This gem of a novel takes place in Pittsburgh in 1952. Franny Katzenback, while recovering from polio, reads and falls in love with the brand-new book Charlotte’s Web. Bored and lonely and yearning for a Charlotte of her own, Franny starts up a correspondence with an eloquent flea named Fleabrain who lives on her dog’s tail. While Franny struggles with physical therapy and feeling left out of her formerly active neighborhood life, Fleabrain is there to take her on adventures based on his extensive reading. It’s a touching, funny story set in the recent past, told with Rocklin’s signature wit and thoughtfulness. Awards Bank Street Children's Books "Best Books of the Year," Fiction Ages 9-12 Sydney Taylor Notable Book for Older Readers Praise for Fleabrain Loves Franny "Heartwarming and endlessly funny, Fleabrain Loves Franny will delight readers of all ages. Rocklin’s sharp wit and exuberant writing style are refreshing. This book is not to be missed." --VOYA "Franny—a compassionate, thoughtful and sympathetic protagonist—is believably erratic in her emotions and reflections on her illness and its effects on her previously carefree life." --Publishers Weekly "Rocklin perfectly captures the era of 1952 and creates a sympathetic, realistic character in Franny, who begins to accept her condition, rejoin her friends and even protest her school’s inaccessibility." --Kirkus Reviews "Comedic and philosophical, readers will find multiple levels to enjoy." --School Library Journal
The last remaining orange tree on a Southern California street brings together neighbors of all ages as they face their problems and anxieties, including the possibility that a mysterious stranger is a threat to their tree.
Penny is excited to welcome her new sibling, so throughout her mom’s pregnancy she writes letters to it (not it, YOU!). She introduces herself (Penelope, but she prefers “Penny”) and their moms (Sammy and Becky). She brags about their home city, Oakland, California (the weather, the Bay, and the Golden State Warriors) and shares the trials and tribulations of being a fifth-grader (which, luckily, YOU won’t have to worry about for a long time). Penny asks little questions about her sibling’s development and starts to ask big questions about the world around her (like if and when her moms are ever going to get married “for real”). Honest, relatable, and full of heart, Love, Penelope explores heritage, forgiveness, love, and identity through the eyes (and pen) of one memorable 10-year-old in a special year when marriage equality and an NBA championship made California a place of celebration.
In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, convinced he can only get better at home with them, Oona tells Fred the story of Zook’s previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives has echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story. Praise for The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook STARRED REVIEW "Rocklin’s characters are fully developed: readers will be invested. Set in Oakland, readers are also treated to a refreshingly authentic child’s view of a diverse city. The only imperfection in this novel is that it ends." —Booklist, starred review “Oona’s character is a combination of Harriet the Spy in curiosity and Anastasia in spunk. Another emotionally satisfying outing from Rocklin; hanky recommended.” —Kirkus Reviews "Just as she did in One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street, Rocklin intertwines her characters so smartly that the many coincidences and serendipitous events feel organic to the story. The story’s ending—bittersweet, inevitable, and true—offers much-needed catharsis for the family and for anyone who has ever loved a pet." —The Horn Book "This heartwarming family tale is filled with resilient and thoughtful characters who are willing to learn from their mistakes. Readers who enjoy the novels of Jeanne Birdsall and Leslie Crunch will appreciate this charming story." —School Library Journal "There is a strong sense of place in this loving story with the ending sure to generate some tears. This would make a strong library lesson extension activity." —Library Media Connection Awards SCBWI’s Golden Kite Award for Fiction - 2012 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award
Tom the Cat uses division and his hungry stomach to figure out how many delicious baked treats each of his afternoon guests will get on their plates, if he can resist temptation. Original.
When two sisters have to move into the same room, they use tape to divide the room into different shapes so that each one can have her own space. Includes related activities.
Kar-Ben Read-Aloud eBooks with Audio combine professional narration and text highlighting to bring eBooks to life! Let's say 'Shehechiyanu,' the special Jewish blessing for saying thank you when we experience something new for the first time!
When ten-year-old Jason moves from New York to Los Angeles, he finds himself telling wildly exaggerated stories about being a junior photojournalist and investigative reporter.
Hanukkah is here at last, and Daniel Bloom couldn’t be more excited. It’s time for candle lighting and storytelling and presents. Time for chocolate gelt and dreidel games and . . . green latkes? Uh-oh. Maybe this year’s Hanukkah won’t be quite what Daniel expects. And his mom’s zucchini latke experiment isn’t Daniel’s only holiday challenge. There’s that dog who just moved in down the hall. That huge dog with the fierce bark. Ever since being bitten last summer, Daniel has been afraid of dogs. Whenever he hears barking, he feels younger than his little sister, Amy. She loves dogs. Daniel knows that Amy wishes he weren’t afraid. Maybe then, one of her gifts could be a dog. But that would take a miracle, Daniel figures. A Hanukkah miracle. From the Trade Paperback edition.
Eleven-year-old Sonia determines to be a businesswoman and follow in the footsteps of her parents and elder brother but discovers that success in business isn't everything.
During the months that her mother is expecting, eleven-year-old Farla writes a series of letters to the unborn baby describing her feelings toward family members, friends, and her future brother or sister.
Liz the Whiz and her younger brother use codes, a chart, and a map of the backyard that matches a clock face to solve Zack's mystery. Includes a section with related activities.
The entries in the journals of two sixth grade students reveal much about their personal feelings, family lives, and a growing interest in poetry sparked by their new substitute teacher.
Looking at a decade’s worth of chronic pain, a promise from God helped Joanne stand firm until He ultimately heals her. Minute by Minute recounts the reality of consciously choosing to trust God in the midst of raw agony. Just when it seems that hope has vanished, God sweeps in and supernaturally heals Joanne in a moment. Her story is one of faith, hope, and triumphant victory over death. Once a trained athlete in peak condition, Joanne Moody suffered a post-pregnancy injury that sidelined her for the next 14 years. Not one to give up easily, Joanne fought to find an answer to her pain year after year. Countless doctors attempted to treat her until finally one recommended a surgeon in France. Joanne and her sisters make the trek only to stare death in the face. At the moment of her greatest pain, God reached down and gave her a promise. Minute by Minute will keep you turning the pages as you join Joanne on her journey through a valley of pain and her eventual arrival at the pinnacle of faith and love.
Jan sends her friend Nick email messages describing how she and her cousins learn about shapes as they try to assemble a present for their grandmother's birthday. Includes related activities.
In the Gospels, we often read of Jesus telling his disciples to travel to the “other side” of the Sea of Galilee. What we don’t often realize is what this other side represented. It was the region of the Decapolis, where many pagan religions were practiced. The disciples, under Jewish law, would have been considered unclean even to step foot there. In this six-session video Bible study, Kathie Lee Gifford and Joanne Moody reveal how Jesus broke through social barriers and reached those on the “other side” whom society had abandoned. Through the stories of the Demoniac, Samaritan Woman, Prodigal Son, four friends of the paralyzed man, and Cornelius and Peter, you will discover the incredible lengths to which God will go to reach those who are lonely, lost, and left behind. You will be challenged to follow Jesus’ example and daily go to the other side for those who need his love. Each session includes clips from The Way oratorios, featuring Kathie Lee Gifford and other well-known personalities, that bring the story of Scripture to life with contemporary orchestral arrangements, powerful narration, and stunning visuals. This study guide includes: Individual access to six streaming video sessions A guide to best practices for leading a group Video notes and a comprehensive structure for group discussion time Personal study for deeper reflection Sessions and video run times: The Other Side (23:00) The Demoniac (24:00) The Samaritan Woman (22:00) The Prodigal Son (22:00) Cornelius and Peter (23:00) The Power of Unity (23:00)
When a mysterious man arrives one day on Orange Street, the children who live on the block try to find out who he is and why he’s there. Little do they know that his story—and the story of a very old orange tree—connects to each of their personal worries in ways they never could have imagined. From impressing friends to dealing with an expanding family to understanding a younger sibling’s illness, the characters’ storylines come together around that orange tree. Taking place over the course of a day and a half, Joanne Rocklin’s masterful novel deftly builds a story about family, childhood anxieties, and the importance of connection. In the end the fate of the tree (and the kids who care for it) reminds us of the magic of the everyday and of the rich history all around us. Praise for One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street STARRED REVIEWS “Unfolding in one day’s time, the story recounts how secrets are revealed, curiosity is satisfied and wishing becomes hope because the spirit and ties of friendship and community are resilient and strong. Fully realized characters and setting definitely make this one morning on Orange Street amazing.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Fascinating and thought-provoking, the writing has a gentle cadence, richness in detail, and is charged with emotion. The book, like the oranges on the Orange Street tree, presents segments of life that are both sweet and tart and sure to satisfy." –School Library Journal, starred review “A touching story, beautifully told in multiple viewpoints.” –Booklist “Each chapter focalizes the third-person narration through a particular child, and the book weaves the singular tales into a larger story about a community that is pleasingly quirky but still believable. Readers and parents looking for some wholesome sweetness will want to make a visit to Orange Street.” –The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books AWARD: Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) Young Adult Top Forty list
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