Black Caucus of the American Library Association BCALA, 2020 Best of the Best Booklist A heartwarming story about finding your place, in the ropes and out. When eleven-year-old Jayla finds out that her mother used to be a Double Dutch champion, she's stunned. Her mom, who’s on doctor’s orders to lower her blood pressure, could move like that?!? Jayla decides to follow in her mom’s footsteps, thinking that maybe double Dutch can make her stand out in her big, quirky family. As she puts together a team at school and prepares to compete, Jayla finds that Double Dutch is about a lot more than jumping rope—and it just might change her life in ways she never imagined. Full of hilarious family dynamics and plenty of jump rope action, Jayla Jumps In follows one girl’s quest to get her mom healthy and find her place in her community.

Can you change your fate—and the fate of those you love—if you return to the past? Journey to 1939 Harlem in this time-travel adventure with an inspiring message about believing in yourself. Eleven-year-old Ailey Benjamin Lane can dance—so he’s certain that he'll land the role of the Scarecrow in his school’s production of The Wiz. Unfortunately, a talented classmate and a serious attack of nerves derail his audition: he just stands there, frozen. Deflated and defeated, Ailey confides in his Grampa that he’s ready to quit. But Grampa believes in Ailey, and, to encourage him, shares a childhood story. As a boy, Grampa dreamed of becoming a tap dancer; he was so good that the Hollywood star and unofficial Mayor of Harlem, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, even gave him a special pair of tap shoes. Curious, Ailey finds the shoes, tries them on, taps his toes, and makes a wish. In the blink of an eye, he finds himself somewhere that if most definitely no place like home! Featuring an all-African-American cast of characters, and infused with references to black culture and history, this work of magical realism is sure to captivate and inspire readers.

Richard gets frustrated by most of Mr. Best's assignments, but this latest one is the worst. He has to write a composition about a proverb that illustrates something that has happened in his life. And as if that isn't bad enough, Mr. Best has told him he needs to find his "writing voice." While working on the assignment, Richard finds his voice in more ways than one. He discovers that being himself makes a big difference in his writing and in his life.

Book Features: • Ages 5-8, Grades K-3, Guided Reading Level I, Lexile 390L • 32 pages, 6 inches x 9 inches • Early reader chapter book • Large type with full-color illustrations • Glossary, post-reading activity, and discussion questions included Good Sportsmanship in Action: Ava Kane, In the Lane engages kids with a fun story about swimming. Ava is a good swimmer and a good teammate. Her teammate Alonso is afraid of the water. Ava jumps into action to help Alonso have fun in the pool. Entertaining and Educational: This 32-page book features an engaging story about friendship, and it includes an activity-based picture glossary, post-reading discussion questions, and a fun extension activity to encourage reading comprehension. Beginning Readers: This level 1 chapter book features high-frequency words, basic sentences, an engaging story, and colorful illustrations to help kindergarteners through third graders build reading fluency and confidence. Sports Books For Kids: Part of the Good Sports series, this book will help your kid learn about what it means to show good sportsmanship and be a true team player. Children are sure to be entertained throughout this engaging and humorous story. Why Rourke Educational Media: Since 1980, Rourke Publishing Company has specialized in publishing engaging and diverse non-fiction and fiction books for children in a wide range of subjects that support reading success on a level that has no limits.

2016-2017 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Master List 2016 Best Children's Book of the Year—Historical Fiction List, Bank Street College 2016 Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Grades 4-6 2017-2018 Indiana Young Hoosier Book Award Master List Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2016—CBC/NCSS 2018-2019 Volunteer State Book Award Middle School List STARRED REVIEW! "Kidd writes with insight and restraint, creating a richly layered opus that hits every note to perfection...Beautifully written and earnestly delivered, the novel rolls to an inexorable, stunning conclusion readers won't soon forget."—Kirkus Reviews starred review STARRED REVIEW! "Along the way, Billie comes to grips with her own prejudices, inherited from her parents, in a way that is both lyrical and honest. In a year in which news events have made it clear that the civil rights movement is far from over, titles like Kidd's have special resonance. His focus on a lesser-known historical event provides a window into the past..."—Booklist starred review Thirteen-year-old Billie Sims doesn't think her hometown of Anniston, Alabama, should be segregated, but few of the town's residents share her opinion. As equality spreads across the country and the Civil Rights Movement gathers momentum, Billie can't help but feel stuck—and helpless—in a stubborn town too set in its ways to realize that the world is passing it by. So when Billie learns that the Freedom Riders, a group of peace activists riding interstate buses to protest segregation, will be traveling through Anniston on their way to Montgomery, she thinks that maybe change is finally coming and her quiet little town will shed itself of its antiquated views. But what starts as a series of angry grumbles soon turns to brutality as Anniston residents show just how deep their racism runs. The Freedom Riders will resume their ride to Montgomery, and Billie is now faced with a choice: stand idly by in silence or take a stand for what she believes in. Through her own decisions and actions and a few unlikely friendships, Billie is about to come to grips with the deep-seated prejudice of those she once thought she knew, and with her own inherent racism that she didn't even know she had.

I have a secret. I know where the body is buried--I helped do it myself. And somehow... He knows I know. And he's going to torment me until I tell... But that's because he doesn't understand that the truth could destroy me. Or maybe he does. Maybe he just doesn't care. Maybe he wants to finish the job--but I'm not going to make it easy on him. I was chosen as Ashwood Institute's Sineater, and I'll give him a fight he'll never forget... Even if it means ripping my own heart out in the end. He won't win unless he jumps in the fire with me. No one can know...About that hidden grave. About my hidden heart. About the fire he lights in my soul. No one can know. This dark paranormal romance introduces us to a world of secret societies, witches and betrayed love... Jake and Raven grew up together in the small town of Ashwood, but a mysterious death destroyed their bond. Her betrayal pushes him over the edge, and Jake becomes a classic bully with Raven as his favorite target. Now, years after he began tormenting her, Raven must work with Jake to solve the mystery and finally free herself from her past--but these sworn enemies have one obstacle they just can't seem to work around: love. Circumstances entwine them, and their twisted dynamic finds a new place to exert itself... In the bedroom. Dark, erotic, devious and addicting, the Legends of the Ashwood Series begins here, with Jake and Raven. Author Note: This book is NOT meant for a young adult audience--it is meant for adults and contains content for adults. It is the first in a series and is NOT a stand-alone; if you hate cliff-hangers, this is NOT the book for you. It overlaps with the following genres: paranormal, dark, bully, contemporary, and college/new adult romance and romantic suspense/thriller/mystery.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The author of Small Great Things returns with a powerful and provocative new novel about ordinary lives that intersect during a heart-stopping crisis. “Picoult at her fearless best . . . Timely, balanced and certain to inspire debate.”—The Washington Post The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage. After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming text messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic. But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order to save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester, disguised as a patient, who now stands in the crosshairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard. Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, this is a story that traces its way back to what brought each of these very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day. One of the most fearless writers of our time, Jodi Picoult tackles a complicated issue in this gripping and nuanced novel. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? What does it mean to be a good parent? A Spark of Light will inspire debate, conversation . . . and, hopefully, understanding. Praise for A Spark of Light “This is Jodi Picoult at her best: tackling an emotional hot-button issue and putting a human face on it.”—People “Told backward and hour by hour, Jodi Picoult’s compelling narrative deftly explores controversial social issues.”—Us Weekly

This illustrated children’s book celebrates the extraordinary potential of ordinary deeds—showing how one child’s act of kindness can change the world One ordinary day, Ordinary Mary stumbles upon some ordinary blueberries. When she decides to pick them for her neighbor, Mrs. Bishop, her thoughtful act starts a chain reaction that multiplies around the world. Mrs. Bishop makes blueberry muffins and gives them to her paperboy and four others—one of whom is Mr. Stevens, who then helps five different people with their luggage—one of whom is Maria, who then helps five other people—and so on, until the deed comes back to Mary.

Life begins again at 60! You’ll be inspired by these tales of new love, new careers, new adventures, new purpose, and loads of fun! These stories from dynamic, active people over 60 prove the adage that age is just a number. Whether they’re relaxing at home or traveling the world, married or single, working or retired, these folks do it all. Read about: Finding romance and love again at 60, 70, or 80 Downsizing and enjoying the freedom of less Traveling the world and moving to new homes Starting new businesses, new jobs, and volunteering Getting in shape—with new sports and fitness routines Trying new things and proudly overcoming fears Finding new passions – for dancing, teach acting, sports cars and more Proof that older really is wiser! And plenty of comic relief about pesky technology, creaky joints, and those “senior moments”

Now more than ever, the strong, independent, courageous voices of Black women are being heard loud and clear. They share their truth about life, love, family, faith and hope in these 101 personal stories and 12 powerful poems. The world is listening. Black women are speaking, for themselves and their families, and everyone is listening. This unique collection of stories is for readers of all colors, not just the Black community, as these contributors share their dreams, their triumphs and failures, and their lives, which have unique challenges and hardships that are not well understood by others. Readers of color will recognize their own struggles in these pages, and white readers will benefit from an inside view of Black life in America, Canada and beyond. These 101 stories and 12 poems, written by and for Black women, cover it all—from fierce to funny—about hopes and dreams, fears and realities, identity and self-discovery, family, children, even hair. Each one starts with a quote connecting you to a wellspring of wisdom from historical and contemporary Black women. “We are speaking now,” says Breena Clarke, coauthor of this book. “Because the moment is now, in this collection of first-person narratives. This is an opportunity to hear the often silenced voices of Black women, writing for you and because of you. These are stories of universal human experiences but also reflect the specificity of Black women’s lives in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.” Everyone will benefit from this look into the culture, wisdom, and everyday reality of the Black experience, with 11 chapters, each starting with a powerful poem: • The Shoulders We Stand On • Where We Come From • Everyday Struggles • Stand Up, Speak Out • Raising Our Children • Family & Food for the Soul • Taking Care of Me • Sisters, Friends • Loving Black Men • Identity & Roots • Self-Discovery Chicken Soup for the Soul books are 100% made in the USA and each book includes stories from as diverse a group of writers as possible. Chicken Soup for the Soul solicits and publishes stories from the LGBTQ community and from people of all ethnicities, nationalities, and religions.