Simon B. Rhymin'

Simon B. Rhymin'
Author: Dwayne Reed
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2021-03-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0316538949

A humorous and heartwarming bounce-to-the-beat underdog story about a young rapper whose rhymes help bring his community together, from America's favorite rapping teacher. As featured on Good Morning America! Eleven-year-old Simon Barnes dreams of becoming a world-famous rapper that everyone calls Notorious D.O.G. But for now, he's just a Chicago fifth grader who's small for his age and afraid to use his voice. Simon prefers to lay low at school and at home, even though he's constantly spitting rhymes in his head. But when his new teacher assigns the class an oral presentation on something that affects their community, Simon must face his fears. With some help from an unexpected ally and his neighborhood crew, will Simon gain the confidence to rap his way to an A and prove that one kid can make a difference in his 'hood? Dwayne Reed is a Chicago teacher, whose viral back-to-school music video "Welcome to the 4th Grade" took the internet by storm. His debut novel, Simon B. Rhymin' , inspires young readers everywhere to use their voice to create change within their communities. Read more about Simon and his crew in Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand!

Celeste's Harlem Renaissance

Celeste's Harlem Renaissance
Author: Eleanora E. Tate
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2009-01-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0316040460

When Celeste Lassiter Massey is forced to live with her actress Aunt Valentina in Harlem, she is not thrilled to trade her friends and comfortable North Carolina for scary, big-city life. While Celeste experiences the Harlem Renaissance in full swing, she sees as much grit as glamour. A passionate writer, talented violinist, and aspiring doctor, she eventually faces a choice between ambition and loyalty, roots and horizons. The decision will change her forever.

I Know Your Secret (A Secrets & Lies Novel)

I Know Your Secret (A Secrets & Lies Novel)
Author: Daphne Benedis-Grab
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Total Pages: 160
Release: 2021-12-07
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1338746340

"A compulsive middle grade thriller." -- Book Riot The email arrives Sunday night: Do exactly what I say, when I say it, or I will reveal your secret. On Monday morning, seventh graders Owen, Gemma, Ally, and Todd, who have nothing in common and barely know each other, must work together and follow the instructions of an anonymous blackmailer. None of them want to go along with the blackmailer's strange instructions, but each of them have a secret they must protect at all costs. Set during a single day of school, the students race against the clock to complete a unsettling list of tasks. They'll do whatever it takes to keep their secrets hidden . . . but when they discover what the blackmailer has in mind, they realize things may have just gone too far. Can they put a stop to the plan, or is it too late?

Hey Black Child

Hey Black Child
Author: Useni Eugene Perkins
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 41
Release: 2017-11-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0316360325

Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins. Hey black child, Do you know who you are? Who really are?Do you know you can be What you want to be If you try to be What you can be? This lyrical, empowering poem celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young people to dream big and achieve their goals.

Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts

Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts
Author: Katie Tsang
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Total Pages: 182
Release: 2018-10-29
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1454932570

“Reluctant readers and fans of the Wimpy Kid series and its ilk will appreciate the book’s dynamic type, graphics galore, cartoonish illustrations, and ironic footnotes.”—Kirkus Don’t call him scaredy-cat Sam, because Sam Wu IS NOT AFRAID of ghosts! Except . . . he totally is. Can he conquer his fear by facing the ghost that lives in the walls of his house? After an unfortunate (and very embarrassing) incident in the Space Museum, Sam goes on a mission to prove to the school bully, and all his friends, that he’s not afraid of anything—just like the heroes on his favorite show, Space Blasters. And when it looks like his house is haunted, Sam gets the chance to prove how brave he can be. A funny, touching, and charming story of ghost hunting, escaped pet snakes, and cats with attitude!

Bearwalker

Bearwalker
Author: Joseph Bruchac
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 244
Release: 2009-02-17
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0061838691

From Joseph Bruchac, the author of the award-winning middle-grade thrillfest Skeleton Man, comes another creepy tale inspired by the folklore of indigenous Americans. Baron has always been fascinated by bears—their gentle strength and untamed power. But the Bearwalker legend, passed down by his Mohawk ancestors, tells of a different kind of creature—a terrible mix of human and animal that looks like a bear but is really a bloodthirsty monster. The tale never seemed to be more than a scary story . . . until a class camping trip deep in the Adirondacks, when Baron comes face-to-face with an evil being that is all too real.

Float Like a Butterfly

Float Like a Butterfly
Author: Ntozake Shange
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2017-06-04
Genre: Juvenile Nonfiction
ISBN: 1368012892

A beautifully illustrated picture book biography of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali is considered by many to have been the finest athlete of the twentieth century. Here is a compelling testimony to his courage, resilience in the face of controversy, and boxing prowess by Obie Award-winning author Ntozake Shange. In her own words, Shange shows us Ali and his life, from his childhood in the segregated South, to his meteoric rise in boxing to become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Edel Rodriguez's stunning artwork combines pastels, monoprint woodblock ink linework and spray paint on colored papers to capture Ali's power, spontaneity, and energy. A timeline and list of additional resources in the backmatter help make this a standout picturebook biography of the man known around the world as "The Greatest." The reissue of this compelling portrait will have readers cheering once again for the late American icon.

Princess Hair

Princess Hair
Author: Sharee Miller
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 36
Release: 2017-10-31
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0316441201

Princesses with curls wear pearls. Princesses with head wraps take long naps. And princesses with teeny-weeny Afros wear teeny-weeny bows. Celebrate different hair shapes, textures, and styles in this self-affirming picture book! From dreadlocks to blowouts to braids, Princess Hair shines a spotlight on the beauty and diversity of black hair, showing young readers that every kind of hair is princess hair. Debut author-illustrator Sharee Miller encourages confidence and pride in this playful, colorful picture book that teaches readers to love every bit of themselves.

Jada Sly, Artist & Spy

Jada Sly, Artist & Spy
Author: Sherri Winston
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 272
Release: 2019-05-14
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0316505358

Jada Sly, a hilarious and spunky artist and spy, explores New York City on a mission to find her mom in this "fast paced, fun" illustrated novel from an acclaimed author (School Library Connection). Ten-year-old Jada Sly is an artist and a spy-in-training. When she isn't studying the art from her idols like Jackie Ormes, the first-known African American cartoonist, she's chronicling her spy training and other observations in her art journal. Back home in New York City, after living in France for five years, Jada is ready to embark on her first and greatest spy adventure yet. She plans to scour New York City in search of her missing mother, even though everyone thinks her mom died in a plane crash. Except Jada, who is certain her mom was a spy, too. With the stakes high and danger lurking around every corner, Jada will use one spy technique after another to unlock the mystery of her mother's disappearance -- some with hilarious results. After all, she's still learning.

President of the Whole Fifth Grade

President of the Whole Fifth Grade
Author: Sherri Winston
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Total Pages: 148
Release: 2010-10-05
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 031612298X

In this fun middle-grade novel from the author of The Kayla Chronicles, Brianna Justice has big dreams of following in her chef hero’s footsteps—and the first step is to become the president of her class. ​ Start counting your votes . . . and your friends. When Brianna Justice's hero, the famous celebrity chef Miss Delicious, speaks at her school and traces her own success back to being president of her fifth grade class, Brianna determines she must do the same. She just knows that becoming president of her class is the first step toward her own cupcake-baking empire! But when new student Jasmine Moon announces she is also running for president, Brianna learns that she may have more competition than she expected. Will Brianna be able to stick to her plan of working with her friends to win the election fairly? Or will she jump at the opportunity to steal votes from Jasmine by revealing an embarrassing secret? This hilarious, heartfelt novel will appeal to any reader with big dreams and the determination to achieve them.