But now Phoebe Harte's twelve-year-old brother is gone, and Phoebe's world has turned upside down. With her trademark candor and compassion, beloved middle-grade writer Barbara Park tells how Phoebe copes with her painful loss in this story filled with sadness, humor—and hope. Chosen by "Publishers Weekly" as one of their Best Books of 1996. "A full-fledged and fully convincing drama."—(Publishers Weekly

    Now both are in high school and deeply in love. Luke, a talented football player, is almost certain to receive an athletic scholarship to a top college. And no matter what her parents say, wherever Luke goes, Julie intends to follow. When Luke can't shake what he thinks is a virus, Julie persuades him to see a doctor. Luke's test results are alarming, but Julie believes their love is stronger than anything. Can love survive, now and forever?

    There's nothing to do, nowhere to go, and no one around except kneesock-wearing, Jesus-praising cousin Cookie. Then Gayle meets Great, the family matriarch-and her stories of the past begin to change how Gayle sees her future.

    Or Rachel, the best babysitter in the world. Or the Baldwins, who have a terrific dog named Swoozie. Or Mr. and Mrs. Oberdorfer, who always give great treats on Halloween. Who cares if his father has a new job a thousand miles away? Alexander is not -- Do you hear him? He Means it! -- going to move. Alexander's back, facing another of childhood's trials and tribulations with Judith Viorst's trademark humor and keen sense of what's important to kids.

    Why would a dumb notebook make me feel better, Amelia thinks. The only thing that will make Amelia feel better is going back to old house, her old school, and her old friends. Amelia does not—do you hear this!—want to move. But no one is listening to Amelia.

    While digging for worms, rowing the boat and pulling in fish, each brother asks his mama which one is the best at each task and, as they are being tucked into bed, which one she loves the best. Barbara Joosse's heartwarming text is beautifully complimented by Mary Whyte's engaging watercolor illustrations. Readers will delight in the tender message that every child holds a special place in a parent's heart.

    Then he invites her to visit him and his new family in Africa, and Grace soon realizes that even in divided families, love can prove boundless. Watercolor illustrations.

    Determined, after his mother's accidental death, to foil his stepfather's plans for his future, fourteen-year-old Jacob travels alone to Africa in search of his father, a biologist studying elephants in a remote area of Kenya.

    She knows that she'd be laughed right out of school if her friends knew about her embarrassing family history with the Murgadork. but Hannah can't just turn her back on him -- after all, he's the only person who knows how to cheer up her younger brother, whose muscular dystrophy has confined him to a wheelchair. In this bittersweet first novel, the engaging, true-to-life Hannah struggles to the realization that kindness and happiness don't have to be mutually exclusive.

    . . Class is back in session with John Bytheway. In this sequel to his best-selling What I Wish I'd Known in High School: A Crash Course in Teenage Survival, John Bytheway approaches the deep-down, soul-searching questions that teenagers ponder. He outlines each chapter as if it were a class in high school. 'Classes' cover such subjects as repentance, recognizing the Spirit, prayer, and preparing for the temple. The author has looked for answers to questions in the scriptures and from the words of the prophets. A lively lunch break between classes is vintage Bytheway. Teenagers will better understand the gospel when they read the answers to some of their own questions in John's humorous yet teaching book.

    Included are activity sheets, quizzes, vocabulary activities, unit tests and much more for an indepth study of the story. (This is NOT the paperback novel.)

    The rage he feels gives him the energy as a triathlete to press his body to the limit, but it also translates into angry outbursts toward his teachers.Now dangerously close to expulsion from school, Bo has been assigned to Anger Management sessions with the school "truants." With an eclectic mix of hard-edged students, Bo may finally have to deal with his long-brewing hatred for his father -- before it eats away at him completely.

    She tells nobody about the incident but her guilt manifests itself in the frequent nosebleeds she has at awkward moments. Fifty years later, she is still living her life sentence.

    An illustrated story of an African American boy who comes to appreciate his dark skin by learning about his African heritage from his grandfather.

    Sometimes on milk-moon nights, Ninny throws buttons at Bessie's window. When Bessie peeps outside, Ninny sings: "Bessie, oh Bessie! Come dance with me! For I hate to dance alone..."Down the drainpipe Bessie slides to visit Ninny, and off they go. Most nights, they visit the grave of Ninny's grandfather, Oppa. It was Oppa who taught them three things that they will never forget: to dance, to sing, and to tell stories. Oppa's wisdom ultimately inspires a pact between the two young friends--a pact that binds them together through love and marriage, war and separation, birth and death.In this simple but extraordinary story, New York Times best-selling author Carmen Agra Deedy speaks to readers about the value of promises and the limitless power of love even in the face of death.

    In order to make it in Ojala, Bron will have to remake herself. And so she does, putting aside her stuides to drag race, hang out, and meet boys. Soon she's involved in an intense love triangle -- with no easy solutions.

    Ten-year-old Robin Brogan's life takes a turn for the interesting when a new family with five children moves next door. And when Robin, who's terrified of dogs, finds a starving, abandoned dog on the beach, it's his new neighbors who help him overcome his fears to save an animal that desperately needs him.

    She's there all the time. In fact, all the teachers live at school. They eat dinner in the cafeteria and sleep in the teachers' lounge. I'm sure of it! So why is Miss Malarkey moving into my apartment house?...What could be more surprising than finding out your teacher has a life outside school? In Miss Malarkey Doesn't Live in Room 10, Judy Finchler and Kevin O'Malley celebrate kids' comic misunderstandings about the private lives of teachers.

    She cannot forget the death of her baby brother seven years ago, and how she just couldn't pray for him when he was sick. She never talks about it though, not even to her best friend, which is something she doesn't have, anyway. But all that changes when Roxanne moves into the trailer next door. Thirty years old, with her fake fur coat, wild red hair, and romantic notions, Roxanne is a revelation to Jesse. Why has she moved to Ida, of all places? Their growing friendship will change Jesse's life, giving her back a vision of hope beyond the mundane world around her.

    Then old Mr. Hoffman comes to his house, selling his colorful ties, and tells a story about a Chanukah miracle that makes this a night Seth will never forget. Full color.

    But one Saturday they discover that there is nothing in the house except eggs, and Maria Lili wonders how they will ever be able to have their favorite meal. Mama Ana has a plan, though, and taking the eggs with her, she invites Maria Lili to come to the market. Somehow, Mama Ana has a way to make chicken sancocho with eggs, and Maria Lili can't wait to find out how.Bold, cheerful watercolors evoke the busy atmosphere of the village markets of Central and South America. Also included in the book is a recipe for chicken sancocho from the author's family.

    They follow the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico. Then they strike out due west across the bleak desert. Suddenly, Indians attack the pioneers, driving off their cattle and oxen. One hundred people--many sick and injured--are now stranded in the searing summer heat, five hundred miles away from anyone who can help them! Yet, through grit, determination, and luck, Sallie and the others survive to reach California, though not without paying a heavy price. This lightly fictionalized account of a true story is drawn from diaries, memoirs, letters, and many other historical sources. It tells the heartwarming story of a plucky pioneer girl who learns that through courage and the love of her family, she can overcome any adversity.

    After jealously watching the baby receive all the attention and all the gifts, he begins to wish that he could be the baby instead! In this hilarious tale of role reversal, the little boy's wish comes true. Written in charming verse and accompanied by whimsical illustrations, I Wish I Was the Baby offers a wonderful opportunity to prepare young children for the changes that accompany the arrival of a new baby.

    Jessica McMillian and Jeremy Travino are a perfect couple.   But now Jessica has been diagnosed as having kidney failure.   She is on dialysis three days a week and is so depressed that she's not sure she wants to live.  Her one hope for a normal life is a kidney transplant, but she's an only child and her parents aren't suitable donors.   Jeremy is determined to donate one of his kidneys to her, but his parents are terrified of losing their only child.  Will Jeremy find the strength to go against his parent's wishes and do what he must to save Jessica?