Joy School

A story that tugs at the heartstrings...Thirteen-year-old Katie is new to her Missouri town, living alone with a stern, inaccessible father following her mother’s death. Unable to fit in at school, she forges alliances where she can: With her housekeeper, with a pimply fellow misfit named Cynthia, and with the gorgeous Taylor, who gets her kicks out of shoplifting. Most frustrating of all is Katie’s imperfect friendship with the proprietor of a local gas station, a handsome twenty-three-year-old who shares her love of checkers but doesn’t return her crush.

In a culture that prizes productivity, efficiency, and success, it’s easy to feel as though we’re constantly falling short and to lose sight of joy. The homeschool community is not exempt from this pressure, but longtime educator Leslie Martino shows parents how to slow down to recapture the delight and depth that are hallmarks of meaningful learning. The Joy of Slow offers a much-needed reset, inspiring parents to prioritize the needs of each individual child and to help them find renewed freedom and passion.

Claire has been crazy about Stephen since high school. She knows he feels the same about her, but she can’t bring herself to risk heartbreak. Based on what she knows, relationships always end in heartbreak. Stephen had been in love with Claire since high school. Now he counts her as one of his best friends. She’s the kind of friend he can count on, but he can’t ever date her—because she won’t go out with him. When they work together on his pet Christmas project, they get closer. Claire starts to change her mind about falling in love. And then she’s reminded of exactly what made ...

Filled with advice and insights from Parisian women, this delightful guide shows listeners how to cultivate charm and mystique in the age of Tinder and OKCupid - to find lasting romance and connection.

Rockstar dreams don’t come true, at least not for Jayla Bennett. So why is Spencer living out all his dreams touring the country while his ex-girlfriend/former bandmate is stuck struggling through mundane days at a 9-5 she can’t stand? Was it a case of bad timing? Did life get in the way? Or did Spencer just not love her enough to reach out when Reciprocity finally hit it big? Spencer’s avoided his hometown like the plague since leaving four years ago. He hasn’t set foot in Graybush, let alone the house he grew up in, not since his mother died right beside his dreams of going to ...

Becca and Slade never stood a chance back in high school. She was a nerd, blending in with the geeks in the back of auditorium as Slade's band performed for Senior Night. A chance encounter set them on a path to be more than acquaintances who had a couple classes together, but it imploded as quickly as it started. Slade's back in town for the holidays, reluctantly, his brother and their band, Reciprocity, performing at the local Winter Festival with their old drummer. He never wanted to go to that tree farm with his dad, he sure as hell didn't want to meet eyes with the girl who tore his ...

As a young teacher, I'm fairly popular amongst the freshman college girls entering my writing class. At first I resisted their advances, but it wasn't long before I indulged myself in their youthful sex drives. But I've started to get bored of all the free, easy lays. That is, until I set my eyes on Millie. She was nothing like the girls who threw themselves at me. Quiet, shy, and smart, she gave no hint of sexual provocativeness. There was something about her that set me off. I devised a plan in my head, a special course just for her. In the end, I wasn't entirely sure if I was the seducer...

Whether your child is already in the Montessori world or they are in the traditional schooling system, you can turn your home into a source of learning, creativity, and independence. This book is here to provide you with the theoretical framework and the practical knowledge you need to help your child excel academically, target behavioral issues, and work with (instead of against) their individual strengths.

Accomplished educator Kass Minor delivers an inspiring and practical exploration of what it means to be a just teacher in a system that actively incentivizes injustice. The author explains how to build joyful experiences even in the face of inevitable injustice and demonstrates how to accept the seemingly conflicting experience of joy in the face of heartbreak. In the book, you'll learn to be a catalyst for change, unlearning the patterns of school that have marginalized children while becoming aware of tenets of justice as they manifest in educational spaces.

Jojo has everything planned out for the perfect first day of middle school, down to her outfit and hairstyle. But when Mom, distracted by her new live-in boyfriend, Paul, forgets to wake Jojo up, she oversleeps and has to make do with leggings, a t-shirt, and her brother’s hoodie. The day still goes okay until Jojo realizes that she has a hole in her leggings thanks to Purrito, the kitten Paul “gifted” her. Because Paul isn’t just Paul; he’s Mr. Meow, a mega-famous cat-fluencer.

📚 "Ebony's Birthday Surprise" - A Heartwarming Adventure in Friendship and Discovery! Dive into the enchanting world of "Ebony's Birthday Surprise," a delightful first chapter book tailored for young readers. Ebony's birthday unfolds with excitement, challenges, and the magic of genuine friendship. This captivating story introduces children to emotions, the power of positive self-talk, and the wonders of staying calm. Join Ebony and her friends as they navigate a school day filled with surprises, lessons, and unexpected joy. As the narrative weaves through engaging experiences, young ...

Much is written about children's infancy and toddler years, which is good, since children will never remember those times themselves. It is ages four to 14 that make up the second act, as Catherine Newman puts it in this delightfully candid, outlandishly funny new memoir about the years that "your children will remember as childhood". Following Newman's son and daughter as they blossom from preschoolers into teenagers, Catastrophic Happiness is about the bittersweet joy of raising children and the ever-evolving landscape of issues parents traverse.

There is a bright yellow bus who spends her days driving. She loves carrying children from one important place to another. But as time passes, things change: new drivers, new routes, and new passengers. Yet, no matter where she is, the Yellow Bus finds joy and discovery in the world around her—and in those she helps along the way.

Gracie High school is hard enough when you don’t have the perfect girl to compare yourself to every day. Blondie. That’s what I call her. With her perfect hair, perfect clothes, and perfect nails. Yeah, that’s her type. I couldn’t stand her from the moment she flashed that dazzling smile and had all the boys drooling. But then, she decided she wanted to be friends—with me. Why? I’m not sure, but I don’t trust her. Especially not when she starts going after Jake. My Jake! There’s no way I’m just going to stand by and let her steal away my best friend/secret crush. Nope. ...

Are you a parent or educator struggling to decipher the complex adolescent brain? Do you find yourself bewildered by their sudden mood swings and rebellious acts, and you wish you could understand how their minds operate so that you can see things from their perspective to foster more harmonious interactions? Relax and let this guide break down the adolescent psyche for you!

There's nothing worse than going into something blindfolded and clueless about what to expect, and raising a child is no different. The anxiety, tension, and self-doubt can be overwhelming, but when you have the info in your hands, you'll be more relaxed and equipped to handle different stages and phases with poise. Luckily, this guide covers all the bases of child development, from milestones and temperament to emotional, physical, and mental growth and everything in between – say goodbye to being caught off guard!

📚 "Ryder's Rough Start" - A Tale of Resilience and Joy! Join Ryder on a rollercoaster of emotions in "Ryder's Rough Start," a heartwarming story perfect for young readers. Late for school and feeling overwhelmed, Ryder learns valuable lessons from his compassionate teacher, Mrs. Benson, about the amygdala and managing strong emotions. The narrative unfolds through engaging activities that mirror the complexity of feelings, teaching young readers about mindfulness and emotional intelligence. As Ryder and his friends explore calming techniques, the story becomes a transformative journey of...

17-year-old Enore Adesuwa doesn’t dive into things, she walks in carefully. So when she, her mother, and her sister move from Nigeria to America shortly after her father’s death, she wants to be extremely prepared before attending an American high school. Her cousin, Adrian, doesn’t have time to explain the ins and outs to her but, luckily, he recommends the perfect research tool: teen movies. Still dealing with grief but armed with a set of rules of survival gathered from these movies (including the crucial rule of keeping a low profile), Enore is ready for her senior year.

In our stressed-out culture, too many parents are just coping rather than thriving, juggling demands on their time and energy, and tuning out their inner voices and deeper visions for family life in order to keep their heads above water. There is a better way. Coaching parents through his holistic health practice, Dr. Steven Fonso has helped thousands of families reconnect with what matters most: slowing down to savor authentic moments of connection and letting go of the noise and stress that all too often get in the way.

Mya is a bright little girl. She loves to learn and explore, but most of all, she loves meeting new friends. Could the school be the place for her? Follow Mya as she discovers what it's like to be a preschooler.