New Releases by Kate Messner

Cinderella has never been so adorable--or amphibious!--as in this fractured fairytale picture book by New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner, with art by award-winning illustrator Lian Cho. Axolotl-Ella is a quick and clever salamander with a daring, deliciously ambitious dream. All she needs to do to make her dream a reality is to meet the Prince at the King’s Festival. So with a little bit of magic from the lake of the night, Ella makes her skin gleam and her gills glow--and conjures the perfect outfit for a fancy party! But the Prince talks a lot, and the magic wears off at midnight. Can Axolotl-Ella find a way to make her dream come true, or will she be stuck at the murky lake with her annoying stepsisters forever? Bestselling author Kate Messner has created a funny, empowering retelling of the Cinderella story with a confident heroine who''s way too practical for glass slippers. Complemented with laugh-out-loud illustrations by award-winning illustrator Lian Cho, and filled with amusing axolotl facts, Axolotl-Ella is destined to become a storytime favorite.

Readers will laugh aloud at the silly antics of a pair of opinionated sea mammals in a tale presenting one side of a debate when read front-to-back and the other side when read back-to-front, slyly revealing the way identical facts can be used to support opposite positions. A boastful whale and a showboating otter compete in a battle of words to prove that each is the greatest animal ever to swim the seas. Read one way, the first-person text brags about whales'' superiority; read the other way, it extols how much better otters are. Using true information about the two marine species to make both arguments, Kate Messner''s adroit text and Brian Biggs''s giggle-worthy artwork brilliantly illustrate how the same words can be used to express contradictory opinions when speakers have a one-sided view of the world. Includes factual back matter about language usage and the actual similarities of whales and otters.

Secrets? Myths? One giant boxed set? The award-winning History Smashers series delivers a four-book collectible set taking down some of the biggest misconceptions, secrets, and outright lies of early American history! In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America. Right? WRONG! Okay, but in 1620, the Pilgrims did land on Plymouth Rock and made friends with the Wampanoag people. Right? DEFINITELY NOT. What about on April 18, 1775 when Paul Revere rode through Massachusetts shouting, "The British are coming!" to start the American Revolution. That happened, right? NOPE! Does that mean that before the Civil War, abolitionists didn''t actually use quilts and signal lanterns to guide enslaved people along the Underground Railroad? NOW YOU''RE GETTING IT! Smash the stories and learn the TRUTH behind the historical moments of CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS & THE TAINO PEOPLE, THE MAYFLOWER, THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, and THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD! Award-winning author Kate Messner delivers the hit series in a keepsake boxed set!

Discover the colorful wonder of the Caribbean in this fascinating and beautiful exploration of the coral reef from the New York Times bestselling author and award-winning illustrator of the beloved Over and Under series! Part of the acclaimed nature book series that includes Over and Under the Pond, Over and Under the Wetland, and Over and Under the Snow, this volume takes readers on a journey into the colorful and lively coral reef of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean. Over the reef, terns circle and frigate birds soar. Sea turtles paddle and balloonfish float through the sparkling waves. But under the reef’s arms, where nurse sharks prowl the seafloor and octopuses slip away into shadows, there waits a living rainbow of peacock flounders and blue damselfish, pink anemones and creamy conch shells. Discover the dazzling world just beneath the waves—over and under the coral reef. ENCHANTING AND EDUCATIONAL: A charming story and dazzling illustrations invite readers of all ages to explore and learn about the reef, with waters full of coral and animals that are as lively as they are lovely to see—and full of secrets to fire up young readers'' curiosity! ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and especially of our coral reefs—is essential, and this book makes a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world''s natural habitats and ecosystems. GREAT SET OF NATURE BOOKS FOR KIDS: Acclaimed author and artist Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal have made dozens of beloved and critically acclaimed books. The entire Over and Under series—including Snow, Garden, Pond, Rainforest, Canyon, Waves, Wetland and more to come—is a joy to read and a wonderful addition to any classroom or home library. Perfect for: Fans of the Over and Under series and The Brilliant Deep Parents, grandparents, and caregivers looking for a book about nature to share with kids Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking beautiful nonfiction books with STEM content Anyone seeking a distinctive gift for an animal- or nature-loving child

New York Times–bestselling author Kate Messner presents a daring game of one-upmanship that pushed the sport of rock climbing to new heights during the Golden Age of Yosemite climbing. Royal Robbins and Warren Harding were two wildly different men who loved the challenge posed by big walls of granite—some that had never been climbed! They paired up to attempt an epic climb on Half Dome. When they didn’t make it to the top, they went their separate ways and soon became fierce rivals, racking up first ascents around Yosemite Valley. This suspenseful, true story offers a fast-paced adventure with a dash of sports history and environmental awareness, told by Kate Messner—one of today’s foremost writers of nonfiction for young people—and climber-illustrator Stevie Lewis, whose love of the sport is on dazzling display. Readers will join the journey as the climbers chase their personal passion for thrilling exploits, which in turn showed the world the heights that are possible when there is someone pushing you to achieve. Perfect for: Fans of Kate Messner’s popular History Smashers series Fans of adventure stories, sports biographies, and national parks tales Teachers and librarians looking for picture books about nontraditional and action sports Parents, grandparents, and caregivers searching for exciting nonfiction to engage young minds

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Kate Messner has crafted a deeply moving novel-in-verse about a boy, a dog, and the healing power of nature.

Meet the kids in Mrs. Z’s wacky and wonderful third-grade class! Ayana Ndoum, who prefers blending into the background, will have to take center stage for the class variety show—but it''s hard to concentrate on her talent when her embarrassing dad is volunteering at school, too! Mrs. Z’s class is holding a variety show, and everyone has signed up to demonstrate their special skills! Everyone, that is, except Ayana Ndoum. She’s good at reading, but someone’s already reciting a poem. She’s good at synchronized swimming, but they can''t get a pool onstage. What could her act be? Before she can figure it out, she has an even bigger problem to deal with: Why is her dad at school? Turns out her dad is a variety show volunteer! He talks to everyone and asks too many questions. It’s embarrassing for Ayana, who likes to be quiet and help from the sidelines. With her dad taking up the spotlight, will she ever find her own way to shine? Both sweetly poignant and laugh-out-loud funny, with black-and-white illustrations by Pura Belpré Honor artist Kat Fajardo, Ayana’s story invites readers into Mrs. Z’s class where friendship and fun rule the school, from award-winning author Kekla Magoon. Perfect for! ★ My Weirdtastic School fans ★ Reluctant readers ★ Classroom read-alouds Andrew Clements fans ★ Quiet kids ★ Anyone who’s ever been embarrassed by a parent! Read them all! The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class have plenty of stories to share! Emma McKenna, Full out (#1) Rohan Murthy Has a Plan (#2) Poppy Song Bakes a Way (#3) The Legend of Memo Castillo (#4) Wyatt Hill Brings a Lizard to School (#5) Olive Little Gets Crafty (#7) — available for preorder now! Synclaire Fields Knows the Score (#8) — available for preorder now! Theo Chang is Not a Cat (#9) — available for preorder now! Thunder Nelson Does the Impossumble (#10) — available for preorder now! *The Kids in Mrs. Z’s Class is an innovative series where every book is written by a different all-star author and features a different kid in the same third-grade class. They can be read in any order!

Myths! Lies! Recycling scams? Discover the real story behind the first Earth Day celebration and some of the biggest US climate catastrophes--and their solutions! Don''t miss the award-winning History Smashers series as they get to the truth on the biggest environmental fibs! In April 1970, twenty million people grabbed their rakes, gloves, and recycling bins to celebrate the first Earth Day. Since that environmental kickoff, nature has never been in better shape. RIGHT? WRONG! The real deal is a bit muddier than that. It’s true that the first Earth Day encouraged people around the globe to clean up their act when it came to the environment. But activists have been working for centuries to save the planet! Native people across the world developed sustainable farming practices, women in eighteenth-century India stood up to protect trees, and amateur scientist Eunice Foote discovered the science behind global warming all the way back in the 1850s! Join the History Smashers team to bust history''s biggest misconceptions and figure out what in the world really went down before (and after!) the first Earth Day—and how you can join the fight to protect the environment. Ready to bust new myths? Check out more titles in the History Smashers series: The Mayflower • Plagues & Pandemics • The Titanic • The Underground Railroad • The Salem Witch Trials

Can classroom mice Fergus and Zeke work together to finish their project on American presidents—even when Zeke gets bossy? It’s Presidents’ Day, and all the students in Miss Maxwell’s classroom are choosing their special projects. Classroom pets Fergus and Zeke want to participate, too! Zeke appoints himself president of their cage. But the power goes a bit to his head, and his “leading” and “supervising” leave Fergus to do all the work. Will these two mice be able to agree on what makes a good president—and a good friend—in time to turn in their project with the rest of the class? Humorously illustrated and sprinkled with presidential trivia, this fifth title in the delightful series is a winning candidate.

How does a kid grow up to become a scientist? This enthralling nonfiction picture book from New York Times bestselling author Kate Messner explores the unexpected beginnings behind some of the most fascinating discoveries in scientific history. Before the world’s great scientists were scientists, they were, in fact, doing all the things kids do: Taking things apart, putting things together, gazing up at the night sky, drawing, imagining, building, and exploring. Things that scientists do, too. This book of unexpected beginnings powerfully shows that the great scientists of the future could be practically anyone . . . including you. Written by Kate Messner, bestselling author of the acclaimed Over and Under nature book series and more than fifty books for young readers, and beautifully illustrated by Julia Kuo, this is a book to gift to any curious kid interested in STEM topics, fascinated by scientific discoveries, and inspired by biographies of people whose work has had an impact on the world. CALLING FUTURE SCIENTISTS: Where are today’s future scientists? As this book shows, they could be practically anyone doing anything, including the kids reading this book! CURRICULAR CONNECTION: Students discover all kinds of science in elementary school, from astronomy to zoology. This fun-to-read educational book for kids introduces young learners to the scientists behind some of the world’s most fascinating scientific discoveries. ACCLAIMED AUTHOR: Kate Messner is an award-winning children’s author of 50+ tremendously popular children’s books, and her science-themed picture books have earned especially high acclaim. Her informative, lyrical text has made her nonfiction a fan-favorite among teachers and parents. Perfect for: Teachers and librarians looking for STEM-themed picture books Parents, grandparents, and caregivers seeking engaging nonfiction picture books A distinctive gift for a science-loving child Fans of Kate Messner books, the Who Is/Who Was biography series, and books about scientific discoveries

Fergus and Zeke love being the class pets in Miss Maxwell''s class, and they do everything the students do. So when Miss Maxwell tells the class they''re going on a field trip to a local farm to help with the farm animals, pick apples, and learn about where food comes from, Fergus and Zeke make a plan to sneak their way onto the trip. It''s busy harvest time on the farm, and before they know it, Fergus and Zeke are separated from the class and running from one sticky situation to another, annoying plenty of hens, goats, and sheep along the way. Will they manage to make it back to Miss Maxwell''s class before the buss leaves for home, or will they be stuck on the farm for good?

In order to teach writing effectively, teachers must be writers themselves. They must experience the same uncertainty of starting a new draft and then struggling to revise. As they learn to move past the fear of failure, they discover the nervous rush and exhilaration of sharing work with an audience, just as their students do. Only by engaging in the real work of writing can teachers become part of the writing community they dream of creating for their students. Kate Messner''s new book, 59 Reasons to Write, shows teachers and librarians who teach writing how to be stronger role models for their students. Writing for my students provided me with appropriate mentor texts to share,- she writes. Writing with my students made me a mentor and a far better teacher.- 59 Reasons to Write grew out of Messner''s popular online summer writing camp, Teachers Write. Throughout the book she offers mini-lessons, writing prompts, and bursts of inspiration designed to get you writing every day, whether on your own or as part of a group. Dozens of guest authors also share their writing processes and secrets, from brainstorming ideas and organizing research to developing characters and getting unstuck from writer''s block. 59 Reasons to Write is for anyone who has always wanted to write but never managed to get into the habit. Daily warm-ups will help you flex your writing muscles and energize your teaching. As Messner shares, One of the greatest gifts of writing is the way it nudges us to look more closely not only at the world but also at ourselves.

The Scariest Kitten in the World is a hilarious picture book by Kate Messner and illustrated by MacKenzie Haley in the vein of The Monster at the End of This Book about a not-so-scary kitten and a not-too-terrifying haunted house. WARNING! This is a VERY scary story. It is the most spine-chilling story anyone could ever read. It takes place in a horrifying haunted house (okay, not that terrifying) . . . with a creepy creature (well, maybe not that creepy) . . . and its frightening friends (but are they that frightening?). Seriously. You’re going to be scared right out of your underpants by these guys! There’s no way they’re the cutest little critters you’ve ever seen . . . right? Packed with humor and heart and adorable illustrations, this not-quite-scary story will keep you laughing until the very last page.

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about Christopher Columbus, and learn all about the Taino people. Perfect for fans of the I Survived books and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. In 1492, Christopher Columbus sailed across the ocean and discovered America. Right? WRONG! Columbus never actually set foot in what is now the United States. His voyages took him to islands in the Caribbean and along the coast of South America. The truth is, when Columbus first arrived, Indigenous peoples, including the Taino, had been living there for thousands of years, raising their families, running their societies, and trading with their neighbors. He didn’t “discover” the lands at all! And his name? Not even really Christopher Columbus! Cowritten by bestselling author Kate Messner and our country’s premier Taino scholar, this fascinating addition to the series is the one that teachers have been asking for and that kids need to read. Discover the nonfiction series that demolishes everything you thought you knew about history. Don’t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower, Women''s Right to Vote, and Pearl Harbor.

"Alice can go anywhere in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure. But at the end of her imaginative journey, she yearns for the place she loves best of all."--

An inspiring picture book biography of the amazing Anne Lowe, the first nationally-known African American fashion designer! A careful snip, a delicate fold. Fabric the color of new petals. Skirts that flare like upside-down blossoms. A garden bursts into bloom! There is no "good enough." For Ann, only the best will do. Award-winning author Kate Messner, costume historian Margaret E. Powell, and fashion designer and illustrator Erin Robinson tell the powerful story of the ground-breaking Ann Lowe, who grew up in a small Alabama dress shop and became the first nationally-known African American fashion designer. Sought after by millionaires and movie stars, her designs walked the red carpet and graced the wedding of Senator John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier. At a time when the world around her thought African Americans deserved no more than second-class treatment, Ann expects no less of herself, and no less FOR herself, than the BEST. THE FIRST, FAMED BLACK FASHION DESIGNER: Although she faced many hardships, Anne''s spirit, talent, and belief in herself always shone through. This story provides an empowering, real-life role model for young girls—and especially Black girls—to relate to and see themselves in, at an age when building self-confidence is more important than ever! ENCOURAGES CREATIVITY AND PERSERVERENCE: Full of interesting details about how Anne came up with her designs, and how she always forged ahead in spite of setbacks, this true story will captivate aspiring artists and young creative thinkers alike. SURE OF HER OWN WORTH: This book makes a perfect gift for anyone looking to celebrate, empower, and inspire the women in their lives—whether daughters, granddaughters, nieces, cousins, or friends. Ann Lowe stands as a testament to the power of knowing we''re both capable of and deserve ONLY THE BEST. BEAUTIFUL, IMMERSIVE PROSE: Wonderful, vivacious writing by award-winning author Kate Messner and expert historian Margaret E. Powell brings Anne''s pride in herself and her work to life in rich detail! Perfect for: Parents, grandparents, and caregivers Teachers and librarians Readers who loved Little Leaders and Parker Looks Up The vast #WeNeedDiverseBooks community Anyone seeking books about Black excellence, female empowerment, or Black history Gift-givers looking for a beautiful, inspirational book for the girls (or women) in their lives

Explore the wonders and beauties of the ocean''s kelp forests in this latest addition to the acclaimed Over and Under series. Award-winning duo Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal return in this latest addition to the Over and Under picture book series, this time exploring the rich, interconnected ecosystem of the ocean! Over the waves, the sea lions bark and seagulls wheel and call. The bay is smooth and bright in the sun. But under the waves, there''s a whole hidden forest, full of whales and wolf eels, sardines and sea bass, leopard sharks and luminous jellies, as well as the waving kelp that shelters them all. Discover the magical depths of the kelp forest, and all the fascinating creatures living just a paddle''s length away—over and under the waves. SO MANY FASCINATING FACTS: Kids are endlessly curious about the natural world and the wildly varied animals and plants living in it—and the ocean is FULL of amazing and surprising life! ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS MADE WONDERFUL: Preservation of our wilderness—and of our oceans in particular—is essential, and this book makes such a great, upbeat jumping-off point for discussions of the importance and wonder of our world''s natural habitats and ecosystems. THE GORGEOUS UNDERWATER WORLD: This new book in the Over and Under series illuminates the magic and amazing biodiversity of the kelp forest by telling the story of one family''s kayaking trip through a real-world ocean ecosystem. Lyrical prose and color-drenched illustrations will draw even the most reluctant readers into the world. STRONG CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) emphasize learning about animal habitats/biomes in K-2 curriculums, while later grades address topics like food chains, conservation, and endangered species. With a depth of research and an engaging, highly visual narrative, this book is an excellent resource for librarians and primary school educators. FROM A FAVORITE AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR TEAM: Kate Messner and Chris Neal make nonfiction approachable and appealing! These two award-winning creators have received countless accolades and published books to critical acclaim, making them the perfect team to tackle any nonfiction topic. Perfect for: Those who loved Over and Under the Snow and other books in the Over and Under series Fans of Kate Messner Lovers of the ocean and marine life Parents and grandparents seeking beautiful books to read aloud together Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking illustrated nonfiction books with STEM content Anyone seeking a distinctive gift for a child who loves animals or nature

In their fourth adventure, classroom mice Fergus and Zeke—after a few false starts—jump into a creative project to help the kids mark the one hundredth day of school. Fergus and Zeke love being the class pets in Miss Maxwell’s classroom, and they do everything the students do. But when the kids start collecting items and doing gym challenges and making projects to celebrate the one hundredth day of school, the mice can’t seem to find a way to join in. One hundred miles is a very long distance when you’re running on your spinny wheel. One hundred seconds is a very short time when you’re trying to take a nap. Stacking one hundred wood chips makes a tower that tips and falls before you’re even halfway done. And writing a story with exactly one hundred words means abandoning your characters in the middle of the action! Will these two classroom mice ever come up with the perfect project to celebrate the one hundredth day?

"With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, this book uncovers the hidden truths about history''s pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19"--

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth about history''s pandemics, from the Black Death to COVID-19. Perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. During the Black Death in the 14th century, plague doctors wore creepy beaked masks filled with herbs. RIGHT? WRONG! Those masks were from a plague outbreak centuries later--and most doctors never wore anything like that at all! With a mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels, acclaimed author Kate Messner delivers the whole truth about diseases like the bubonic plague, cholera, smallpox, tuberculosis, polio, influenza, and COVID-19. Discover the nonfiction series that smashes everything you thought you knew about history! Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower, Women''s Right to Vote, Pearl Harbor, Titanic, and American Revolution.

Las tortugas gigantes de Galápagos son fascinantes y están en peligro de extinción. Viven solo en las Islas Galápagos, una cadena de islas volcánicas en el Océano Pacífico frente a la costa de Ecuador. Estas tortugas se enfrentan a hilos de los humanos que viven y visitan las islas, así como del cambio climático. Únase a la autora Kate Messner en un viaje a las Islas Galápagos para ver de cerca a estas increíbles criaturas y descubrir cómo la tecnología está ayudando a los científicos a estudiarlas y protegerlas. Galápagos giant tortoises are fascinating—and endangered. They live only on the Galápagos Islands, a chain of volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Ecuador. These tortoises face threats from the humans who live on—and visit—the islands as well as from Earth''s warming climate. Join author Kate Messner on an a journey to the Galápagos Islands to see these incredible creatures up close and discover how cutting-edge technology is helping scientists to study and protect them.

"A book that explores the hidden truth about the American Revolution featuring sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels"--

For any child having trouble getting to sleep, the most lovable animal in the rain forest is here to help. One night at bedtime, Sloth wasn’t sleepy. “What if I worry when I try to fall asleep?” Sloth said. “Ah ... worries,” Mama said. “We will have to let them go.” A tough day, a bad dream, a scary noise ... these are just a few of the things that can keep kids wide awake and frightened after dark. But Mama Sloth knows the secrets for calming worried minds and getting to sleep—and as she shares them with her daughter, young readers will learn valuable relaxation skills that last a lifetime. Sloth Wasn’t Sleepy does more than provide a sweet bedtime story—kids will join Sloth to learn mindfulness practices such as “shrinking down” fears in their mind and calming their body through breath and simple visualizations. Kate Messner’s beautiful book helps parents and kids relax into dreamland with a sense of peace, safety, and belonging.

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Uncover the hidden truth behind the infamous Pearl Harbor attack with beloved educator/author Kate Messner. The fun mix of sidebars, illustrations, photos, and graphic panels make this perfect for fans of I Survived! and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. On December 7, 1941, the Japanese launched a completely unpredictable attack on the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Right? Well, that''s not quite the real deal. Some military experts had suggested that Pearl Harbor was a likely target. There were other warning signs, too, but nobody paid much attention. From the first wave of the Japanese bombers to the United States'' internment of thousands of Japanese Americans, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known truths behind the story of Pearl Harbor and its aftermath. Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower and Women''s Right to Vote

I Survived meets The Puppy Place in this thrilling adventure novel as Ranger -- a time-traveling golden retriever -- races to the rescue on the day of the Pearl Harbor attack. Ranger travels back to 1941 Hawaii, where World War II is on everyone''s minds. That includes Ben Hansen, a young sailor stationed at Pearl Harbor, and twins Paul and Grace Yamada who are making their weekly market trip when Japanese bombs begin to fall from the sky. As the surprise attack puts all of Ranger''s new friends in danger, his search-and-rescue training kicks in to high gear. Can he help them survive against all odds?

Myths! Lies! Secrets! Smash the stories behind famous moments in history and expose the hidden truth. Perfect for fans of I Survived and Nathan Hale''s Hazardous Tales. In 1920, Susan B. Anthony passed a law that gave voting rights to women in the United States. RIGHT? WRONG! Susan B. Anthony wasn''t even alive when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified. Plus, it takes a lot more than one person to amend the constitution. The truth is, it took millions of women to get that amendment into law. They marched! They picketed! They even went to jail. But in the end, it all came down to a letter from a state representative''s mom. No joke. Through illustrations, graphic panels, photographs, sidebars, and more, acclaimed author Kate Messner smashes history by exploring the little-known details behind the fight for women''s suffrage. Don''t miss History Smashers: The Mayflower!

"Myths about the history of women''s rights in the US--focusing on the ratification of the 19th Amendment--are debunked; the real deal of what happened is explained"--

"[A] deftly layered mystery about family, friendship, and the struggle to speak up." - Laurie Halse Anderson, bestselling author of Speak and Shout From acclaimed author Kate Messner comes the powerful story of a young girl with the courage to make her voice heard, set against the backdrop of a summertime mystery. When Mia moves to Vermont the summer after seventh grade, she''s recovering from the broken arm she got falling off a balance beam. And packed away in the moving boxes under her clothes and gymnastics trophies is a secret she''d rather forget. Mia''s change in scenery brings day camp, new friends, and time with her beloved grandmother. But Gram is convinced someone is trying to destroy her cricket farm. Is it sabotage or is Gram''s thinking impaired from the stroke she suffered months ago? Mia and her friends set out to investigate, but can they uncover the truth in time to save Gram''s farm? And will that discovery empower Mia to confront the secret she''s been hiding--and find the courage she never knew she had? In a compelling story rich with friendship, science, and summer fun, a girl finds her voice while navigating the joys and challenges of growing up.

Ranger, the time-traveling golden retriever with search-and-rescue training, travels to New York City on the morning of the 9/11 attacks. COURAGE IN THE FACE OF DANGER! Ranger has never needed his search-and-rescue training more than when he arrives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There he meets Risha Scott and her friend Max who have come to work with Risha''s mother for a school project. But when the unthinkable happens and the building is evacuated, Risha is separated from her mom. Can Ranger lead Risha to safety and help reunite her family?

"Science experiments for children that help them learn to solve problems"--