In the following STEM challenges, students will design a nature-inspired solution to a problem. They involve making observations of a plant or animal, describing its most unique or interesting structures and functions, identifying a human problem that mimicking the plant or animal could solve, and designing and advertising an invention using biomimicry. About the Nature Did It First: Nature does it best … and did it first! Explore the ways we have looked to nature for brilliant new designs and innovations to solve our own conundrums. Each example in nature is paired with a fun, rhyming description, an example of how it has been used by us, and a question to the reader – “what other problems can be solved?” Learn fascinating examples of biomimicry, like: • How burrs inspired Velcro • How grooved gecko feet inspired adhesive • How bumpy whale flippers inspired windmill blades and surfboards • And more! Back matter includes: • A glossary for words like echolocation and adhesive • A STEM Challenge activity perfect for your home or classroom

Ring in the holidays with an Elf-Catching party! The holidays are just around the corner, and there’s no better way to start them off than by catching your very own holiday elf! Invite your patrons for some fun, food, and crafts as they make their very own elf traps!

Pair with How to Catch a Dragon, from the New York Times bestselling How to Catch series for lots of fun-filled activities as the kids try to capture the elusive dragon!

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.

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?*

*I’m Not Dying With You Tonight *is a dual-POV #ownvoices debut novel that follows two teenage girls—Lena, who is black, and Campbell, who is white—who are thrust together one night when a race riot erupts in their city. Angie Thomas calls it “a compelling and powerful novel that is sure to make an impact.”

Written by two brain experts, this STEM picture book is packed with fascinating science and fun facts about the importance of sleep that will have kids excited to get a good night’s rest! Go to sleep and grow your brain! During the day, your brain helps you do things like eat, walk, play with friends, and learn new things—and using your brain helps it stretch and get stronger. But did you know that you have the power to grow and train your brain just by going to sleep? In fact, while you’re resting, your brain is doing some of its most important work! Learn about the important jobs your brain does at night like: Locking in what you learned during the day Resetting itself so that it’s ready when you wake up Even taking a bath to make sure it’s clean and healthy! Perfect for parents and educators, Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brain is an excellent tool to teach kids about brain development, growth mindset, and the power of making healthy choices like getting enough sleep!

This book engagingly leads readers around the world following a drop of water-whether as steam or snow, inside a plant or animal, or underground-teaching the wonders and importance of the water cycle. Geography topics and four pages of science about the qualities of water are included.

A dandelion can teach much about seeds and seasons and cycles-and the big world that a wind-blown seed can travel-but it also can make us appreciate the challenges it must overcome. This gorgeous book is at once simple and profound. You may be surprised and pleased by the questions and observations of your children after reading this together.

**A new chapter book series from bestselling author Raj Haldar that explores etymology and world cultures using an exciting, action-packed mystery story! ** Eddie and Molly-Jean are next door neighbors and best friends. One Saturday, Eddie’s mom sends him up to the attic to get his great-grandpa’s most prized possession (a book, of course). Eddie and Molly-Jean are suddenly transported to India where they must use their word knowledge to solve a mystery and help a new friend save his school. This new series will follow the two best friends as they discover the hidden stories behind common words. Using their Awesome Enchanted Book and a healthy dose of imagination, the daring duo transport themselves to exotic locales, always encountering new adventures and learning how different cultures have contributed to the English language along the way.

An Educator Guide to Moon’s First Friends - A Common Core State Standards Aligned Educator’s Guide for Grades 1, 2, 3 From high up in the sky, the Moon has spent her whole life watching Earth and hoping for someone to visit. Dinosaurs roam, pyramids are built, and boats are made, but still no one comes. Will friends ever come visit her? Commemorate the extraordinary Apollo 11 spaceflight mission with this heartwarming story of the Moon who just wants a friend.

When a terrifying earthquake strikes while Hannah is babysitting, she’s in charge while their parents are on the other side of a blocked bridge as things go from bad to worse. This educator guide provides questions and activities to go alongside The Disaster Days.

Download a free educator guide for grades 6, 7 and 8 based on THE RADIUM GIRLS: YOUNG READERS’ EDITION by Kate Moore! About the Book Explore the unbelievable true story of America’s glowing girls and their fight for justice in the young readers edition of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller The Radium Girls. This enthralling new edition includes all-new material, including a glossary, timeline, and dozens of bonus photos. Amid the excitement of the early twentieth century, hundreds of young women spend their days hard at work painting watch dials with glow-in-the-dark radium paint. The painters consider themselves lucky—until they start suffering from a mysterious illness. As the corporations try to cover up a shocking secret, these shining girls suddenly find themselves at the center of a deadly scandal. The Radium Girls adapted for young readers tells the unbelievable true story of these incredible women, whose determination to fight back saved countless lives. About the Author KATE MOORE is the Sunday Times-bestselling author of more than fifteen books across the genres of gift, humor, biography, history and children’s brand publishing. While writing The Radium Girls, Kate’s research took her all over America—to Newark and Orange, New Jersey; to New York and Washington, DC; and to Chicago and Ottawa, Illinois. She lives in London, England with her husband. Reviews A fine, moving, important work for young readers.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review “Moore’s personal, captivating prose [renders] this shining piece of history unforgettable.” —Booklist, STARRED review "An impeccably written young readers’ edition of an excellent work of history.” —School Library Journal “[A] lesson in corporate greed, bystander ignorance, and the power of perseverance that will inspire and educate all young revolutionaries.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “This thrilling young readers’ edition is an essential purchase for all middle school and high school libraries." —Youth Services Book Review

**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.

**A lovely educational tale about how animals live in harmony and benefit their ecosystem through commensalism ** A family of beavers love their pond, which they’ve worked hard to turn from a bedraggled landscape into a thriving wetland. But when a family of otters move in and start reaping the rewards of the beavers’ efforts, the only thing the beavers can do is tolerate their new neighbors as best they can. Despite the fact that the otters can be rather annoying, the two species eventually strike a balance, and in the process benefit the rich new ecosystem around them.

A discussion guide inspired by Lindsay Currie’s Scritch Scratch! For fans of Small Spaces comes a chilling ghost story about a malevolent spirit, an unlucky girl, and a haunting mystery that will tie the two together. Claire has absolutely no interest in the paranormal. She’s a scientist, which is why she can’t think of anything worse than having to help out her dad on one of his ghost-themed Chicago bus tours. She thinks she’s made it through when she sees a boy with a sad face and dark eyes at the back of the bus. There’s something off about his presence, especially because when she checks at the end of the tour…he’s gone. Claire tries to brush it off, she must be imagining things, letting her dad’s ghost stories get the best of her. But then the scratching starts. Voices whisper to her in the dark. The number 396 appears everywhere she turns. And the boy with the dark eyes starts following her. Claire is being haunted. The boy from the bus wants something…and Claire needs to find out what before it’s too late.

A Common Core State Standards Aligned Activity Guide for All the Way to the Top by Annette Bay Pimentel, illustrated by Nabi H. Ali, and a foreword from Jennifer Keelan-Chaffins. About the Book: Jennifer Keelan was determined to make a change—even if she was just a kid. She never thought her wheelchair could slow her down, but the way the world around her was built made it hard to do even simple things like go to school or eat lunch in the cafeteria. With her family’s encouragement she goes to protests around the country and becomes part of the movement that helped get the Americans with Disabilities Act passed by Congress. This is the inspiring, true story of Jennifer Keelan, the activist whose participation in the Capitol Crawl at just eight years old encouraged Congress to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act.

An activity kit filled with recipes, games, and more inspired by Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders. About the book: The whole town is talking and only Coop can find the truth. Windy Bottom, Georgia, is usually a peaceful place. Coop helps his mom at her café and bookstore, hangs out with his grandpa, and bikes around with his friends, Justice and Liberty. The town is full of all kinds of interesting people, but no one has ever caused a problem. Until now. When the link to a cold case mystery is discovered beneath the playground, everyone is eager to solve it. But somehow, Gramps is taking all the blame. It seems like there are a lot of secrets that were buried in their small town after all… Will Coop and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery and clear Gramps’s name before it’s too late?