Carlos isn't sure how he feels about the news that his cousin Bernardo will be joining his class at Carver Elementary. But when Bernardo comes to live with him temporarily, taking over Carlos's top bunk, his spot on the school soccer team, and even his Papi's attention, Carlos knows he isn't happy. Worse, Bernardo starts messing with Carlos's pet geckos! Carlos tries to see past his cousin's annoying ways, but Bernardo sure doesn't make it easy. Will Carlos--and his geckos--survive Bernardo's visit? Can he keep the peace for his family's sake? Emerging and newly independent readers are sure to recognize themselves in this humorous school and family story.

A new title in a chapter book series featuring African American and Latino boys that's full of kid-friendly charm and universal appeal Third-grader Richard and his friends are just four days away from setting a record for excellent behavior and earning a classroom pizza party when disaster strikes--their beloved teacher is out sick, and the strictest, meanest substitute has taken her place! Will their dreams of pizza be dashed when the sub suspects that some of them have been cheating? This gently humorous installment in a chapter book series about a diverse group of elementary schoolers by Coretta Scott King honoree Karen English offers spot-on storytelling, relatable characters and situations, and plenty of action.

Deja is dismayed to learn that her teacher has had an accident and a substitute will be taking her place. Under the new sub's care, nothing is the same in Room Ten. A few of the class troublemakers plot to take advantage of the clueless teacher, and soon other students join in. Should Nikki and Deja go along with the rest of the kids in tormenting him? Should they help him out by tattling on their classmates? Or is there another way to handle the situation? Here is another charming entry in a chapter book series about African American girls praised for its accessibility, authenticity, and humor.

When Nadia is chosen to be a flower girl in Auntie Laila's traditional Pakistani wedding, her hands are decorated with beautiful designs made with mehndi, and she comes to understand the rich culture she has inherited.

When the students in Nikki and Deja's class find out that their school is going to hold its first-ever election for student body president, some kids are more excited than others. But none is as excited as Deja, who figures she's a shoo-in for the third grade nomination. Deja decides that Nikki will be her campaign manager, of course, and puts her to work right away. But will Deja's tendency to rush into things and boss people around alienate her best friend when she needs her most, and spoil her chances of becoming president of Carver Elementary?

This is a charming new entry in a chapter book series praised for its humor and authentic characters.

It's tough being the new kid at Carver Elementary. Gavin had lots of friends at his old school, but the kids here don't even know that he's pretty good at skateboarding, or how awesome he is at soccer. And when his classmate Richard comes over and the boys end up in trouble, not only does Gavin risk losing his one new friend, he has to take care of his great aunt Myrtle's horrible little dog as punishment.To make matters worse, Gavin seems to have attracted the attention of the school bully. Will he be able to avoid getting pounded at the skate park? And how is he ever going to prove he's cool with a yappy little Pomeranian wearing a pink bow at his side?

Third-grader Gavin and his friends aren't sure what to make of the new boy in their class, Khufu. He sure doesn't look or act like the other kids . . . and they suspect that he stole Gavin's bike! Meanwhile, Gavin's great-aunt Myrtle is coming to stay with his family again, and Gavin is sure she'll be teaming up with his big sister to boss him around the whole time.

Offering spot-on storytelling, relatable characters and situations, and plenty of action, this gently humorous story about a diverse group of elementary-schoolers shows that even someone who seems strange can turn out to be a good friend, if you give them a chance.

The second book about Nikki and Deja, two African American third-grade girls who are best friends.
Deja's birthday is coming up, and she's been talking about it for weeks. But just before the big day, Auntie Dee gets called away on a business trip and Deja must stay with an elderly neighbor . . . who cooks turnips for dinner and doesn't even have a color TV! Worse, the machinations of spoiled Antonia, Deja's new nemesis, threaten to ruin Deja's birthday party plans. Like the first book, this story captures with subtlety and humor all the small betrayals and triumphs of young girls' relationships. Readers will get a wider view of the girls' diverse urban neighborhood, and will recognize themselves and their classmates in the colorful, deftly drawn school scenes. A more serious theme is also introduced (with a light touch) in a subplot concerning Deja's absent father.

Will the new girl come between Nikki and Deja?
When an arrogant new girl comes to school, third-graders and best friends Nikki and Deja decide to form a club to exclude her. But the results are not what they expected--now they're in a fight with each other!
Youngsters will find a lot to cheer for in this delightful story. The joys and complexities of school life are captured with finesse and humor, and the writing, complemented with charming illustrations, is spot on for readers ready to enjoy longer texts.
Look for more adventures with Nikki and Deja in Birthday Blues!

Francie lives with her mother and younger brother, Prez, in rural Alabama, where all three work and wait. Francie's father is trying to get settled in Chicago so he can move his family up North. Unfortunately, he's made promises he hasn't kept, and Francie painfully learns that her dreams of starting junior high school in an integrated urban classroom will go unfulfilled. Amid the day-to-day grind of working odd jobs for wealthy white folks on the other side of town, Francie becomes involved in helping a framed young black man to escape arrest--a brave gesture, but one that puts the entire black community in danger. In this vivid portrait of a girl in the pre-civil rights era South, Karen English completes Francie's world using lively vernacular and a wide array of flesh-and-blood characters. "Francie "is a Coretta Scott King Honor book.