He can't wait to get to school and have real art lessons. When Tommy gets to school and finds out that the art lessons are full of "rules", he is surprised and dismayed. How the wise art teacher finds a way to give Tommy the freedom to create and stay within the "rules" makes a wonderfully perceptive picture book about growing up and keeping one's individuality.Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of many beloved books for children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Strega Nona. Fans of all ages will be pleased to hear that The Art Lesson is, in fact, based on the artist's own experiences growing up, and offers a welcome glimpse into his past. This bright picture book is as covered with drawings as the walls of Tommy's parents' and grandparents' houses, and sends an inspirational message to budding artists and individualists. Break out the crayons!

    Dad thinks he has received all his presents, but Grandma stands up and gives him the best one of all: she reads aloud the stories that Anna has taught her.

    . Through it all, will Christy keep her promise to her parents not to do anything she'll regret?

    Her cousin hates her on sight. Her aunt falls into a mysterious coma. Then, left alone on the huge property, Molly and her cousin discover an intruder lurking in the barn! Armed and desperate, he drags them to the top of a nearby mountain--and triggers an avalanche with a gunshot. Can they make it down the mountain alive?

    To keep his mind and body occupied, he trains intensely for the Ironman Triathalon. But outside of practice, his life seems to be falling apart. Then Dillon finds a confidante in Jennifer, a star high school basketball player who's hiding her own set of destructive secrets. Together they must find the courage to confront their demons -- before its too late. This ALA Best Book for Young Adults is now available with a stunning new look. Two star athletes find the courage to confront painful memories in this gritty, realistic tale of friendship and healing.

    Why did his mom have to get remarried anyway? He wants things back the way they used to be—right now!

    With the help of new friends, she can finally make the decision that is best for herself.

    Everything was gone-destroyed by the firestorm that turned her neighborhood to blackened ash. The loss was devastating-but for Corey, the loneliness was worse. Everyone was too busy trying to put life back together to understand her problems... everyone except the one person she thought was too tough to care about anything.

    But he needs the money; how else is he going to get away from his boozing mom and her endless parade of classy guys? Then one night his mother's drinking gets out of control and Carl's plan to get himself a decent life takes a nosedive. Sent to live with distant relatives far away from the life he has always known, Carl is faced with a decision: run away and stick with The Plan, or come up with a new one . . . fast. "A strong central character . . . a well-placed, believable plot."--School Library Journal, starred review. "Carl's . . . turnabout is convincing enough to sustain the story's power."--Booklist, starred review.

    What could be better than a Matt Christopher baseball classic? This boxed set includes three of Christopher's most popular baseball novels, Catcher with a Glass Arm, The Kid Who Only Hit Homers, and Look Who's Playing First Base.

    Reed tells more stories of his adventures as a diver at California's Marine World/Africa U.S.A., this time about the dolphins with whom he worked and played--and came to know, respect, and love.

    Helen's death at eighteen from cancer shatters the lives of her parents and siblings, especially younger sister Jessie who tries to cope with her feelings of pain and confusion by reading pages from Helen's diary.

    Full-color illustrations.

    After a dirty day of digging in his backyard, Malcolm must take a bath, but when his slippery soap escapes the chase is on.