New Fiction
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When We Flew Away: A Novel of Anne Frank Before the Diary
Bestselling author Alice Hoffman delivers a stunning novel about one of contemporary history's most acclaimed figures, exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank's life before she went into hiding.
Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl has captivated and inspired readers for decades. Published posthumously by her bereaved father, Anne's journal, written while she and her family were in hiding during World War II, has become one of the central texts of the Jewish experience during the Holocaust, as well as a work of literary genius.
With the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the Frank family's life is turned inside out, blow by blow, restriction by restriction. Prejudice, loss, and terror run rampant, and Anne is forced to bear witness as ordinary people become monsters, and children and families are caught up in the inescapable tide of violence.
In the midst of impossible danger, Anne, audacious and creative and fearless, discovers who she truly is. With a wisdom far beyond her years, she will become a writer who will go on to change the world as we know it.
Critically acclaimed author Alice Hoffman weaves a lyrical and heart-wrenching story of the way the world closes in on the Frank family from the moment the Nazis invade the Netherlands until they are forced into hiding, bringing Anne to bold, vivid life.
Based on extensive research and published in cooperation with the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, When We Flew Away is an extraordinary and moving tour de force.
Perfect for Alice Hoffman fans and readers of every age.
"Adding new poignance to a story whose ending we already knew, Alice Hoffman has deftly recreated the child Anne Frank with all her wit, mischief, and uncertainties. This fictionalized account of the increasingly desperate years that preceded the famous diary breaks readers' hearts one more time. But it reminds us of how important it is to remember and honor all that was lost." -- Lois Lowry, Newbery Award-winning author of Number the Stars
"We can highly recommend Alice Hoffman's novel of Anne Frank's life, set in the dramatic and terrible circumstances of those first war years. We hope it will persuade young readers that contributing to a better world is both necessary and possible." --Ronald Leopold, Executive Director, Anne Frank House
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Odder: The Novel
From #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wishtree and The One and Only Ivan, Katherine Applegate, a touching and lyrical tale about a remarkable sea otter, also an instant #1 bestseller!
Meet Odder, the Queen of Play:
Nobody has her moves.
She doesn’t just swim to the bottom,
she dive-bombs.
She doesn’t just somersault,
she triple-doughnuts.
She doesn’t just ride the waves,
she makes them.
Odder spends her days off the coast of central California, practicing her underwater acrobatics and spinning the quirky stories for which she’s known. She’s a fearless daredevil, curious to a fault. But when Odder comes face-to-face with a hungry great white shark, her life takes a dramatic turn, one that will challenge everything she believes about herself—and about the humans who hope to save her.
Inspired by the true story of a Monterey Bay Aquarium program that pairs orphaned otter pups with surrogate mothers, this poignant and humorous tale told in free verse examines bravery and healing through the eyes of one of nature’s most beloved and charming animals. -
Heroes
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee, Ground Zero, and Two Degrees comes this heart-pounding, inventive, and powerful new novel about the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor... as only Alan Gratz can tell it!
December 6, 1941: Best friends Frank and Stanley have it good. With their dads stationed at the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii, the boys get to soak up the sunshine while writing and drawing their own comic books. World War II might be raging overseas, but so far America has stayed out of the fight. There's nothing to fear, right?
December 7th, 1941: Everything implodes.
Frank and Stanley are touring a battleship when Japanese planes zoom overhead, dropping bomb after bomb. As explosions roar and sailors scream, Frank and Stanley realize the unthinkable is happening: Japan is attacking America! The war has come to them.
Frantically, the boys struggle to find safety. But disaster and danger are everywhere--from torpedoes underwater to bullets on the beach... to the shocking cruelty that their friends and neighbors show Stanley. Because his mom is Japanese-American, Stanley is suddenly seen as the "enemy." And Frank, who is white, cannot begin to understand what his friend is now facing.
If the boys make it through this infamous day, can their friendship--and their dreams--survive? Or has everything they know been destroyed?
Told with the immediacy, high-stakes action, and inventive storytelling that make Alan Gratz (Refugee, Ground Zero) one of today's biggest authors, this riveting look at the attack on Pearl Harbor explores themes of prejudice, power, and what it truly means to be a hero.
Plus: The book ends with an all-original, 10-page black & white comic that brings to life the comic book idea that Frank and Stanley brainstorm in the novel. The comic is written by Alan Gratz and illustrated by Judit Tondora.
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Wonder
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird.
And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now!
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope.
R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.
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The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science
A #1 New York Times bestseller!
From beloved Saturday Night Live alum Kate McKinnon comes a madcap new adventure about three sisters, a ravenous worm, and a mysterious mad scientist!
So, you want to be a young mad scientist. Congratulations! Admitting it is the first step. The second step is reading the (definitely true) tale of the Porch sisters...
Gertrude, Eugenia, and Dee-Dee Porch do not belong. They don't belong in the snooty town of Antiquarium, where all girls have to go to etiquette school and the only dog allowed is the bichon frise. They don't belong with their adoptive family, where all their cousins are named Lavinia and their Aunt has more brooches than books. And they certainly don't belong at Mrs. Wintermacher's etiquette school--they're far more interested in science. After getting kicked out of the last etiquette school that would take them, the girls expect to be sent away for good... until they receive a mysterious invitation to new school.
Suddenly the girls are under the tutelage of the infamous Millicent Quibb--a mad scientist with worms in her hair and oysters in her bathtub. At 231 Mysterium Way, the pizza is fatal, the bus is powered by Gerbils, and the Dean of Students is a hermit crab. Dangerous? Yes! More fun than they've ever had? Absolutely! But when the sisters are asked to save their town from an evil cabal of nefarious mad scientists, they must learn to embrace what has always made them stand out, and determine what side they're on--before it's too late!
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The Bletchley Riddle
A stunning collaboration between award-winning and bestselling authors Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin, this middle grade historical adventure follows two siblings at Bletchley Park, the home of WWII codebreakers, as they try to unravel a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance.
Remember, you are bound by the Official Secrets Act…
Summer, 1940. Nineteen-year-old Jakob Novis and his quirky younger sister Lizzie share a love of riddles and puzzles. And now they’re living inside of one. The quarrelsome siblings find themselves amidst one of the greatest secrets of World War II—Britain’s eccentric codebreaking factory at Bletchley Park. As Jakob joins Bletchley’s top minds to crack the Nazi's Enigma cipher, fourteen-year-old Lizzie embarks on a mission to solve the mysterious disappearance of their mother.
The Battle of Britain rages and Hitler’s invasion creeps closer. And at the same time, baffling messages and codes arrive on their doorstep while a menacing inspector lurks outside the gates of the Bletchley mansion. Are the messages truly for them, or are they a trap? Could the riddles of Enigma and their mother's disappearance be somehow connected? Jakob and Lizzie must find a way to work together as they race to decipher clues which unravel a shocking puzzle that presents the ultimate challenge: How long must a secret be kept? -
The Last Dragon on Mars
For the first printing only! This hardcover features sprayed edges and a reverse jacket image while the special edition supply lasts.
A boy living on Mars unexpectedly becomes a dragon rider in this first book in the sci-fi and fantasy mash-up The Dragonships series, sure to delight fans of Skandar and Eragon.
Keep your eyes down and your feet moving, or this planet will rust you.
That’s what Lunar Jones tells the other kids at the relocation clinic. All of them were born on Mars, a planet that never wanted people in the first place. With resources scarce and hope even scarcer, it’s easy to get distracted looking up. After all, their ancestors descended from the stars.
Martian history always starts with Earth. The first astronauts discovered that space was already occupied. Not by little green men or flying saucers. It was full of dragons. One for every moon, every planet, every star. When humanity discovered that Earth’s dragon had sacrificed herself to make their home planet habitable, they set their sights on Mars. If one dead dragon could breathe life into a world, why not create another one? Mankind won the war that followed, but with one catch. As the dragon died, he whispered a curse over Mars. The first settlers found their crops wouldn’t grow. Animals hunted them. Storms raged endlessly. It took three generations to figure out the truth: Mars was doomed.
Lunar knows all the old stories about dragons and space, but no one up there’s planning to help him or his crew. Instead, he focuses on scrapping valuable gear that the storms uncover in the war zone. Until one day, a salvaging run goes wrong. Desperate to find shelter, Lunar goes underground in a restricted zone. What he finds there, buried in the Martian dust, might just be the only hope left for a dying planet. -
The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs
The #1 New York Times Best Seller
IACP Award WinnerWant to bake the most-awesome-ever cupcakes? Or surprise your family with breakfast tacos on Sunday morning? Looking for a quick snack after school? Or maybe something special for a sleepover? It's all here. Learn to cook like a pro--it's easier than you think.
For the first time ever, America's Test Kitchen is bringing their scientific know-how, rigorous testing, and hands-on learning to KIDS in the kitchen
Using kid-tested and approved recipes, America's Test Kitchen has created THE cookbook every kid chef needs on their shelf. Whether you're cooking for yourself, your friends, or your family, The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs has delicious recipes that will wow
- Recipes were thoroughly tested by more than 750 kids to get them just right for cooks of all skill levels--including recipes for breakfast, snacks and beverages, dinners, desserts, and more.
- Step-by-step photos of tips and techniques will help young chefs feel like pros in their own kitchen
- Testimonials (and even some product reviews ) from kid test cooks who worked alongside America's Test Kitchen will encourage young chefs that they truly are learning the best recipes from the best cooks.
By empowering young chefs to make their own choices in the kitchen, America's Test Kitchen is building a new generation of confident cooks, engaged eaters, and curious experimenters.
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Impossible Creatures
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two kids race to save the world’s last magical place in the first book of a landmark new fantasy series, from “a writer with an utterly distinctive voice and a wild imagination.” (Philip Pullman, author of The Golden Compass)
*This spectacular book features foil and embossing on the jacket, full-color designed endpapers, red stained edges, and a red case cover with gold stamping.*
“An instant classic from one of the most gifted storytellers of our time, Impossible Creatures is an astonishing miracle of a book.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal Winner for The One and Only Ivan
A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
The day that Christopher saved a drowning baby griffin from a hidden lake would change his life forever.
It’s the day he learned about the Archipelago—a cluster of unmapped islands where magical creatures of every kind have thrived for thousands of years, until now. And it’s the day he met Mal—a girl on the run, in desperate need of his help.
Mal and Christopher embark on a wild adventure, racing from island to island, searching for someone who can explain why the magic is fading and why magical creatures are suddenly dying. They consult sphinxes, battle kraken, and negotiate with dragons. But the closer they get to the dark truth of what’s happening, the clearer it becomes: no one else can fix this. If the Archipelago is to be saved, Mal and Christopher will have to do it themselves.
Katherine Rundell’s story crackles and roars with energy and delight. It is brought vividly to life with more than 60 illustrations, including a map and a bestiary of magical creatures.
New Picture Books
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How to Catch an Elf
From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series comes a hilarious Christmas adventure, perfect for stocking stuffers!
"With delightful rhymes, How to Catch an Elf slots itself into place along such classics as 'The Night Before Christmas.'"--Foreword Reviews
It's Christmas Eve and an elf is on the loose... in YOUR house! Do you have what it takes to catch him? Follow along in this fun holiday story as a mischievous elf causes chaos Christmas Eve! Filled with zany traps, vibrant illustrations, STEAM concepts, and even Santa Claus himself, this Christmas picture book for kids is guaranteed to become a new holiday tradition!
The perfect elf book for kids, funny stocking stuffer or Christmas gift for ages 4-8, this festive read aloud is loved by children, parents, and educators alike.
Some kids have tried to catch him, but Santa's fast, you see!
So they've set their eyes on a smaller prize, and now they're after me!
Also in the How to Catch Series:
- How to Catch a Unicorn
- How to Catch a Gingerbread Man
- How to Catch a Snowman
- How to Catch a Mermaid
- How to Catch a Dinosaur
- How to Catch a Yeti
- My First How to Catch Santa Claus
- and more!
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Chicka Chicka Ho Ho Ho
In a much-anticipated new companion to the beloved and bestselling classic Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, the rollicking alphabet chant gets a holiday twist.
A told B,
and B told C,
“I’ll meet you in the branches
of the Christmas tree.”
In this holiday alphabet rhyme, the crew of beloved letters gets their chance to shine as decorations on the Christmas tree! -
The Snow Thief
From New York Times bestselling author of The Leaf Thief comes the funny snowy companion picture book that teaches kids about winter, adapting to change, and the seasons.
Squirrel and Bird are back, and this time it's winter! But squirrel has never seen snow before. Will he like it? You bet he will! Except, just as Squirrel starts to get used to the snow, it disappears. Is there a snow thief on the loose?
With vibrant art and captivating characters, the magic of winter is captured beautifully on each page as readers tag along Squirrel's forest adventure. Is there truly a snow thief on the loose, or is something else going on in Squirrel's forest? A perfect exploration of change--both seasonal, and the anxiety that change sometimes causes. Bonus material explaining about the changing of the seasons. Poised to be a new fall classic.
Pick up The Snow Thief if you are looking for:
- A classic read for ages 4 and up
- Back to school books, ideal for your classroom, homeschool curriculum, and more!
- Seasonal and educational stories about the changing seasons
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Ms. Rachel and the Special Surprise: Encouraging Speech and Learning Through Play and Music
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Ms. Rachel brings her signature teaching style to her very first book! Children will practice more than 20 important milestones—including gestures and speech—and sing their favorite songs as they help Ms. Rachel find a special surprise just for them.
Ms. Rachel is looking for something very special, and she needs your help finding it!
Using educational techniques from her beloved YouTube channel and threading them into an interactive story, Ms. Rachel shows kids and parents alike fun ways to engage and play!
While Ms. Rachel invites readers to open a series of imaginary boxes to see what’s inside, she guides them through exercises like pointing, waving, and call-and-response. Fans will recognize characters from their favorite videos, and everyone will join in on singing the lyrics to songs like “The Wheels on the Bus.” After the adventure ends, parents and educators can use the helpful tips included in the back of the book to assist with brain and language development.
Kids are sure to read and reread this new classic! There’s plenty to keep them delighted and engaged with their favorite teacher. And, as always, she makes sure they know just how special they are! -
Taylor Swift: A Little Golden Book Biography
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography about Taylor Swift, the Grammy Award–winning and multiplatinum artist. Little Golden Book biographies are the perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!
This Little Golden Book about Taylor Swift--the singer and songwriter whose distinctive talent for storytelling has made her one of the biggest superstars in both country and pop music--is an inspiring read-aloud for young children as well as their Swiftie parents!
Look for Little Golden Book biographies about these other inspiring people:
- Lucille Ball
- Dolly Parton
- Misty Copeland
- Betty White
- Frida Kahlo
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Jackie Robinson
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Carol Burnett
- Willie Nelson
- Beyoncé
- Harry Belafonte
- Bob Ross
- Dwayne Johnson
- Julie Andrews
- Simone Biles
- Iris Apfel
- Tony Bennett
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Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!
From #1 New York Times bestselling, award-winning author and illustrator Mo Willems comes a new holiday classic.
It's the most wonderful time of the year--for driving a sleigh! 'Tis also the season--for driving a sleigh! Oh, and joy to the--driving a sleigh! The Pigeon has made a list and checked it once. Can his holiday dream come true? Or will The Pigeon be left out in the cold?
You'll share some HO-HO-HOs and HA-HA-HAs finding out in three-time Caldecott Honoree Mo Willems' ninth Pigeon book, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! -
How to Catch Santa Claus
It's time to deck the halls and set your traps in this new Christmas adventure from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series!
Do you have what it takes to catch jolly old St. Nicholas himself? Santa Claus is getting ready to deliver presents to children around the world, but the wily How to Catch Kids have set traps galore! With the help of his trusty Reindeer and Elf, Santa will have to use all his festive magic to avoid being caught.
Poised to become a new holiday tradition, this merry picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos. The perfect Christmas gift or holiday stocking stuffer for children ages 4-10!
It's Christmas Eve! I am almost there! I know you've hatched a plan.
So when you hear my HO-HO-HO, try to catch me if YOU can!
Also in the How to Catch Series:
- How to Catch an Elf
- How to Catch a Reindeer
- How to Catch a Snowman
- How to Catch a Gingerbread Man
- How to Catch a Unicorn
- and more!
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How to Catch a Reindeer
Jingle all the way in this new Christmas story for kids from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling How to Catch series!
It's Christmas Eve and Santa's team is off to deliver presents when one of the trusted reindeer Comet decides to explore on her own... the perfect opportunity for our How to Catch Kids to trap her and prove Santa exists! Come along on this fun Christmas adventure to see if you can catch Comet!
Poised to become a new holiday tradition, this merry picture book is filled with silly rhymes and illustrations sure to delight young readers and educators alike with STEAM concepts and classic hilarity and chaos. The perfect Christmas gift or holiday stocking stuffer for children ages 4-10!
Reindeer fly on Christmas Eve and bring us all good cheer.
To catch one takes a special trap--will YOU meet one this year?
Also in the How to Catch Series:
- How to Catch an Elf
- How to Catch a Snowman
- How to Catch a Yeti
- How to Catch a Gingerbread Man
- How to Catch a Unicorn
- and more!
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How to Catch a Turkey
A New York Times Bestseller! From the bestselling How to Catch series comes a festive turkey tale and Thanksgiving book for kids!
A turkey is running loose in a school right before a Thanksgiving play. Can YOU help catch it so the show can go on? Follow along as students turn their school upside down trying to catch the turkey, ending with a twist that ensures no turkeys are harmed (or eaten!). This hilariously zany children's picture book combines STEAM concepts and traps with a silly story and fun illustrations, perfect for starting a new fall family tradition this autumn or giving as a Thanksgiving gift for kids ages 4 and up!
Thanksgiving time is here again, but there's a turkey on the run!
Can you catch this tricky bird before the school play has begun?
Also in the How to Catch Series:
- How to Catch a Unicorn
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny
- How to Catch an Elf
- How to Catch a Monster
- How to Catch a Leprechaun
- and more!
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Christmas at Hogwarts
A #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A USA TODAY BESTSELLER
From J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, the story of Harry Potter's first Christmas at Hogwarts, joyfully illustrated in a heartwarming picture book sure to delight readers of all ages!
"Christmas was coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow."
So begins Chapter Twelve of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and the heartwarming story of Harry Potter's first Christmas at Hogwarts. From the Great Hall decked with magnificent fir trees to cozy evenings in the Gryffindor Common Room to the joy of presents on Christmas morning, it's a holiday filled with warmth, friendship, good food, and magical surprises that Harry will never forget.
With text drawn directly from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and luminous illustrations by artist Ziyi Gao, this favorite moment from one of the most beloved books of all time is now fully illustrated for the whole family to enjoy. Sure to be treasured by Harry Potter fans of all ages, Christmas at Hogwarts is the perfect gift, destined to become an enchanting new holiday tradition.
Resources
Britannica School
Suite of Britannica School resources at four levels - Learning Zone, Elementary, Middle, and High.
Britannica School – Elementary
Grades 3-4. Find information on countries, animals, and people in articles, media, and a world atlas. Watch and learn with videos, games, and activities.
Britannica School – Learning Zone
Pre K - 2nd grade. Activity-centered learning to explore, play, read, and build technology skills. Letters, numbers, geography, shapes and much more are included.