A Discussion Guide for ages 14+ (grades 8+) around The Castle School (for Troubled Girls). From New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel comes the emotional story of a grieving teenager sent to a boarding school that is nothing like she expected. When Moira Dreyfuss’s parents announce that they’re sending her to an all-girls boarding school deep in the Maine woods, Moira isn’t fooled. She knows her parents are punishing her; she’s been too much trouble since her best friend, Nathan, died—and for a while before that. At the Castle School, isolated from the rest of the world, Moira will be expected to pour her heart out to the odd headmaster, Dr. Prince. But she isn’t interested in getting over Nathan’s death or befriending her fellow students. On her first night there, Moira hears distant music. On her second, she discovers the lock on her window is broken. On her third, she and her roommate venture outside…and learn that they’re not so isolated after all. There’s another, very different, Castle School nearby—this one filled with boys whose parents sent them away, too. Moira is convinced that the Castle Schools and the doctors who run them are hiding something. But exploring the schools will force Moira to confront her overwhelming grief—and the real reasons her parents sent her away. Praise for The Castle School (for Troubled Girls): “Achingly beautiful. Moira’s story gripped me from the first page and held me fast long after I finished reading.” —Gilly Segal, New York Times bestselling co-author of I’m Not Dying with You Tonight "Hooked me from page one. I couldn’t stop reading until I had every single answer.”—Francesca Zappia, author of Eliza and Her Monsters* “Beneath the trappings of a fast-paced mystery, this novel holds a heartrending exploration of adolescent grief… Memorable.”—Booklist “Complex and layered… A heartfelt exploration of grief, guilt, and recovery.”—School Library Journal “Mental health awareness wrapped in a captivating storyline.”—Kirkus “An effective exploration of mental illness, and it will share a coveted place on reading lists with Laurie Halse Anderson and Patricia McCormick.”—BCCB Also by Alyssa Sheinmel: ***A Danger to Herself and Others * What Kind of Girl

From the #1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling authors of P IS FOR PTERODACTYL comes another hilarious, fresh look at the English language! “Those who love wordplay are the natural constituency for No Reading Allowed: The Worst Read-Aloud Book Ever, a picture book that’s bright with comic scenes… [and] brilliant pairings of picture and word (and word with word).” - The Wall Street Journal The hero had super vision. The hero had supervision. Man, a tea sounds great. Manatee sounds great! Sir Francis Bacon Sir, France is bakin’! What is going on here?! You can’t believe everything you hear! A single word can have many different meanings. And sometimes two words that sound alike can be spelled completely differently. Ptolemy the pterodactyl is back to show us all how absurd and fun language can be when homophones, homonyms, and tricky punctuation are at play! No Reading Allowed allows children and their parents to laugh together while also learning something new. Perfect for baby gifts, birthday gifts, teacher gifts, and anyone who finds humor in the absurdity of the English language.

**A New York Times Bestseller A “page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end” (School Library Journal) about a road trip in a snowstorm that turns into bone-chilling disaster, from New York Times bestselling mystery author and “master of tension” (BCCB) Natalie D. Richards. She thought being stranded was the worst thing that could happen. She was wrong.** Mira needs to get home for the holidays. Badly. But when an incoming blizzard results in a canceled connecting flight, it looks like she might get stuck at the airport indefinitely. And then Harper, Mira’s glamorous seatmate from her initial flight, offers her a ride. Harper and her three friends can drop Mira off on their way home. But as they set off, Mira realizes fellow travelers are all total strangers. And every one of them is hiding something. Soon, roads go from slippery to terrifying. People’s belongings are mysteriously disappearing. Someone in the car is clearly lying, and may even be sabotaging the trip—but why? And can Mira make it home alive, or will this nightmare drive turn fatal? Perfect for readers who love: • YA horror books for teens • Mystery books for teens • Natasha Preston, Megan Miranda, Karen McManus and Ruth Ware Praise for Five Total Strangers: “A twisty thrill ride that will leave you breathless. I stayed up after midnight just to see how it all ended.”—April Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Girl, Stolen “Richards is a master of tension. Suspense fans will get all the ups-and-downs of a well-paced narrative, but they may never want to drive on a snowy road again.”*—BCCB*** “A page-turning thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Just the kind of fun book one needs for a hot summer day or a cold winter’s night.”***—School Library Journal *** “High thrill factor.”***—Booklist*** Also by Natalie D. Richards: Six Months Later Gone Too Far My Secret to Tell One Was Lost We All Fall Down What You Hide

**Featuring a rogue group of determined animals who love nothing more than a challenge and a flustered, helpless narrator, this hilarious picture book about animal habitats on every continent will have kids (and their adults!) laughing every time they pick it up. ** Turtles are found on every continent EXCEPT Antarctica. But not for long! When a David Attenborough-esque narrator explains that turtles are found everywhere except Antarctica, one determined turtle sets out to prove him wrong. After recruiting other non-Antarctic animals along the way—much to the narrator’s dismay—the turtle and his adventurous friends travel through fields, forests, and cross an entire ocean to reach their goal. But what exactly do they do once they get there? Perfect for anyone who’s ever gone a little too far to prove a point, this nature-documentary-gone-wrong is a gleefully funny lesson in persistence—and the beauty of having a contingency plan

**For fans of Small Spaces and the Goosebumps series by R.L Stine comes a chilling ghost story about a girl living in the decrepit and creepy mansion, who discovers something in the woods is after her. ** All Ginny Anderson wants from her summer is to sleep in, attend a mystery writing workshop, and spend time with her best friend. But when Ginny’s father–a respected restoration expert in Chicago–surprises the family with a month-long trip to Michigan, everything changes. They aren’t staying in a hotel like most families would. No, they’re staying in a mansion. A twenty-six room, century-old building surrounded by dense forest. Woodmoor Manor. But unfortunately, the mansion has more problems than a little peeling wallpaper. Locals claim the surrounding woods are inhabited by mutated creatures with glowing eyes. And some say campers routinely disappear in the woods, never to be seen again. As terrifying as it sounds, Ginny can’t shake the feeling that there’s something darker . . . another story she hasn’t been told. When the creaky floors and shadowy corners of the mansion seem to take on a life of their own, Ginny uncovers the wildest mystery of all: There’s more than one legend roaming Saugatuck, Michigan, and they definitely aren’t after campers. It’s after her. “This is a teeth-chattering, eyes bulging, shuddering-and-shaking, chills-at-the-back-of-your-neck ghost story. I loved it!” —R.L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps series on Scritch Scratch

From award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller, a timeless story about creativity, exploration, and friendship What can you do with a rock? You can skip them. You can sort them. Best of all, you can share them. Rocks are simple, but the things you can do with them are endless. Rocks can build, sparkle, and tell a story. They can be memories. They can even be a little bit magic. This ode to curiosity and creative play from* New York Times* bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller and acclaimed illustrator Katie Kath is bound to inspire.

**Teach kids about cross-cultural communication and reaching out to others with this simple, heartwarming story Perfect for those looking for:** stories about connection colorful, engaging art books about communication and respecting others classroom picture books When a boy comes across a fish and says hello, the fish does not respond. The boy is shocked. What a rude fish! But soon he realizes that it isn’t up to the fish to speak Boy. Rather, if he wants to communicate, it’s up to the boy to take the time to learn how to speak Fish. Celebrate the connections we have to those different from us with* Do You Speak Fish!*

This captivating book explores the real connection and communication that runs underground between trees in the forest. The well-researched details about trees’ own social network will help readers see that the natural world’s survival depends on staying connected and helping others—just like us! Parents, teachers, and gift givers will find: a beautiful story about our forests with scientifically accurate information educational backmatter about this underground web of communication a nature book that supports social emotional learning The fascinating mycorrhizal fungi network runs underground through the roots of trees in the forest allowing for connection and communication. Readers will discover that trees have their own social network to help each other survive and thrive.

Learn how to welcome new neighbors into your community, particularly when they might be far from home, in this uplifting and diverse picture book that champions human connection and inclusivity. After all, the world is everyone’s home and we’re one big family! *When we see someone new in our neighborhood, how can we help them feel safe and loved and important? How can we tell them, you’re not alone? There are so many ways!* From the creators of Miry’s List, the nonprofit that has helped thousands of refugees, Our World is a Family is an all-ages picture book exploring the complicated topic of human migration in a gentle, loving, and affirming way. It lightly touches on the reason people might leave their homes, like climate change or lack of safety, and inspires children to welcome their new neighbors into their communities with love.

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!”

Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award winning author, and acclaimed illustrator Elizabeth Zunon’s latest children’s masterpiece is a whimsical adventure and rollicking celebration of playtime fun. *“Time to get to work, little one,” I tell you. “What work?” you ask. Like always, you pretend not to understand. “Your job is called Play,” I say.* Mom needs to wake up her child whose job is to play. From dancing in puddles to jumping in leaves, and swinging high enough to almost reach the sun, there’s so much to do in a fun-filled day. For those seeking children’s books about diversity, this loving depiction of everyday shenanigans is sure to become a story time favorite. Playtime for Restless Rascals is an African American children’s book that celebrates imagination, playful moments, and the love between parents and child.

The end is coming. What would you do? The first in a fast-paced and gripping YA dystopian series for anyone who’s ever felt like their life—their world—is on the brink of destruction. Like most high school seniors, Alexandra Lucas is caught between living in the moment and an unknown future. Her anxiety disorder doesn’t make that any easier. But she’s coping—until her train stops on the way home from a concert with her boyfriend. At first, she’s worried about breaking curfew. Then terror echoes through their train car. A mysterious doorway has appeared beside the tracks, and a hologram claiming to be a human from the future shares a sinister warning. A comet is on a collision course with earth. All life there will end in six months’ time. To survive, people must step through one of the many portals that have opened around the world. The holograms claim to offer safety. But how can anyone be sure? Stay or go—everyone must make their own choice. Alex’s family, her friends, her boyfriend all have different ideas. Alex is only sure of one thing: she wants to decide for herself. But every decision comes at a price. **Finalist for the Philip K. Dick Science Fiction Award Winner of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award**

As kids read *The Wolf of Cape Fen *by Juliana Brandt, they can use this readers guide to think through and discuss the themes of the story. Book Summary: Beyond the Bright Sea meets Echo in this story of a young girl who must break a magical bargain before an enchanted wolf steals her sister away. First Frost has touched Cape Fen, and that means Baron Dire has returned. For as long as anyone can remember, Baron Dire has haunted the town come winter, striking magical bargains and demanding unjust payment in return. The Serling sisters know better than to bargain, lest they find themselves hunted by the Baron’s companion, the Wolf. And then the Wolf attacks Eliza’s sister Winnie. They manage to escape, but they know the Wolf will be back. Because Winnie would never bargain, so that must mean that someone has struck a deal with Winnie as the price. Eliza refuses to lose her sister and embarks on a journey to save her. If Eliza can learn the truth, she might be able to protect her sister, but the truth behind the bargain could put her own life in danger.

This empowering picture book teaches readers that even great ideas sometimes get a NO—but that NO can actually help great ideas become the best ideas! A Common Core State Standards Aligned Activity Guide for Grades Kindergarten, 1, and 2.

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.

A Common Core aligned educator guide inspired by Rebecca Behrens’ Alone in the Woods. From the author of The Disaster Days comes a thrilling survival story about two former best friends who must work together to stay alive after getting lost in a remote national forest.

A discussion guide inspired by Rebecca Behrens’ Alone in the Woods. From the author of The Disaster Days comes a thrilling survival story about two former best friends who must work together to stay alive after getting lost in a remote national forest.

A discussion guide inspired by The Girl Who Wasn’t There by Penny Joelson. About the book: For fans of Karen M. McManus and Kara Thomas comes this riveting new young adult crime thriller packed with mystery and suspense, from the acclaimed author of I Have No Secrets Nothing ever happens on Kasia’s street. And Kasia would know, because her chronic illness keeps her stuck at home, watching the outside world from her bedroom window. So when she witnesses what looks like a kidnapping, she’s not sure whether she can believe her own eyes… There had been a girl in the window across the street who must have seen something too. But when Kasia ventures out to find her, she is told the most shocking thing of all: There is no girl. Emotional and full of twists, The Girl Who Wasn’t There is perfect for readers looking for: •    teen mystery books •    diverse, complex characters •    chronic illness representation from an #ownvoices author •    books for teens that deal with social issues •    young adult suspense novels

Discussion & Activity Guide for Grades K, 1, 2 and 3 Prepared by We Love Children’s Books About the Book Giraffe and Zebra meet every day under their favorite tree to walk to the watering hole. But today, Giraffe isn’t there! Where could he be? Zebra spots him hiding in the tree; Giraffe has seen a spider and is scared silly. Zebra patiently talks to Giraffe and does the very best thing: supports Giraffe for as long as Giraffe needs it. About the Author Lisa Katzenberger started writing for a creative writing assignment in third grade—and she hasn’t stopped since then! She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and worked as a technical writer, but then she started writing short stories, novels—and now picture books! Visit her at lisakatzenberger.com. About the Illustrator Jaclyn Sinquett grew up playing in her dad’s garden, feeding worms to box turtles, and tossing french fries to seagulls at the Jersey shore. She now spends her time painting shells with her little daughter, dancing in the living room with her husband, and illustrating books for children. Her favorite color is yellow ocher. Visit her at jaclynsinquett.com. Reviews “Katzenberger tells the tale simply and directly, emphasizing the friends’ kindness and patience… Sinquett’s brightly hued cartoons delightfully express the characters’ emotions and personalities, lightening the message of the text without diminishing it.” —Kirkus Reviews

A hilarious, heartwarming picture book with subtle lessons about the importance of sharing, home, and friendship. Gil the Goldfish lives in a fishbowl with 138 pebbles—he counts them every day—and a castle. It feels TOO CROWDED! When Gil leaves his bowl in search of open spaces, he finds a world full of many interesting…and loud … and possibly dangerous creatures. It turns out that life outside the bowl might not be right for a fish. Thank goodness for Turtle, a citizen of the not-so-great outdoors who comes to Gil’s rescue! Will Gil make peace with his home sweet home, and maybe even find room for a friend in the process? “The story is a satisfying balance of familiar and fresh, with an endearing protagonist and an especially timely message about isolation and connection… Utterly delightful.”** —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review**