New Releases by Eric Walters

A child donates a can of food to their school food drive. But in an unexpected twist, they come to understand what it means to give and receive. A child is excited to donate a can of their favorite Zoodelicious to the school food drive. Their teacher has explained that the food will be given to people in need, along with mittens from the “mitten tree.” In the classroom, there’s a carpet with one hundred squares, and the goal is to fill each square with a can of food. When the child places their can of Zoodelicious on square 100, everyone cheers, and the teacher puts a snowflake sticker on top to celebrate. But a few days later, the child finds the same can of Zoodelicious among the groceries their mom has brought home. There’s a pair of red mitts, too. “Mom, are we the people in need?” the child asks. The next morning, after having thought of all the people who will receive food from the school and wondering what else they might need, the child donates their too-small blue mittens to the mitten tree at school. Created by an award-winning team, One Can tells a timely and touching story of a child who learns to give and receive—and wants only to give again in return. Key Text Features dialogue illustrations Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.

Jax meets Liv, the new girl at school who shares his love of music, but that’s not all they have in common … Jax has big plans for grade eight: seeing if his maybe-girlfriend, Samantha, will become his actual girlfriend, and being first trumpet in the school band. Enter Liv, the new girl Jax meets at band auditions. Liv’s a star on the trumpet too. In fact, she might be better than Jax. When Jax and Liv start rehearsing together, they go from duet partners to fast friends. Soon, they learn that they share something more than a love of music — something that will change their whole world and make them rethink what it means to be “family.”

Key Selling Points Flight Plan examines what would befall the world if all modern technology failed...and how human civilization would falter. It unflinchingly shows both how dangerous people can be and how capable and kind as well. Its overarching message is how much we need each other, no matter what. The book also has a coming-of-age theme, in that Jamie starts out a privileged young kid who has only read about hardship but grows to become a self-sufficient person with a strong will to survive and the ability to defend himself and his friends. The story takes place in the world of Eric Walters''s Rule of Three series (a trilogy released by Macmillan, starting in 2015). Eric Walters ceaselessly visits schools; he''s an expert at engaging school-age kids in reading, and he continues to write thrilling books to keep them turning pages.

Teen astronaut Houston Williams is now the pilot on a mission to Mars. Houston Williams was thrilled to win a scholarship to attend a space program at NASA. What he didn’t realize was that organizers were recruiting people for a top-secret research project aimed at studying how space travel affects people of different ages. After months spent on the International Space Station conducting a variety of experiments, Houston is surprised to learn that he and his two friends Ashley and Teal have been chosen to join a highly political mission to Mars. But after tragedy strikes, the teens are forced to continue the mission on their own. This is the third book in the Teen Astronauts series, following Houston, Is There A Problem? and Boldly Go. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Becky James lives in a small town where nothing ever changes. But there’s something very different about the new student, Gene Newman. Brilliant, talented, and socially awkward, Gene is like nobody else Becky has ever known. Little does she know just how different he actually is. Gene confides in Becky that he has a secret. More than that, he is a secret. And, apparently, it’s a secret worth killing for.

Key Selling Points A young teen earns a scholarship to go to space camp. The first in the Teen Astronauts series featuring Houston at space camp. Examines themes of perseverance, leadership and growth mindset. This is an adventure story with an exciting setting: astronaut training camp. Eric Walters is very well known to librarians and booksellers.

This call-and-response board book with animals is perfect for your bedtime routine. A young child imagines all of his animal friends have come to life as he says good night to each of them before tucking in to sleep. “Moo,” says the cow. “Good night, cow,” says Noah. With hints on each page of the animal featured on the following page, the simple, repetitive text will encourage your little reader to wish their own stuffed animals sweet dreams as they snuggle down for the evening.

★ “This simple story of discovery, sport, and friendship is filled with likable characters and innocently joyful moments...Delightful.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review Kenyan orphans, Kitoo and Nigosi, spend their days studying, playing soccer, helping their elders with chores around the orphanage and reading from the limited selection of books in their library. When the librarian gives Kitoo a copy of Sports Around the World he becomes fascinated by an image of the Canadian national men''s ice hockey team. Then one day the fates align and Kitoo finds a pair of beat-up old roller blades. He teaches himself to skate and dreams of one day playing hockey like the men in his book. But you can’t play ice hockey in Kenya, can you?

In conjunction with the Terry Fox Foundation, award-winning author Eric Walters brings Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope to life for a whole new generation of young readers This first book for young readers about Terry Fox and the Marathon of Hope, written by one of Canada’s best-known writers for young adults, is a blending of fact and fiction, fully endorsed by The Terry Fox Foundation. Hundreds of thousands of young Canadians participate in the Terry Fox Run each year and this book will further enhance their knowledge of Terry’s epic journey. Run introduces a national hero to a new generation of readers. In his trademark page-turning style, Eric Walters, bestselling author of Trapped in Ice and Camp X, tells the story of Winston MacDonald. In trouble again after a suspension from school and a runaway attempt, Winston is sent to spend time with his father—a journalist who hasn’t been around much since his family split up a year ago. Travelling to Nova Scotia with his father, who is covering what he thinks is just a human interest story about a man trying to run across the country, Winston spends a day with Terry Fox and his best friend, Doug. Their determination to achieve what seems like an impossible goal makes a big impression on Winston, and he takes courage and inspiration from Terry’s run. He is overjoyed when his father’s article about the Marathon of Hope ignites public interest across the country. But when Winston discovers that his father’s next article about the Marathon of Hope will characterize Terry and Doug in an unflattering way, he is furious with his father and fearful of betraying his friends. Unsure of what to do or where to turn, Winston decides it is time to make a run for it himself...

Key Selling Points In The King of Jam Sandwiches , ayoung teen is afraid to let anyone know what is going on at home. This book examines the effects of mental illness, poverty and parental neglect. This is a very personal story for Eric Walters, informed by his own experience. Eric Walters has written over 100 books and is an avid presenter visiting thousands of students each year.

What makes bath time fun for baby? Bath toys! From parading penguins and splashing seals to frolicking frogs and bathing beavers, these joyful animal toys are ready to play. Join the splashy party in the tub...you may even get wet too! Bright, vibrant illustrations from Christine Battuz match the energy of a baby in the bath as you’re introduced to Eric Walters’s animal alliterations across each page. It’s just good clean fun!

"Thirteen-year-old Quinn and her friends try to adjust to life during the COVID-19 pandemic."--

Co-written by Eric Walters and Godfrey Nkongolo, Light a Candle weaves non-fiction with fiction to tell the story of a boy coming of age in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. The son of the village''s chief climbs the mountain against his father’s wishes to fulfill a request of the country’s first leader, Julius Nyerere, to light a candle on the top of the mountain and unify the mainland of Tanganyika and the islands of Zanzibar as one country, the United Republic of Tanzania. This bilingual book includes full text in both English and Swahili.

A violin and a middle-school musical unleash a dark family secret in this moving story by an award-winning author duo. For fans of The Devil''s Arithmetic and Hana''s Suitcase. It''s 2002. In the aftermath of the twin towers -- and the death of her beloved grandmother -- Shirli Berman is intent on moving forward. The best singer in her junior high, she auditions for the lead role in Fiddler on the Roof, but is crushed to learn that she''s been given the part of the old Jewish mother in the musical rather than the coveted part of the sister. But there is an upside: her "husband" is none other than Ben Morgan, the cutest and most popular boy in the school. Deciding to throw herself into the role, she rummages in her grandfather''s attic for some props. There, she discovers an old violin in the corner -- strange, since her Zayde has never seemed to like music, never even going to any of her recitals. Showing it to her grandfather unleashes an anger in him she has never seen before, and while she is frightened of what it might mean, Shirli keeps trying to connect with her Zayde and discover the awful reason behind his anger. A long-kept family secret spills out, and Shirli learns the true power of music, both terrible and wonderful.

From the bestselling coauthor of Broken Strings, "a sensitive and supportive approach to . . . the universal, ageless experiences of love and loss" ( Quill & Quire). A heartfelt new picture book from bestselling children''s author Eric Walters ( From the Heart of Africa) and Halifax-based artist Carloe Liu. In this poignant story, we follow young Emily who has recently lost her grandfather. As she grows, she discovers a series of letters he left behind for her, offering grandfatherly advice at life''s most pivotal moments: first day of high school, graduation day, wedding, and ending with the birth of her own child. With gentle watercolors and letters for sharing with loved ones, Always With You is a timeless story about grief, growing up, and finding that those we love never truly leave us. Praise for Broken Strings One of Kirkus Reviews''s Best Middle Grade Books of 2019 One of the Globe and Mail''s 100 Books That Shaped 2019 One of Quill & Quire''s Honorable Mentions for 2019 Books of the Year for Young People One of CBC Books Best Canadian YA and Middle Grade Books of 2019 "A beautiful, painful, heartfelt reminder that the past is with us still." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Walters and Kacer pull off this impressive feat of complex storytelling and make it look easy . . . [an] honest, open and unflinching [story] about some of the more dark and traumatic aspects of history." — Quill & Quire (starred review) "A book with heart, and one that will definitely be added to my school library collection." — CM Magazine

Inspired by a story told to the author while on safari in 2015, The Wild Beast describes the creation of one of Africa''s most unusual animals, the wildebeest. According to oral tradition, the Creator built this unique beast out of leftover parts from other magnificent animals found on the continent. Horns from buffalos and stripes meant for zebras. Tails from giraffes and bumps meant for camels. This creative retelling will introduce little ones to a story rich in both imagery and in lesson: Take what you need to live. Take no more. Waste nothing.

That''s what friends do.

What is the true meaning of friendship? Follow along as a boy meets up with his friend—a dog who faithfully waits for him every day so they can ride out to the beach together to surf. The boy doesn''t own the dog and he doesn''t know who does, but their daily routine has created a special bond. Award-winning author Eric Walters navigates the waters of a unique friendship alongside the vibrant illustrations of Eugenie Fernandes, who brings the bumpy roads, rugged beach paths and rolling waves of the tropics to life. Sometimes the most poignant relationships in a child''s life are the ones between friends.

In a world with no power, chaos soon descends. A powerful look at the disintegration of society in the wake of a massive and mysterious outage that has knocked out all modern amenities. Fifteen-year-old Emma has moved house with her ex-Marine mother and younger brother. It''s a brand-new condo building, which explains the semi-regular power outages, as workers complete the units around them. So Emma isn''t particularly concerned when the latest blackout hits just as they are preparing to leave town on a long weekend camping trip. But then the car won''t start, and their cellphones appear dead -- and all the cars outside their building seem to be stalled in a long traffic jam ... In the midst of what appears to be a massive power outage, with their camping gear packed and ready, Emma and her family canoe over to the islands, just offshore, to wait it out. But while they land on an isolated island, with a relatively hidden site, they are far from safe, as people become increasingly desperate to find food and shelter. And as the days pass, and the power remains out, the threat of violence becomes all too real.

Okay, Sophie, you''ve got ninety days to step out of your comfort zone.

The stars come out, cubs snuggle, kittens nestle, and chicks cuddle as all the babies go to sleep.

From aardvark to zebra and all that''s in between, little ones will love learning their alphabet with these colorful creatures. An African Alphabet is a vibrant ABC book that introduces babies and toddlers to the unique variety of animals found in Africa. An alphabet for all ages, the stunning linocut-influenced artwork brings an uncommon selection of critters to life in this lively concept book.

In this middle-grade novel, DJ travels with his grandfather to Central America and ends up hunted by armed gunmen.

Today Is the Day is a celebration of new beginnings and belonging. This is the third book from celebrated author Eric Walters set in his Kenyan orphanage. A great resource for teachers, librarians and parents to introduce children to life in less secure areas of the world. Mutanu is excited. As she goes about her chores, she thinks about the day to come and what surprises it might bring. For today is no ordinary day at the orphanage she lives in. Every year, the orphanage honors its newest arrivals by creating a birthday day especially for them. From that moment forward, the orphans have a day that they know is theirs--a day to celebrate, a day to enjoy, a day to remember. And today is the day! Based on real children in an orphanage in Kenya, this lovely story shows how something as simple as a birthday, something most of us take for granted, can mean so much in another part of the world.

A funny, heartfelt novel about one high school boy''s quest for a prom date, perfectly timed for the surge in realistic YA. Sam is not exactly what you''d call a regular guy: while his IQ is stratospheric, his social skills don''t quite rank as high, and his dating history: well, there''s no history to speak of . . . yet. But Sam has set out to finally fit in. He''s resolved to get some answers wrong in class; to stop getting perfect marks on his assignments; to get to know some people other than Ian and Brooke, his two closest (okay, only) friends--and find himself a prom date. And the prom is on everyone''s mind: Sam''s school has become swept up by promposals--in other words, very elaborate, very public scenes in which someone is asked to the prom. Sam thinks he might have found the inspiration he needs to ask the girl dreams out for a perfect night at the prom--as well as the unforgettable way to do it.

Fast cars and a gorgeous girl await DJ in England, where he tries to unearth the truth about his grandfather’s role as a spy, or a traitor.

A drought has settled in the area around the orphanage where Boniface lives. There are long line-ups at the tiny spring where all the local people get their water, and suddenly the orphans are pushed to the back of the line, unwelcome. Boniface''s houseparent, Henry, tells him that the people were mean out of fear--they feared there would not be enough water for their families. When the building of the orphanage''s well is completed, Boniface has an idea to help the villagers. A lovely story of kindness and heart, this story shows that, through compassion and understanding, true generosity can spring from unexpected places.

A gripping adventure about what happens in the first hours, days, and weeks after the world goes dark

Eric Walters'' timeless series about the zoo next door is now available from Scholastic Canada! When tornado-force winds force Sarah and Nicholas Fraser to seek shelter in a neighbour''s barn, they discover that the retired circus trainer has some unusual farm animals: a cheetah, an ape, a python, and a tiger! Fascinated by the exotic animals, Sarah and Nicholas help out with their training and care. But when a band of mischievous teens cut the chains to the tiger''s cage and he escapes, they must help track him down before the story makes front-page news. This classic series from bestselling author Eric Walters is newly revised and redesigned, and more timely than ever.

The city is cracking down on graffiti and guerilla art. Between that and cutbacks to the local art gallery it seems like nothing is safe. But Oswald, masquerading as a graffiti artist known as The Wiz, is fighting back—by painting elaborate murals in public places and planting art in the galleries, and then by taking on the mayor himself. As the fight escalates and the stakes become higher, Oswald gets in deeper than he meant to and needs to rely on his friends to get him out of his latest mess. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!