After years of living with uncertainty, first with his mother and then in foster care, J.P.’s life is finally becoming more predictable, routine, and even comfortable. Now that he is safely living with his father, his stepmother and his two half-sisters, J.P. is finally enjoying the opportunity to learn more about himself. He is not a fan of school, mostly because it’s hard for him, but he resolves to do well enough to ensure academic eligibility for the wrestling team, as his sights are set on winning a state championship that year. J.P.’s father, Juan, is also learning – learning how to contend with the challenges that come with raising a teenager. Juan tries to better understand his son who has recently come to live with him and attempts to make a better connection by letting J.P. know that he, too, was once a wrestler back in Mexico. A luchador mexicano. The conversations between the two are peppered with reminders of J.P.’s desire to get his driver’s license, as he desperately wants to fit in with all of his friends who are also headed to the DMV. But there is a problem, one he knows nothing about, and one that Juan hopes can be fixed before J.P. finds out.In this novel, readers are presented with a wealth of vocabulary and verb tenses while focusing on family and social issues, with the cultural component being that of Mexican wrestling – la lucha mexicana.

School... It's the one thing Claude truly hates. Why? Because it's difficult for him and some of the boys are mean. Things get even worse when he is paired up with Luc, the meanest boy in his class, to prepare and present a research project. On the bright side, he is assigned to research chocolate, something which sparks his interest! Who doesn't love chocolate!? Surprisingly, through his research on Belgian chocolate, Claude learns that chocolate and people have a lot in common. Will his newfound knowledge be enough to teach a valuable lesson to the meanest kid in class?

Kamila is a 9-year-old girl living with her parents in a little blue house in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico. Their life is simple and easy. Both of her parents work and she attends school nearby. The family is very close, especially given that Kamila’s abuela, whom she loves dearly, lives just blocks away. Life goes along at a beautiful pace, as it does on the island, until a family matter in Connecticut requires Kamila’s mom, Stefany, to travel there to spend a few weeks helping her sister recover from surgery. Though Stefany’s absence is an upset to regular life for the family, the situation is further intensified by the impending arrival of Hurricane Maria, the storm that decimated many islands in the Caribbean. Learn how this family prepares for the coming of the storm and deals with its aftermath. Through these experiences, some of which are tremendous losses, Kamila gains knowledge of what it means to be boricua (Puerto Rican), both as a daughter of the island and in spirit.

One day Sebastián is a soccer phenom, dancing his way around the ball up and down the pitch. The next day he isn’t. As if coming to terms with needing to use a wheelchair isn’t enough at 14 years old, Sebastián also has to face more changes and all at once. Switching schools because of the family’s move to a new neighborhood, and changes in the relationship with his father, due to the sudden absence of soccer in their lives, causes way too much stress. This new reality is NOT a good time for Sebas. Anthony is struggling in his relationship with his dad, too, mostly because he thinks his father wants him to be something he’s not - or at least Anthony doesn’t think he is. Instead of practicing his guitar and trying to be as good as a musician as his father, Anthony just wants to be left alone to play video games with his friends. The two boys meet at Sebastián’s new school, and, after a bit of a rocky start, the boys develop a friendship. Later, with the help of a professional hockey player, who is also facing his own challenges, both Sebastián and Anthony begin to realize that what they think is reality is not the same as what really is.

Cheryl and her mother have just moved into an old house on Verdon Street. From the minute they pull into the driveway, Cheryl is struck with a strange feeling. Following the death of her father, the already difficult becomes more terrifying when Cheryl begins to question exactly who - or what - is living in the house. In the first couple of days on Verdon Street Cheryl is plagued by strange noises and sightings that force her to believe that the house is haunted, a feeling that her mother does not share. Then, when Cheryl's best friend Lara visits for the weekend, she experiences similarly strange things. The girls set out to learn more about the house and its past. Will they be able to uncover the truth before it's too late?

It’s the first day of Eddie’s high school career, and he’s ready. At least he thinks he is. The older and more serious of the two boys in the family, Eddie has plans to make his time at high school memorable, and the most beneficial for him, you know, for getting into college. He is thinking about sports and clubs, and even joining the student government. As one of the few people of color at the school - heck, in the whole town - Eddie is more aware than most 14-year olds. So, in addition to figuring out his identity as a human, he also wants to be a good role model for his younger, less-aware, and sillier brother, James. But even with his heightened adolescent awareness, there is no way Eddie can prepare himself for what the next four years have in store for him, and how it affects all of the relationships he has: those with his family, his friends and classmates, and even the town.

It has been a couple of weeks since Rhumus, his family and all of the rats experienced a large explosion under the streets of Paris. They are desperate to find a safe place to hide. Thinking they should stay away from the more famous places they attempt to hide in some less-visited sites in Paris. Will Rhumus and his pals fall victim to extermination or will they find a safe place to hide?

One year just after Christmas when Ximena is thirteen, she overhears her parents talking - a conversation she is not supposed to hear. She catches the word, “father,” but wonders why they are whispering? Federico is the only father Ximena has ever known since he and her mom married six years ago. Of course, she knows she has a biological father, but her mom never talks about him - and Ximena never asks. All she knows is that he is “away” and doesn’t live near them. But after overhearing her parents’ discussion, she starts to wonder why she has no contact with him. At the same time, too, life is becoming more challenging for Ximena in school - academically, but mostly socially. And, after learning what “away” really means, she is faced with a decision that will alter her life. At the age where her friends and cousins are having their quinceañeras (many of which are much more extravagant than the one she knows her parents will be able to afford for her), Ximena is also forced to confront some ugliness that arises with the occurrence of these parties. Feeling like an outsider even in her own community, she begins to question everything about who she is. It’s not until she starts communicating with Daniel that her life changes even more - as if she needs the extra drama. In this story, read how a father and a daughter finally learn of each other’s existence and how they navigate that connection in challenging times; ones of overwhelm and danger. Can their newfound relationship withstand the pressures of life?

Rhumus is a rat who can read and write. He lives under the streets of Paris, France with his mom and dad. One day, the rats experience a loud explosion that not only separates Rhumus from his parents but leaves him hard of hearing. How will Rhumus be able to find his parents if he can't hear? Will he venture alone into the streets of Paris? Can his special talent help him to find his family?

Sandra is a talented soccer player, in her last season playing for Boston College. She has always worked hard and her natural talent brought her to play in a Division I school. But she wants more: she wants to be unforgettable. She sees that she can be a positive role model for girls who are unsure if they can play at the next level. As Sandra pursues her dream, her skill and dedication are critical to her success on the soccer pitch, but who will remember her talents and athletic ability? How will she become unforgettable?

Students and readers of all ages are guaranteed to be amazed at Stephan's fascination with art and all he discovers about the Louvre Museum and what it has to offer. Mystery at the Louvre is full of adventure and mystery! Guaranteed to spike your curiosity and keep you wanting more!! Plus it is full of cultural art references! This advanced beginner reader is sure to capture one's attention and teach some culture and history of the most famous museum in the world! Stephan is a boy with a dream to one day visit the Louvre museum. Of course, he wants to see all of the famous art, but he has read that there are other things that haunt the museum at night. Through research and asking questions, he gets an idea that is sure to make his first trip to the museum a memorable one. Will Stephan's idea pan out in the end, or will it be his worst idea yet?

Anthony is different, a mouse that isn’t afraid of cats. He lives in the Black Creek State forest in New York with his mom and dad. But Anthony is not happy. He doesn’t have any friends. And because his father fears he will get attacked by a cat, Anthony is not allowed to explore the forest alone. How will Anthony be able to make friends? Will he venture alone into the forest, against his father’s wishes? Anthony’s fearlessness could get him into trouble or… it could help him find friends! Our differences set us apart from others, but sometimes they bring us together.