In his third book, Little Joe Honors Santa's Promise, of the Little Joe series, James Conroy encourages Little Joe to honor Santa's promise to reinforce Santa's ideal to abolish bullying from schools. In book two, Little Joe stops a bullying incident and is rewarded with a visit to the North Pole. In this book, Little Joe must honor and spread Santa's message. When a new student named Emily is bullied on her first day of school after Thanksgiving, Little Joe thinks he must do something. After telling Ms. Morrissey about Emily's bad first day, both LJ and Ms. Morrissey visit Elf 719 at his home to seek guidance. Both are surprised at who they meet inside Elf 719's house. Elf 719 reminds Little Joe of Santa's promise, and the special medallion Santa gave him to spread his message to stop bullying. Elf 719 tells little Joe what to do. Ms. Morrissey wonders about her feelings for the Elf and his feelings towards her. Does Little Joe have the courage to spread Santa's message? Will Ms. Morrissey feel differently about Elf 719? Find out in this wonderful Christmas story.

A warm, intimate portrait of Jackie Robinson, America's sports icon, told from the unique perspective of a unique insider: his only daughter. Sharon Robinson shares memories of her famous father in this warm loving biography of the man who broke the color barrier in baseball. Jackie Robinson was an outstanding athlete, a devoted family man and a dedicated civil rights activist. The author explores the fascinating circumstances surrounding Jackie Robinson's breakthrough. She also tells the off-the-field story of Robinson's hard-won victories and the inspiring effect he had on his family, his community. . . his country! Includes never-before-published letters by Jackie Robinson, as well as photos from the Robinson family archives.

Based on a true story, Little Joe's Christmas, by James F. Conroy, tells the heartwarming tale of a little boy's faith and courage to keep the Christmas spirit alive. Faced with the cancellation of Christmas festivities at school, Little Joe asks his friend, the author, for help. Little Joe brings a special message, delivered through a Christmas card, from Santa Claus to his classroom. Through his belief in Santa and desire to save Christmas, Little Joe becomes a hero. Unaware of another development until the end, Little Joe helps his friend restore some faith in himself. With a positive message for every child, and a loveable conclusion for adults, Little Joe's Christmas will reinvigorate the Christmas spirit in all of us.

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. "The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly “Any story that starts will also end.” As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.