by Elana K. Arnold

There are a few things you should know about Harriet Wermer:  She just finished third grade – She has a perfect cat named Matzo Ball – She doesn’t always tell the truth – She is very happy spending summer vacation away from home and her mom and dad and all the wonderful things she had been planning all year.  Okay, maybe that last one isn’t entirely the truth.

Of course, there’s nothing Harriet doesn’t like about Marble Island, the small island off the coast of Californina where her nanu runs a cozy little bed and breakfast.  And nobody doesn’t love Moneypenny, Nanu’s old basset hound.  But Harriet doesn’t like the fact that Dad made this decision without even asking her.

When Harriet arrives on Marble Island, however, she discovers that it’s full of surprises, and even a mystery.  One that seems to involve her Dad, back when he was a young boy living on Marble Island.  One that Harriet is absolutely going to solve.  

by Jennifer Swender

If Austin picked a color to describe his life, it would be tumbleweed brown.  Austin doesn’t like standing out.  He’s always the new kid, and there’s no hiding his size.  Plus, Austin has a secret:  He struggles to read.

Then Austin meets Bertie, who is razzmatazz.  Everything about Bertie is bursting!  But the best part of his newest school is the Safety Squad, with their laser lemon vests.  Their easy confidence and leadership stand out in the coolest way.  Even when things are not so vibrant and life at home makes Austin feel pacific blue, for the first time, he wants to leave a mark.  And the more Austin speaks up, the more he finds he may not be that different after all. 

by Nancy Tandon

Rory still can’t say his r’s, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles.  First Rory’s ex-best friend Brent started hanging out with the mean lacrosse kids.  But then, a terrible accident takes Brent out of school, and Rory struggles with how to feel.

Rory and his new speech teacher put their heads together on Rory’s r’s, but nobody seems to be able to solve the problem of Rory’s complcated feelings about Brent.  Brent’s accident left him with a brain injury and he’s struggling.  Should Rory stand up for his old friend at school–even after Brent failed to do the same for him?

by David A. Adler

Mo and his parents are enjoying a sunny day at the beach!  When the water is too cool to swim, Mo and his dad go for a walk and run into some of Mo’s friends who are playing volleyball.  After learning the rules, Mo and his dad join in to serve set, and spike the ball.  When the score is tied, will the smallest boy on the team be able to secure the game-winning point? 

by Eldon Yellowhorn & Kathy Lowinger

In Sky Wolf’s Call, award-winning author team of Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger reveal how Indigenous knowledge comes from centuries of practices, experiences, and ideas gathered by people who have a long history with the natural world.  Indigenous knowledge is explored through the use of fire and water, the acquisition of food, the study of astronomy, and healing practices. 

by Lois-Ann Yamanaka

Claire has been surrounded by the deep blue waves of Hapuna Beach and the magnificent mountains of Hawaii all her life, but has never, ever seen snow.  When her father drives her and her family to the top of the Mauna Kea, she can’t help but to be disappointed…it’s not the winter wonderland she’s always dreamed of. And that’s what she wants, more than anything.

by Philip C. Stead

Amos McGee, a friendly zookeeper, is very considerate and always on time.  But after a late night planning a surprise for all his friends, Amos is tired.  So tired that he falls asleep during breakfast and misses his bus to the zoo!  Now he knows he won’t have time for the surprise he planned for his friends.  Unless..maybe his friends can step in and help him out. 

by Jo Knowles

One summer day, as Little Worm heads out to play, he discovers he has a song stuck in his head.  “What’s that you’re singing?  Owl asks, but little Worm can’t say.  He wriggles past, determined to learn who filled his head with “Shimmy shimmy, no-sashay.”  Owl flaps along with a song of his own, and before long Chipmunk, Bunny, and Fox fall in line, each contributing an ear worm to the joyful cacophony.  Amid all the singing and dancing, Little Worm forgets his musical mystery until later when–surprise!–Papa Worm Tucks him in. 

by Debora Pearson

A little girl learns some words in a new language to prepare for her move to a new country.  But when she, her mother and her father arrive, “all her words fly away like birds.”  The girl waits, and watches, and listens, trying to figure things out.  Only, it’s hard.  Then one day the girl meets someone who needs her help.  And as she makes a new friend, she finds that the new words start to come easier–becoming her words, at last. 

by Margaret Finnegan

Susie B. has a lot to say.  Like how it’s not fair that she has to be called Susie B. instead of plain Susie.  Or about how polar bears are endangered. Or how the Usual Geniuses are always getting picked for cool stuff over the kids like her with butterflies in their brain.    And it’s because Susie B. has a lot to say about these very important things that she’s running for student council president!  If she’s president, she can advocate for the underdogs just like her hero and fellow Susie B., Susan B. Anthony.  But when the most usual of Usual Geniuses also enters the student council race, Susie realizes this may be a harder won fight than she thought.  Soon, Susie has her own tough decisions to make. But one thing is for sure–no matter what, Susie B. won’t back down.