Synopsis: Be yourself like Molly Lou Melon no matter what a bully may do!Molly Lou Melon is short and clumsy, has buck teeth, and has a voice that sounds like a bullfrog being squeezed by a boa constrictor. She doesn't mind. Her grandmother has always told her to walk proud, smile big, and sing loud, and she takes that advice to heart.But then Molly Lou has to start in a new school. A horrible bully picks on her on the very first day, but Molly Lou Melon…

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old House Jackson--star pitcher and team captain of the Aurora County All-Stars--has been sidelined for a whole sorry year with a broken elbow. He's finally ready to play, but wouldn't you know that the team's only game of the year has been scheduled for the exact same time as the town's 200th-anniversary pageant. Now House must face the pageant's director, full-of-herself Frances Shotz (his nemesis and perpetrator of the elbow break…

Synopsis: A fast, fun, friendship read from the Newbery-award winning author of Maniac Magee. Plumstead Middle School is full of secret plans. Eddie is on a mission to bulk up--he's sick of being the skinniest, scrawniest, runtiest kid in school. Sunny is plotting something that will keep the school bullies from ever bothering her again. Salem is trying to figure out who sent her that mysterious valentine message in the school newspaper. And Pickles has…

Synopsis: Chemistry in the kitchen? Phineas L. MacGuire applies his science skills to culinary creations in this food-tastic tale from the bestselling author of Chicken Boy.Phineas L. MacGuire—scientist extraordinaire—has a new chore: cooking dinner every night. He may be a genius, but he knows nothing about following a recipe. A pinch? A dash? A smidge? This doesn’t seem very scientific. A pound of spaghetti? Salt on brownies? Lemon in biscuits? Why,…

Synopsis: "A crew of animals learns that size is relative in the gleeful, impressively simple romp." — Publishers WeeklyQuick! Everybody Hide! Big Bro's coming! He's rough, he's tough, and he's Really, Really BIG... Well, he's pretty big. Okay, he's a mouse, but if you were a mouse too, well, then, he'd be BIG all right! Jez Alborough, creator of the bestselling Where's My Teddy? and It's the Bear!, sets this slapstick sidesplitter in the jungle, fills it…

Synopsis: It takes a firm apple to stand up to bullies. When Mac, an apple, meets Will, a worm, they become fast friends, teaching each other games and even finishing each other's sentences. But apples aren't supposed to like worms, and Mac gets called "rotten" and "bad apple." At first, Mac doesn't know what to do—it's never easy standing up to bullies—but after a lonely day without Will, Mac decides he'd rather be a bad apple with Will than a sad apple…

Synopsis: Llama Llama likes to sing. Gilroy laughs at everything.Llama sings out just the same.Gilroy says a not-nice name. Teacher has some things to say:calling names is not OK. Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn't sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then…

Synopsis: When the Los Angeles riots break out in the streets of their neighborhood, a young boy and his mother learn the value of getting along with others no matter what their backgrounds or nationalities.

Synopsis: Help kids understand their big emotions and respond without hittingStrong feelings are okay--but hitting is not. In Hands Are Not for Hitting, children learn that hands do lots of wonderful things, like playing and helping out. Sometimes hands feel like hitting too. Through simple language and warm, engaging illustrations, this book teaches children that they can choose to respond with words instead. This supportive book shows kids ages 4-7 how…

Synopsis: Chrysanthemum is a funny and honest school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance to share all year round. Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes, the nationally bestselling and celebrated creator of Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, Owen, and Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum is a don't-miss classic, especially for back to school. Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect--until her first day of school. "You're named…

Synopsis: The Cow That Went OINK is a giggle-inspiring picture book that also has a gentle message about respecting differences. A cow that oinks and a pig that moos are teased by the other barnyard animals until each teaches the other a new sound. "Pure fun," commented The Horn Book. "A delightfully silly picture book with a not-so-silly message."