In her own voice, acclaimed author and poet Nikki Grimes explores the truth of a harrowing childhood in a compelling and moving memoir in verse. Growing up with a mother suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and a mostly absent father, Nikki Grimes found herself terrorized by babysitters, shunted from foster family to foster family, and preyed upon by those she trusted. At the age of six, she poured her pain onto a piece of paper late one night - and discovered the magic and impact of writing. For many years, Nikki's notebooks were her most enduing companions. In this accessible and inspiring memoir that will resonate with young readers and adults alike, Nikki shows how the power of those words helped her conquer the hazards - ordinary and extraordinary - of her life.

A peaceful, long-lasting resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict may never be found until both sides learn to see each other, not as "the enemy," but as fellow human beings. Teen Voices from the Holy Land takes a creative approach toward reaching greater understanding between two peoples who have known little but mutual hostility and suspicion for over fifty years.
Based on interviews of thirty-four Palestinian and Israeli teenagers, this uplifting book presents candid, first-person narratives of their day-to-day lives. These young people describe their ordinary lives, including their interests, facts about their families, friendships, and neighborhoods, as well as their spiritual concerns and dreams for the future. Photographs of the youngsters accompany the narratives, and together both picture and story offer a revealing glimpse into the common humanity that Palestinians and Israelis share.
A striking aspect of these stories is the depth of understanding and the brutal honesty exhibited. One teen exclaims, "If children had been in charge of managing their countries, things would not have happened the way they did. Children know how to get along with one another, despite everything." Another says, "A person should be loyal to his principles, but there's something more important which he has to do: He must be ready to criticize his own views." Everyone interviewed expresses the hope that they will someday live in peace with others in the region.
The voices that speak movingly from these pages offer many insights into the perceptions and feelings of young people in this strife-torn area of the world. They hold out the hope that the shared dream of peace may eventually overcome the differences that now divide the two sides.

Celebrate Christmas with Bluey! Based on the on the wildly successful animated series, Bluey, as seen on Disney+ It's Christmas Eve and Bluey's entire family has gathered at the Heeler house. They can't wait for Santa to come! But Bluey's dad reminds them: "No peeking, no presents." So Bluey, Bingo, and Muffin decide to play a game called Veranda Santa to practice not peeking! What will Santa bring them?

This is a moving story of the rise to fame from humble beginnings of one of South Africa’s most popular rugby stars, written specifically for young readers.

Early on in his life, Siya discovered that rugby could be his route out of the grinding poverty in which he had grown up in the Eastern Cape. He worked hard, made sure he was noticed and managed to secure a scholarship to the prestigious Grey High School. But he had to adapt quickly to a world he had never encountered, while keeping his roots in the community that he knew and loved.

His hard work and natural ability saw him moving to Cape Town to join the Stormers, trying to break into the Springbok team, and learning to adjust to life at the top of the game that is a national obsession.

Siya Kolisi is part of the ‘Road to Glory’ series, which covers some of South Africa’s sporting legends as they set out on their journeys to becoming national and international stars.

""When it comes to justice, there is no easy way to get it. You can't sugarcoat it. You have to take a stand and say, 'This is not right.'"--Claudette Colvin"
On March 2, 1955, an impassioned teenager, fed up with the daily injustices of Jim Crow segregation, refused to give her seat to a white woman on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Instead of being celebrated as Rosa Parks would be just nine months later, fifteen-year-old Claudette Colvin found herself shunned by her classmates and dismissed by community leaders. Undaunted, a year later she dared to challenge segregation again as a key plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the landmark case that struck down the segregation laws of Montgomery and swept away the legal underpinnings of the Jim Crow South. Based on extensive interviews with Claudette Colvin and many others, Phillip Hoose presents the first in-depth account of an important yet largely unknown civil rights figure, skillfully weaving her dramatic story into the fabric of the historic Montgomery bus boycott and court case that would change the course of American history.

Welcome to Mexico! From the various animals to the warm desert, readers are invited to explore all aspects of this beautiful country in this delightful nonfiction title. Using informational text in conjunction with vibrant photos, maps, and charts, readers will be engaged from beginning to end!

Crazy about Wii, Nintendo, X-Box, and PlayStation? Meet the inventor whose work made them all possible: Ralph Baer, creator of the first home video game system! Today, the video game industry keeps growing, with ever more platforms available to fans. But how did the very first system come about? This picture-book biography of Ralph Baer, whose family fled Nazi Germany for the US, introduces kids to a great inventor AND the birth of the first home console. Using wartime technology, Baer thought outside the box and transformed the television into a vehicle for gaming; Baer's invention, the Odyssey, is a precursor to the Atari gaming system. Today, interactive systems like Wii and PlayStation are descendants of Ralph's innovative "Brown Box," making this award-winning inventor the true "Father of Video Games."

Volunteering: The Ultimate Teen Guide is a wonderful resource for teens on how they can use their time and energy to positively impact society and gain personal satisfaction. Teens get a complete picture of what volunteering involves, including the personal commitment and the physical and emotional stamina, as well as the positive-and sometimes negative-consequences. Filled with inspiring and rewarding stories from teen volunteers who testify to the immense personal satisfaction that resulted from their volunteer efforts.