New Release Books by Sharon Jennings

This is the fictionalized story of "Yula", a character inspired by a real girl Sharon Jennings met in her visits to the Hope Development Centre in Kenya. When four--year--old Yula is discovered by the orphanage director?"Mum"?and introduced to a caring home and school, her abilities develop as do her understandings of how to care for others. When a new child enters the orphanage, at first Yula is angry and jealous, but soon she warmly welcomes Mutuku just as she had been welcomed when she first arrived. Eva Campbell''s evocative illustrations glow with light and colour, rendered in gouache, acrylic and ink on canvas. Sharon Jennings is a greatly appreciated return visitor to this centre in Kikima, Kenya. The children and staff enjoy her visits and consider her a member of their Hope family. The story has been shared with the children and the Centre has given Sharon permission and thanks for telling this story; a portion of the author''s royalties is going to support the orphaned and impoverished children of Hope.

Cam must battle extreme weather conditions to find his brother, as his already fragile family is being torn apart by secrets. When a distant storm knocks out the power at his high school, Cam and his friends head out for burgers. On their way back to pick up Cam''s little brother, Peter, at the bus stop, they are caught up in the middle of a deadly tornado. Cam manages to survive and makes his way home only to discover that his house has been destroyed and his parents are locked in an argument that ends in a startling revelation. And Peter is still missing.

As Rebecca is about to turn twelve years old, she begins to realize that Joe, her father, is not the most supportive of parents. Rather he seems to want to turn her away from friendships, from involvement with others, from anyone who might intrude on their two lives. When it seems their affectionate neighbour is becoming too inquisitive, Joe abruptly arranges for himself and Rebecca to make a quick move to another place in the city. And as she reflects on things, Rebecca realizes that this is what has always happened. Also, she doesn''t attend school, but is doing what her dad calls home--schooling. When she asks him about her family -- grandparents and others -- turns out that they''re all dead. For various reasons, as Joe explains. That means the two of them are alone in the world, making their own way. Or, perhaps, allowing Joe to make whatever moves he wishes to without consulting anyone else -- least of all, his daughter. Life changes for Rebecca the day that she spots a new neighbour in their latest apartment building -- someone who, though she seems a little fragile, has an aura of elegance about her and who also takes an immediate interest in the girl. As Rebecca gets to know Phoebe better, she also is able to look at Joe with different eyes -- and, in the end, she realizes that her father is not at all who he has presented himself as.

A young boy spots sweets and treats on the kitchen table. In a classic fairy-tale quest, he imagines himself a brave hero who must outwit ferocious dragons and formidable guardians in order to partake of such a treasure. Caught and sent to the dungeon (his bedroom), the boy is surprised when the afternoon ends so unexpectantly happily. This read-aloud edition is narrated by Julie Lawson.

Priscilla is an alley rat who just wants to dance but her home is too small. She needs space! One day, while searching for a new home, she hears music and follows the sound of Tchaikovsky to Madame Genevieve''s dance studio where children are taking a dance class. Priscilla is enthralled and decides to return every day to watch the lessons and practice in the studio at night. But one night while practicing, she encounters the watch cat! At first, she is terrified but much to her surprise, Priscilla learns that the watch cat also likes to dance! They decide to practice together and perform for their friends. This read-along edition is narrated by Julie Lawson. Ages 4-8

After years of being passed around to various relatives, Cassandra Jovanovich has found a home where she feels she belongs. All she wants to do is forget her past and pursue her dream of becoming an actress. But her new friend, Leanna Mets, "the most annoying person she has ever met," wants to know how Cassandra became an orphan, and encourages her to write her story. Cassandra''s memories reveal how the death of her grandmother and the cruelty of the other adults in her life turned her into the distrustful, secretive twelve-year-old she is. But with friendship and the courage to continue her dream of acting, Cassandra might find a way to connect the dots in her life back together.

Six creepy stories of the supernatural: life, death and life-after-death all linked by the theme of a warning. Easy reading but complex ideas and story interconnections Reading level: Grade 2.5 (Lexile 340L) Interest level: Grades 6-12 HIP MAINSTREET titles are designed for reluctant readers in middle and high school, with more complex characters and more intricate plot lines than most hi-lo novels.

When Franklin loses the valentines he has made for his friends, he is heartbroken and worries that they won''t want to give him any cards, but Franklin soon learns that he has very good friends.

12-16 years.

When their teacehr is charged with stealing jewelry, Sam and Simon know he isn''t guilty. The Bat Gang sets out to catch the real thief, but soon the boys get into more trouble than they can handle.

Sam and Simon are off on a spring break vacation, with a crime to solve: someone has stolen four giant turtles.

In this funny and fetching twist on the traditional story, a dog dreams of owning his very own boy.

My name is Lee Mets (honest), and this is my book. I''m part of the writing club, which is fantastic, since what I want to be most is a writer. My mother says that girls don''t grow up to be writers, they can only be nurses or teachers. But it''s the 1960s, not the 50s or 40s, and I think she may be wrong. Mrs. Gowdy, who is my writing teacher, says that I have a gift. I''m going to use it to tell you the story of my summer. It was a summer that was both wonderful and terribly sad. The sad part is still painful for me to write about, but I will because that''s what writers do. My summer began with the most exciting thing that ever happened on our street. A real-life orphan, by the name of Cassandra Jovanovich, moved in right across from my house. All the best stories are about orphans, and because of Cassandra, this story is no exception. Because of her, I got to write a play, and she starred in it. Because of her, I now know that being an orphan is not exciting, in fact it is the opposite. But you''ll have to read my story to find out why.

Giraldo Giraffe loves to sing. When his class learns new songs for a show, he sings them constantly, until he loses his voice.

Alli the alligator loses one of her teeth, and no longer wants to smile.

Manik the Monkey likes to pick his nose, and develops a nosebleed.

Harley the hippopotamus loves to eat, but one day, he develops a stomach ache.

Ella Elephant developes an earache.

Sam and Simon must clear their names and find the real thief when they are accused of stealing toys from the donation box while they work as Santa''s elves.

Although his mother said he was not allowed to have any other pets, when a duckling follows Franklin home from the pond, he decides to keep it as a secret pet, but it doesn''t work out as he plans.

Franklin finds a stopwatch and thinks it amusing to time his friends'' activities, but he takes a different view when they start timing him.

Finding a penny, Franklin races to Mr. Mole''s candy store and deposits it in the gum ball machine and he can''t believe his luck when all the gum falls out of the machine.

Sam and Simon find themselves in more trouble than they can handle when they decide to investigate a fancy car they spot driving around their school.

When Goose has a Migration Eve party, Franklin gets nervous about celebrating something he knows nothing about, and he hopes that Goose can teach him something about her traditions.

After being injured in a skateboarding accident on the street, Pat fights for a neighbourhood skateboarding park.

See what happens when Franklin and his friends enter a soapbox derby.

Charlotte, whose family is Jewish, has trouble adjusting to life in a French village, especially since she speaks little French, until she gets the idea at Christmastime of sharing the holiday with Colette, a classmate whose family is poor.

Sam and Simon have to look after Sam''s little sister on Halloween night. Soon the Bats end up in the graveyard-chased by a ghoul, crying for help. And then it all gets worse!

Little Bearcub follows his mother everywhere they go until one day they are separated by a storm and he must learn to rely on himself and his mother''s advice to weather the storm.