In New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson's middle grade debut brimming with heart, summer nostalgia, and a bit of mystery (Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author), a young girl gets to know her mom's side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.

For as long as Ryanna Stuart can remember, her summers have been spent with her father and his new wife. Just the three of them, structured, planned, and quiet. But this summer is different. This summer, she's received a letter from her grandparents--grandparents neither she nor her dad have spoken to since her mom's death--inviting her to stay with them at an old summer camp in the Poconos.

Ryanna accepts. She wants to learn about her mom. She wants to uncover the mystery of why her father hasn't spoken to her grandparents all these years. She's even looking forward to a quiet summer by the lake. But what she finds are relatives...so many relatives! Aunts and uncles and cousins upon cousins--a motley, rambunctious crew of kids and eccentric, unconventional adults. People who have memories of her mom from when she was Ryanna's age, clues to her past like a treasure map. Ryanna even finds an actual, real-life treasure map!

Over the course of one unforgettable summer--filled with s'mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve--Ryanna discovers a whole new side of herself and that, sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.

Eleven-year-old Isabella's parents are divorced, so she has to switch lives every week: One week she's Isabella with her dad, his girlfriend Anastasia, and her son Darren living in a fancy house where they are one of the only black families in the neighborhood. The next week she's Izzy with her mom and her boyfriend John-Mark in a small, not-so-fancy house that she loves.

Because of this, Isabella has always felt pulled between two worlds. And now that her parents are divorced, it seems their fights are even worse, and they're always about HER. Isabella feels completely stuck in the middle, split and divided between them more than ever. And she is beginning to realize that being split between Mom and Dad involves more than switching houses, switching nicknames, switching backpacks: it's also about switching identities. Her dad is black, her mom is white, and strangers are always commenting: You're so exotic You look so unusual. But what are you really? She knows what they're really saying: You don't look like your parents. You're different. What race are you really? And when her parents, who both get engaged at the same time, get in their biggest fight ever, Isabella doesn't just feel divided, she feels ripped in two. What does it mean to be half white or half black? To belong to half mom and half dad? And if you're only seen as half of this and half of that, how can you ever feel whole?

It seems like nothing can bring Isabella's family together again--until the worst thing happens. Isabella and Darren are stopped by the police. A cell phone is mistaken for a gun. And shots are fired.

Now that Dawn and Mary Anne are friends and sisters, Dawn wants them to do everything together -- share a room, talk all night long, wear each other's clothes.

But living with Mary Anne isn't exactly what Dawn expected. Mary Anne brags about having a date to the school dance, her kitten throws up on the rug, and she hogs Dawn's baby-sitting jobs!

Dawn's always wanted a sister. Instead, she got Mary Anne, the wicked stepsister of Stoneybrook!

Award-winning, bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and illustrator Matthew Cordell come together in this hilarious absurdist tale about a precocious girl who transforms her community in surprising ways.

What are people for?

That's the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom.

Fame! says Leeva's mom, the mayor of Nutsmore.

Money! says her dad, the town treasurer.

With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town's librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer--setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever.

A lyrical love letter, written to families of all shapes and sizes.--Liz Garton Scanlon, author of Caldecott Honor winner All the World

Families grow and change, but what if you like things just the way they are? What if you aren't ready to welcome in a new parent, a messy pet, or a baby sister who cries a lot and is leaking goo?! Change can be scary, but even a full heart has room to grow.

Both hilarious and heartwarming, this endearing children's book is a powerful tool for helping little ones understand that there are often silver linings to the changes life brings. Even when things are initially uncomfortable, an open heart paves the way and teaches us that a family can be full of love at any size.

UNIVERSAL MESSAGE: Families inevitably change over time, and transitions can be challenging for a child who is used to the ways things used to be. The honest feelings and sweet messages woven into the story will resonate with families of all sizes and kinds.

HUMOROUS FAMILY BOOK: Tackling a challenging issue with humor and compassion, this lighthearted and unexpectedly quirky children's book is heartwarming and healing all at once.

GUESSING GAME RHYTHM: This is an incredible read-aloud with polished rhyming text and an energetic plot. Young listeners will have fun guessing what word comes next, creating a guessing game that uses both rhyme and the turn of the page.

Perfect for:

• Families experiencing change, whether introducing a new step-parent, a pet, or a new baby
• Gift-giving to big brother, big sister, or newly blended family
• Anyone who loves a funny and heartwarming read-aloud
• Fans of classic books about families, like Todd Parr's The Family Book

This heartwarming children's book celebrates the diversity of family structures in today's world. Through engaging illustrations and relatable language, it introduces young readers to seven different family dynamics, including single-parent families, households led by grandparents, families with two dads, adopted families, traditional mom-and-dad families, and stepfamilies.

In the first half of the book, each family structure is presented in an accessible and respectful manner, promoting understanding and acceptance. The second half culminates in a delightful campfire gathering where all the families come together. As they introduce themselves and their families, they discover that every family is special and important in its own unique way.

This charming read fosters a sense of belonging and emphasizes the message that love is the true foundation of family. It is perfect for children and families looking to explore the beauty of diverse family structures and encourages open conversations about love, acceptance, and what it means to be a family.

A great book for caregivers to read to the little ones.

When Theo and his mother become part of Lula's family, Lula isn't sure what to expect. She's never had a big brother before. On vacation at the beach, the new siblings make a sandcastle and slowly learn to trust each other as they work together. But when things don't go as planned, will their relationship weather the storm?

Mother's Day is coming up, and the Baby-sitters have the same problem they do every year: What do they get their mothers? Kristy, especially, wants to do something nice for her mom. Mrs. Brewer has been acting kind of strange and secretive lately, and Kristy's worried about her.

But then Kristy gets another one of her great ideas. Why don't the Baby-sitters treat their moms -- and the mothers of the kids they sit for -- to a day off without any kids around?

Together with Stacey, the Baby-sitters plan a gigantic baby-sitting party. It's a Mother's Day surprise that couldn't be beat! . . . until Kristy's mom reveals a very special surprise of her own.

In New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson's middle grade debut brimming with heart, summer nostalgia, and a bit of mystery (Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author), a young girl gets to know her mom's side of the family and hunts for hidden treasure over the course of one chaotic summer.

For as long as Ryanna Stuart can remember, her summers have been spent with her father and his new wife. Just the three of them, structured, planned, and quiet. But this summer is different. This summer, she's received a letter from her grandparents--grandparents neither she nor her dad have spoken to since her mom's death--inviting her to stay with them at an old summer camp in the Poconos.

Ryanna accepts. She wants to learn about her mom. She wants to uncover the mystery of why her father hasn't spoken to her grandparents all these years. She's even looking forward to a quiet summer by the lake. But what she finds are relatives...so many relatives! Aunts and uncles and cousins upon cousins--a motley, rambunctious crew of kids and eccentric, unconventional adults. People who have memories of her mom from when she was Ryanna's age, clues to her past like a treasure map. Ryanna even finds an actual, real-life treasure map!

Over the course of one unforgettable summer--filled with s'mores and swimming, adventure and fun, and even a decades-old mystery to solve--Ryanna discovers a whole new side of herself and that, sometimes, the last place you expected to be is the place where you really belong.

This heartwarming children's book celebrates the diversity of family structures in today's world. Through engaging illustrations and relatable language, it introduces young readers to seven different family dynamics, including single-parent families, households led by grandparents, families with two dads, adopted families, traditional mom-and-dad families, and stepfamilies.

In the first half of the book, each family structure is presented in an accessible and respectful manner, promoting understanding and acceptance. The second half culminates in a delightful campfire gathering where all the families come together. As they introduce themselves and their families, they discover that every family is special and important in its own unique way.

This charming read fosters a sense of belonging and emphasizes the message that love is the true foundation of family. It is perfect for children and families looking to explore the beauty of diverse family structures and encourages open conversations about love, acceptance, and what it means to be a family.

Amy's mom and dad have been divorced for as long as Amy can remember, but nothing prepares Amy for the news she gets on a weekend visit to her dad's house in Orange Blossom: Amy's dad is remarrying In addition to getting a stepmother, Amy will also be getting a stepsister her age named Chloe.

As the girls spend more time together, Amy realizes that Chloe isn't as nice as she appears to be in front of the grown-ups. Chloe plays pranks on Amy and is just downright mean to her. Amy worries that she'll be stuck with this stinky stepsister for life. Will she and Chloe ever be friends?

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, The Critter Club chapter books are perfect for beginning readers.

Juana's life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogotá with her two most favorite people in the world: her mami and her dog, Lucas. Lately, though, things have become a little less perfect. Mami has a new hairdo and a new amigo named Luis with whom she has been spending a LOT of time. He is kind and teaches Juana about things like photography and jazz music, but sometimes Juana can't help wishing things would go back to the way they were before. When Mami announces that she and Luis are getting married and that they will all be moving to a new casa, Juana is quite distraught. Lucky for her, though, some things will never change--like how much Mami loves her. Based on author-illustrator Juana Medina's own childhood in Colombia, this joyful series is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

I'd missed your first steps and your wobbly walk,
But you took my whole heart in your hand.

The special relationship of stepdads and stepkids is celebrated in this gentle and loving tribute to blended families. Showing joy-filled scenes of family life and milestones, this book is ideal for every child of a loving stepfather. It's the perfect way to say: If I had been there on your very first day, I could never have treasured you more.

Also available: Always Your Stepmom

Juana's life is just about perfect. She lives in the beautiful city of Bogot with her two most favorite people in the world: her mami and her dog, Lucas. Lately, though, things have become a little less perfect. Mami has a new hairdo and has been spending a LOT of time with a new amigo named Luis. He is kind and teaches Juana about things like photography and jazz music, but sometimes Juana can't help wishing things would go back to the way they were before. When Mami announces that she and Luis are getting married and that they will all be moving to a new casa, Juana is quite distraught. Lucky for her, though, some things will never change--like how much Mami loves her. Based on author-illustrator Juana Medina's own childhood in Colombia, this follow-up to the Pura Belpr Author Award-winning Juana & Lucas is sure to resonate with readers of all ages.

Brown-skinned mama, the color of chocolate milk and pumpkin pie. White-skinned daddy, not the color of milk or snow, but light with pinks and tiny tans. And their two children, the beautiful colors of both.

For an all-American family, full of joy, warmth, and love, this is the way it is for us / this is the way we are

When it was first published in 1973, black is brown is tan featured the first interracial family in children's books. Decades later, Arnold Adoff's and Emily Arnold McCully's picture book continues to offer a joyous and loving celebration of all the colors of the race, now newly embellished with bright watercolor paintings that depict a contemporary family of the twenty-first century.

And the chorus rings true as ever:

black is brown is tan
is girl is boy
is nose is face
is all the colors of the race

I'll always remember the day that we met.
We were both so uncertain and shy.

The special relationship of stepmoms and stepkids is celebrated in this gentle and loving tribute to blended families. Showing joy-filled scenes of family life and milestones, this book is ideal for every child of a loving stepmother. It's the perfect way to say: If I had been there when you learned your first words, I could never have cherished you more.

Also available: Always Your Stepdad

So many families,
some big and some small.
Each one is different,
let's look at them all!

You'll be sure to recognize a family just like yours!

Award-winning, bestselling author Sara Pennypacker and illustrator Matthew Cordell come together in this hilarious absurdist tale about a precocious girl who transforms her community in surprising ways.

What are people for?

That's the burning question on the mind of Leeva Spayce Thornblossom.

Fame! says Leeva's mom, the mayor of Nutsmore.

Money! says her dad, the town treasurer.

With the help of an orphaned badger, a risk-averse boy in a hazmat suit, and the town's librarians, Leeva sets off to discover her own answer--setting off a chain of events that will change Nutsmore forever.

The Colors of Me is a heartwarming tale that celebrates the beauty of being biracial and encourages children to embrace their unique identity with pride and confidence. Inspired and driven by a desire to empower her daughter Shiloh, author Ekaette Kern embarked on a journey to create a children's book that celebrates diversity and helps young readers recognize that their identity is something to cherish.

Through Ekaette Kern's heartfelt storytelling and vibrant illustrations by Adriel Meka, the book engages children in meaningful conversations about identity and belonging. The author weaves her experiences as both a mother and advocate for diversity into every page, showing readers that each child's unique identity is a beautiful reflection of who they are - something to be celebrated, not questioned.

Perfect for families, educators, and little ones ages 2 to 4, this empowering story opens conversations about identity, heritage, and the richness of multicultural backgrounds. While especially meaningful for biracial children, The Colors of Me invites all young readers to appreciate what makes each person wonderfully unique, fostering acceptance and inclusivity from an early age.

A 1943 Newbery Honor Book

Who is Jane Moffat, anyway? She isn't the youngest in the family, and she isn't the oldest-she is always just Jane. How boring. So Jane decides to become a figure of mystery . . . the mysterious Middle Moffat. But being in the middle is a lot harder than it looks.

In between not rescuing stray dogs, and losing and finding best friends, Jane must secretly look after the oldest inhabitant of Cranbury . . . so he can live to be one hundred. Between brushing her hair from her eyes and holding up her stockings, she has to help the girls' basketball team win the championship. And it falls to Jane-the only person in town with enough courage-to stand up to the frightful mechanical wizard, Wallie Bangs.

Jane is so busy keeping Cranbury in order that she barely has time to be plain old Jane. Sometimes the middle is the most exciting place of all. . . .