A Bike Like Sergio’s

A Bike Like Sergio’s
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 35
Release: 2022-02-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536227935

“Boelts lays out Ruben’s ethical dilemma and emotional turmoil without preaching, and his struggle toward the moral choice . . . is both dramatic and genuine.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows his family can’t afford that. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten — it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! Finders keepers, right? Presenting a relatable story with subtlety and heart, the creative team behind Those Shoes pairs up again for a story about how hard it can be to do the right thing.

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle

Everyone Can Learn to Ride a Bicycle
Author: Chris Raschka
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
Total Pages: 66
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 0375870075

“[Raschka's] marvelous sequences, fluid style, and emotional intelligence capture all of the momentum and exhilaration of this glorious accomplishment,” raves School Library Journal in a starred review. Learning to ride a bike is one of the most important milestones of childhood, and no one captures the emotional ups and downs of the experience better than Chris Raschka, who won the 2012 Caldecott Medal for A Ball for Daisy. In this simple yet emotionally rich "guide," a father takes his daughter through all the steps in the process—from choosing the perfect bicycle to that triumphant first successful ride. Using very few words and lots of expressive pictures, here is a picture book that not only shows kids how to learn to ride, but captures what it feels like to fall . . . get up . . . fall again . . . and finally "by luck, grace, and determination" ride a bicycle!

Happy Like Soccer

Happy Like Soccer
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 32
Release: 2020-11-03
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536220914

"Unexpected emotional depth. . . . A thought-provoking read-aloud." — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Nothing makes Sierra happy like soccer. Her shoes have flames as she spins the ball down the spread-out sea of grass. But nothing makes her sad like soccer, too, because the restaurant where her auntie works is busy on game days and she can’t take time off to watch Sierra play. With honesty and subtlety, author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Lauren Castillo portray an endearing character in a moving, uplifting story that touches on the divides children navigate every day — and remind us that everyone needs someone to cheer them on from the sidelines.

Those Shoes

Those Shoes
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 41
Release: 2016-10-11
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0763691488

But all the kids are wearing them! Any child who has ever craved something out of reach will relate to this warm, refreshingly realistic story. Features an audio read-along. "I have dreams about those shoes. Black high-tops. Two white stripes." All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. But Jeremy’s grandma tells him they don’t have room for "want," just "need," and what Jeremy needs are new boots for winter. When Jeremy’s shoes fall apart at school, and the guidance counselor gives him a hand-me-down pair, the boy is more determined than ever to have those shoes, even a thrift-shop pair that are much too small. But sore feet aren’t much fun, and Jeremy comes to realize that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants.

My Dog Mouse

My Dog Mouse
Author: Eva Lindström
Publisher: Gecko Press (Tm)
Total Pages: 17
Release: 2017
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1776571487

A dog walk with Mouse: an old, slow dog with ears as thin as pancakes.

I Am a Thief!

I Am a Thief!
Author: Abigail Rayner
Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2019-09-03
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0735842892

When Eliza Jane Murphy—line leader, captain of the worm rescue team—impulsively pockets a sparkly green stone from her classroom’s “Exploring Green” display table, her heart crumples. My heart stopped singing. My letters went wonky. I was too heavy to swing! I wanted to put it back . . . But what if someone saw? But when she discovers that nearly everyone in her family took something once in their lives—from her baby brother and mom, to her nana with her sausage-stealing dog—Eliza overcomes her shame to make things right. A hilarious and heartfelt story about stealing and finding the courage to do the right thing.

The Red Bicycle

The Red Bicycle
Author: Jude Isabella
Publisher: Kids Can Press Ltd
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2015-03-01
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1771384441

Leo rides his beloved red bicycle to school, soccer practice and everywhere in between. He is devastated when he outgrows Big Red. But when Leo learns of a bicycle donation program, he perks up - someone who really needs his bike can give it a new life. Little does he know that Big Red will change other people’s lives, too. Follow the bike as it travels to West Africa, where it helps people in Burkina Faso bring goods to the market, and serves as a makeshift ambulance, proving that an ordinary bicycle can be truly extraordinary.

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue

Hot Day on Abbott Avenue
Author: Karen English
Publisher: Clarion Books
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9781328500069

After having a fight, two friends spend the day ignoring each other, until the lure of a game of jump rope helps them to forget about being mad.

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story

Nine, Ten: A September 11 Story
Author: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2017-05-16
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1442485078

Includes a reading group guide with discussion questions.

Kaia and the Bees

Kaia and the Bees
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2020-03-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1536216666

The author of Those Shoes and an award-winning illustrator team up for the story of a girl who tries to overcome her fear of bees to see how amazing they are. Kaia is the brave type. Like hottest-hot-pepper brave. But there is one thing that scares her: BEES! And right now, thousands of bees live on her roof because Kaia’s dad is a beekeeper. Her dad says that the world needs bees and that’s why they are beekeepers. But only he goes on the roof, not Kaia — unless she can find a way to be the brave girl she always says she is. Against a sunny city setting, author Maribeth Boelts and illustrator Angela Dominguez depict Kaia’s small courageous steps — and her tiny insect neighbors — with great empathy and charm. Buzzing with storytime potential, Kaia and the Bees is an honest and relatable tale about bravery and compassion, as well as the importance of bees to our world.