Ava desperately wants a pet for her eleventh birthday-but gets way more than she bargained for when she adopts T-A-C-O-C-A-T. When Ava Wren hears about an injured yellow tabby with mismatched ears, she becomes obsessed and wants to rescue him. She even picks out a perfect palindromic name: T-A-C-O-C-A-T. But when Taco joins the family, he doesn't snuggle or purr-all he does is hide. Worse, Ava's best friend starts hanging out with Zara, a new girl in fifth grade. Ava feels alone and writes an acclaimed story, "The Cat Who Wouldn't Purr." What begins as exciting news turns into a disaster. How can Ava make things right? And what about sweet, scared little Taco? The New York Times called AVA AND PIP "a love letter to language. " With this second diary, Girls' Life advice columnist Carol Weston hits another home run.

Fall in love with the second installment in the Ava and Pip series, perfect for the young cat lover in your life. Written as short diary entries, this quick, heartwarming read follows 11 year old Ava as she learns patience and persistence are all part of growing up. Ava Wren desperately wants a cat for her 11th birthday—but gets way more than she bargained for when she adopts a rescue cat. When Ava Wren hears about an injured yellow tabby with mismatched ears, she becomes obsessed and wants to rescue him. She even picks out a perfect palindromic name: T-A-C-O-C-A-T. But when Taco joins the family, he doesn't snuggle or purr—all he does is hide. Worse, Ava's best friend starts hanging out with Zara, a new girl in fifth grade. Ava feels alone and writes an acclaimed story, "The Cat Who Wouldn't Purr" with her sister. What begins as exciting news turns into a disaster. How can Ava make things right? And what about sweet, scared little Taco? Ava and Taco Cat is perfect for: Kids who love cats and budding animal rescue enthusiasts 9 to 12 year old girls Young aspiring writers Reluctant readers

Return to the world of Ava and Pip in the third book in the series, featuring the beloved diary format and strong, spunky Ava...this time during Valentine's Day! This installment follows Ava as she discovers her first crush, deals with a friend being bullied, and learning the power of words (and how to be careful with them). Love is in the air—and Ava thinks she's allergic. Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and Ava couldn't care less. That is, until a new girl, Kelli, asks out Ava's friend Chuck...and he says yes! What?!? Ava is NOT okay with this. But since when does she think about boys? For the first time ever, words fail Ava. She isn't sure what she's feeling (Like? Love? Friendship? Frustration?), or what "going out" even means. After all, fifth graders aren't allowed to go anywhere by themselves, are they? To top it off, Pip's friend Tanya is being bullied for her size. Ava wants to help—but, uh oh, it's not as easy as she imagines. Pick up Ava XOX if you are looking for: A relatable story perfect for family discussion Books on growing up for 10 year old girls Books on first crushes for tweens Reluctant readers Aspiring writers

Meet outgoing Ava Wren, a fun fifth grader who tries not to lose patience with her shy big sister. When Pip's 13th birthday party turns into a disaster, Ava gets a story idea for a library contest. But uh-oh, Ava should never have written "Sting of the Queen Bee." Can Ava and her new friend help Pip come out of her shell? And can Ava get out of the mess she has made? "A big W-O-W for Ava and Pip!"—Julie Sternberg, Like Pickle Juice On a Cookie

An indispensable guide to welcoming children—from babies to teens—to a lifelong love of reading, written by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, editors of The New York Times Book Review. Do you remember your first visit to where the wild things are? How about curling up for hours on end to discover the secret of the Sorcerer’s Stone? Combining clear, practical advice with inspiration, wisdom, tips, and curated reading lists, How to Raise a Reader shows you how to instill the joy and time-stopping pleasure of reading. Divided into four sections, from baby through teen, and each illustrated by a different artist, this book offers something useful on every page, whether it’s how to develop rituals around reading or build a family library, or ways to engage a reluctant reader. A fifth section, “More Books to Love: By Theme and Reading Level,” is chockful of expert recommendations. Throughout, the authors debunk common myths, assuage parental fears, and deliver invaluable lessons in a positive and easy-to-act-on way.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 Tyshaun McPhatter, age nine, had struggled with his emotions for months. He was a troublemaker, and his teachers and mother were always worried about him. But one day, he just lost it and started to cry. #2 Ava, who is white, was a Daisy Scout and wanted to become a cheerleader. She lived in the town of Townville, which was known for its abundance of churches and gun rights. In late September 2016, a teenager drove up to the playground in a Dodge Ram and began firing at students. #3 Tyshaun was growing up in a time of rapid gentrification in Washington, D. C. While his neighborhood was predominantly black, most residents didn’t support Trump in 2016. Tyshaun had a deep well of compassion for others, but he could also be extremely violent when teased or challenged. #4 The loss of a child is devastating, but the fear and anger that follows can be even more so. For kids all over the country, gun violence is a public health crisis that’s both grossly underestimated and widely ignored.