Worried about an upcoming geography test, Thomas finds himself unable to fall asleep until he tries counting sheep.

Two parents describe their journey over land and sea to find the child that belongs in their family, as well as all of the joy and love the new baby brings.

ACCELERATED READER PROGRAM SELECTION "Gives readers a lot to think about concerning race, fate, trust--and friendship." --Margaret Peterson Haddix, author of Turnabout and Double Identity "A story that resonates from beginning to end." --The Alan Review "This book raises fundamental questions about the anatomy of racial hatred. The premises that society stagnates without diversity and that one person can sway the future bear examination and discussion. Give this one to your teens who might appreciate the Hardy Boys with a more serious twist." --VOYA Building upon the success of This Side of Paradise, which won the 2001 Hal Clement Award for Best New Science Fiction Novel for Young Adults, Steven Layne has written another gripping tale featuring teens battling evil forces. In Mergers, the sinister antagonist is the mastermind behind an engineered society that has wiped away all traces of race. He is intent on destroying Dirk and his friends, who have spent their entire lives in hiding because of their racial identities. Each has extraordinary powers--Nicci, the African Traveler, manipulates time; Mateo, the Hispanic Metamorph, alters his shape; Keiko, the Asian Empath, heals with her hands; and Dirk, the Caucasian Telepath, invades others' minds. In this cautionary tale, the themes of loyalty, leadership, and identity are all called into question as Dirk and his friends struggle to conquer The Merger. When they take a dangerous journey into the past with the hope of restoring the world's natural timeline, each of them must struggle with their own inadequacies and deal with all-too-human failings, despite their special powers. Mergers' riveting plot and supernatural characters will keep teens engaged while reminding them of each individual's potential to change the world.

When his father relocates the family to Paradise to work for the mysterious Eden Corporation, Jack Barrett uncovers a sinister plot that threatens everyone he loves.

When teaching reading, American classrooms often focus exclusively on skills instruction. But how can you teach the how without the why? In his new book, Igniting a Passion for Reading, Steve Layne shows teachers how to develop readers who are not only motivated to read great books, but also love reading in its own right. Packed with practical ways to engage and inspire readers from kindergarten through high school, this book is a must-have on every teacher’s professional book shelf. Well-known for his children’s books, young adult novels, and keynote speeches across the nation and around the world, Steve, aka Dr. Read, offers teachers everywhere a plan for engaging even the most reluctant reader. From read-alouds to creating reading lounges to author visits and so much more, this book will help schools create a vibrant reading culture. The book also includes reminiscences from many of today’s well-known children’s and young adult authors—Mem Fox, Sharon Draper, Steven Kellogg, Candace Fleming, Eric Rohman, Neal Shusterman, and Joan Bauer—about the teacher who ignited their passion for reading. Written with humor, grace, and poignancy, Igniting a Passion for Reading will have a profound effect on the teaching of reading in our nation’s schools.

Big Brother finds out that not all babies are the same. Big Brother learns that not all little siblings are the same when his parents bring home a baby girl. He thinks he learned all about babies when Little Brother was small. However, Sister is very different. Other things are different too. Big Brother is old enough now to help keep an eye on the baby when Mommy and Daddy are busy and watching after Sister is not as easy as it sounds. But despite all the trouble she causes, Sister finds her way into Brother's heart, and that is where she will stay.

"Teachers, and students and parents will laugh out loud at this parody of the frenetic pace of holiday happenings at schools."--Copley News Service What do excited students, craft projects, room mothers, nursing home visits, harried shopping, and near-disastrous pageants have in common? They are all a part of a teacher's pre-Christmas experience. In this energetic romp through a school's last days before the Christmas break, the students are full of energy and are up to all manners of mischief. The teachers are pulling out their hair trying to keep the students busy, while they despair over their own Christmas preparations. Who should come to the rescue? Santa himself, of course! He arrives at the helm of a flying school bus, with presents for all the teachers and a promise to take care of their shopping for them. The fantastic illustrations work with the text to make this a fast-paced, high-energy comedic interpretation of Clement C. Moore's classic poem. The book is sure to be a read-aloud favorite at Christmas parties in schools everywhere.