Lexie has a medical condition that requires her to spend a lot of time in therapy, at hospitals, and in doctors' offices. These experiences aren't always fun. The medicine tastes bad and the shots hurt. "Be brave and know that you are not alone" is Lexie's message, as she encourages young children who face these same challenges in Brave Just Like Me. By age 8 most children brave getting a shot, taking medicine, an x-ray or two, and quite likely a brief hospitalization or emergency room visit. Among them are those who courageously face repeated hospitalizations, surgeries, feeding tubes, dialysis, EEGs, respiration and heart monitors, and a life-time of therapy. Lexie has a medical condition that requires her to spend a lot of time in therapy, at hospitals, and in doctors' offices. She knows first-hand just how difficult, painful, and scary, these experiences can be. "Be brave and know that you are not alone" is Lexie's message, as she encourages young children who face these challenges in Brave Just Like Me. Brave Just Like Me was inspired by a three year old girl named Lexie, who was born with a life threatening medical condition. One day, shortly after Lexie returned home from her second kidney transplant surgery, her mother held her in her arms while she slept. It was a day like many others, but as her mother gazed in deepest admiration on her brave little girl, the words to this book were born - not in a slow or uncertain trickle but in strong, overpowering waves. So compelling was this experience, that Lexie's mother laid her sleeping child in bed to capture these words in writing. Inspired by love and a deep desire to acknowledge, comfort, and encourage children who face the same hardships her daughter experiences, Kimberly wrote her first children's book. It was only a matter of days before this first time author found an illustrator, who not only offered but insisted on painting the illustrations for the book and donating the artwork. Stacy spent years painting for the book, as her schedule allowed, and through many personal challenges. Through Stacy, Kimberly found Leslie, a graphic design artist who helped finish the illustrations and set words to art, again donating her work to the cause, despite her own personal hardships. The book moved from Stacy, to Leslie, to Aaron, who volunteered to scan the artwork into print ready files. The book then found its way to a publisher, who not only believed enough in the book to publish it, but valued an affordable price point over profit to ensure the book reached those who needed it most. So, really, Brave Just Like Me has two stories to tell - one about a brave little girl and one about the kindness and goodness of people. Each person who has touched this book wants only one thing from this endeavor - to comfort and encourage young children who are working courageously to overcome the pain and disabilities that often accompany serious and life threatening medical conditions. "It is our sincerest hope that Brave Just Like Me finds its way into the hands of these precious children. We would encourage anyone who purchases this book for a loved one to also consider donating a copy to a local children's hospital, pediatrician, therapist, or Ronald McDonald House." Recognizing that these children aren't the only ones who need comforting and encouragement, the author invites the parents of children facing serious and life threatening medical conditions to join the virtual support group she created precisely for this purpose at bravejustlikeme.com.

When someone is serving our country, far from home, everyone in their family has to be brave. Including -- and sometimes especially -- the kids. This book speaks to all kids in this situation in telling the story of a boy and a girl with parents away on duty. It captures the children's worries, fears, trials, and triumphs while waiting for their parents to return from service. Although the narrative tells one universal tale, the photographs depict multiple perspectives so that every reader has someone they can relate to. In the end, each child finds the strength and patience to endure the wait, showing admirable bravery and inspiring us all. An afterword looks further at the meaning of bravery and offers resources for helping kids deal with transition, deployment, and separation.

Find yourself. Find your place. Find your brave. This uplifting tale, which award-winning author Leslie Connor dubbed “a perfectly paced journey of the heart” is perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Cyrus Olson’s dad is a hero—Northfield’s former football star and now one of their finest firefighters. Everyone expects Cyrus to follow in his dad’s record-breaking footsteps, and he wishes they were right—except he’s never been brave like that. But this year, with the help of a stray dog, a few new friends, a little bit of rhythm, and a lot of nerve, he may just discover that actually…he is. Lauded as “remarkable” by the New York Times Book Review, Lindsey Stoddard’s heartfelt stories continue to garner critical acclaim, and her latest novel will have fans new and old rooting for Cyrus and Parker’s special bond and the courage it helps them both to find.

Amir and Neena joined the adventure of a lifetime by mistake, but they met their first challenge head on. They helped King Root the Brave conquer his "biggest" fear, but will they be able to help bring Sacra the Joyous's smile and dry home back to life? Continue the adventure inside and get lost in the magic once again!

Maria Never Gives Up is a story of hope and bravery when a little girl becomes ill and how life as she knew it changed. Maria was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of nine. It is based on real life events. This book is designed to help children in their personal struggle with the emotional and physical roller coaster that is brought on by a chronic illness to ease the process and understand. What makes the story unique is it is told by Maria's Teddy Bear, Teddy. He makes her life a little more "Bear-able." Maria is a brave little girl and never gives up. "Are You Like Me?"

An ode to the girl with scrapes on her knees and flowers in her hair, and every girl in between, this exquisite treasury will appeal to readers of Dear Girl and I Am Enough and have kids poring over it to find a poem that's just for them. I am a canvas Being painted on By the words of my family Friends And community From Vanessa Brantley-Newton, the author of Grandma's Purse, comes a collection of poetry filled with engaging mini-stories about girls of all kinds: girls who feel happy, sad, scared, powerful; girls who love their bodies and girls who don't; country girls, city girls; girls who love their mother and girls who wish they had a father. With bright portraits in Vanessa's signature style of vibrant colors and unique patterns and fabrics, this book invites readers to find themselves and each other within its pages. "A dynamic, uplifting, and welcoming world of girls."--Kirkus "Thoughtful, inclusive, and celebratory"--Publishers Weekly "Bursting with positivity, this would be a great book to use in primary school classrooms when discussing issues of friendship, diversity, and self-esteem."--Booklist

Perfect for fans of Rain Reign, this middle-grade novel The Brave is about a boy with an undiagnosed anxiety issue and his move to a reservation to live with his biological mother. Collin can't help himself—he has a mental health condition that finds him counting every letter spoken to him. It's a quirk that makes him a prime target for bullies, and frustrates the adults around him, including his father. When Collin asked to leave yet another school, his dad decides to send him to live in Minnesota with the mother he's never met. She is Ojibwe, and lives on a reservation. Collin arrives in Duluth with his loyal dog, Seven, and quickly finds his mom and his new home to be warm, welcoming, and accepting of his disability. Collin’s quirk is matched by that of his neighbor, Orenda, a girl who lives mostly in her treehouse and believes she is turning into a butterfly. With Orenda’s help, Collin works hard to learn the best ways to manage his anxiety disorder. His real test comes when he must step up for his new friend and trust his new family.