A modern classic for our time and for all time--this beloved, award-winning bestseller resonates with fresh meaning for each new generation. Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Christopher Paul Curtis, and Rita Williams-Garcia.

Esperanza Rising joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content!

Pura Belpre Award Winner

* Readers will be swept up. --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Esperanza thought she'd always live a privileged life on her family's ranch in Mexico. She'd always have fancy dresses, a beautiful home filled with servants, and Mama, Papa, and Abuelita to care for her. But a sudden tragedy forces Esperanza and Mama to flee to California and settle in a Mexican farm labor camp. Esperanza isn't ready for the hard work, financial struggles brought on by the Great Depression, or lack of acceptance she now faces. When Mama gets sick and a strike for better working conditions threatens to uproot their new life, Esperanza must find a way to rise above her difficult circumstances--because Mama's life, and her own, depend on it.

For fans of Last Stop on Market Street, an uplifting story about a boy who stays true to his biggest dream while finding the magic in every moment.

Some people dream of perfect waves, fancy castles, or piloting a plane. Others dream of someone to laugh and play with all day long. Some just dream of having a meal for the next day.

And little Miguel? As he and Abuelito work in the hot Oaxacan sun, selling cold coconuts and macrame dream catchers to earn a few coins, Miguel has only one simple wish--to have his parents by his side. But how can he keep the faith when the truth is that dreams don't always come to pass?

Marcelo Verdad's poignant tale of hope and resilience shows how living in the here and now can be a journey every bit as beautiful as a dream.

A Spanish edition, El atrapasueños, is also available for purchase.

Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can't be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets the itch, and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books--superheroes have a lot of and then, boom moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn't tell anyone he's on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out--bills are piling up, the electricity's been shut off, and the school year's about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He's never felt so alone--until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home--and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.

Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner!

Belle and her mother used to have a house, a table, and chairs, a home like any of Belle's classmates'. But things changed. Now, they curl up each night in a blanket nest in their old blue car, with their things packed in around them.

The first night was hard, but they've never been alone: their friend the owl has always been nearby, hooting in its tree, looking out for them. Belle longs to catch sight of it, and one night, she finally does. That's how she learned to draw an owl.

No one knows that story. But when a new boy comes to school, a boy whose car looks like Belle's, a boy who looks lost and scared, it's Belle's turn to watch over someone.

Hilary Horder Hippely's soulful text pairs with Matt James's atmospheric illustrations in a book all too relevant to the realities of many families. Neither flinching nor sensationalizing, I Know How to Draw an Owl is a deeply empathetic and age-appropriate portrayal of a family experiencing housing insecurity.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

The Newbery Medal-winning tale of an orphan boy whose dream of becoming a master potter leads to unforeseen adventure in ancient Korea.

Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean village renowned for its ceramics. When he accidentally breaks a delicate piece of pottery, he volunteers to work to pay for the damage. Putting aside his own dreams, Tree-ear resolves to serve the master potter by embarking on a difficult and dangerous journey, little knowing that it will change his life forever.

Despite the odds against him, Tree-ear becomes courageous, brave and selfless, a hero as enduring as the porcelain Park so lovingly describes. (New York Times)

Intrigues, danger, and a strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read. A timeless jewel. (Kirkus starred review)

*A broken piece of pottery sets events in motion as an orphan struggles to pay off his debt to a master potter. This finely crafted novel brings 12th-century Korea and these indelible characters to life. (School Library Journal starred review)

Tree-ear's determination and bravery in pursuing his dream of becoming a potter takes readers on a literary journey that demonstrates how courage, honor and perseverance can overcome great odds and bring great happiness. Park effectively conveys 12th century Korea in this masterful piece of historical fiction. (Kathleen Odean, chair of the Newbery Award Selection Committee)

An old blue van may not look like much, but it holds everything this family needs--shelter, a place to sleep, and each other. They can cook outdoors and sleep under the stars, but sometimes living in Old Blue makes our narrator feel like she's from everywhere and nowhere all at once.

When those feelings start to take over, Mama reminds her of the love inside Old Blue's walls.

Inspired by her childhood experience with economic and housing insecurity, acclaimed creator Lita Judge tells the gentle and ultimately hopeful story of a family who hopes for a forever home--but until that day comes, Old Blue will look after them.

Back matter includes a personal author's note and more information for kids about housing insecurity.

Country music legend Dolly Parton's rural upbringing in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee provides the backdrop for this special picture book. Using lyrics from her classic song Coat of Many Colors, the book tells the story of a young girl in need of a warm winter coat. When her mother sews her a coat made of rags, the girl is mocked by classmates for being poor. But Parton's trademark positivity carries through to the end as the girl realizes that her coat was made with love in every stitch. Beautiful illustrations pair with Parton's poetic lyrics in this heartfelt picture book sure to speak to all young readers.

With humor and warmth, this children's picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger.

Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia's fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi's house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi's family doesn't have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she'll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she's faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi's empty fridge.

Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on anti-hunger groups, is also included.

A portion of the proceeds are donated to help fight childhood hunger.

Some people can do their homework. Some people get to have crushes on boys. Some people have other things they've got to do.

Seventh-grader Zoey has her hands full as she takes care of her much younger siblings after school every day while her mom works her shift at the pizza parlor. Not that her mom seems to appreciate it. At least there's Lenny, her mom's boyfriend--they all get to live in his nice, clean trailer.

At school, Zoey tries to stay under the radar. Her only friend Fuchsia has her own issues, and since they're in an entirely different world than the rich kids, it's best if no one notices them.

Zoey thinks how much easier everything would be if she were an octopus: eight arms to do eight things at once. Incredible camouflage ability and steady, unblinking vision. Powerful protective defenses.

Unfortunately, she's not totally invisible, and one of her teachers forces her to join the debate club. Even though Zoey resists participating, debate ultimately leads her to see things in a new way: her mom's relationship with Lenny, Fuchsia's situation, and her own place in this town of people who think they're better than her. Can Zoey find the courage to speak up, even if it means risking the most stable home she's ever had?

This moving debut novel explores the cultural divides around class and the gun debate through the eyes of one girl, living on the edges of society, trying to find her way forward.

From the New York Times best-selling creator of the Vanderbeekers series comes a triumphant tale of friendship, healing, and the power of believing in ourselves, told from the perspectives of two biracial sixth graders living in a homeless shelter.

At first, June can't believe it: their new home is a homeless shelter? When she's told she can't bring her cherished viola inside, she's convinced the worst luck in the world landed her at Huey House.

But Tyrell has lived at Huey House for three years, and he knows all the good things about it: friendship, hot meals, and the music from next door drifting through the windows. With his help, June begins to see things differently. Just as she's starting to understand how Huey House can be a home, a new government policy threatens all the residents. Can June and Tyrell work together to find a way to save Huey House as they know it?

Fern's lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid, sustainable community in upstate New York, since she was six. The work is hard, but Fern admires the Ranch's leader, Dr. Ben. So when Fern's mother sneaks them away in the middle of the night and says Dr. Ben is dangerous, Fern doesn't believe it. She wants desperately to go back, but her mom just keeps driving.

Suddenly thrust into the treacherous, toxic, outside world, Fern can think only of how to get home. She has a plan, but it will take time. As that time goes by, though, Fern realizes there are things she will miss from this place--the library, a friend from school, the ocean--and there are things she learned at the Ranch that are just...not true.

Now Fern will have to decide. How much is she willing to give up to return to the Ranch? Should she trust Dr. Ben's vision for her life? Or listen to the growing feeling that she can live by her own rules?

Life wasn't easy at the shelter, but at least Lily knew what to expect there. Now she and her mom are moving into their own apartment, away from their friends. Though Lily is a little scared about what comes next, she's excited, too. Their new neighbor, Mrs. McIntyre, will watch Lily while her mom works and goes to school, and Lily will start day care, where she can learn and play with kids her age. Life is good after the shelter and getting better every day.

Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2021
Parents Magazine October 2021 Book of the Month

A sensitive story about food insecurity.

Molly and her mom don't always have enough food, so one Saturday they visit their local food pantry. Molly's happy to get food to eat until she sees her classmate Caitlin, who's embarrassed to be at the food pantry. Can Molly help Caitlin realize that everyone needs help sometimes?

To Queenie, home is Peachy, the little peach-walled house she's lived in forever, all art deco and flaky paint. Always a provider of solace. But when she and her mom have to move out, suddenly one temporary move follows another, from a retirement village to a flood-prone old camper van to a shared home, sometimes with just her father's guitar under her arm and some budding lyrics in her head. Along the way, the change-resistant Queenie discovers that home isn't a place at all--it's making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, letting yourself be uncomfortable, and finding the courage to share your song with the world. With insight, honesty, and gentle humor, Zanni Louise's timely novel touches on the experience of housing insecurity as it introduces a relatable protagonist who readers will want to follow wherever she goes.

As the girls go about their routines -- washing clothes in the river, waiting in long lines for water, and watching for their names to appear on the list to go to America -- the sandals remind them that friendship is what is most important.

Four Feet, Two Sandals was inspired by a refugee girl who asked the authors why there were no books about children like her. With warm colors and sensitive brush strokes, this book portrays the strength, courage, and hope of refugees around the world, whose daily existence is marked by uncertainty and fear.

Emma Chinnery combines a gentle approach and a strong narrative to help guide authentic conversations around a complex issue in this heartwarming story about compassion and inclusion.

A homeless cat named Toby roams the streets of Portland, Oregon in search of food and friendship. One afternoon, Toby's nose leads him to a warm and welcoming cafe, where people from all walks of life gather to enjoy free meals. Toby becomes a familiar face at the cafe, weaving through the tables and curling up next to the diners. The people there, many of whom are experiencing homelessness or poverty, find comfort and joy in Toby's presence. Each day, Toby meets new friends with unique stories, teaching him and young readers about the challenges and resilience of people facing hard times. Despite their hardships, the diners at the cafe form bonds, helping each other and sharing what little they have. All thanks to a little help from Toby. The friends Toby meets along the way gift him with scraps of fabric, which he collects. A man named Oscar, who had been a regular at the cafe, returns with the joyous news that he's found a job and a place to live. Remembering the comfort Toby brought him and others during their toughest days, Oscar decides to adopt the orange cat who had become a symbol of hope and friendship for so many. Toby Finds A Home is a heartwarming story that highlights the realities of poverty and homelessness while celebrating the power of community and compassion. Through Toby's journey, young readers learn to see beyond circumstances, recognizing the humanity and hope in everyone they meet and the importance of taking care of each other. Toby Finds A Home is published by Blanchet House of Hospitality in Portland, Oregon, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that operates a free cafe with transitional housing. Its mission is to alleviate suffering which includes building compassion for marginalized people experiencing poverty and homelessness.