Fifth-grader Farah Hajjar and her best friend Allie Liu are hoping to go to the Magnet Academy for their middle school years, instead of Harbortown Elementary/Middle School; but when a new girl Dana Denver starts tormenting Farah and her younger brother, Samir, she decides she can not leave Samir to face the bully alone, especially since the adults and even Allie do not seem to be taking the matter seriously--so Farah comes up with a plan, one which involves lying to those closest to her.

It's summer break, and Farah is eager to attend an enrichment camp at her new school. But with car trouble and other family expenses, Farah's parents won't be able to pay for the camp this year. Taking matters into her own hands, Farah takes various odd jobs, including selling items at a yard sale, mowing neighbors' lawns, and finally starting her own tutoring business. When Farah discovers that someone is sabotaging her business by taking down her fliers, she's shocked. Can Farah find the culprit, continue her business success, and earn enough money in time to go to the camp of her dreams?

When her little brother faces a lengthy stay in the hospital, Farah is sent visit her grandmother in Florida. Sitti Fayrouz doesn't speak much English, and she has lots of rules. She thinks rocks are dirty, that towels need to hang a certain way, and that hummus must be scooped from the side of the plate. Even worse, Farah managed to make an enemy out of one of her grandmother's neighbors--before she even arrived in Florida! Will Farah find a way to have fun being the only kid in a retirement community, or will she spend the trip worrying about her brother and counting the days until she can go home? Readers will love the fourth book in this series about a strong Palestinian-American girl.

Feeling guilty over the house fire she might have started, Farah Hajjar channels her energy into starting a creative writing club at the Magnet Academy where she is a new sixth-grader. Includes writing prompts and glossaries.

A celebration of August Wilson’s journey from a child in Pittsburgh to one of America’s greatest playwrights August Wilson (1945–2005) was a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who had a particular talent for capturing the authentic, everyday voice of black Americans. As a child, he read off soup cans and cereal boxes, and when his mother brought him to the library, his whole world opened up. After facing intense prejudice at school from both students and some teachers, August dropped out. However, he continued reading and educating himself independently. He felt that if he could read about it, then he could teach himself anything and accomplish anything. Like many of his plays, Feed Your Mind is told in two acts, revealing how Wilson grew up to be one of the most influential American playwrights. The book includes an author’s note, a timeline of August Wilson’s life, a list of Wilson’s plays, and a bibliography.

Ivy and Bean need some money. Ten dollars, to be exact. Never mind what for. Okay, it's for low-fat Belldeloon cheese in a special just-for-you serving size. Don't ask why. How are Ivy and Bean going to make ten dollars? Hey, maybe they should write a newspaper about Pancake Court and sell it. Great idea! And easy, too. All they have to do is snoop around the neighborhood. Wow. It's very interesting what you can find out. It's even more interesting when the neighbors read about it in the newspaper. Includes bonus material! - Sneak peek chapter from the next book in the Ivy + Bean series Ivy and Bean Make the Rules by Annie Barrows, illustrated by Sophie Blackall - Our second ever Ivy + Bean Quiz! - Other fun games

"Dara's larger-than-life personality and true-to-life middle grade issues command center stage until the curtain falls."—School Library Journal, STARRED Review Dara Palmer is destined to be a star, and she's writing herself the role of a lifetime. In this book, Emma Shevah tells a heartwarming story of one girl's experience with transracial adoption and the drama of middle school. Dara longs for stardom—but when she isn't cast in her middle school's production of The Sound of Music, she gets suspicious. It can't be because she's not the best. She was born to be a famous movie star. It must be because she's adopted from Cambodia and doesn't look like a typical fraulein. (That's German for girl.) So irrepressible Dara comes up with a genius plan to shake up the school: write a play about her own life. Then she'll have to be the star. Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 to 7 Great for parents and educators looking for: A story told with doodles and illustrations, perfect for readers that love graphic novels and reluctant readers A great conversation starter for parents to talk to their kids about being unique and growing up with differences from their fellow classmates or community A story about a girl who takes the initiative and isn't afraid to forge her own path. Books for kids about transracial adoption Praise for Emma Shevah's Dream On, Amber: A Booklist 2015 Top 10 First Novels for Youth A Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2015 "[This] novel is a charmer...While its humor and illustrations lend it Wimpy Kid appeal, its emotional depth makes it stand out from the pack."—Booklist STARRED review "A gutsy girl in a laugh-out-loud book that navigates tough issues with finesse."—Kirkus STARRED review "Amber's effervescent and opinionated narration captivates from the start."—Publishers Weekly STARRED review "By turns playful and poignant, in both style and substance, this coming-of-age novel will hook readers from the first page to the last."—School Library Journal STARRED review