Family Chapter

Simone has always felt different, though her life seems pretty normal. Her mom's a lawyer for the ACLU, so she's grown up spending her Saturdays outside the food co-op, gathering signatures for worthy causes. Her dad's a political cartoonist who does most of the work around the house. Her little brother is a jock who seems to know how to do everything just right. Her best friend has a new boyfriend, and Simone has a crush on a really smart and funny guy who spends all his time with another girl.

For a third grader, Sophie Simon is one smart cookie. She enjoys teaching herself advanced calculus and has performed successful heart surgery on an earthworm. She’s also very clever when it comes to dealing with her clueless parents. But Sophie is no genius when it comes to calculating the high value of friendship - until, that is, she has to use her incredible IQ to help out some classmates with their own parental troubles.

Enjoy over 180 mind-blowing fun facts and 200 trivia questions about animals! Both kids and adults will be entertained for hours. We have discovered over two million species of animals on Earth! Each and every animal plays a crucial part in taking care of our planet. From the spiders in our homes to the blue whales in the ocean, every species is like a puzzle piece that fits together to create our home, planet Earth. Our trivia and fun facts will teach you everything you need to know. We share our planet with so many incredible creatures, and we still have so much more to discover!

A story of friendship, courage and a bit of crime. Bridget wants a quiet life, including, if possible, keeping her parents out of prison. Then a boy called Menzies makes her an offer she can't refuse, and they set off on a job of their own. It's a desperate, daring plan, to rescue two kids, Jamal and Bibi, from a desert detention centre. Can Bridget and Menzies pull off their very first jail break, or will they end up behind bars too? Sometimes to help a friend, you have to dig deep.

What does a little bear wear as he dances and plays his way through a sunny summer day? Young listeners will be fascinated as John McDonough's upbeat narration perfectly delivers this book's lilting, musical rhyme and joyful, exuberant rhythm that make Jesse Bear's day a pleasure for everyone.

After surviving the crazy events of his first weeks in New York City, nine-year-old Otis Dooda is starting out at a brand-new school. He would love to make a good impression, but life in Tidwell Towers is never that easy.

With his disgusting seatmate, the possible impending alien invasion, and the introduction of his new nemesis, Sid Frackas "The Greatest LEGO Genius Who Ever Lived" (a title Otis thought was his!), things are getting downright dangerous!

When Sir Ray hears that the hero who raised him is dead and returns with Prince Martin to his homeland, he uncovers his shocking family history and must confront his long-lost twin - who is now a fearsome raider. Kids will love this thrilling adventure because of the action, the art, and the riveting rhyming verse.

Fan-favorite author A.J. Stern is well known for her popular Frankly, Frannie books starring a young girl who loves offices. In this third hilarious installment, Frannie notices the slow service at the opening night of a local restaurant. Her eyes always open for employment opportunities, Frannie decides to help out. But her plan for landing a permanent job vanishes when she realizes that the restaurant serves snails. Now, Frannie knows it’s up to her to warn the customers.

Piper Reed and her fellow Gypsy Club members are in need of a clubhouse. Raising money to buy one proves a challenge. Piper, being the resourceful fifth grader that she is, launches her own party-planning business and gets her first job throwing young Brady's birthday celebration. But things don't go as expected on the day of the big event. Fortunately for Piper, her friends and family come to her rescue!

Two fox sisters are surprised when their neighbor hops over the back fence. It's the boy next door, Eugene. Together these three foxes play pirates, camp outside, and learn the value of true friendship.

Sixteen-year-old Alison Brennan’s mother, Bernadette, is an agoraphobic hoarder, and her father Harry seems to have no past. Struggling every day, Alison seeks the help of a school counsellor. When an old homeless man is found dead in a Melbourne park, Alison's life changes. Somehow, the man's death is connected to her family and the Polish Home Army. Fighting for her future, can Alison unravel the mystery of her family and the dead man, and find a way to place her trust in others again?

When five fourteen-year-old girls get their fortunes from an arcade machine just for kicks, it turns their world upside-down and their close-knit group of friends starts to fall apart. Misunderstandings abound as allegiances shift and outsiders start to come between them. The fortunes seem to be self-fulfilling prophecies - whether the girls believe in them or not.

Teaflet and her brother, Roog, are ready to throw their annual strawberry jam party for their friends in Trefldom. They want it to be the best party ever, even 10 times better than the best party ever! But the inspector of neatness is coming to examine their higgledy-piggledy house from top to bottom. If she finds even one pinch of dirt, or one messy bed, the party will be canceled.

Hinter den Mauern der Großstadt existiert eine zweite Welt: Im Schatten einer verlassenen Fabrik, tief unter der Stadt Detroit, verbirgt sich ein Ort von gefährlicher Schönheit: die Burg. Spionierende Salamander, kampferprobte Rehe und taffe Mädchen wie Lizzard finden hier ein traumhaftes Zuhause. Aber nur solange sie für den skrupellosen weißen Tiger und Herrscher der Burg von Nutzen sind...

High, high up in the clouds a tiny snowflake is made. Perfectly small, fluffy, crystal and white, it tumbles and bounces inside the cloud. But then she begins to fall. Exquisitely told, The Snowflake tells the tale of one snowflake and one little girl - both longing for something and looking for their own special place in the world. The Snowflake is an utterly unforgettable and classic story from multi-award winning and internationally best-selling children's author Benji Davies.

When her grandfather Marley passes away Grace Power discovers she’s been left the beautiful but crumbling estate of Heartcross Castle. As a single mum of three, Grace has no idea what she’s going to do with it - but who can say no to a roof over their kids’ heads and a chance to get away from past hurts? Heartcross Castle is full of secrets - especially a lost security deposit box that holds the truth to everything. But when celebrity chef Andrew Glossop sets his eyes on the castle, Grace tells him there is absolutely no chance he is getting his hands on her home.

When her daughter, Ellie, brings home a new boyfriend, Clare can’t put her finger on why she feels troubled by it. Is it because he’s attractive and closer to her in age? Or maybe she’s just jealous because all of her own husband’s passion seems to go into maintaining his wine cellar. Ellie’s colleague, Anna, is feeling restless, too. She’s much younger than her husband and is still in her prime, and definitely isn’t ready for crosswords and comfy slippers.

When Beth was 10, her beautiful, wild mother, Alice, disappeared. Beth’s life since hasn’t always been easy, but now she's settled, with a successful career, a loving family and a beautiful home. Then one day, there’s a knock at the door. Alice has returned. Desperate to rebuild their relationship, Beth invites her mother to move in. At first, everything is wonderful. But then Beth’s friends start to drift away, strange things happen at home and rumours about Beth begin to circle. Someone is out to destroy Beth’s newfound happiness. But who? And how far will they go?

Celia Willow is the baby of the family, and she’s sick of it. She's sick of being younger and smaller. She's sick of never being taken seriously. So when Celia's hamster surprises the Willows with his wish-granting powers, she blurts out her deepest desire. The problem? Celia didn't exactly wish to be furry. Her big brothers and sister can't let their parents see her like this, but they only have one night to fix things. How can Abner, Tate, and Derek reverse something as powerful as hamster magic...before breakfast?

Except for Daisy, Christmas means another of Uncle T’s dreaded Christmas parties, complete with Christmas jumper and flashing antlers. And Oliver Cartwright. Gorgeous Oliver Cartwright. Who she hates. Every year Daisy has to face insufferable Ollie and hear all about how brilliant he is. Whereas Daisy has no job, no man and no idea how to fix things. This Christmas, however, Daisy is determined things will be different. There will be no snogging Ollie under the mistletoe like when they were teenagers.