Book picks similar to
Barry's Sister by Lois Metzger
catch-up-reading
children-s-lit
disability
fiction-general
I Am Lavina Cumming: A Novel of the American West
Susan Lowell - 1993
When her mother dies, her father decides it would be best if Lavina went to live with her aunt, where she can be brought up as a lady.Starting off at dawn on September 16, 1905, Lavina travels by train to Santa Cruz, California. Armed with the Cumming family motto—"courage"—she arrives in a world of two-storey houses, automobiles, a new school, and her cousin, "awful Aggie." Trying her best to settle in, Lavina is torn by her hopes to return to Arizona and be with her father. She is as shocked as everyone else by the great earthquake that nearly demolishes the nearby city of San Francisco. In the aftermath of the quake, she must make a big decision about her future. Based on the true story of the author's grandmother, the book includes a short afterword by the author.
The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James
Ashley Herring Blake - 2019
James navigates heart surgery, reconnections with a lost mother, first kisses, and emerging feelings for another girl.When Sunny St. James receives a new heart, she decides to set off on a "New Life Plan": 1) do awesome amazing things she could never do before; 2) find a new best friend; and 3) kiss a boy for the first time.Her "New Life Plan" seems to be racing forward, but when she meets her new best friend Quinn, Sunny questions whether she really wants to kiss a boy at all. When the reemergence of her mother, Sunny begins a journey to becoming the new Sunny St. James.
My Mom's a Mortician (Kevin Kirk Chronicles, Vol. 1)
Patricia Wiles - 2004
After all, normal people don’t live in houses with dead bodies downstairs! Once in Armadillo, Arkansas, Kevin tries to adapt to the family business. When he’s targeted by the biggest bully in the seventh grade, Kevin begins to “hear” advice from an unlikely source — Cletus McCulley, an old Mormon fisherman and one of his mother’s dead customers. Cletus’s messages from beyond the grave lead Kevin to uncover not only the bully’s secrets, but the truth about a family tragedy that shattered his parents’ faith and led them away from God. It’s up to Kevin to find the courage to face the bully, and to find a way to help his family heal. Winner of the 2004 Middle Grade Fiction Award from the Association for Mormon Letters.“This portrayal of small-town Mormon life sets an excellent example for future children’s novels set outside the highly-concentrated Mormon communities of the West.”—Association for Mormon Letters
Gracefully Grayson
Ami Polonsky - 2014
But at school, Grayson grasps at shadows, determined to fly under the radar. Because Grayson has been holding onto a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, stuck in the wrong gender’s body.The weight of this secret is crushing, but leaving it behind would mean facing ridicule, scorn, and rejection. Despite these dangers, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Strengthened by an unexpected friendship and a caring teacher who gives her a chance to step into the spotlight, Grayson might finally have the tools to let her inner light shine.Debut author Ami Polonsky’s moving, beautifully-written novel shines with the strength of a young person’s spirit and the enduring power of acceptance.
A House for a Mouse
Lisette Starr - 2019
Oscar the mouse wants somewhere warm to stay for the night!"One thundery night I was cosy and warm,under the covers and safe from the storm.I was lying awake counting sheep in my headWhen I heard something moving under my bed.Suddenly I was trembling with fear.Could there be a monster about to appear?Then I heard it again, that scuttling sound.It was so scary it made my heart pound!"A delightful story with bright, fun illustrations and a great positive message!"A House for a Mouse" is a bright, fun way for younger children to learn about friendship, kindness and generosity.When a young boy hears a noise under his bed, he fears there may be a monster about to appear. But it isn't a monster, it is a little mouse looking for somewhere warm and dry to spend the night. Combining wonderfully vibrant illustrations with the power of rhythm and rhyme,"A House for a Mouse" is a perfect bedtime story and a must read for kids starting their reading journey."RED BEETLE BOOKS"Following in the great tradition of moral tales, Red Beetle Books are designed to teach important life lessons in a fun and entertaining way.Exploring subjects like sharing, kindness, friendship, understanding differences, facing challenges and adapting to change, Red Beetle Books will help your child develop their emotional intelligence, while fostering a life long love of books and reading.
The Real Boy
Anne Ursu - 2013
Oscar is a shop boy for the most powerful magician in the village, and spends his days in a small room in the dark cellar of his master's shop grinding herbs and dreaming of the wizards who once lived on the island generations ago. Oscar's world is small, but he likes it that way. The real world is vast, strange, and unpredictable. And Oscar does not quite fit in it.But now that world is changing. Children in the city are falling ill, and something sinister lurks in the forest. Oscar has long been content to stay in his small room in the cellar, comforted in the knowledge that the magic that flows from the forest will keep his island safe. Now even magic may not be enough to save it.
Apartment 1986
Lisa Papademetriou - 2017
Sure, she may have accidentally-on-purpose skipped a day at her fancy New York City prep school, but she never thought she’d skip the day after that! And the one after that . . . and . . . uh . . . the one after that.But when everything in your real life is going wrong (fighting parents! bullied little brother! girls at school who just. don’t. get. it!) skipping school starts to look like a valid mental-health strategy. And when Callie runs into Cassius, a mysterious and prickly “unschooled” kid doing research at museums all across the city, it seems only natural for her to join him. Because museums are educational, which means they’re as good as going to class. Right?Besides, school can wait. What can’t wait is the mystery of why her grandmother seems to wish she could travel back in time to 1986, or what she wants so much to relive there. As Cassius helps Callie see the world in a whole new light, she realizes that the people she loves are far from perfect—and that some family secrets shouldn’t be secret at all.
Small Steps: The Year I Got Polio
Peg Kehret - 1996
The book deeply touched readers of all ages and received many awards and honors. This anniversary edition includes an updated and extended Epilogue, 12 pages of new photos, and a new section about polio.
Ruskin Bond Collection
Ruskin Bond - 2016
The Night Train at Deoli is a story of adolescent infatuation, expressing the narrator's love for a poor basket-seller whom he encounters at a small station while on his way to Dehra Dun. The Blue Umbrella is based on an Indian novel by Ruskin Bond, which was adapted into a Hindi film by the same name, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Overall, this is one compelling volume, which is a must-have for every Ruskin Bond fan and a fine introduction to the writer for those new to his work.
Midnight Hunter (The Midnight Trilogy Book 3)
Dani Hart - 2020
Does she have what it takes?
51 Accidental Inventions that Changed the World
Kimte Guite - 2019
The wonderful inventions we now cannot live without—fromhigh-heels to tea-bags, pencils to x-rays, each story is an amazing mix of luck and a whole lot ofperseverance and hard work.Imagine what our hot summers would be without ice-lolly? The horrors of never tasting potatochips!What would we do without our quick-fix Superglue? We hardly give a thought to the manylittle things we use every day. Don’t you think it’s time we learnt about a few stories of origin?Where do they come from? Who invented them and how?Learn about 51 fascinating stories of inventions in a book blending adorable, simple illustrationswith lively text bursting with facts. Who knows, you might accidentally come up with an inventionone day too
It's Opening Day at the Amusement Park
Barbara Miller - 2013
They are so excited. Let's follow along and join in the fun.
Flip to the Rescue (Childrens Marine Life #3)
Tara Star - 2015
It is an adorable children’s picture book about Flip the baby dolphin embracing the depth and longevity of friendship and learning to fearlessly stand up for what is right; and to speaking out against unfair treatment of the vulnerable. Flip and her best friend Aqua portray the classic grace, playfulness and social nature of dolphins. Not to mention their artistry and athleticism while swimming and playing in the water. Truly beautiful creations of nature physically as well as personality-wise. The book is a treat for the entire family with pictures to stimulate the interest of children and adventures and life lessons for everyone. A great story that can be read to those younger than 5, a read alone or with guidance book for kids age 5-8, or as a read alone tale for kids 9-12 who are looking for a new sort of hero. Who doesn’t want to know more about a couple of adorable dolphins? A wonderful addition to any library, especially those collecting Kids Picture Adventure Books for the Kindle or animal picture books. *****
Minecrafters The Ultimate Secrets Handbook: The Ultimate Secret Book For Minecrafters. Game Tips & Tricks, Hints and Secrets For All Minecrafters. (The Ultimate Book For Minecrafters)
Torsten Fiedler - 2019
Gamers from all over the world poured months of their lives into Minecraft, figuring out its mechanics, critters, blocks and items. This handbook is written by one such gamer, who was fascinated by this blocky world and wanted to know everything about it. I ventured out into the wilderness and came back a different man. I had adventures, experienced thrills, made new friends, charted the unknown and braved dangers. And now, I wrote this handbook in which I’ll share Minecraft’s best kept secrets with you. I hope you enjoy them and may your pickaxe never break.
TWINS : Part One - Books 1, 2 & 3: Books for Girls 9 - 12
Katrina Kahler - 2017
Usually, it would be fun to have a new girl arrive. But not this time!When Casey realizes that Ali looks exactly like her, she is not at all impressed. To make matters even worse, Casey's crush, a boy named Jake Hanley and the coolest boy in the grade, takes a sudden interest in Ali, and Casey becomes more annoyed than ever. "Who is she and why does she have my face?" This is one of the many questions that Casey asks and she is determined to find out the answer. However, she is not at all prepared for the outcome. Within a matter of days, her world as she once knew it is turned upside down and the decisions she makes lead to consequences beyond her control. This is a fabulous series for girls aged 9-12 and is certain to become a new favorite. School friendships, boy crushes, drama, and excitement combine together to create a suspenseful and enjoyable story that you will not be able to put down.