move over, Jeopardy, Family Feud, and The Price Is Right—this book will be your new favorite laugh-until-your-stomach-hurts family game! In Butt or Face, weird animals are introduced with a close-up photo. Kids must guess: are they seeing seeing…um…err… the bottom or the top?
Readers will learn about animals like Cuban Dwarf Frogs, whose backsides look like a pair of eyes, and the Mary River Turtle, which not only has a unique face, but even breathes through its butt! On every reveal page, kids can enjoy the animals’ complete photos and fascinating scientific facts, which explain how the critters’ camouflage and trickery help them to engage with their habitats.
Can YOU tell a butt from a face?
Can you catch the magical Loveosaurus? From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series comes an exciting Valentine’s Day treat about a rare new creature!
The Catch Club Kids are on the chase again, this time to trap an escaped dinosaur that wants to spread love and kindness. Blending exciting traps and STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination, this charming adventure will delight young readers, families, and educators alike—and maybe inspire spreading some kindness too!
The Umbrella Academy meets It with a dash of The Craft in this stinging, feminist LGBTQIA+ horror debut about girls claiming their power
Finch Chamberlin is the newest transfer student to the ultra-competitive Ulalume Academy… but she’s also not what she seems. Before school started, Finch and her parents got into an accident that should have left her dead. But something monstrous, and ancient, and terrifying, wouldn’t let her die. Finch doesn’t know why she woke up after her heart stopped, but ever since she’s felt a constant pull to the town of Rainwater, like something on the island is calling to her.
Selena St. Clair rules Ulalume Academy. She’s careful not to let anyone get too close to her…until she meets Finch. The two girls are instantly drawn to one another, even though Selena fears letting Finch in truly will change everything.
One night Finch, Selena, and her friends accidentally summon a creature of immense power in the depths of the school. It promises to grant every desire the girls have kept locked away in their insecure hearts?but for a terrible price. As the cost of their wanting becomes more deadly, Finch and Selena must learn to work together to stop the horror they unleashed, before it consumes the entire island.
From the instant New York Times-bestselling author of The Nature of Witches comes an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance about a young witch attempting to undo a terrible curse.
Iris Gray knows witches aren’t welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home after an illegal display of magic, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches’ Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they’re keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast and spending her days at the wildlife refuge with a witch-hating intern, Pike Adler.
Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she’s about to dispel it, a bird steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed and turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.
Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest…and find they may like each other’s company more than they want to admit.
Jingle all the way in this all new Christmas story for kids from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series!
It’s Christmas Eve and Santa’s team is off to deliver presents when one of the trusted reindeer Comet decides to explore on her own… the perfect opportunity for our Catch Club Kids to trap her and prove Santa exists! Come along on this fun Christmas adventure to see if you can catch Comet! Poised to become a new holiday tradition, this merry picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos.
*Reindeer fly on Christmas Eve and bring us all good cheer.
To catch one takes a special trap—will YOU meet one this year?*