When one young woman recycled 24 tons of ocean trash to create the very first school of music on Easter Island, she proved that anyone can make a difference! Fans of Shark Lady will appreciate this incredible feminist story that empowers kids to use their passions to change the world Mahani Teave grew up on Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, one of the most remote islands in the world. When she began taking lessons on the island’s only piano, her incredible talent led her to leave Rapa Nui when she was just nine years old to continue her music education. Although she wished she didn’t have to leave such a beautiful place to pursue her dreams, she became an internationally acclaimed classical pianist, playing around the world for all kinds of audiences. But her island home kept calling her back. Years later, she returned to Rapa Nui to stay, and with a new dream: to save its environment and culture. Mahani saw the island’s struggles with pollution from tourism and ocean plastics, and found a unique solution. She created the island’s first music and arts school so that children there could learn music in ways that kept the island’s unique traditions alive—and did so through recycling! The school was built using of thousands of tires, bottles, and cans in its walls, incorporating rain barrels, solar panels, and a food garden. Because Mahani pursued her dreams, she changed the fate of the island, creating an inspiring place that celebrates the land of Rapa Nui and its people—and showing children everywhere that they can stand up for their passions too.

An inspiring picture book that encourages readers to not only dream up big ideas, but to be persistent, resilient, and to think outside the box—or the lemonade glass! Eva’s always full of ideas—her latest one is to start a lemonade stand. She can brainstorm fun flavors and find the freshest ingredients, but when competition from Jake’s stand across the street creates one tough challenge after another, Eva runs out of ideas. But just when she’s about to close down her stand for good, she makes her little brother their favorite Indian dessert, kulfi, and she realizes the coolest idea yet was where she hadn’t expected to find it, and that giving up is the only obstacle to her success.

**A delightful, endearing debut picture book by bestselling author and activist Juno Dawson in which a sister answers everyone’s questions about where’s her brother Bill. ** When Bill can’t be found at school one day, the imaginations of the other children run wild. Is he on vacation? Is he lost in the park? Has he been eaten by a shark?! It’s up to Bill’s sister to explain…”You need to chill! My brother Bill is now my sister Lily.” Juno Dawson’ debut picture book is a witty and fun-filled story about family, identity, and acceptance. Bold, joyful and warm-hearted, its message of love and inclusivity shines through on every page. Laura Hughes’ illustrations perfectly capture the positive theme of the story.

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?*

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**

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. How do you live, and how far would you go to save yourself and the ones you love? A compelling dystopian novel for anyone who’s ever felt like their life—their world—is on the brink of imploding. Alexandra Lucas’ anxiety disorder was enough to deal with, then mysterious holographic doors suddenly appeared throughout the world, heralding the end of the earth. A recording plays on loop: Heed the warning and step through a portal-like vertex to safety…or stay and be destroyed by a comet that is on a collision course with the planet. The holograms claim to be humans from the future offering the promise of safety. But without the ability to verify their story, Alex is forced to consider what is best for her friends, her family, and herself. Stay or go—everyone must make their own choice. With the deadline of the hologram’s prophecy fast approaching, Alex feels as though she’s living on a ticking time bomb. But the truth is much, much worse. And every decision comes at a price.

**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.

*Dear boy, Black boy, I believe in you so. Let’s start your story—ready, set, go.* From athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick to musician Fela Kuti, and from explorer Matthew Henson to writer Chinua Achebe, there are so many inspirational men in Black history. Imagine what you can be and the great things you can do with the strength of people throughout history that have paved the way for Black boys. This inspiring, lyrical picture book combines an uplifting, motivational text with references to wonderful figures throughout history. The combination is both encouraging and educational, prompting boys to imagine what they can be and the great things they can do in their own lives.

A new page-turning thriller from USA Today bestselling author David Bell.** When a girl disappears, who do you suspect? When 17-year-old Hunter Gifford wakes in the hospital on the night of homecoming, he’s shocked to learn he and his girlfriend, Chloe Summers, have been in a terrible car accident. Hunter has no memory of the crash, and his shock turns to horror when he is told Chloe’s blood has been found in the car—but she has disappeared. Back at school, his fellow students taunt him, and his former best friend starts making a true-crime documentary about the case—one that points the finger directly at Hunter. And just when things can’t get any worse, Chloe’s mother stands in front of the entire town at a candlelight vigil and accuses Hunter of murder. Under mounting pressure from the police, Hunter takes matters into his own hands by questioning anyone who might know the truth and posting videos to prove his innocence. When Hunter learns he and Chloe were seen arguing loudly outside the dance, he faces a sickening possibility. Was he angry enough to kill the person he loved? Praise for David Bell: “David Bell is a top-notch storyteller and Layover is his best book yet. I flew through this twisty, riveting psychological thriller at breakneck speed, hooked from the first page right up through the book’s breathless conclusion.”—Cristina Alger, New York Times bestselling author of Girls Like Us “With hints of Patricia Highsmith’s THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, this is a riveting thriller.” —Palm Beach Daily News “Readers will find themselves thoroughly immersed in this riveting thriller…both compelling and surprising.”—Booklist “Bell is a brilliant craftsman as well as storyteller.”—The Providence Journal

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice. For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention—especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances. Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart—or die trying.

From the author/illustrator team behind The Snatchabook comes a music-filled journey to bedtime. * “Orange moon, blue baboon. Blue baboon spies bassoon.”* Blue baboon is eager to play the bassoon with her new friends. But a monsoon threatens to spoil the fun. Fortunately a big balloon arrives in time to carry them to a dune where they can all play in tune together!

From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series comes an all-new, hilarious school adventure!** The class pets escaped from their cages and are running loose in your school! Lizards, hamsters, rabbits, and birds are on the loose… and a bearded dragon is leading the hilarious escape. Join the fun and find out if YOU have what it takes to catch these riotous pets on their wild field trip! Featuring an approachable school theme that kids will relate to plus cute animal characters and clever rhymes, this silly story will inspire repeat reads again and again. Perfect for young readers and educators alike and a delight for fans of the bestselling series, this fun-filled picture book blends STEAM concepts with hilarity and chaos to encourage reading, learning, and imagination. Great for children ages 4-10, this book makes a delightful first day of school gift, appreciation gift for teachers, holiday stocking stuffer, graduation gift, or for read-aloud fun anytime of year! All the class pets are on the loose, and each critter must be found! We need your help setting traps before the school bell sounds! Also in the How to Catch Series: How to Catch a Unicorn How to Catch a Dinosaur How to Catch a Mermaid How to Catch a Monster How to Catch a Snowman and more!

From the award-winning author of Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Alda P. Dobbs, comes a compelling new novel about building a new life in America. Strong and determined, Petra Luna returns in a story about the immigrant experience that continues to be relevant today. Petra Luna is in America, having escaped the Mexican Revolution and the terror of the Federales. Now that they are safe, Petra and her family can begin again, in this country that promises so much. Still, twelve-year-old Petra knows that her abuelita, little sister, and baby brother depend on her to survive. She leads her family from a smallpox-stricken refugee camp on the Texas border to the buzzing city of San Antonio, where they work hard to build a new life. And for the first time ever, Petra has a chance to learn to read and write. Yet Petra also sees in America attitudes she thought she’d left behind on the other side of the Río Grande—people who look down on her mestizo skin and bare feet, who think someone like her doesn’t deserve more from life. Petra wants more. Isn’t that what the revolution is about? Her strength and courage will be tested like never before as she fights for herself, her family, and her dreams. Petra’s first story, Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, was a New York Public Library Book of the Year and a Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection.

“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 heartwarming celebration of all skin shades, from sun-browned to autumn-leaf-gold! Amrita and Kiki are best friends and sunflower sisters. Amrita’s older sister is getting married, but when the elder relatives arrive, they start dispensing some old-fashioned and dubious advice. Luckily, Amrita’s mother has a lesson or two to teach about that! With the support and empowerment of their moms, the sunflower sisters are two strong, confident girls—one South Asian the other Nigerian—finding joy in their own skin.

Three characters with their own agendas converge in a town filled with mediums, where most residents make their living speaking to the dead…and there’s no such thing as resting in peace. Russ Griffin has always wanted to be a fantastic medium. Growing up in the town of St. Hilaire, where most residents make their living by speaking to the dead, means there’s a lot of competition, and he’s always held his own. But Russ knows the town he loves is corrupt, and he’s determined to save it before the sinister ruling body, The Guild, ruins all he’s ever wanted. Willow Rogers is St. Hilaire royalty. An orphan, raised by The Guild, she’s powerful and mysterious. But she has secrets that might change everyone’s fate. She’s done with St. Hilaire, done with helping spirits move on. She wants to end the cycle for good and rid the town of ghosts, even if that means destroying the only home she’s ever known. Asher Mullen lost his sister, and his parents can’t get over her death. They sought answers in St. Hilaire and were turned away. Now they want revenge. Asher is tasked with infiltrating the town, and he does that by getting to know Russ. The only problem is, he might be falling for him, which will make betraying him that much harder. Russ, Willow, and Asher all have their own agendas for St. Hilaire, but one thing’s for certain, no one will be resting in peace.

Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice. For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention—especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances. Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart—or die trying.