He shouldn't even have been born. His mother's water broke when she was only eight months along. Yet the doctor delivered a healthy boy one month later by forceps. When he babbled in his crib or coach, the neighbor lady said he made sense to her. "I declare I swear he's talking in tongues." Marietta dismissed this, saying to her husband "Just Iris getting into the elderberry wine again." Isaiah meets new neighbor Tommy Wiu to whom he'd given his ice cream cone when Tommy dropped his at the previous summer's ice cream festival. "Thank you," Tommy says, "only I prefer chocolate." When the boys explore Smoky Valley cave, little Tommy gets stuck and Izzie summons help. No one explored the cave again, nor did anyone ever know of the sexual encounter the curious boys shared there. Izzie determines he'll be a priest while Tommy decides to become an obstetrician. When he and his wife Suk give birth to twins, Izzie intends to fly to California to baptize them. However he is struck down while speaking at a huge demonstration on the mall in D. C. where he has organized clerics and others to join him in supporting homosexuality, a cause his priest has asked him to organize and lead. At his memorial service, though Tommy knows his friend has died a martyr, he urges authorities not to consign martyrdom to Isaiah. A plaque near the Lincoln Memorial commemorates Izzie's sacrifice, but does not use the word "martyr".

"In this intimate and humorous memoir about how childhood passions shape our adult selves, Cathal Kelly probes his youthful obsessions--from Star Wars to the Blue Jays, The Lord of the Rings to The Smiths. Vividly recalling a time when wearing a zippered, chainmail-laden Michael Jackson jacket seemed like a good idea, and The Beachcombers--"an adventure show about logging"--Seemed to make sense, Kelly recounts growing up in the 1980s in a working-class Irish household as the son of a tough Catholic mother and a largely absent and abusive alcoholic father. Navigating an often fraught and always bewildering youth, Kelly sought refuge in comics, books, bands, games, movies and TV. But looking back, he realizes that his obsession with Dungeons and Dragons or Who Framed Roger Rabbit was never just about the game or movie, but about the joy in discovery and the creation of an identity."--

Have you ever wondered, quizzically thought? Have questions or queries that make you distraught? If you need to inquire, Then you might require A book such as this. (It’s not to be missed.) Pull up a chair, throw your hand in the air. He’ll answer your questions …and answer with flair! For all those “why why why” kids out there, Calef Brown has a few questions of his own: Is water scared of waterfalls? Are clambakes good for bake sales? Are phones annoyed when no one calls? Do jealous clouds steal each other’s thunder? Each question is wackier than the last and is sure to drum up some good laughs. As sublime as it is provocative, Boy Wonders will spur many a discussion—because though the questions are aplenty, readers must provide the answers!

The unforgettable bestseller Wonder has inspired a nationwide movement to Choose Kind. Now parents and educators can introduce the importance of choosing kind to younger readers with this gorgeous picture book, featuring Auggie and Daisy on an original adventure, written and illustrated by R. J. Palacio. Over 6 million people have fallen in love with Wonder and have joined the movement to Choose Kind. Now younger readers can meet Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face, and his beloved dog, Daisy. Countless fans have asked R. J. Palacio to write a book for younger readers. With We’re All Wonders, she makes her picture-book debut as both author and artist, with a spare, powerful text and striking, richly imagined illustrations. Palacio shows readers what it’s like to live in Auggie’s world—a world in which he feels like any other kid, but he’s not always seen that way. We’re All Wonders may be Auggie’s story, but it taps into every child’s longing to belong, and to be seen for who they truly are. It’s the perfect way for families and educators to talk about empathy and kindness with young children. Praise for Wonder: A #1 New York Times Bestseller A USA Today Top 100 Bestseller An Indie Bestseller A Time Magazine 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time Selection A Washington Post Best Kids’ Book A Parents Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year A New York Times Book Review Notable Book An NPR Outstanding Backseat Book Club Pick An Entertainment Weekly 10 Great Kids’ Books Selection A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Booklist Editors’ Choice An E. B. White Read Aloud Award Winner An ALA Notable Book A Bank Street Best Book of the Year An IRA-CBC Teachers’ Choice A New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing Selection A Christopher Award Winner “A beautiful, funny and sometimes sob-making story of quiet transformation.” —The Wall Street Journal “A crackling page-turner filled with characters you can’t help but root for.” —Entertainment Weekly “Rich and memorable.” —The New York Times Book Review “Wonder is the best kids’ book of the year.” —Slate.com “A glorious exploration of the nature of friendship, tenacity, fear, and most importantly, kindness.” —The Huffington Post “Endearing, enduring Auggie and his family and friends will find a place in the hearts of readers and prompt reflection on how we treat others.” —The Washington Post

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Millions of people have fallen in love with Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face—who shows us that kindness brings us together no matter how far apart we are. Read the book that inspired the Choose Kind movement, a major motion picture, and the critically acclaimed graphic novel White Bird. And don't miss R.J. Palacio's highly anticipated new novel, Pony, available now! I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. Beginning from Auggie’s point of view and expanding to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others, the perspectives converge to form a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.

Welcome to the spooky side of Calef Brown's imagination, where things are just as scarily silly as they seem! It’s a magic night, a silly, spooky scene. Are you ready for Hallowilloween?

A heartwarming story of friendship and celebrating our differences--and the teachers who help us shine--from master storyteller Patricia Polacco, author of Thank You, Mr. Falker. In this story based on the author-illustrator's own childhood, Patricia Polacco once again celebrates the power teachers have to help us discover the potential we each hold. Young Trisha is devastated when she finds out that her class at her new school is known as the junkyard. It is a special class, and she had moved from where she used to live so she wouldn’t be in a special class anymore! But then she meets her teacher, the amazing Mrs. Peterson, and her classmates, an oddly brilliant group of misfit kids, whom the other kids in school call the junkyard kids. Much to her own surprise, it is here in the junkyard that Trisha discovers the true meaning of genius, and that this group of misfits are, in fact, Junkyard Wonders, each and every one of them. Now with questions at the back of the book to help guide readers through discussions about the ideas featured in the story, this kindness edition of The Junkyard Wonders brings celebrated author-illustrator Patricia Polacco's work to a new audience of young readers who can be inspired by its message.

Dick Grayson--alter-ego of the original Robin of Batman comics--has gone through various changes in his 75 years as a superhero but has remained the optimistic, humorous character readers first embraced in 1940. Predating Green Lantern and Wonder Woman, he is one of DC Comics' oldest heroes and retains a large and loyal fanbase. The first scholarly work to focus exclusively on the Boy Wonder, this collection of new essays features critical analysis, as well as interviews with some of the biggest names to study Dick Grayson, including Chuck Dixon, Devin Grayson and Marv Wolfman. The contributors discuss his vital place in the Batman saga, his growth and development into an independent hero, Nightwing, and the many storyline connections which put him at the center of the DC Universe. His character is explored in the contexts of feminism, trauma, friendship, and masculinity.

"Zak's amazing personality shines through to inspire others who encounter ostracism and unkindness because they look different."Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite - 5 stars After a whirlwind romance, imagine the excitement of discovering you're pregnant with a baby boy to complete your family. Then imagine your baby is critically ill, and the medical team you trusted to help, abandon you at the last moment. 'Zak, My Boy Wonder' is a short, harrowing but inspirational true story of a mother's fight for her son's survival and acceptance in society, and how the military authorities deserted her family when they needed them most.