Angela Johnson

E.B. Lewis

Juneteenth

Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis.  

Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the slaves in the South. Since then, the observance of June 19 as African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond. This stunning picture book includes notes from the author and illustrator, a timeline of important dates, and a glossary of relevant terms.  

Told in Angela Johnson’s signature melodic style and brought to life by E.B. Lewis’s striking paintings, All Different Now is a joyous portrait of the dawn breaking on the darkest time in our nation’s history.

All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom

Floyd Cooper

Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history – the day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth. This beautiful story by award-winning author and illustrator Floyd Cooper will captivate both children and adults.

Juneteenth for Mazie

Jan Brett

Bo, an adventurous, near-sighted armadillo, leaves his mother and brothers to follow a girl heading to a rodeo wearing new red boots which Bo mistakes for another armadillo.

Armadillo Rodeo

Louis Sachar

buried treasure

hard work

juvenile delinquency

Winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award! This book is a #1 New York Times bestselling, modern classic in which boys are forced to dig holes day in and day out.

Stanley Yelnats is under a curse. A curse that began with his no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather and has since followed generations of Yelnatses. Now Stanley has been unjustly sent to a boys’ detention center, Camp Green Lake, where the boys build character by spending all day, every day digging holes exactly five feet wide and five feet deep. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake. But there are an awful lot of holes.

Holes

Austin, TX

Take little ones on a tour of Austin, Texas with this brilliant board book exploring the best bits of the city, whether they be buildings or wildlife.

Young children will love exploring the city with this handy guide book, full of bright and colorful photographs of Austin’s landmarks. Fun illustrations feature on every page, and simple, age-appropriate text is ideal for reading aloud.

Explore the many attractions of the state capital of Texas - visit the Capitol building, pedal around Lady Bird Lake, and take in the rich musical tradition of this wonderful city. This board book highlights child-friendly attractions and features fun activities for kids to do. Help kids get the most out of their vacation, or learn more about their city, with this vibrant little board book.

Little Cities: Austin

Chris Barton

Ekua Holmes

“When Barbara Jordan talked, we listened.” —Former President of the United States, Bill Clinton Congresswoman Barbara Jordan had a big, bold, confident voice—and she knew how to use it! Learn all about her amazing career in this illuminating and inspiring picture book biography of the lawyer, educator, politician, and civil rights leader. Even as a child growing up in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas, Barbara Jordan stood out for her big, bold, booming, crisp, clear, confident voice. It was a voice that made people sit up, stand up, and take notice. So what do you do with a voice like that? Barbara took her voice to places few African American women had been in the 1960s: first law school, then the Texas state senate, then up to the United States congress. Throughout her career, she persevered through adversity to give voice to the voiceless and to fight for civil rights, equality, and justice. New York Times bestselling author Chris Barton and Caldecott Honoree Ekua Holmes deliver a remarkable picture book biography about a woman whose struggles and mission continue to inspire today.

What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan

David FitzSimmons

Curious Critters Texas brings young readers face-to-face with colorful, fascinating, and fun animals that are commonly found in the Lone Star State. Foster the love of nature in your young one through stunning photos of birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, fish, and more. Learn about what lives in your own backyard!

Curious Critters Texas

Suzanne Crowley

After her grandfather died from a heart attack while driving his tractor on Solace Hill, twelve-year-old Esme’s been inextricably drawn to that spot, although her grandmother warns her to stay away. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, and her dog, Old Jack, up the hill while chasing fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from underneath the abandoned tractor.

The bones must be a message from her grandfather, a connection from beyond the grave. But when word gets out that the farm is hiding something valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme struggles to understand who has her best interests at heart, especially as the memory of her grandfather begins to slip away.

Full of friendship and adventure, and featuring a palpable Texas setting, Finding Esme is a moving and heartfelt story about family, friendship, and learning to deal with loss.

From acclaimed author Suzanne Crowley, this engaging adventure set on a Texas peach farm is just right for fans of Rebecca Stead and Ann M. Martin.

Finding Esme

Tim Green

New York Times bestselling author and former NFL defensive end Tim Green encourages readers to fight for their dreams in this heartfelt story about a young football star grappling with the stress of living up to his father’s name. Perfect for fans of Mike Lupica! Danny Owens is dedicating his seventh-grade season to his Super Bowl champion father, who recently passed away. Danny promises everyone that, just like his dad, he’ll dominate the big game at the end of the season and earn a spot on the high school varsity team. Then his English teacher catches him cheating on a test. Even though Danny can retake it, he knows there’s no point. He can’t read. And if Danny can’t pass this class, he won’t be eligible to play in the championship game that could unlock his future. While his resentment rises against the only person willing to help him win off the field, the pressure to succeed begins to weigh heavily on Danny’s shoulders. Danny is being tested on every level now, and to pass, he may very well have to choose a different path from his father’s.

The Big Game

Andrew Smith

A boy who spent three days trapped in a well tries to overcome his PTSD and claustrophobia so he can fulfill his dream of becoming a famous chef in Andrew Smith’s first middle grade novel.

When he was four years old, Sam Abernathy was trapped at the bottom of a well for three days, where he was teased by a smart-aleck armadillo named Bartleby. Since then, his parents plan every move he makes.

But Sam doesn’t like their plans. He doesn’t want to go to MIT. And he doesn’t want to skip two grades, being stuck in the eighth grade as an eleven-year-old with James Jenkins, the boy he’s sure pushed him into the well in the first place. He wants to be a chef. And he’s going to start by entering the first annual Blue Creek Days Colonel Jenkins Macaroni and Cheese Cook-Off.

That is, if he can survive eighth grade, and figure out the size of the truth that has slipped Sam’s memory for seven years.

The Size of the Truth

Marci Peschke

Tuesday Mourning

Today is a special day at Kylie Jean’s school, where everyone works on computer projects and learning coding, and Kylie is fascinated by the robotics team called RoboGirls–so she resolves to build a robot of her own, so she can impress the older girls, and join the team in time for the competition.

Robot Queen

Fred Gipson

coping with death

human-animal relationships

When a novel like Huckleberry Finn, or The Yearling, comes along it defies customary adjectives because of the intensity of the respouse it evokes in the reader. Such a book, we submit, is Old Yeller; to read this eloIquently simple story of a boy and his dog in the Texas hill country is an unforgettable and deeply moving experience. The big, ugly, yellow dog showed up out of nowhere one night and stole a whole side of hanging pork, and when Travis went for him the next morning that dog started yelling like a baby before he was touched. Then he got into the spring water with five-year-old Arliss, Travis took an easy hate to Old Yeller, as they started to call him; in fact, he would have driven him off or killed him if it hadn’t been for brother Arliss’ loud and violent protests, So Yeller stayed, and Travis soon found he couldn’t have got along without him. Pa and Ma and Travis and Arliss lived on Birdsong Creek in the Texas hill country. It wasn’t an easy life, but they had a snug cabin that Pa had built himself, and they had their own hogs and their own cattle, and they grew most of what else they needed. The only thing they and the rest of the settlers lacked that year in the late 1860’s was cash, so the men decided to get together and drive all the cattle up to the new market in Abilene, Kansas, more than six hundred miles away. Travis was only fourteen, but he was proud of his new role as man of the family and determined to live up to his responsibility. It was hard work, too, plowing until his legs ached, chopping wood until his hands were raw and his head was spinning, weeding the garden in the hot sun, toting the heavy buckets tip from the spring, and trying to keep his mischievous little brother in line. But there were pleasant moments, too: his Ma treating him like a man, and deer hunting in the early-morning stillness, and hot summer nights out in the corn patch under the stars with Old Yeller, trying to keep the coons and skunks out of the winter food supply. And there was plenty of excitement, like the fight between the two bulls, and the time Arliss nearly got mauled by the bear, and trying to catch and mark the new hogs. Here the suspense and excitement reach a peak, only to be topped a few pages later when the crazy-sick loafer wolf goes for Ma. Both times it is Yeller who saves them, only the second time it is not lucky for Yeller, as Travis comes to find out. And in finding out, Travis learns just how much he has come to love that big ugly dog, and he learns something about the pain of life, too. Old Yeller is a story that will be read and treasured by many thousands for years to come. In a shorter form, this has appeared as a three-part serial in Collier’s.

Old Yeller

Jerome Pohlen

Violet Lemay

Babies from Texas show readers some of the distinctive things about the state where they live and play.

Texas Baby

Heidi Poelman

Kyle Kershner

From the fearless leadership of Sam Houston to the determination of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez, Courageous People from Texas Who Changed the World is a young child’s first introduction to the brave people from their home state who made a difference.

Simple text and adorable illustrations tell the contributions of more than a dozen courageous Texans: Stephen Austin, Sam Houston, Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, the Bush Family, Sandra Day O’Connor, Ann Richards, Buddy Holly, Barbara Jordan, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, Vickie Gutierrez, and J. J. Watt. A quote from each hero is included on each spread along with colorful, delightful artwork.

Courageous People from Texas Who Changed the World

Jessica Gunderson

Matt Forsyth

survival stories

hurricanes

history

In early September 1900, twelve-year-old Carrie of Galveston is looking forward to spending Saturday night at her friend’s house, until her parents are invited to a very important party and she is forced to stay home and take care of her little brother; but a boring chore turns into a nightmare when the storm surge from the Great Hurricane hits and their house is swept off its foundation–and Carrie must think quickly and not panic if she is going to keep herself and her brother alive.

Carrie and the Great Storm

Duncan Tonatiuh

Award-winning author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to life the story of a Mexican-American war hero Jos. de la Luz S.enz (1888-1953)–or Luz–believed in fighting for what was right. Although he was born in the United States, he and his family experienced prejudice because of their Mexican heritage. When World War I broke out, Luz volunteered to join the fight. Because of his ability to quickly learn languages, he became part of the Intelligence Office in Europe. However, despite his hard work and intellect, Luz often didn’t receive credit for his contributions. Upon his return to the US, he joined other Mexican-Americans whom he had met in the army to fight for equality. His contribution, along with others, ultimately led to the creation of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), which is the oldest Latino civil rights organization. Soldier for Equality is based in part on Luz’s diary during the war. It includes a biography of Luz’s later years, an author’s note, a timeline, a bibliography, and an index.

Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War

Nathan Hale

“”Remember the Alamo!” That rallying cry has been a part of Texas lore for generations. But who were the ragtag group of adventurers behind the famous slogan, and how did they end up barricaded in a fort against a Mexican army? Who survived, who died, and how? This sixth book in the bestselling Hazardous Tales series tracks the Lone Star State’s bloody fight for independence from the Mexican government. It features the exploits of the notorious Jim Bowie, as well as Stephen Austin, Davy Crockett, and other settlers and soldiers who made the wild frontier of Texas their home–all told with the inimitable style and humor for which Nathan Hale is known”–

Alamo All-Stars

Hazel Quintanilla

B.D. Cottleston

Buddy Benches are arriving in schoolyards across the nation. In this story, the buddy bench launches two new friends on a chilly adventure.

On a surprisingly snowy day in Texas, a young student finds himself braving recess alone. That is until he spots a new face sitting on the school’s Buddy Bench. After a quick introduction, the two spend their recess discovering fun ways to enjoy the snow. By the end of recess, both kids leave the playground with a brand new friend. This sweet story of friendship brings the Buddy Bench’s purpose to life. 

About Buddy Benches: The Buddy or Friendship Bench is a special place in a school playground where a child can sit if they want someone to talk to or play with. Seeing a child on The Buddy Bench is a signal to other kids to ask them to play. The wonderful trend of Buddy Benches is growing across the country as schools and parent groups promote them as a powerful tool to end loneliness and promote empathy in children.

The Buddy Bench

Anne Isaacs

Kevin Hawkes

When Widow Tulip Jones of Bore, England, inherits a ranch in By-Golly Gully, Texas, and moves in with two trunks of tea, twelve pet tortoises, and three servants, hilarity ensues. The peaceful life suits the wealthy widow fine until word gets out and every unmarried man in Texas lines up to marry her. Widow Tulip and her small staff of three can’t possibly run the farm and manage all the suitors, so she devises a plan—and it just might work. This story filled with giant tortoises, 1,000 brides, bad guys, a smart widow, and even a little romance is sure to get kids laughing.

Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch

Helen Ketteman

Diane Greenseid

Times sure are tough on the ranch, and Waynetta and her ma can use all the luck they can get. But when Waynetta trades their last longhorn for a handful of so-called magic corn, Ma is non too pleased. A fast-paced Texas retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk featuring a girl hero.

Waynetta and the Cornstalk

Mark Schroder

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Drew Nelson

Valerie Wesley

Sharon Wilson

Finding power in lessons from the pastJuneteenth – the day Texan slaves found out they had been freed, two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation – is June’s favorite holiday. This year, though, her cousin Lillie will be there for the Juneteenth picnic. That could spoil everything. Lillie is used to celebrating the Fourth of July, like everyone else, and has no interest in Southern traditions. But Aunt Marshall, the girls’ great-great-aunt, knows the significance of Juneteenth – she was about June’s age on June 19th, 1865, when the celebration began in Texas – and she just may be able to convince Lillie that Juneteenth is not a dumb old slave holiday, but a part of her heritage, and the first of many of freedom’s gifts.

Freedom's Gifts: A Juneteenth Story

Rebecca Balcárcel

2020 Pura Belpré Honor Book  
A Junior Library Guild Selection  
ALSC Notable Children’s Book  
2020 Jean Flynn Award for Best Middle Grade Book  
2020 Spirit of Texas Reading Program Recommended Title

This immersive and beautifully written novel follows the story of Quijana, a girl in pieces.

Quijana must figure out which parts of herself are most important, and which pieces come together to make her whole.

This is a heartfelt poetic portrayal of a girl growing up, fitting in, and learning what it means to belong.

  
Lyrical middle grade debut from author Rebecca Balcárcel    
  
A diverse and family-centered story that resonates with anyone who remembers, or is going through, growing pains    
  
Inclusively embraces real life experiences with biracial, autistic, and gay characters  


One-half Guatemalan, one-half American: When Quijana’s Guatemalan cousins move to town, her dad seems ashamed that she doesn’t know more about her family’s heritage.

One-half crush, one-half buddy: When Quijana meets Zuri and Jayden, she knows she’s found true friends. But she can’t help the growing feelings she has for Jayden.

One-half kid, one-half grown-up: Quijana spends her nights Skyping with her ailing grandma and trying to figure out what’s going on with her increasingly hard-to-reach brother.

  
A wonderful gift for bilingual and bicultural readers, introspective tweens and teens, and parents and educators    
  
Perfect for those who love the heart of Matt de la Peña, the honesty of Meg Medina, and the poetry of Kate DiCamillo    
  
Add it to the shelf with books like We Were Here by Matt de la Peña, Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

The Other Half of Happy

Anne Bustard

For fans of Kate DiCamillo’s Louisiana’s Way Home, this heartwarming novel tells the story of ten-year-old Glory Bea as she prepares for a miracle of her very own–her father’s return home. Glory Bea Bennett knows that miracles happen in Gladiola, Texas, population 3,421. After all, her grandmother–the best matchmaker in the whole county–is responsible for thirty-nine of them. Now, Glory Bea needs a miracle of her own. The war ended three years ago, but Glory Bea’s father never returned home from the front in France. Glory Bea understands what Mama and Grams and Grandpa say–that Daddy died a hero on Omaha Beach–yet deep down in her heart, she believes Daddy is still out there. When the Gladiola Gazette reports that one of the boxcars from the Merci Train (the “thank you” train)–a train filled with gifts of gratitude from the people of France–will be stopping in Gladiola, she just knows daddy will be its surprise cargo. But miracles, like people, are always changing, until at last they find their way home.

Blue Skies

Varsha Bajaj

An uplifting story, told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers, in which a community rallies to reject racism. Karina Chopra would have never imagined becoming friends with the boy next door–after all, they’ve avoided each other for years and she assumes Chris is just like the boys he hangs out with, who she labels a pack of hyenas. Then Karina’s grandfather starts tutoring Chris, and she discovers he’s actually a nice, funny kid. But one afternoon something unimaginable happens–the three of them are assaulted by a stranger who targets Indian-American Karina and her grandfather because of how they look. Her grandfather is gravely injured and Karina and Chris vow not to let hate win. When Karina posts a few photos related to the attack on social media, they quickly attract attention, and before long her #CountMeIn post–“What does an American look like? #immigrants #WeBelong #IamAmerican #HateHasNoHomeHere”–goes viral and a diverse population begin to add their own photos. Then, when Papa is finally on the road to recovery, Karina uses her newfound social media reach to help celebrate both his homecoming and a community coming together.

Count Me In

John R. Erickson

farm life and ranch life

solving crimes

cowboys and cowgirls

The popular Hank the Cowdog series is based on the humorous antics of the canine Head of Ranch Security. In this first book, Hank and his little buddy, Drover, set out to solve a series of baffling murders on the ranch. Is Hank a suspect? An Outlaw? Can he clear his good name?

The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

Gerald L. Holmes

Hank is stricken with Eye-Crosserosis. To make matters worse, Beulah, the collie of his dreams, shows up on the ranch with Plato (at least Hank thinks it’s Plato). Although he can’t see very well, Hank approaches the visiting dogs with the idea of winning his lady love and dusting Plato’s spots once and for all.

The Further Adventures of Hank the Cowdog

This just in from the Emergency Weather Service: A tornado is headed straight for the ranch! And Hank and Drover are in the worst possible place–trapped inside the house. Can they find a way out–before they get blown away?

The Case of the Swirling Killer Tornado

Jacqueline Kelly

family life

curiosity

nature

In this witty historical fiction middle grade novel set at the turn of the century, an 11-year-old girl explores the natural world, learns about science and animals, and grows up. A Newbery Honor Book. “The most delightful historical novel for tweens in many, many years. . . . Callie’s struggles to find a place in the world where she’ll be encouraged in the gawky joys of intellectual curiosity are fresh, funny, and poignant today.” –The New YorkerCalpurnia Virginia Tate is eleven years old in 1899 when she wonders why the yellow grasshoppers in her Texas backyard are so much bigger than the green ones. With a little help from her notoriously cantankerous grandfather, an avid naturalist, she figures out that the green grasshoppers are easier to see against the yellow grass, so they are eaten before they can get any larger. As Callie explores the natural world around her, she develops a close relationship with her grandfather, navigates the dangers of living with six brothers, and comes up against just what it means to be a girl at the turn of the century. Author Jacqueline Kelly deftly brings Callie and her family to life, capturing a year of growing up with unique sensitivity and a wry wit. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly was a 2010 Newbery Honor Book and the winner of the 2010 Bank Street - Josette Frank Award. This title has Common Core connections. This is perfect for young readers who like historical fiction, STEM topics, animal stories, and feminist middle grade novels. Don’t miss the sequel!The Curious World of Calpurnia Tate To follow Calpurnia Tate on more adventures, read the Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet chapter book series: Skunked! Counting SheepWho Gives a Hoot?A Prickly Problem Praise for The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate:  “The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is the most delightful historical novel for tweens in many, many years. . . . Callie’s struggles to find a place in the world where she’ll be encouraged in the gawky joys of intellectual curiosity are fresh, funny, and poignant today.” –The New Yorker, Book Bench section “In her debut novel, Jacqueline Kelly brings to vivid life a boisterous small-town family at the dawn of a new century. And she especially shines in her depiction of the natural world that so intrigues Callie. . . . Readers will want to crank up the A.C. before cracking the cover, though. That first chapter packs a lot of summer heat.” –The Washington Post “Each chapter of this winning . . . novel opens with a quotation from ‘On the Origin of Species’–a forbidden book that her own grandfather turns out to have hidden away. Together they study Darwin’s masterpiece, leading to a revolution in Callie’s ideas of what she might accomplish on her own.” –New York Times Book Review “Callie’s transformation into an adult and her unexpected bravery make for an exciting and enjoyable read. Kelly’s rich images and setting, believable relationships and a touch of magic take this story far.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review “Interwoven with the scientific theme are threads of daily life in a large family–the bonds with siblings, the conversations overheard, the unspoken understandings and misunderstandings–all told with wry humor and a sharp eye for details that bring the characters and the setting to life. The eye-catching jacket art, which silhouettes Callie and images from nature against a yellow background, is true to the period and the story. Many readers will hope for a sequel to this engaging, satisfying first novel.” –Booklist, Starred Review “Readers will finish this witty, deftly crafted debut novel rooting for Callie Vee and wishing they knew what kind of adult she would become.” –Kirkus,  Starred Review “A charming and inventive story of a child struggling to find her identity at the turn of the 20th century. . . . there’s no uncertainty over the achievement of Kelly’s debut novel.” –School Library Journal, Starred Review “Narrator Calpurnia’s voice is fresh and convincing, and Granddaddy is that favorite relative most readers would love to claim as their own. Historical fiction fans are in for a treat.” –The Bulletin “Kelly, without anachronism, has created a memorable, warm, spirited young woman who’s refreshingly ahead of her time.” –The Horn Book Review “That rare book that will appeal to child and adult alike.” –Austin American-Statesman “Introduces a turn-of-the-20th-century heroine for modern times.” –Shelf Awareness

The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

A charming and delectably sweet debut. Mischief, friendship, and a whole lot of heart–Love Sugar Magic has it all. –Zoraida Córdova, award-winning author of the Brooklyn Brujas series. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom. Leonora Logroño’s family owns the most beloved bakery in Rose Hill, Texas, spending their days conjuring delicious cookies and cakes for any occasion. And no occasion is more important than the annual Dia de los Muertos festival.Leo hopes that this might be the year that she gets to help prepare for the big celebration–but, once again, she is told she’s too young. Sneaking out of school and down to the bakery, she discovers that her mother, aunt, and four older sisters have in fact been keeping a big secret: they’re brujas–witches of Mexican ancestry–who pour a little bit of sweet magic into everything that they bake. Leo knows that she has magical ability as well and is more determined than ever to join the family business–even if she can’t let her mama and hermanas know about it yet.And when her best friend, Caroline, has a problem that needs solving, Leo has the perfect opportunity to try out her craft. It’s just one little spell, after all…what could possibly go wrong? Debut author Anna Meriano brings us the first book in a delightful new series filled to the brim with amor, azúcar, y magia.

A Dash of Trouble

Kathi Appelt

David Small

There is nothing lonelier than a cat who has been loved, at least for a while, and then abandoned on the side of the road.    A calico cat, about to have kittens, hears the lonely howl of a chained-up hound deep in the backwaters of the bayou. She dares to find him in the forest, and the hound dares to befriend this cat, this feline, this creature he is supposed to hate. They are an unlikely pair, about to become an unlikely family. Ranger urges the cat to hide underneath the porch, to raise her kittens there because Gar-Face, the man living inside the house, will surely use them as alligator bait should he find them. But they are safe in the Underneath…as long as they stay in the Underneath.  Kittens, however, are notoriously curious creatures. And one kitten’s one moment of curiosity sets off a chain of events that is astonishing, remarkable, and enormous in its meaning. For everyone who loves Sounder, Shiloh, and The Yearling, for everyone who loves the haunting beauty of writers such as Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Flannery O’Connor, and Carson McCullers, Kathi Appelt spins a harrowing yet keenly sweet tale about the power of love – and its opposite, hate – the fragility of happiness and the importance of making good on your promises.

The Underneath

Stuart Gibbs

violence

the zoo

12 year old Theodore Teddy Roosevelt Fitzroy has got a murder on his hands and trouble on his tail. Henry, the hippopatamus at the brand-new nationally known FunJungle, has gone belly up. Even though it’s claimed he died of natural causes, Teddy smells something fishy and it sure ain’t the polar bear’s lunch. Dealing with the zoo’s top brass proves to be nothing but a waste of time. They want to see any trace of Henry’s death disappear like yesterday’s paper. So Teddy sets out to find the truth. With the help of Summer McCraken, a fiesty girl with secrets of her own, the two narrow down their prime suspects. Is it Martin Del Gato, FunJungle’s head of operations who hates kids and hates animals even more? Or J.J McCraken, the owner of FunJungle and and hates animals even more? Or J.J McCraken, the owner of FunJungle and Summer’s father, who has more concern for the dough he’s raking in than the animals in the zoo? As their investigation goes on, Teddy gets squeezed on all sides to quit asking questions or Henry won’t be the only animal in the zoo to turn up dead. The deeper Teddy and Summer get, they had better make sure they want to know what they want to know because when it comes to hippo homicide, the truth can’t be kept in a cage!

Belly Up

Mary Pope Osborne

Natalie Pope Boyce

Isidre Mones

Track the facts about the Alamo, the Galveston hurricane, and the great state of Texas!

When Jack and Annie came back from their adventure in Magic Tree House #30: Hurricane Heroes in Texas, they had lots of questions. Why is Texas called the Lone Star State? What was the Alamo? When was the Galveston hurricane? Why was it so terrible? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts about Texas.

Filled with up-to-date information, photographs, illustrations, and fun tidbits from Jack and Annie, the Fact Trackers are the perfect way for kids to find out more about the topics they discover in their favorite Magic Tree House adventures.

Did you know that there’s a Magic Tree House book for every kid?  
Magic Tree House: Adventures with Jack and Annie, perfect for readers who are just beginning chapter books  
Merlin Missions: More challenging adventures for the experienced reader  
Fact Trackers: Nonfiction companions to your favorite Magic Tree House adventures

Texas: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #30: Hurricane Heroes in Texas

A.G. Ford

Jack and Annie are caught out in the rain in the most dangerous Magic Tree House mission yet!

Jack and Annie are on a mission! When the magic tree house whisks them back to Galveston, Texas, in 1900, they find out that a big storm is coming. But even though there is rain and wind, no one believes there is any danger. As the storm grows, seawater floods the city. Now everyone needs help! Jack and Annie have a little bit of magic and a lot of hope–but will it be enough?

Hurricane Heroes in Texas

Kimberly Willis Holt

Kimberly Willis Holt’s The Ambassador of Nowhere, Texas is a stunning post-9/11 companion to the National Book Award-winner When Zachary Beaver Came to Town. Decades after the Vietnam War and Toby’s life-changing summer with Zachary Beaver, Toby’s daughter Rylee is at a crossroads–her best friend Twig has started pushing her away just as Joe, a new kid from New York, settles into their small town of Antler. Rylee befriends Joe and learns that Joe’s father was a first responder on 9/11. The two unlikely friends soon embark on a project to find Zachary Beaver and hopefully reconnect him with Rylee’s father almost thirty years later. This beautiful middle grade novel is a tribute to friendships–old and new–and explores the challenges of rebuilding what may seem lost or destroyed. Christy Ottaviano Books

The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas

National Book Award Winner The red words painted on the trailer caused quite a buzz around town and before an hour was up, half of Antler was standing in line with two dollars clutched in hand to see the fattest boy in the world. Toby Wilson is having the toughest summer of his life. It’s the summer his mother leaves for good; the summer his best friend’s brother returns from Vietnam in a coffin. And the summer that Zachary Beaver, the fattest boy in the world, arrives in their sleepy Texas town. While it’s a summer filled with heartache of every kind, it’s also a summer of new friendships gained and old friendships renewed. And it’s Zachary Beaver who turns the town of Antler upside down and leaves everyone, especially Toby, changed forever. With understated elegance, Kimberly Willis Holt tells a compelling coming-of-age story about a thirteen-year-old boy struggling to find himself in an imperfect world. At turns passionate and humorous, this extraordinary novel deals sensitively and candidly with obesity, war, and the true power of friendship. When Zachary Beaver Came to Town is the winner of the 1999 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. This title has Common Core connections.

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Teddy Fitzroy’s back for another zoo mystery–this time it’s a koala caper–in this action-packed follow-up to Belly Up, which Kirkus Reviews called “great fun.” School troublemaker Vance Jessup thinks Teddy Fitzroy’s home at FunJungle, a state-of-the-art zoo and theme park, is the perfect place for a cruel prank. Vance bullies Teddy into his scheme, but the plan goes terribly awry. Teddy sneaks into the koala exhibit to hide out until the chaos dies down. But when the koala goes missing, Teddy is the only person caught on camera entering and exiting the exhibit. Teddy didn’t commit the crime–but if he can’t find the real culprit, he’ll be sent to juvie as a convicted koala-napper.

Poached

David A. Kelly

Mark Meyers

Now batting clean-up–book #4 in a new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark! Houston, we have a problem! Before a game at the Astros’ ballpark, Mike and Kate get to meet astronaut commander Nick Rice at the nearby Houston Space Center. He’s planning to display a very rare moonrock at an autographing event later. But just before the event, a nefarious outlaw knocks out the commander and steals the moonrock! Can Mike and Kate figure out who did it . . . when their only clue is a broken green feather? The Astro Outlaw includes a fun act page about the Houston Astros’ stadium with trivia about the train on the outfield wall and the homerun gas pump. Cross Ron Roy’s A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher’s sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein’s fans.

The Astro Outlaw

Jeff Brown

Macky Pamintuan

Flat Stanley is taking over the world, one city at a time! In this terrific tenth installment in the renowned Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures chapter book series, the Lambchops travel to the Lone Star State!In this easy-to-read and incredibly hilarious chapter book, Stanley and his friends head to the big state of Texas to visit their pal Eduardo. From rocking out onstage at a music festival, to riding a horse, to parasailing in the desert, Stanley is having the time of his life! But when a mysterious truck starts following the friends, tensions run high. Who could it be? And what do they want? A suspenseful and surprising showdown at Texas’s historic Alamo will reveal all . . . including Stanley’s courageous inner cowboy.This unforgettable adventure features fun, fascinating facts about Texas! And for parents and teachers, each Flat Stanley book is aligned to the Common Core State Standards, like multicultural adventure, plot and character development story elements, and compare and contrast. Don’t miss any of Flat Stanley’s worldwide adventures!

Showdown at the Alamo

On Christmas Eve, a killer coyote attacked the ranch, killing a calf. Lucky for Slim, Drover, and the rest of the gang, Hank the Cowdog came to the rescue and saved Christmas Eve. Since Sally May and High Loper were out of town, Slim and Hank returned to the ranch house to settle down for a long winter’s nap.

Murder in the Middle Pasture

Who’s killing the ranch’s chickens? What’s Ranch Security going to do about it? These are the critical questions in Hank’s sixth adventure. A fiendish murderer is loose on the ranch. Never has Hank followed so many clues or interrogated more suspects. Every character in the book turns out to be a suspect–including Hank himself.

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

What happens when an honest, hard working dog falls heir to a fortune? How is Hank, a steak loving dog, changed so that he would say, “We’d be fools to trade priceless corncobs for a miserable pile of steak scraps”? Hank and Drover fight over “money,” put on airs, even quit their jobs, and leave the ranch.

The Curse of the Incredible Priceless Corncob

When darkness falls, Drover reports that he has seen a witch, a ghost, a pirate, and two skeletons on Slim’s front porch. These terrifying creatures were saying something about “Tricker Trees.” Hank goes to verify this and the fun really starts.

The Case of the Halloween Ghost

Hank is looking forward to a long winter’s nap when duty calls him to accompany Slim into town for a last-minute Christmas shopping spree. Along the way, Hank and the gang are struck not only by the meaning of Christmas but also by a twenty-five-pound buzzard!

The Wounded Buzzard on Christmas Eve

A convoy of circus trucks is passing through the ranch. The last truck in the column hits a bump and a large red box falls off and comes to rest in the pasture. Hank and Drover investigate the box and discover that it contains a circus monkey. Pete advises Hank not to open it, but Hank’s curiosity gets the best of him. What follows is fun and adventure.

Hank the Cowdog and Monkey Business

A terrible winter storm strikes the Texas Panhandle. Down at Slim’s place, Hank and Drover listen to the wind howling outside, watching the snow pile up outside. The phone rings. It’s High Loper. Baby Molly has a bad cough and needs medicine. Can Hank go out into the blizzard and make it all the way to Headquarters with the cough medicine? Or will he be captured and eaten by Rip and Snort?

Lost in the Blinded Blizzard

Pete warns Hank that a stray dog has invaded the ranch and is lurking inside the machine shed. Naturally, Hank goes to investigate, and sure enough, he finds the Phantom Dog–in an old mirror stored in the machine shed. But then Drover looks into the same mirror and sees a “Handsome Prince.” Holy smokes, it appears that two dogs have invaded the ranch!

The Phantom in the Mirror

Slim rescues an orphan raccoon, and much to Hank’s dismay, everyone on the ranch is enchanted with the “cute” baby coon with the beady little eyes and amazing little hands. Yet, little do they know that every time midnight rolls around, Eddy the Rac is seized with uncontrollable fits and it’s Hank’s responsibility to guard the crafty masked bandit every moment! Soon Hank finds himself teaming up with Eddy to liberate the poor “singing” cookies.

Moonlight Madness

Hank assists Eddy the Rac performing amazing feats of illusion. But the magic tricks backfire when Hank becomes a prime suspect in a felony and Eddy pulls a disappearing act. This tale leads Hank through the creepy haunted house as he tries to save his friend and clear his name.

The Case of the Black-Hooded Hangmans

Hank discovers an elixir that gives him a huge burst of energy-Sally May’s bucket of root stimulator. It gave him such a kick, he challenges Rufus, the Doberman Pincher to a fight, only to discover that Sally May has filled the bucket with mopwater. Big trouble for the Head of Ranch Security.

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