Ballin' for Natalie is a thought-provoking story filled with real-life issues that teenagers deal with every day. With more than potential to be heavily recruited by the top high schools and colleges to play basketball, gutsy Natalie has her eyes on the prize and is determined to one day go pro. Basketball provides a way out of her present situation of living in the Marcy Projects with her grandmother. But like most of us she harbors a family secret that mocks all that she aspires to become. And when that secret comes knocking, Natalie has to decide if the life she saves will be her own.

"Refreshingly voice-y, wildly smart, and genuinely hilarious." - Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue Emilia Romero is living a double life. By day, she's a field hockey star with a flawless report card. But by night, she's kicking virtual ass as the only female member of a highly competitive eSports team. Emilia has mastered the art of keeping her two worlds thriving, which hinges on them staying completely separate. That's in part to keep her real-life persona, but also for her own safety, since girl gamers are often threatened and harassed. When a major eSports tournament comes to her city, Emilia is determined to prove herself to her team and the male-dominated gaming community. But her perfectly balanced life is thrown for a loop when a member of a rival team recognizes her . . . Jake Hooper has had a crush on Emilia since he was ten years old. When his underdog eSports team makes it into the tournament, he's floored to discover she's been leading a double life. The fates bring Jake and Emilia together as they work to keep her secret, even as the pressures of the tournament and their non-gaming world threaten to pull everything apart. Debut author Alexis Nedd has crafted a YA combo-punch of charming romance and virtual adventure that will win the hearts of gamers and non-gamers alike.

Sojo the sled dog is born into a hardworking, talented family and starts life as a happy, trusting, and confident dog. But her confidence rapidly wanes as she begins to understand how complicated and challenging it is to be a sled dog. She fears that she will never learn how to do the job and is overshadowed by her sister, Anna, who is very smart and confident and gets all the glory. Reluctantly, she accepts that she is destined to be a sled dog, undergoes training, and much to her surprise, makes the team. When explorer Pam Flowers and the team set out alone across the arctic, Sojo’s self-confidence and pride in her work slowly grow. By journey’s end, she comes to realize that she has made a valuable contribution to the success of the adventure and is respected as a sled dog. When she retires, Sojo is a contented dog who understands that doing your best and being supportive of friends and family is what is most important.

Lena is Trille’s best friend, even if she is a girl. And there is never an ordinary day when you’ve got a best friend like Lena.

Hardly a day passes without Trille and Lena inventing some kind of adventure that often ends in trouble. Whether it’s coaxing a cow onto a boat or sledding down the steepest and iciest hill with a chicken, there is always a thrill—and sometimes an injury—to be had. Trille loves to share everything with Lena, even Auntie Granny’s waffles. But when Lena has to move away and Auntie Granny leaves the world, it sometimes seems like nothing will ever be right again.

The warmth of friendship and the support of family suffuse this lightly illustrated novel, proving that when times are tough, a little taste of sweetness can make all the difference.

Shay and Frankie are best friends and football crazy! They eat, sleep and breathe football (even when they're at school!). They dream about playing football, love a kick-about in the park, watch all the big games on TV... all that's missing in their lives is the chance to play for a real football team. All Cultures United is the best club around for miles and all the footie fans want to on their team... including Shay and Frankie. Are they good enough to impress Coach Reece at the AC United trials? Can their friendship survive the competitiveness of football? Will they ultimately fulfil their goal to become Baller Boys?

Advance Praise For Heart of the Hide "Heart of the Hide is a story for all ages You can't help but root for the Kelsey Avenue Crew. You hope that Nicky Palmieri can figure things out. That telling the truth in the long run is much easier than lying. Most likely you'll be reading with moist eyes and tissue in hand." "And when you close the book and reflect on your childhood experiences and friends you can't help but root that Heart of the Hide finds a national audience." Award-winning sports columnist, Corky Blake, Easton Express-Times "A timeless story for all of us baseball people, young and old." WFAN Sports Radio 660 AM Talk Show Host, Rick Wolff Growing up in West Haven, "Heart of the Hide" brought back many fond memories. I think of the friendly rivalries, the competition, spending countless days at the ball fields, and most importantly, the lifelong relationships that helped to make me the person that I am today. Great Book.
Neil C. Cavallaro, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, West Haven Public Schools

Every young person who loves baseball should read "Heart of the Hide," every coach no matter at what level should read this book. Everyone who enjoys a book that deals with the courage it takes to succeed in life should read this book. I can't wait until my grandsons are old enough to read this wonderful book.
Ed Waters, former New York Yankees' farmhand and Florida's High School Baseball Hall of Fame coach, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Please visit loupetrucci.com to learn more about the character in Heart of the Hide.

Marilyn Rose was a world champion figure skater. She was the best of the best, so when she had a daughter, much was expected of her. Vyria Rose was born to follow in her mother's footsteps?but she just can't seem to make the grade. She loves figure skating, but she has yet to turn in a winning performance. In frustration, her mother decides to take on a new student named Alice. Vyria, feeling rejected and jealous of her mother's new pupil, turns her focus to school and her grades. She misses figure skating, though, and she still dreams of doing something magical on the ice. Adventurous and brave, Vyria suddenly has a wild idea. Why not mix acrobatics with figure skating? She gets a team together, and they plan to be showstoppers. They?ll use a jump board and add gymnastics to their performances on the ice. Now only time will tell whether Vyria will grow into a future that will make her happy with herself and her own abilities.

When Marcus moves to a new town in the dead of summer, he doesn't know a soul. While practicing football for impending tryouts, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with an older man. Charlie is a charismatic prankster--and the best football player Marcus has ever seen. He can't believe his good luck when he finds out that Charlie is actually Charlie Popovich, or "the King of Pop," as he had been nicknamed during his career as an NFL linebacker. But that's not all. There is a secret about Charlie that his own family is desperate to hide.

When Marcus begins school, he meets the starting quarterback on the team: Troy Popovich. Right from the beginning, Marcus and Troy disagree--about football, about Troy's ex-girlfriend, Alyssa, but most of all, about what's good for Charlie. Marcus is betting that he knows what's best for the King of Pop. And he is willing to risk everything to help his friend.

An 8x8 based on an episode of Llama Llama's animated Netflix series all about one of the most fun activities for little llamas (and kids): camping!

Look out, world--Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney's best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix. In this episode-based 8x8, Llama Llama goes camping for the very first time and learns a valuable lesson: what seems scary can actually be super-duper FUN! Your little llamas will love relating to their favorite picture book character as he faces new and challenging situations.

A hardcover collection of four books featuring various Pokemon--from Kanto to Alola! This hardcover collection of four Pokemon books introduces readers to Pokemon of all shapes and sizes, from Kanto to Alola, from Fire-type to Ice-type--and more! It's sure to thrill Pokemon fans ages 5 to 9, and collectors of all ages!

Last season, Julian Pryce was the star center on his championship basketball team. But this year, he's the only starter to return to the team. Julian knows everyone will look to him to lead the team, but he doesn't want the responsibility. How can he replicate last year's miracle run?