This collection of stories and poems by sixteen Jewish writers portrays the magic of Hanukkah for each person who celebrates it, as well as what it means to be Jewish.

Celebrate Hanukkah with a diverse collection of poems and stories filled with history, humor, and hope. Cheer on a young baker as he tries to make sufganiyot from a family recipe. Learn about code breakers in England during World War II. Imagine hosting a refugee cousin or finding long-lost relatives. In this anthology, characters make discoveries, connect with family and friends, and mourn loved ones. Encompassing a range of genres and experiences, there's something for readers of all faiths in the illuminating pages of The Festival of Lights.

One day Freddie Ramos comes home from school and finds a strange box just for him. What's inside? ZAPATO POWER-shoes that change Freddie's life by giving him super speed But what will Freddie do with his fast new skills? Weird things are happening at the Starwood Park Apartments where he lives, and his friends at school need his help. Is Freddie Ramos ready to be a hero? In this imaginative story by Jacqueline Jules, an ordinary boy in a city neighborhood learns how to use his new-found powers for good. Illustrations by Miguel Benitez lend just a touch of comic-book style to this chapter book adventure.

Whether you're indoors or outside, at home or in the library, whether you're by yourself or with a friend, anytime is the right time to read a book! Featuring rhythmic, rhyming text and delightful illustrations, this story celebrates the magic of reading in an array of settings and situations.

As special as can be. --Kirkus Reviews starred review

A father's love keeps his son warm, inside and out.

It hasn't been the same since Daddy moved out. When father and son spend time together now, it takes a little while for them to relax in each other's company. But shared experiences and warm memories keep their bond strong, even when they're apart. Tonight, they spend their visit working on a model plane. It's quiet until the father recalls a moment from the previous summer that makes them both laugh. It's just one of many ways Daddy always giving good.

Hooper and Bax are the final two competitors in the school spelling bee. Bax didn't spell his word correctly, and now it's Hooper's turn. He's sure he knows how to spell the word he's given, but the pressure of all those eyes on him makes him second guess his answer. Hooper looks around the room and spots the word on a poster. Now he has a decision to make: will he tell someone about what he's seen, or take the easy win?

When Grace Lee Boggs was eight years old, her teacher gave her a copy of The Secret Garden. As a Chinese-American who had experienced prejudice, Grace wanted to grow a garden of her own that would help people heal from the injustice in society. Grace dedicated her life to fighting for civil, environmental, labor, and women's rights. In 1992, she and her husband founded Detroit Summer, a multicultural and intergenerational youth program that inspired kids to become leaders in their community. Together with these solutionaries, Grace finally created the garden she dreamed about, one that continues to inspire people to make the world a better place for everyone.

Rose Katz and Morris Michtom grew up in Russia during a period of persecution against Jewish people. Hoping to find kindness and opportunity in another country, they emigrated to the United States, where they got married and opened a candy shop. In 1902, they read a newspaper article about President Theodore Roosevelt sparing a bear on a hunting trip. To the delight of their daughter, Emily, the Michtoms created a small, stuffed version of the animal and named it Teddy's Bear. Before long, this cuddly symbol of one man's act of compassion became a beloved toy that continues to delight children all over the world.

Join a community of adorable animals as they prepare for the spookiest, sweetest night of the year!

Make your costume and choose your pumpkin. But that's not all! String outdoor lights, hang up the spiders and bats. But that's not all! Shop for candy, smile for photos. But that's not all! Here come your neighbors and friends. Trick or treat!

2024 ALA Notable Children's Book
2024 Texas 2x2 Reading List
2023 Chicago Public Library Best Informational Books for Younger Readers
2023 Blueberry Honor Award
2024 Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year

STARRED REVIEW! Fliess informs while maintaining a light, adoring tone that reveals cicadas' remarkableness.--Publishers Weekly starred review

Eeee-ooo! Eeee-ooo! Cicadas drone on, clicking and buzzing from dusk till dawn.

There are about three thousand different kinds of cicadas on earth. Some species emerge from the ground every year, while others only come up every thirteen or seventeen years. But no matter how much time passes before they dig their way to the surface, the result is the same: up to trillions of clumsy (but harmless!) insects flying, clicking, and buzzing all around us. Using a combination of rhythmic, rhyming verse and fun facts, this story describes the life cycle of the cicada and helps readers better understand this fascinating insect.

When her mom gets elected to the US House of Representatives, Alice can't help feeling disappointed. She wonders what's so important about Congress that it would make her mom want to move all the way to Washington, DC. But with the aid of some famous historical figures, friendly government workers, and a ghostly cat, Alice sets off on a once-in-a-lifetime guided tour of the Capitol that opens her eyes to the ways Congress has shaped our nation throughout history, and how it continues to impact life for every American today.

1996 Golden Kite Award for Nonfiction
1997 ALA Notable Books for Children
1997 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers
1997 Pen Center USA West Literary Award
1998 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award (Vermont)
1998-1999 Mark Twain Award (Missouri)
1998 Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award
1998-1999 Texas Bluebonnet Award, Runner-Up
1998-1999 William Allen White Master Reading List (Kansas)
1998-1999 Pennsylvania Young Readers' Choice Award Master List
1998-1999 Sequoyah Book Award Master List (Oklahoma)
1998-1999 Volunteer State Book Award Master List (Tennessee)
1998-1999 NH Great Stone Face Children's Book Award Master List
1999 Sasquatch Reading Award Master List (Washington State)
2000-2001 Iowa Children's Choice Awards Master List
2001 Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award Master List (Illinois)
2001 Young Hoosier Book Award
2015 Bluestem Book Award Master List

In a riveting story of courage and hope, Peg Kehret writes about months spent in a hospital when she was twelve, first struggling to survive a severe case of polio, then slowly learning to walk again.

Peg Kehret was stricken with polio when she was twelve years old. At first paralyzed and terrified, she fought her way to recovery, aided by doctors and therapists, a loving family, supportive roommates fighting their own battles with the disease, and plenty of grit and luck. With the humor and suspense that are her trademarks, acclaimed author Peg Kehret vividly recreates the true story of her year of heartbreak and triumph.

Because Marabella is shy, she's often overlooked. But Marabella doesn't overlook anything--not the puffy clouds, or the birds in the trees, not even her dancing shadows. When she spies some flowers poking up from weeds in the schoolyard, she decides to draw them big enough for others to notice. Chalk in hand, she fills the blank wall with bright spectacular drawings of the simple moments she has seen, which inspires her classmates to notice the world around them.

Fiona has always looked up to her big brother, Dylan. But lately, Dylan has stopped spending time with her. He's always hiding in his room or fighting with Mom and Dad, and sometimes the way he acts makes Fiona feel afraid. As Fiona uncovers the truth behind the changes in her sibling, she'll also learn to look past his struggles and remember that he'll always be the Dylan she loves--a big brother who needs help and support from his family to get through a tough time.

When his beloved jack-o'-lantern starts to decompose, Tim puts it outside and watches it transform from pumpkin--to seed--to pumpkin again.

The first pumpkin Tim ever carved was fierce and funny, and he named it Jack. When Halloween was over and the pumpkin was beginning to rot, Tim set it out in the garden and throughout the weeks he watched it change. By spring, a plant began to grow! Will Hubbell's gentle story and beautifully detailed illustrations give an intimate look at the cycle of life.

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.

Shilpa's whole family has gathered for her big sister's wedding. But Shilpa doesn't want Maya to get married--she wants her family to stay the same. Worse yet, she has to hang out with Rishi, the super-annoying younger brother of the groom. The only thing she's excited for is the joota chupai: an action-packed Indian wedding tradition where the two sides of the family face off in a contest to snatch the groom's shoes. Winning will take more than quick reflexes and an extra-sneaky plan--Shilpa will also need to rely on her new relatives and learn that a growing family isn't such a bad thing after all.

Sophia wants to fast for Ramadan this year. Her grandma tells her that fasting helps make a person sparkly--and Sophia loves sparkles. But when her attempt at fasting fails, Sophia must find another way to participate. This lovely multigenerational family story explores the many ways to take part in the Ramadan holiday.

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?

Imagine serving as a park ranger for our U.S. National Parks!

If you were a national park ranger, you'd spend every day in one of the most treasured places in America. You'd wear a special uniform, a hat, and a badge--but sometimes you might also need snowshoes or a life jacket. Maybe you'd track the movements of wild animals. You could help scientists make discoveries. You might even be part of a search and rescue team! You'd have an amazing job protecting animals, the environment, and our country's natural and historical heritage, from the wilds of Denali to the Statue of Liberty.

A young girl learns that good things can take time as her father teaches her about an important Japanese cultural tradition.

When the first snowfall of the year reaches the foot of the nearby mountain, Chiyoko wants nothing more than to go there with Papa and build a snowman. But Papa has other plans--there's miso to be made. Papa, Papa's papa, and Papa's papa's papa were all miso makers, and Chiyoko is proud to learn about her family's tradition. But miso making is a long process, and the snow isn't going to last forever. To make something truly special with her Papa, Chiyoko will need the most important ingredient: patience.